Notice2024-19081
Information Sought on Sharing the Lower 37 GHz Band in Connection With the National Spectrum Strategy Implementation Plan
Primary source
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Published
August 27, 2024
Issuing agencies
Federal Communications Commission
Abstract
In this document, the Federal Communications Commission (Commission) seeks to further develop the record for the 37.0-37.6 GHz band (Lower 37 GHz band) with the goal of informing the forthcoming report mandated by the National Spectrum Strategy (NSS) Implementation Plan. The NSS identified the Lower 37 GHz band for in-depth study to determine how a co-equal, shared-use framework which allows Federal and non-federal operations should be implemented. The comments filed in response will be shared with the National Telecommunications and Information Administration and the Department of Defense to assist in developing the report required by the NSS Implementation Plan.
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<title>Federal Register, Volume 89 Issue 166 (Tuesday, August 27, 2024)</title>
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[Federal Register Volume 89, Number 166 (Tuesday, August 27, 2024)]
[Notices]
[Pages 68610-68616]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [<a href="http://www.gpo.gov">www.gpo.gov</a>]
[FR Doc No: 2024-19081]
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FEDERAL COMMUICATIONS COMMISSION
[WT Docket No. 24-243; DA 24-789; FR ID 240134]
Information Sought on Sharing the Lower 37 GHz Band in Connection
With the National Spectrum Strategy Implementation Plan
AGENCY: Federal Communications Commission.
ACTION: Notice of collection; request for comment.
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SUMMARY: In this document, the Federal Communications Commission
(Commission) seeks to further develop the record for the 37.0-37.6 GHz
band (Lower 37 GHz band) with the goal of informing the forthcoming
report mandated by the National Spectrum Strategy (NSS) Implementation
Plan. The NSS identified the Lower 37 GHz band for in-depth study to
determine how a co-equal, shared-use framework which allows Federal and
non-federal operations should be implemented. The comments filed in
response will be shared with the National Telecommunications and
Information Administration and the Department of Defense to assist in
developing the report required by the NSS Implementation Plan.
DATES: Comments may be submitted on or before September 9, 2024.
ADDRESSES: You may submit comments, identified by WT Docket No. 24-243,
by any of the following methods:
<bullet> Electronic Filers: Comments may be filed electronically
using the internet by accessing the ECFS: <a href="http://www.fcc.gov/ecfs/">http://www.fcc.gov/ecfs/</a>.
<bullet> Paper Filers: Parties who choose to file by paper must
file an original and one copy of each filing.
<bullet> Filings can be sent by hand or messenger delivery, by
commercial courier, or by the U.S. Postal Service. All filings must be
addressed to the Secretary, Federal Communications Commission.
<bullet> Hand-delivered or messenger-delivered paper filings for
the Commission's Secretary are accepted between 8:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m.
by the FCC's mailing contractor at 9050 Junction Drive, Annapolis
Junction, MD 20701. All hand deliveries must be held together with
rubber bands or fasteners. Any envelopes and boxes must be disposed of
before entering the building.
<bullet> Commercial courier deliveries (any deliveries not by the
U.S. Postal Service) must be sent to 9050 Junction Drive, Annapolis
Junction, MD 20701. Filings sent by U.S. Postal Service First-Class
Mail, Priority Mail, and Priority Mail Express must be sent to 45 L
Street NE, Washington, DC 20554.
<bullet> People with Disabilities: To request materials in
accessible formats for people with disabilities (Braille, large print,
computer diskettes, audio format), send an email to <a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#c6a0a5a5f3f6f286a0a5a5e8a1a9b0"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="375154540207037751545419505841">[email protected]</span></a> or
call the Consumer & Governmental Affairs Bureau at 202-418-0530
(voice).
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Catherine Schroeder, Broadband
Division, Wireless Telecommunications Bureau, at (202) 418-1956 or
<a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#723113061a17001b1c175c21111a001d17161700321411115c151d04"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="89cae8fde1ecfbe0e7eca7daeae1fbe6ecedecfbc9efeaeaa7eee6ff">[email protected]</span></a>.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: This is a summary of the Commission's
document (Public Notice), in WT Docket No. 24-243, DA 24-789, released
on August 9, 2024. The full text of this document is available at
<a href="https://docs.fcc.gov/public/attachments/DA-24-789A1.pdf">https://docs.fcc.gov/public/attachments/DA-24-789A1.pdf</a>.
