700 MHz and More

1
700 MHz and More!

• Karl VossGDC Training SeminarLas Vegas, NVJuly
  16, 2005

2
700 MHz and More!

• FCC is making to spectrum used by GDCs
  including
• 700 MHz (TV channels 52-69)
• 2.5 GHz
• 2 GHz
• VHF/UHF Re-banding
• What do these changes mean to
• GDCs
• Broadcast Users both local and itinerant
• NFL

3
700 MHz Introduction

• To make room for new users, TV band is being
  compressed to 50 Core Channels
• Channels 2 51 Core TV channels
• TV and BAS uses still permitted
• Channels 52 - 59 Lower 700 MHz
• Auctioned to new Commercial Users
• Channels 60 - 69 Upper 700 MHz
• 4 channels (TV 63, 64, 68 and 69) are set aside
  for Public Safety
• Remaining channels will be auctioned to
  Commercial users
• Full Power TV, DTV and Class A LPTV are
  protected from new users until they relocate
• All current uses outside of Core are secondary to
  new users
• STLs, LPTV, Translators, Low-power mics, IFBs,
  etc

4
Upper 700 MHz

• Note Public Safety Allocations include TV 68 and
  69 which are NOT shown on this diagram

5
Upper 700 MHz

• Public Safety TV channels 63, 64, 68 and 69
• Regional Planning Committees decide how these
  frequencies are used
• http//wireless.fcc.gov/publicsafety/700MHz/plans.
  html
• Interoperability channels
• Used to communicate between agencies
• Statewide frequencies allocated
• Can be licensed NOW
• Other licenses can be issued when
• Regional plan is accepted and approved by FCC
• Channels are cleared of TV, DTV and Class A LPTV
• Mixture of narrow and wide band operations

6
Upper 700 MHz

• Commercial Radio Channels
• Blocks dont necessarily follow TV channels
• Guard Bands Blocks A and B
• Paired spectrum
• Block A 1 MHz of spectrum from both TV 60 and 65
• Block B 2 MHz of spectrum from both TV 62 and 67
• Protects Adjacent users, especially Public Safety
  Frequencies
• Cannot operate a Cellular Architecture
• Have already been Auctioned off
• 104 Licenses issued in each block
• Can start operations as soon as protected
  broadcasters have cleared channels TV 60/65
  (Block A) or TV 62/67 (Block B)

7
Upper 700 MHz

• Commercial Radio Channels
• Blocks C and D
• Paired spectrum
• Block C 5 MHz of spectrum from both TV 60 and 65
• Block D 10 MHz of spectrum from both TV 61/62
  and 66/67
• NOT Auctioned yet
• No Service Rules defined yet
• 12 licenses will be issued for each block
• Geographic licenses in Enterprise Area Groups

8
Lower 700 MHz
9
Lower 700 MHz

• Commercial Radio Channels TV channel 52-59
• Blocks follow TV channels
• Both Paired and Non-Paired Blocks
• Paired Blocks A, B and C
• Non-Paired Blocks D and E
• Can start operations as soon as protected
  broadcasters have cleared channels TV 54/59
  (Block C) or 55 (Block E)
• Blocks C and D have already been Auctioned
  off
• 703 Licenses issued in paired block C (TV
  54/59)
• 6 Licenses issued in non-paired block D (TV 55)
• Blocks A, B and E have not had an auction
  scheduled, yet!
• No restrictions on uses
• Use determined by Auction Winners!

10
700 MHz Implications

• New users can come up anywhere their TV channel
  is clear of Full Powered TV, DTV or Class A LPTV.
• You may hear about proposed new operations
  through LPTV or translator licensees or not!
• New users may come up with high power (1 KW)
  wideband (1.25 MHz Wide) CDMA transmitters.
• Transmitting Data / Wireless Internet EVDO
• Looks like 1.25 MHz wide DTV Haystack
• Place as many carriers that will fit into
  available spectrum
• Each carrier may affect MANY LP wireless devices!
• Wideband CDMA transmissions may sound like DTV to
  a wireless user

