Notice2021-22765
FCC Requests 6 GHz Automated Frequency Coordination Proposals
Primary source
Metadata and text below are from the Federal Register, a public-domain U.S. government work. Always verify the official published version before relying on it for any legal matter.
Published
October 21, 2021
Issuing agencies
Federal Communications Commission
Abstract
In this document, the Commission begins the process of authorizing standard power unlicensed operations in the 6 GHz band by inviting proposals from parties interested in operating an automated frequency coordination (AFC) system in accordance with the 6 GHz Report and Order. This Public Notice summarizes the requirements for AFC systems as set forth in that order, describes the information that must be provided with proposals to operate an AFC system, and describes the procedures for designating AFC system operators.
Full Text
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<title>Federal Register, Volume 86 Issue 201 (Thursday, October 21, 2021)</title>
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[Federal Register Volume 86, Number 201 (Thursday, October 21, 2021)]
[Notices]
[Pages 58267-58269]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [<a href="http://www.gpo.gov">www.gpo.gov</a>]
[FR Doc No: 2021-22765]
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FEDERAL COMMUNICATIONS COMMISSION
[ET Docket No. 21-352; FCC 21-100; FR ID 53409]
FCC Requests 6 GHz Automated Frequency Coordination Proposals
AGENCY: Federal Communications Commission.
ACTION: Notice.
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SUMMARY: In this document, the Commission begins the process of
authorizing standard power unlicensed operations in the 6 GHz band by
inviting proposals from parties interested in operating an automated
frequency coordination (AFC) system in accordance with the 6 GHz Report
and Order. This Public Notice summarizes the requirements for AFC
systems as set forth in that order, describes the information that must
be provided with proposals to operate an AFC system, and describes the
procedures for designating AFC system operators.
DATES: Initial AFC system proposals are due on November 30, 2021, and
comments regarding the proposals are due on December 21, 2021.
ADDRESSES: Federal Communications Commission, 45 L Street NE,
Washington, DC 20554.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Nicholas Oros, Office of Engineering
and Technology, 202-418-0636, <a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#93ddfaf0fbfcfff2e0bddce1fce0d3f5f0f0bdf4fce5"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="da94b3b9b2b5b6bba9f495a8b5a99abcb9b9f4bdb5ac">[email protected]</span></a>.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: This is a summary of the Commission's
document, Public Notice, FCC 21-100, ET Docket No. 21-352, released
September 28, 2021. The full text of this document is available for
public inspection and can be downloaded at: <a href="https://www.fcc.gov/document/fcc-requests-6-ghz-automated-frequency-coordination-proposals">https://www.fcc.gov/document/fcc-requests-6-ghz-automated-frequency-coordination-proposals</a>
or by using the search function for ET Docket No. 21-352 on the
Commission's ECFS web page at ww<a href="http://w.fcc.gov/ecfs">w.fcc.gov/ecfs</a>. People with
Disabilities. To request materials in accessible formats for people
with disabilities (Braille, large print, electronic files, audio
format), send an email to <a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#54323737616460143237377a333b22"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="e5838686d0d5d1a5838686cb828a93">[email protected]</span></a> or call the Consumer and
Governmental Affairs Bureau at (202) 418-0530 (voice), (202) 418-0432
(TTY).
Synopsis
1. The 6 GHz Report and Order (FCC 20-51; 35 FCC Rcd 3852 (2020);
85 FR 31390 (May, 26 2020)) authorized two different types of
unlicensed operations--standard-power and indoor low-power operations.
Standard-power operations, which encompass standard-power access points
and fixed client devices (collectively referred to as standard-power
devices in this Public Notice), are permitted in the 5.925-6.425 GHz
and 6.525-6.875 GHz portions of the 6 GHz band and must operate under
the control of an automated frequency coordination (AFC) system to
prevent harmful interference to fixed microwave links that operate in
the band. The standard-power devices are required to have a geo-
location capability and, at least once per day, must communicate their
location to an AFC system, which will provide them with the frequencies
and maximum power levels at which they may operate without causing
harmful interference to any microwave links. The AFC system will also
prevent operation of standard-power devices in the 6.6500-6.6752 GHz
band near a limited number of radio astronomy observatories.