Information Sought on Sharing the Lower 37 GHz Band in Connection With
the National Spectrum Strategy Implementation Plan
With this Public Notice, the Wireless Telecommunications Bureau
seeks to further develop the record for the 37.0-37.6 GHz band (Lower
37 GHz band) with the goal of informing the forthcoming report mandated
by the National Spectrum Strategy (NSS) Implementation Plan. The NSS
identified the Lower 37 GHz band for in-depth study to determine how a
co-equal, shared-use framework which allows Federal and non-federal
operations should be implemented.\1\
[[Page 68611]]
The final report with findings is to be completed by November 2024.\2\
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\1\ National Telecommunications and Information Administration,
National Spectrum Strategy at 3, 6-7 (2023), <a href="https://www.ntia.gov/sites/default/files/publications/national_spectrum_strategy_final.pdf">https://www.ntia.gov/sites/default/files/publications/national_spectrum_strategy_final.pdf</a> (NSS). National
Telecommunications and Information Administration, National Spectrum
Strategy Implementation Plan at 6 (2024), <a href="https://www.ntia.gov/sites/default/files/publications/national-spectrum-strategy-implementation-plan.pdf">https://www.ntia.gov/sites/default/files/publications/national-spectrum-strategy-implementation-plan.pdf</a> (NSS Implementation Plan).
\2\ NSS Implementation Plan at A-12.
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Background. In 2016, the Commission, in coordination with the
National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA), made
the Lower 37 GHz band available for coordinated, co-primary sharing
between Federal and non-federal fixed and mobile users and determined
that Federal and non-federal users would access the Lower 37 GHz band
by registering individual sites through a coordination mechanism that
would be developed through government/industry collaboration.\3\ In the
accompanying Further Notice of Proposed Rulemaking, the Commission
defined the parameters for a successful coordination mechanism and
sought comment on the most appropriate coordination mechanism for the
band.\4\ In 2018, the Commission noted that the Lower 37 GHz band would
innovatively accommodate a variety of use cases and sought comment on
utilizing a third-party coordinator or alternatively, implementing a
coordination model similar to that used in part 101 point-to-point
bands.\5\
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\3\ Use of Spectrum Bands Above 24 GHz For Mobile Radio
Services, GN Docket No. 14-177, Report and Order and Further Notice
of Proposed Rulemaking, 81 FR 79894, 31 FCC Rcd 8014, 8057-8060,
paras. 105, 111, and 113 (2016) (2016 R&O or 2016 FNPRM, as
appropriate).
\4\ 2016 FNPRM, 81 FR 58270, 31 FCC Rcd at 8171, paras. 449-450.
\5\ Use of Spectrum Bands Above 24 GHz For Mobile Radio
Services, GN Docket No. 14-177, Third Report and Order, Memorandum
Opinion and Order, and Third Further Notice of Proposed Rulemaking,
83 FR 34520, 33 FCC Rcd 5576, 5602, paras. 63-64 (2018) (2018
FNPRM).
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National Spectrum Strategy. The NSS identified the Lower 37 GHz
Band as a band for further study ``to implement a co-equal, shared-use
framework allowing Federal and non-federal users to deploy operations
in the band.'' \6\ The NSS Implementation Plan established a schedule
under which a study of the band would be completed by October 2024 and
a final report issued by November 2024.\7\ In order to aid in the study
of the band and the preparation of the report, the Commission seeks
public input on various issues relating to the Lower 37 GHz Band.\8\
The record developed in response to this Public Notice will be publicly
available in WT Docket No. 24-243 and shared with the NTIA, the
Department of Defense (DoD), and other interested agencies.
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\6\ NSS at 7.
\7\ NSS Implementation Plan at A-12.
\8\ The Commission notes that another proceeding generated
relevant comments regarding potential uses of the Lower 37 GHz band.
See Shared Use of the 42-42.5 GHz Band, WT Docket No. 23-158, Notice
of Proposed Rulemaking, 88 FR 49423, 38 FCC Rcd 6362 (2023).
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Potential Uses of the Lower 37 GHz Band. The Commission finds that
additional information on potential uses of the Lower 37 GHz band would
be helpful in the preparation of the Lower 37 GHz Report. The current
record on potential uses of the band is limited. While commenters
foresee uses including fixed wireless broadband, point-to-point links,
Internet of Things networks, device-to-device operations, augmented
reality applications, smart cities, smart grids, and as part of private
networks,\9\ they have not provided much detail about implementation of
these services in the band. The Commission therefore asks interested
operators to provide specific and updated information on the
contemplated uses of the band, to include interdependencies of pairing
spectrum bands with the Lower 37 GHz band. The Commission also seeks
input regarding the feasibility of Aeronautical Mobile Service (AMS)
operations within the band.\10\ This information will be helpful as we
develop sharing mechanisms for the band. The Commission anticipates
that operations offered in the band initially will be point-to-point
and point-to-multipoint operations, although other types of
operations--including mobile operations--may develop later. The
Commission encourages commenters to explain how the various ideas
presented below would facilitate or hinder contemplated operations.
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\9\ See, e.g.. Comments of Starry, Inc., GN Docket No. 14-177
(filed Sep. 10, 2018); Comments of Qualcomm, Inc., WT Docket No. 23-
158 and GN Docket No. 14-177 (filed Aug. 30, 2023) at 4; Comments of
NCTA--The internet & Television Association, WT Docket No. 23-158
and GN Docket No. 14-177 (filed Aug. 30, 2023) at 3-4.