11
700 MHz Implications

• typical use of Commercial 700 MHz channels
• Phoenix Metro area user proposed a system on TV
  54/59 using five 1.25 MHz wide CDMA transmitters
  in a TV channel. This system proposes to send
  data using cellular EVDO protocol
• Qualcomm purchased TV 55 nationwide and intends
  on sending streaming video to cell phones!
• New users probably DONT KNOW about the low
  powered wireless devices
• Arizona 700 MHz Public Safety RPC certainly
  didnt!
• New users cant warn an incumbent they dont know
  about!
• 700 MHz users may target NFL venues for
  operations
• Public data users
• Public Safety Users

12
700 MHz To Do

• Start educating existing users about loss of
  frequencies
• Incumbent users need to budget to replace
  equipment using frequencies out of core
• Recommend users DO NOT purchase new equipment
  using out of core frequencies
• Start educating new licensees about existing
  users
• Attend meetings of your Public Safety Regional
  Planning Committee (RPC)
• Stay informed about status of protected
  stations and auction status

13
700 MHz

• Questions and discussion

14
2.5 GHz Introduction

• Microwave Bands 2400-2500 MHz
• NOT being transitioned to digital by Nextel, BUT
  is turning a Garbage Band into a Royal Mess
• Part 15 License-free
• 2400-2483.5 MHz
• Part 18 Industrial Scientific Medical ISM
• 2400-2500 MHz
• Parts 90, 101, 74 Licensed use
• 2450-2483.5 MHz
• Grandfathered Licenses 2483.52500 MHz
• Possible MSS ATC in top 10 markets
• Cellular Type Operations
• Broadband Radio Service 2496-2502 MHz

15
Licensed or License-Free

• Licensed uses include
• BAS Wireless cameras, Blimp D/L, ENG both local
  and itinerant users
• Public Safety Spy Cameras, Bomb robots, Airborne
  Cameras, etc
• Local Television Transmission Service ENG type
  operations
• Cable Remote Pickup
• Licensed devices have priority over License-Free
  uses

16
Licensed or License-Free

• License-Free users include
• Wireless LANs (WLAN)
• Ticket Scanners
• Point of Sale Systems
• Direct Sequence Spread Spectrum
• Channelized in 22 MHz wide channels
• Frequency Hopping Spread Spectrum
• Hops across entire band
• Part 15 cameras both analog and digital
• Wireless Internet Providers
• Cordless phones, etc
• ISM Devices

17
Non-Licensed ISM vs. Part 15

• ISM and license-free are similar, but
• ISM (FCC Part 18)
• Industrial ovens, Microwave lighting, etc
• Supposed to contain RF, but
• Licensed users must accept interference from
  these devices
• License-free (FCC Part 15)
• Wireless LANs
• Cordless Phones
• Garage Door openers, etc
• Licensed by rule
• Part 15 device is defined as having no more
  than a certain field strength at a certain
  distance at the operating frequency
• Cannot cause harmful interference to and MUST
  ACCEPT interference from licensed users

18
2.5 GHz License Required?

• Problem License required or not?
• We may not be the Frequency Cops but we may be
  considered to be Frequency Experts
• Sales folks dont know or wont tell!
• Internationalization of hardware
• Just because it can tune to a frequency doesnt
  mean the frequency can be used or licensed by
  user!
• Is user even eligible for license device is
  designed for?
• Solution
• Allowable operational frequencies and FCC Rule
  Parts are identified by FCC-ID so look up what
  rule part the radio was designed for!

19
FCC Equipment ID Lookup Example

• Get FCC ID from manufacturer or equipment ID
  label
• Look up ID at www.fcc.gov/oet/fccid
• MRC Strata TX is FC3STATXU2D
• 1st 3 characters (FC3) are the Grantee Code
• Rest of ID (STATXU2D) is Product Code
• Click on icon under View Form
• Scroll to bottom of application form and
  seeEquipment specifications associated with
  this filing
• 1990.0-2700.0 MHz,2.0 Watts,2.0 ppm,17M0F9W rule
  parts74, 90 1990.0-2700.0 MHz,2.0 Watts,2.0
  ppm,17M0W7D rule parts74, 90 1990.0-2700.0
  MHz,2.0 Watts,2.0 ppm,16M0W7D rule parts74, 90
• B5DCPE200MW comes up with the following specs
• Equipment specifications associated with this
  filing2412.0-2462.0 MHz, 0.1590 Watts, , rule
  parts15C

20
Licensed vs. License-Free

• Note One sample device can only be operated
  licensed under Part 74 or 90
• No matter what the Sales Rep says!
• Whereas the other can only be operated
  License-free under Part 15.
• Next Question Is the user eligible for a license
  the equipment requires?
• Look up the eligibility under the Rules.
• Problem Solved!