Expanded Unlicensed Use of the 6 Gigahertz Band
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Maximum EIRP power spectral
Device class Operating bands Maximum EIRP density
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Standard-Power Access Point (AFC U-NII-5 (5.925- 36 dBm..................... 23 dBm/MHz.
Controlled). 6.425 GHz). 36 dBm..................... 23 dBm/MHz.
Fixed Client (AFC Controlled)... U-NII-7 (6.525-
6.875 GHz).
Client Connected to Standard- 30 dBm..................... 17 dBm/MHz.
Power Access Point.
Low-Power Access Point (indoor U-NII-5 (5.925- 30 dBm..................... 5 dBm/MHz.
only). 6.425 GHz). 24 dBm..................... -1 dBm/MHz.
Client Connected to Low-Power U-NII-6 (6.425-
Access Point. 6.525 GHz).
U-NII-7 (6.525-
6.875 GHz).
U-NII-8 (6.875-
7.125 GHz).
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2. The 6 GHz Report and Order specifies how the AFC systems will
determine which frequencies are available for use by standard-power
devices. Once per day each AFC system is required to access the
Commission's Universal Licensing System (ULS) to obtain the most up-to-
date information on licensed microwave links including their
transmitter and receiver locations, frequencies, bandwidths,
polarizations, transmitter EIRP, antenna height, and the make and model
of the antenna and equipment used. The AFC systems will use this
information, along with the propagation models specified in the 6 GHz
Report and Order, to determine on which frequencies and at what power
levels standard-power devices may operate. In making this
determination, the AFC systems will ensure that the
[[Page 58268]]
predicted interference-to-noise (I/N) ratio at any microwave receiver
does not exceed -6 dB. The AFC systems must be capable of determining
frequency availability for the standard-power device at the maximum
permitted EIRP of 36 dBm and also at power levels as low as 21 dBm.
3. Section 15.407(l)(1) of the Commission's rules specifies the
propagation model the AFC system must use for determining frequency
availability and power levels, which depends on the distance between
the standard-power device and the licensed microwave station. For
separation distances of 30 meters or less, the AFC system will use a
free space pathloss model. When the separation distance is greater than
30 meters, but less than 1 kilometer, the AFC system will use the
WINNER II model. The WINNER II model is one of the most widely used and
well[hyphen]known channel models in the world and was developed from
measurements conducted by the WINNER organization, as well as results
from academic literature. When using the WINNER II model, the AFC
system should use site-specific information, including building and
terrain data, for determining the line-of-sight/non-line-of-sight path
component where this information is available. For evaluating paths
where this data is not available, the rules specify probabilistic
combining of the line-of-sight and non-line-of-sight path into a single
path-loss. For distances greater than 1 kilometer, the AFC system will
use the Irregular Terrain Model (ITM) combined with a clutter model for
the local environment. The ITM has been widely available and accepted
since the early 1980s, has been used by the Commission for interference
prediction in other proceedings, and is the propagation model currently
used to determine spectrum availability by the spectrum access systems
(SAS) that are managing spectrum access for the 3550-3700 MHz band in
the Citizens Broadband Radio Service. When using the ITM, the rules
specify that AFC systems are to use 1 arc-second digital elevation
terrain data and, for locations where such data is not available, use
the most granular digital elevation terrain data available. To account
for the effects of clutter, such as from buildings and foliage, the AFC
system should combine use of the ITM with statistical clutter model
ITU-R P.2108 for urban and suburban environments and the ITU-R P.452-16
clutter model for rural environments.
4. In accordance with the 6 GHz Report and Order, the Office of
Engineering and Technology (OET) can designate one or more AFC system
operators. AFC system operators will be required to serve for a five-
year term which can be renewed by the Commission based on the
operator's performance during the term. If an AFC system operator
discontinues service or its term is not renewed, it must transfer its
database along with the information necessary to access the database to
another designated AFC system operator. AFC system operators are
permitted to charge a fee for providing service to standard-power
access devices.
I. AFC Proposals and Approval Process
5. As specified in the 6 GHz Report and Order, OET will follow a
multistep process to approve AFC systems in which each prospective AFC
system operator must demonstrate its ability to perform the required
functions pursuant to the Commission's 6 GHz unlicensed rules. The
Commission requests that parties interested in becoming an AFC system
operator as part of the initial evaluation process submit their
proposals no later than November 30, 2021. The public will then have an
opportunity to review and comment on these proposals, including on each
prospective operator's fitness to operate an AFC system as well as the
technical and operational description of each proposed AFC system.