\10\ A new allocation would be required to allow Aeronautical
Mobile Service to operate in the Lower 37 GHz band.
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Coordination Framework. Under the contemplated framework, proposed
operations must be successfully coordinated with the relevant Federal
and non-federal operators before they can be registered. A coordination
portal, where Federal and non-federal operators could generate phase
one coordination contour(s), which identifies if further phase two
coordination would be required, has been proposed. The Commission seeks
input on the portal's capabilities in all phases and how the
coordination portal could be funded. As referenced in the NSS,\11\ in
2020 the Commission began intra-governmental collaboration with NTIA
and DoD to further define and develop a possible coordination mechanism
that permits the innovative type of spectrum sharing envisioned for the
band. These conversations focused on balancing the desire to make this
spectrum available expeditiously for deployment with the need to
protect both Federal and non-federal operations in the band from
harmful interference. In addition, the Commission intends that the
framework be sufficiently flexible to accommodate multiple uses while
also being simple enough to deploy more quickly than other more
elaborate sharing mechanisms.
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\11\ NSS at 7.
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As an outgrowth of prior discussions with representatives from the
Commission, NTIA, and DoD, a two-phase process emerged as a possible
coordination mechanism to ensure meaningful access to spectrum by later
entrants, including Federal entrants, while ensuring adequate
protection from harmful interference to incumbents.\12\ In the first
phase, an interference contour would be drawn around each existing and
potential site based on its technical parameters, including transmitter
details such as location (latitude and longitude), equivalent isotropic
radiated power, antenna height, and antenna azimuth angle. The contour
calculation would also take into account propagation loss due to
terrain. If the prospective site's contour does not overlap with that
of any existing registration, coordination is successful, and
registration of the new site may proceed. If there is overlap, there
would be a second phase of coordination, in which operators would
communicate directly to discuss whether and under what circumstances a
placement inside the relevant contours might be feasible. This phase
would allow for more advanced interference mitigation techniques, such
as antenna directivity, polarization, or shielding to provide solutions
in specific situations without requiring a one-size-fits-all approach.
The operators would be required to provide technical information on
their respective operations \13\ and cooperate in good faith to
determine whether coexistence would be possible. A dispute resolution
process would be established to resolve any disputes that arose during
the coordination process. The Commission seeks input on what
information should
[[Page 68612]]
be included within a dispute resolution process. If the second phase of
coordination is successfully achieved, the applicant would be permitted
to register that particular site.
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\12\ See Appendix A: Draft Lower 37 GHz Phase 1 Coordination
Zone Contour Methodology and Appendix B: Draft Lower 37 GHz Phase 2
Coordination Methodology, attached. The Commission also seeks input
on the methodologies contained in these appendices, including the
parameters proposed.
\13\ DoD contemplates that in some instances there may be
complications with data exchange due to data security concerns.
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For non-federal site registrations, the technical details of the
proposed site would be part of the registration and publicly available
in the Universal Licensing System (ULS). For Federal site
registrations, NTIA would maintain the relevant technical details. For
non-federal coordination with Federal incumbents, these Federal site
registration details would be queried during the first phase of
coordination. That query would return either a green light (no contour
overlap), or a yellow light (overlapping contours and potential
interference risk); for a yellow light result, contact information for
the relevant Federal agency would be provided to allow a non-federal
applicant to proceed to phase two, as described above. The Commission
seeks input on this coordination framework.
Adjacent Band Protection. In the 2016 R&O, the Commission adopted
an out-of-band emission limit that it concluded would ``keep emissions
from an UMFUS device into the 36-37 GHz band well below the -10 dBW
level specified by footnote US550A,'' noting that the -10 dBW power
limit ``was adopted to protect passive sensors in the 36-37 GHz band in
accordance with ITU Resolution 752 (WRC-07).'' \14\ Under FCC part
30.203, operations are limited to -13 dBm/MHz, which expands to -13
dBW/GHz. Subsequently, Resolution 243 (WRC-19), Table 1, established a
-23 dBW/GHz unwanted emission mean power for IMT stations within the
frequency band 36-37 GHz.\15\ In light of these developments, the
Commission seeks input on whether additional measures are needed to
protect spaceborne remote passive sensors in the 36-37 GHz band.
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\14\ 2016 R&O, 81 FR 79894, 31 FCC Rcd at 8073, para. 156.
\15\ Terrestrial component of International Mobile
Telecommunications in the frequency bands 37-43.5 GHz and 47.2-48.2
GHz, Resolution 243, WRC-19.
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Licensing. For non-federal operations, the licensing process would
consist of two steps. A non-federal entity seeking to operate in the
Lower 37 GHz band would first obtain a nationwide non-exclusive license
from the Commission, and then, following successful coordination, would
register specific site locations in ULS. All registered site locations
would be protected from harmful interference from any subsequent
registrations, on a first-come first-served basis.\16\ Registered non-
federal sites would then generally be required to finish construction
and begin operation within 120 days of the date the registration is
accepted, or the registration would be cancelled, and the licensee
would forfeit their interference protection priority. As discussed
above, the Commission anticipates that most sites initially would be
either point-to-point links or point-to-multipoint deployments, but
this licensing process would potentially be able to accommodate other
uses as well. The Commission seeks input on this licensing process.