21
Official vs. Practical Priorities

• Official Priorities
• FCC Rules define these
• Licensed users over License-Free
• Practical Priorities
• Finding the Part 15 devices
• Locked offices
• Municipal and University WLANs
• Finding someone with authority to shut them down
  if necessary

22
2.5 GHz Summary

• How does this impact me?
• GDC
• Educate your users!
• Work with Stadium to plan compatible uses
• DSSS is preferred over FHSS if you have a choice
  as it is channelized.
• Itinerant Users
• Be aware of unlicensed users and challenges in
  getting them shut down
• Use digital technology if possible
• Digital seems to deal with Part 15 interference
  better

23
2 GHz Introduction

• 2 GHz Transition clears 1990-2025 MHz for MSS,
  Nextel and Advanced Wireless
• 2 GHz band before transition
• 1990-2110 MHz
• 7 channels either 18 or 17 MHz wide
• Analog operations
• 2 GHz band after transition
• 2025-2110 MHz
• 7 channels 12 MHz wide
• Digital operations
• Nextel is funding this transition to allow
  cleanup of 800 MHz bands

24
2 GHz Transition

• Transition is happening simultaneously in 8 areas
  across the nation
• Narrow in Place
• Replace receivers and remote controls
• Replace transmitters with new digital radios
• Operate digitally in 17 MHz channels
• Test systems, train Operators and
• When market is ready
• Flash-cut to new 12 MHz wide channels
• Mop up unforeseen issues
• Project is done!

25
2 GHz Transition How does this impact you?

• GDCs
• Be aware of the transition schedule in your area
• Educate Local and Itinerant users
• 2 GHz Stadium Cams that may become obsolete
  overnight!
• Stadium Cam is probably NOT covered under the
  Nextel reimbursement
• Inform Itinerant users of 2 GHz transition status
  when they request 2 GHz frequencies
• Itinerant Users
• Make sure equipment capable of tuning to the
  current bandplan is sent to the correct venues
• Ask the GDC what bandplan the market uses!

26
VHF and UHF Re-banding

• Changing technology will be stressing RPU
  channels with more IFB requests
• IBOC on the radio side
• DTV DENG on the TV side
• Additionally, the FCC is trying to accommodate an
  infinite amount of users but how?
• By narrowbanding transmitters

27
VHF Part 74 Rules

• VHF Part 74
• 74.402(e) notes
• (10) Stations licensed or applied for before
  April 16, 2003, must comply with the channel plan
  by March 17, 2006, or may continue to operate on
  a secondary, non-interference basis.
• 74.402(f) continues
• (f) License applicants shall request assignment
  of only those channels, both in number and
  bandwidth, necessary for satisfactory operation
  and for which the system is equipped to operate
  
• Implies narrowbanding is required, BUT narrowband
  operation is not specifically specified

28
UHF Narrowbanding

• Part 90
• Already started as noted by new GDC frequency
  and narrowed CQB channels
• Part 74
• Implied by bandplan, but not mandatory
• Quality is not necessarily a good thing for
  broadcasters, but
• More available channels IS a good thing!
• Make sure new radios are capable of narrowband
  operations

29
Narrowbanding Implications

• GDCs
• Be aware that channels you used last year may NOT
  be available due to changes in radio and TV
  operations (digital operations)
• As noted with GDC frequency, some stadium
  frequencies may change
• Update your databases as new frequencies are
  discovered and sent to you.
• SCAN YOUR CRITICAL FREQUENCIES!

30
Narrowbanding Implications

• Itinerant Users
• Should start to operate IFBs and walkie talkies
  in narrowband mode
• Make sure deviation limiters are installed and
  configured correctly
• May require receivers with narrow IF filtering to
  allow closer spacing of users
• Work with GDCs to be sure that your radios are
  capable of operating on OK channels
• What worked last year may not work this year!

31
In Conclusion

• This presentation and many others can be found
  at
• http//www.az-frequency.com/afcc/TechPapers/writeu
  ps.php
• Karl Voss can be reached at
• 602-261-6191 voice
• kvoss_at_karlvoss.com
• Thank you for your time and Lets Eat!