Comments on these proposals must be submitted by December 21, 2021. OET
will review all proposals submitted by November 30, 2021 concurrently
and with equal priority. Proposals submitted after this date will be
considered by OET, but they may not be considered concurrently with
proposals submitted by November 30, 2021. For any proposal received
after November 30, 2021, OET will issue a public notice announcing
receipt of the proposal and establishing a period for the public to
review and comment on the proposal. Proposals will not be considered
mutually exclusive and OET will conditionally approve as many proposals
as are found to satisfy all AFC system requirements.
6. Applicants who receive a conditional approval will then be
required to allow access to their AFC system for a public trial period
to provide interested parties an opportunity to check that it provides
accurate results. This trial period will include thorough testing, both
in a controlled environment (e.g., lab testing) and through
demonstration projects (e.g., field testing). OET may also require
prospective AFC system operators to attend workshops and meetings as
part of the assessment process. Prospective AFC system operators must
comply with all instructions from OET and must provide any requested
information in a timely manner.
7. The AFC system proposals must describe how the prospective AFC
system operator will comply with the requirements and core functions
described in Sec. 15.407(k) of the Commission's rules and the 6 GHz
Report and Order. To demonstrate compliance, the Commission expects the
proposal to include, for example:
1. AFC system operator contact information, including name, phone
number and email address that Commission staff may use for all AFC
system related inquiries, such as information and data requests or to
provide enforcement instructions.
2. A technical diagram showing the architecture of the AFC system
with a brief description of its operation.
3. A description of whether the AFC system software is based on a
propriety implementation or open source.
4. A demonstration that the prospective AFC system operator
possesses sufficient technical expertise to operate an AFC system.
5. A description of the prospective AFC system operator's
recordkeeping policies, including registration record retention as well
as retention of historical frequency availability data.
6. A description of how the prospective AFC system operator will
handle unanticipated situations that may disrupt performance of the
system's required functions--ranging from exceptional cases that affect
the system's ability to perform its required functions in isolated
instances to cases involving the type of widespread disruption that an
event like a system failure might cause.
7. A description of the methods (e.g., interfaces, protocols) that
will be used for secure communication between the AFC system and its
associated standard-power devices and to ensure that unauthorized
parties cannot access or alter the database or the list of available
frequencies and power levels sent to the standard-power devices.
8. If the prospective AFC system operator will not be performing
all AFC functions, information on (1) the entities that will be
responsible for operating other functions of the AFC system; and (2)
how the Commission can ensure that all of the requirements for AFC
systems in the rules are satisfied when AFC functions are divided among
multiple entities.
9. A description of how the prospective AFC system operator will
provide access to their AFC system for a public trial period which will
include thorough testing.
[[Page 58269]]
10. An affirmation that the prospective AFC system operator, and
any entities responsible for operating other functions of the AFC
system under the control of the AFC system operator, will comply with
all of the applicable rules as well as applicable enforcement
mechanisms and procedures.
8. Prospective AFC system operators must file proposals, and any
supplements thereto, with the Commission using the Commission's
Electronic Comment Filing System (ECFS). See Electronic Filing of
Documents in Rulemaking Proceedings, 63 FR 24121 (1998). To be
considered concurrently with the other initial proposals, proposals
must be filed on or before the date indicated on the first page of this
Public Notice. Prospective AFC system operators may request
confidential treatment of information contained in their proposals
consistent with Sec. 0.459 of the Commission's rules. Comments
regarding the AFC system proposals should also be filed using ECFS by
the dates indicated on the first page of this Public Notice. All such
filings should refer to ET Docket 21-352.
9. Congressional Review Act. The Commission has determined and
Administrator of the Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs,
Office of Management and Budget, concurs, that this rule is ``non-
major'' under the Congressional Review Act, 5. U.S.C. 804(2). The
Commission will send a copy of this Public Notice to Congress and the
Government Accountability Office pursuant to 5 U.S.C. 801(a)(1)(A).
Federal Communications Commission.
Marlene Dortch,
Secretary.
[FR Doc. 2021-22765 Filed 10-20-21; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6712-01-P
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