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\16\ First-in-time priority would apply to both Federal and non-
federal operations.
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Priority Access. Consistent with the questions asked in the 2018
FNPRM,\17\ the Commission envisions that the lower 200 megahertz band
segment, 37.0-37.2 GHz, would be subject to priority use by DoD and
military agency departments. The goal of this priority access would be
to ensure that spectrum is available for military deployments, which
may be on a longer timescale than commercial deployments. Military
interests include pursuing air-to-ground use as part of a future
sharing framework for the Lower 37 GHz band. This interest, in part,
reflects the physics of the band inasmuch as in the upper atmosphere,
the propagation is dominated by line-of-sight paths with reduced
obstruction and atmospheric absorption. Given technology advancements
since the adoption of the 2016 R&O, the Commission seeks input on this
matter. The Commission also invites suggestions on the conditions under
which non-federal users could operate in this portion of the band while
maintaining the requisite flexibility for military deployments. For
example, allowing non-federal users to register and deploy sites
immediately, subject to a condition that they must modify or
potentially cease operations in the future if those operations conflict
with later military deployments could allow this spectrum to more
quickly be put into use. Further, the Commission could impose
conditions that specify that non-federal operators would not be
protected from harmful interference from subsequent military
deployments. The Commission seeks input on implementing priority
access.
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\17\ 2018 FNPRM, 83 FR 34520, 33 FCC Rcd at 5604, para. 68.
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The Commission seeks input on these and any other suggestions for
the use of this band, as we continue to explore options for making this
spectrum available for shared use.
Ensuring Widespread Access to Lower 37 GHz Spectrum. Given the
limited number of channels available in the Lower 37 GHz band, the
variety of potential uses of the band, and the fact that both Federal
and non-federal entities will have access to the band, the Commission
anticipates that initial demand for the band may exceed the available
supply of channels in some areas. The Commission recognizes there is a
risk, particularly in larger markets, that future entrants (both
Federal and non-federal) may be precluded from accessing the band if
the band is fully licensed in the initial licensing phase. On the other
hand, the Commission wants operators to put this available spectrum to
use quickly--both for non-federal and Federal uses--in order to serve
the public interest.
The Commission seeks input on what measures could be taken to
control access to the Lower 37 GHz band during the initial site
registration phase. For example, during this phase, applicants could be
limited to a single 100 megahertz channel per site, which would ensure
that multiple operators could access the band. Another possible
approach would be to establish accelerated buildout deadlines (e.g., 60
or 90 days) for registrations issued during the initial phase. That
would provide some assurance that only bona fide operators who are
ready to construct and commence operations file site registrations.
Finally, to avoid cases where multiple applicants seek to register the
same channel, the Commission could reserve the right to grant an
applicant a different 100 megahertz channel than the channel it
originally sought.
Finally, the Commission seeks input on whether there are
alternative measures that should be considered to enable multiple
providers to operate in the Lower 37 GHz band.
Federal Communications Commission
John Schauble,
Deputy Division Chief, Broadband Division, Wireless Telecommunications
Bureau.
Appendix A
Draft Lower 37 GHZ Phase 1 Coordination Zone Contour Methodology
Overview
Application process initiated and validated at NTIA for Federal
users and FCC for non-federal users
Under Phase 1 Coordination:
--Establish coordination zone contour based on station type
--The same technical assumptions will apply to Federal and non-
federal users
--Identify overlap between coordination zone contours of existing
and proposed systems
[[Page 68613]]
--If no overlap in coordination zone contours proposed station
approved for licensing (non-federal stations) or frequency
authorization (Federal stations), otherwise proceed to Phase 2
(e.g., compatibility analysis performed by operators)
--Note: Provide an interference resolution process for non-
overlapping contours
1. Point-to-Multipoint Station Coordination Zone Contours
Transmitter Parameters (Provided by Federal and Non-Federal
Applicant)
--Equivalent Isotropic Radiated Power (EIRP) (dBm/100 MHz)
--Latitude and Longitude (decimal degrees)
--Antenna Height (meters)
Reference Receiver
--Antenna Height: 10 meters
Coordination Trigger
--Power Spectral Density Threshold (PSDT): -110 dBm/100 MHz
Required Propagation Loss Calculation
--LRequired = EIRP--PSDT
--Irregular Terrain Model (ITM) and ITU-R Recommendation P.676
atmospheric attenuation used to determine distance corresponding to
LRequired
--ITM parameters provided in Table 1
--ITU-R P.676 parameters provided in Table 2
--No clutter loss
Coordination Zone Contours
--Use each distance for each radial to establish coordination zone
contour
2. Base-to-Mobile Station Coordination Zone Contours
Transmitter Parameters (Provided by Federal and Non-Federal
Applicant)
--Equivalent Isotropic Radiated Power (EIRP) (dBm/100 MHz)
--Latitude and Longitude (decimal degrees)
--Antenna Height (meters)
Reference Receiver
--Antenna Height: 1.5 meters
Coordination Trigger
--Power Spectral Density Threshold (PSDT): -110 dBm/100 MHz
Required Propagation Loss Calculation
--LRequired = EIRP--PSDT
--Irregular Terrain Model (ITM) and ITU-R Recommendation P.676
atmospheric attenuation used to determine distance corresponding to
LRequired
--ITM parameters provided in Table 1
--ITU-R P.676 parameters provided in Table 2
--No clutter loss
Coordination Zone Contours
--Use each distance for each radial to establish coordination zone
contour
3. Coordination Zone Contours for Point-to-Point Stations
Parameters (Provided by Federal and Non-Federal Applicant)
--Equivalent Isotropic Radiated Power (EIRP) (dBm/100 MHz)
--Latitude and Longitude (decimal degrees)
--Transmitter and Receiver Antenna Height (meters)
--Antenna Azimuth Angle (degrees)
Reference Receiver
--Antenna Height: Provided by Applicant
Coordination Trigger
--Power Spectral Density Threshold (PSDT): -110 dBm/100 MHz
Required Propagation Loss Calculation
Key Hole Coordination Zone Contour Distance (Within <plus-minus>5[deg]
of Mainbeam)
--Keyhole Angle: Fixed <plus-minus>5 degrees with respect to azimuth
angle
--LRequired = EIRP--PSDT
--Irregular Terrain Model (ITM) and ITU-R Recommendation P.676
atmospheric attenuation used to determine distance corresponding to
LRequired
--ITM parameters provided in Table 1
--ITU-R P.676 parameters provided in Table 2
--No clutter loss
Circular Coordination Zone Contour Distance (<plus-minus>5[deg] to
<plus-minus>15[deg] of Mainbeam)
--LRequired = EIRP--Antenna Discrimination Factor (ADF)--PSDT, where
the ADF is 0 dB at 5 degrees off the axis of the main beam of the
antenna and increases linearly at 3dB for each additional degree off
axis up to 30 dB at 15 degrees off the axis of the main beam of the
antenna.
--Irregular Terrain Model (ITM) and ITU-R Recommendation P.676
atmospheric attenuation used to determine distance corresponding to
LRequired
--ITM parameters provided in Table 1
--ITU-R P.676 parameters provided in Table 2
--No clutter loss
Circular Coordination Zone Contour Distance (<plus-minus>15[deg] to
<plus-minus>45[deg] of Mainbeam)
--LRequired = EIRP-30 dB-PSDT
--Irregular Terrain Model (ITM) and ITU-R Recommendation P.676
atmospheric attenuation used to determine distance corresponding to
LRequired
--ITM parameters provided in Table 1
--ITU-R P.676 parameters provided in Table 2
--No clutter loss
Circular Coordination Zone Contour Distance (<plus-minus>45[deg] to
<plus-minus>55[deg] of Mainbeam)
--LRequired = EIRP-ADF-PSDT, where the ADF is 30 dB at 45 degrees
off the axis of the main beam of the antenna and increases linearly
at 1dB for each additional degree off axis up to 40dB at 55 degrees
off the axis of the main beam of the antenna.
--Irregular Terrain Model (ITM) and ITU-R Recommendation P.676
atmospheric attenuation used to determine distance corresponding to
LRequired
--ITM parameters provided in Table 1
--ITU-R P.676 parameters provided in Table 2
--No clutter loss
Circular Coordination Zone Contour Distance (<plus-minus>55[deg] to
<plus-minus>80[deg] of Mainbeam)
--LRequired = EIRP-40 dB-PSDT
--Irregular Terrain Model (ITM) and ITU-R Recommendation P.676
atmospheric attenuation used to determine distance corresponding to
LRequired
--ITM parameters provided in Table 1
--ITU-R P.676 parameters provided in Table 2
--No clutter loss
Circular Coordination Zone Contour Distance (<plus-minus>80[deg] to
<plus-minus>100[deg] of Mainbeam)
--LRequired = EIRP-ADF-PSDT,, where the ADF is 40 dB at 80 degrees
off the axis of the main beam of the antenna and increases linearly
at 0.5 dB for each additional degree off axis up to 50 dB at 100
degrees off the axis of the main beam of the antenna.
--Irregular Terrain Model (ITM) and ITU-R Recommendation P.676
atmospheric attenuation used to determine distance corresponding to
LRequired
--ITM parameters provided in Table 1
--ITU-R P.676 parameters provided in Table 2
--No clutter loss
Circular Coordination Zone Contour Distance (outside of <plus-
minus>100[deg] of Mainbeam)
--LRequired = EIRP-50 dB-PSDT
--Irregular Terrain Model (ITM) and ITU-R Recommendation P.676
atmospheric attenuation used to determine distance corresponding to
LRequired
--ITM parameters provided in Table 1
--ITU-R P.676 parameters provided in Table 2
--No clutter loss
Coordination Zone Contours
--Use each distance for each radial to establish coordination zone
contour starting from system location
Table 1--ITM Parameters Used in Coordination Zone Contour Generation
\18\
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Parameter Value
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Frequency.............................. 37 GHz.
Mode................................... Terrain Dependent.
Transmitter Antenna Height (Above Provided by Applicant.
Ground Level).
Reference Receiver Antenna Height Point-to-Multipoint: 10 meters
(Above Ground Level). Base-to-Mobile: 1.5 meters
Point-to-Point: Provided by
Applicant.
[[Page 68614]]
Transmitter Location................... Latitude (Decimal Degrees) and
Longitude (Decimal Degrees).
Mode of Variability.................... Single Message.
Surface Refractivity................... 301 N-Units.
Dielectric Constant of Ground.......... 15.
Radio Climate.......................... Continental Temperate.
Reliability............................ 50%.
Confidence............................. 50%.
Terrain Data........................... United States Geological Survey
1-Second.
Atmospheric Attenuation................ Recommendation ITU-R P.676
\19\.
Number of Radials...................... 360 (1 Degree Increments).
Spacing Along Radial................... 30 meters.
Distance Criteria...................... 1st point along radial where
the required path loss is
achieved.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Table 2--ITU-R P.676 Parameter Inputs
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Parameter Value
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Frequency.............................. 37 GHz.
Air Temperature........................ 23 C.
Surface Atmospheric Pressure........... 1013.25 hPa.
Ground-level Water Vapor Density....... 7.5 g/m3.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Station Definitions \20\
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\18\ National Telecommunications and Information Administration,
NTIA Report 82-100, A Guide to the Use of the ITS Irregular Terrain
Model in the Area Prediction Mode (April 1982).
\19\ Recommendation ITU-R P.676-12, Attenuation by atmospheric
gases and related effects (Aug. 2019). The model in ITM is limited
to an upper frequency limit of 20 GHz. ITM does not explicitly
compute gaseous attenuation (the remaining propagation loss models
in ITM are not affected by going to higher frequencies). By
augmenting (i.e., adding) the basic transmission losses predicted by
ITM with the product of the P.676 specific attenuations (dB/km) and
the path distance (in consistent units), the basic transmission loss
will include gaseous attenuation that is required.
\20\ These station definitions are taken from, or based on, the
definitions set forth in 47 CFR 30.2.
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Point-to-Multipoint Hub Station. A fixed point-to-multipoint
radio station that provides one-way or two-way communication with
fixed Point-to-Multipoint Service User Stations.
Point-to-Multipoint Service. A fixed point-to-multipoint radio
service consisting of point-to- multipoint hub stations that
communicate with fixed point-to-multipoint user stations.
Point-to-Multipoint User Station. A fixed radio station located
at users' premises, lying within the coverage area of a Point-to-
Multipoint Hub station, using a directional antenna to receive one-
way communications from or providing two-way communications with a
fixed Point-to- Multipoint Hub Station.
Point-to-point station. A station that transmits a highly
directional signal from a fixed transmitter location to a fixed
receive location.
Transportable station. Transmitting equipment that communicates
with a base station and is not intended to be used while in motion,
but rather at stationary locations.
Base station. A fixed station that communicates with mobile or
transportable stations.
Mobile station. A station in the mobile service intended to be
used while in motion or during halts at unspecified points.\21\
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\21\ This station definition is taken from the FCC rules. See 47
CFR 2.1.
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Appendix B
Draft Lower 37 GHZ Phase 2 Coordination Methodology
Overview
The phase two coordination methodology provides guidance to the
operators (Federal and non-federal) performing compatibility
analysis when there is an overlap in the coordination contours
generated in Phase 1.
When phase one contours overlap and trigger phase two
coordination, the applicant will contact the incumbent, who should
provide a response within 15 working days.
Under Phase 2 Coordination:
--Parties should exchange technical characteristics to perform
compatibility analysis.
--Operators should negotiate in good faith and work cooperatively.
--The same Phase 1 technical assumptions will apply to Federal and
non-federal users. Additional Phase 2 coordination may apply agreed
upon models.
--Applicable propagation terrain and building databases should be
used when available.
--Operators should take full advantage of interference mitigation
techniques such as antenna directivity, polarization, frequency
selection, shielding, site selection, and transmitter power control
to facilitate the implementation, operation, compatibility between
systems.
--A dispute resolution process will be established by FCC and NTIA
to resolve disagreements between operators that arise during the
coordination process.
Technical Parameters for Phase 2 Coordination
Table 1 provides the technical parameters to be exchanged
between operators for the Lower 37 GHz Phase 2 Coordination. If
operators agree, a subset or additional technical parameters can be
exchanged for the compatibility analysis.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
\22\ Emission Bandwidth is synonymous with the definition of
occupied bandwidth in the ITU radio regulations and FCC rules--
Occupied bandwidth. The frequency bandwidth such that, below its
lower and above its upper frequency limits, the mean powers radiated
are each equal to 0.5 percent of the total mean power radiated by a
given emission.
\23\ National Spectrum Management Association.
Table 1--Phase 2 Coordination Technical Parameters
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Technical parameter Units Comments
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Transmitter Geographic Degrees/Minutes/ ..................
Coordinates. Seconds.
Transmitter Antenna Ground Meters............ Above Mean Sea
Elevation. Level (as
indicated by the
USGS terrain
database).
Transmitter Antenna Height...... Meters............ Above Ground
Level.
[[Page 68615]]
Transmitter Power............... dBm............... ..................
Mainbeam Antenna Gain........... dBi............... ..................
Equivalent Isotropic Radiated dBm............... ..................
Power.
Center Frequency................ MHz............... ..................
Emission Bandwidth \22\......... MHz............... ..................
Emission Designator............. Emission ..................
Classification
Symbols.
Emission Spectrum............... Relative -3 dB, -20 dB, -60
Attenuation (dB) dB points.
as a Function of
Frequency Offset
from Center
Frequency (MHz).
Transmitter Antenna Azimuth of Degrees........... With Respect to
Maximum Gain. True North.
Transmitter Antenna Downtilt/ Degrees........... With Respect to
Uptilt (Elevation) Angle. Horizontal.
Transmit Antenna Polarization... .................. ..................
Transmitter Azimuth Off-Axis dBi as a function Required for all
Antenna Pattern. of off-axis angle use cases; point-
in degrees. to-point systems
should use NSMA
\23\ Format.
Transmitter Elevation Off-Axis dBi as a function Required for all
Antenna Pattern. of off-axis angle use cases; point-
in degrees. to-point systems
should use NSMA
Format.
Transmitter Cable/Insertion Loss dB................ ..................
Receiver Geographic Coordinates. Degrees/Minutes/ ..................
(Point to Point Systems Only)... Seconds.
Receiver Antenna Ground Meters............ Above Mean Sea
Elevation (Point to Point Level (as
Systems Only). indicated by the
USGS terrain
database).
Receiver Antenna Height (Point- Meters............ Above Ground
to-Point Systems Only). Level.
Receiver Mainbeam Antenna Gain.. dBi............... ..................
Receiver Threshold/Sensitivity.. dBm............... Minimum
Discernible
Single/Criteria.
Receiver Noise Figure........... dB................ ..................
Receiver IF Selectivity......... Relative -3 dB, -20 dB, -60
Attenuation (dB) dB points.
as a Function of
Frequency Offset
from Center
Frequency (MHz).
Receiver Antenna Azimuth of Degrees........... With Respect to
Maximum Gain. True North.
Receiver Antenna Downtilt/Uptilt Degrees........... With Respect to
(Elevation) Angle. Horizontal.
Receive Antenna Polarization.... .................. ..................
Receiver Azimuth Off-Axis dBi as a function Required for all
Antenna Pattern. of off-axis angle use cases; point-
in degrees. to-point systems
should use NSMA
Format.
Receiver Elevation Off-Axis dBi as a function Required for all
Antenna Pattern. of off-axis angle use cases; point-
in degrees. to-point systems
should use NSMA
Format.
Receiver Cable/Insertion Loss... dB................ ..................
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Interference Criteria for Phase 2 Coordination
The interference criteria for the Phase 2 coordination are set
forth in Table 2. If coordinating parties are able to agree on
mutually acceptable alternative interference criteria, such
alternative criteria may be used in the compatibility analysis.
Table 2--Phase 2 Coordination Interference Criteria Use Case Matrix
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Incumbent use
Applicant use case case Interference criteria
------------------------------------------------------------------------
B-M........................... B-M.............. Receiver Noise--6 dB.
B-M........................... P-MP............. Receiver Noise--6 dB.
B-M........................... P-P.............. Receiver Noise--6 dB.
P-MP.......................... P-MP............. Receiver Noise--6 dB.
P-MP.......................... B-M.............. Receiver Noise--6 dB.
P-MP.......................... P-P.............. Receiver Noise--6 dB.
P-P........................... P-P.............. Receiver Noise--6 dB.
P-P........................... B-M.............. Receiver Noise--6 dB.
P-P........................... P-MP............. Receiver Noise--6 dB.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Receiver Noise = -114 + 10 Log IFBW + NF (Noise temperature is assumed
to be 290 degrees Kelvin (room temperature) for all systems using this
band)
IFBW is the receiver 3 dB intermediate frequency bandwidth, in MHz, if
available. If not available, emission bandwidth may be used.
NF is the receiver noise figure, in dB
I/N of -6dB, used to determine the interference criteria unless another
interference criteria is identified and agreed to by Federal and non-
federal operators
[[Page 68616]]
Compatibility Analysis
The following general equation will be used to calculate the
received interference power at the input of a receiver: \24\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
\24\ The link budget analysis approach used is described in
Joint Spectrum Center, JSC-CR-10-004, Communications Receiver
Performance Degradation Handbook (Aug. 11, 2010), Section 2,
available at <a href="https://www.ntia.doc.gov/files/ntia/publications/jsc-cr-10-004final.pdf">https://www.ntia.doc.gov/files/ntia/publications/jsc-cr-10-004final.pdf</a>.
PR = PT + GT + GR - LP - LT - LR - LC - LA - LPol - FDR (1)
where:
PT is the transmitter power (dBm);
EIRP is the equivalent isotropically radiated power of the
transmitter (dBm); GT is the transmitter antenna gain in the
direction of the receiver (dBi);
GR is the receiver antenna gain in the direction of the receiver
(dBi); LP is the basic transmission loss, in the absence of clutter
(dB);
LT is the transmitter cable/insertion losses (dB); LR is the
receiver cable/insertion losses (dB); LC is the clutter loss (dB);
LA is the atmospheric loss (dB);
LPol is the polarization loss (dB); and
FDR is the Frequency Dependent Rejection (dB)
The compatibility analysis only considers single-entry
interference. If operators mutually agree to do so, they may
consider aggregate interference.
The computed receiver interference power will be compared to
interference criteria to determine whether there is compatibility.
The operators may exchange the interference threshold exceedance
once the analysis is complete.
The amount in dB that the calculated interference from Equation
1 exceeds the interference criteria specified in Table 2 will be
exchanged between the Federal and non-federal users.
Antenna Models
Measured antenna patterns are preferred and should be used
whenever available; in their absence, the operators may use modeled
antenna patterns provided by the manufacturer, or a model that
estimates the antenna pattern.\25\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
\25\ For an active Advanced Antenna System (AAS) in the lower 37
GHz band ITU-R M.2101 contains a possible antenna model for a single
element and composite pattern. For non-AAS, ITU-R F.1336 may be
considered.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
Propagation Model
To calculate the propagation loss, operators may mutually agree
to apply proprietary propagation models, actual measurement data, or
other environmental data, consistent with good engineering
practices. Both operators must agree on and accept the results of
the analysis performed using the agreed-upon methodology. The Phase
2 coordination analysis should not consider worst-case conditions
unless otherwise justified.
Coordinating parties may consider the use of open-source
propagation models such as ITM and ITU-R P.676.\26\ Annex 1 of this
document contains the suggested propagation model inputs and
application descriptions.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
\26\ ITU-R P.452 is another open-source propagation model that
can be implemented if both parties agree to it.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
Clutter Loss Model
The operators may mutually agree to use proprietary clutter loss
and building height databases. Operators may also consider using
ITU-R P.2108, an open-source statistical clutter loss model.
Variation Acceptance in Analysis Results
Using the methodology in this document, it is possible for both
operators to produce different analysis results if they choose to
implement each model individually. Therefore, the operators are
encouraged to exchange analysis results to resolve differences. The
FCC and NTIA will establish a dispute resolution process through
which operators can discuss their analyses and adjudicate disputes
through NTIA and the FCC.
Annex 1
This section provides a brief description of public models that
can be used to calculate propagation loss, LP in equation 1. The
models herein assume all operations are outdoor and all transmitters
and receivers have fixed antenna heights.
ITM + ITU R P. 676
Application
This model might be used to calculate the propagation loss for
paths in suburban and rural environments. ITM requires an array of
terrain elevations as an input. A terrain database and terrain
elevation extraction methods will be required to obtain the terrain
elevations. ITM only considers bare-earth obstruction without any
building, vegetation or other material clutter losses.
Source Code
NTIA/itm: The Irregular Terrain Model (ITM) (<a href="http://github.com">github.com</a>)
Table 1--ITM Input Parameters
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Parameter Value
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Frequency.............................. Operating Frequency (GHz).
Mode................................... Terrain Dependent.
Transmitter Antenna Height (Above Provided by Applicant.
Ground Level).
Reference Receiver Antenna Height Point-to-Multipoint: 10 meters
(Above Ground Level). Base-to-Mobile: 1.5 meters
Point-to-Point: Provided by
Applicant.
Transmitter Location................... Latitude (Decimal Degrees) and
Longitude (Decimal Degrees).
Mode of Variability.................... Single Message.
Surface Refractivity................... 301 N-Units.
Dielectric Constant of Ground.......... 15.
Radio Climate.......................... Continental Temperate.
Reliability............................ 50%.
Confidence............................. 50%.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Table 3--ITU-R P.676 Input Parameters
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Parameter Value
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Frequency................................. 37 GHz.
Air Temperature........................... 23 C.
Surface Atmospheric Pressure.............. 1013.25 hPa.
Ground-level Water Vapor Density.......... 7.5 g/m3.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
[FR Doc. 2024-19081 Filed 8-26-24; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6712-01-P
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