Spectrum, Licensing & Frequency Coordination

Presented by: Amanda Bredstrup AFC – APCO’s Spectrum Management Division

Agenda

• Licensing • Steps to successful licensing • ULS Form 601 instructions • Coordination - VHF - UHF - T-Band (470-512 MHz) • Navigating your way through the ULS - 800 & 700 MHz NPSPAC & General Category - 800 MHz Vacated Spectrum • Tools of Coordination

What is a License! • Legal access to a limited resource • Permit to occupy bandwidth • Establish operating parameters • Coordinated implementation • IT’S THE LAW!

Steps to Licensing Step One: RF Design • RF design as part of the overall

project - Determine

appropriate/acceptable band

- Determine frequency availability

- Propagation analysis - Interference analysis • Identify RF needs - Voice - Data - Etc.

Step One – Continued RF Design • Obtain qualified

consultant - determine the

tools/database used

Step Two License Preparation

• License Form 601 preparation - Hardcopy paper form - Electronic (preferred) • Requires extensive knowledge of Rules and

Regulations • More on this subject covered by Judy Stone

FCC FORM 601

FCC Form 601 Used for Many Different Radio Services

Not every item must be completed since it may refer to a different Radio Service We’ll go page by page through the application to show the information that is required for most Part 90 applications

Main Page 1 1. Radio Service Code 2. Application Purpose 3. Item 7 – Yes for modifications, N/A for new license applications 4. Item 9 – Yes for public safety, No for business Item 10 – yes for public safety

Access Instructions from FCC Homepage (www.fcc.gov) Choose Licensing & Databases

Hover mouse over Licensing and Databases Choose Forms

Scroll down to find the 601 form.

Note that downloadable forms are also available.

The instructions start when you click on “downloadable forms”

Scroll down. A list of schedules is provided with a brief explanation of when they are needed.

Scroll further down and find a list instructions for the Schedules.

At the very bottom of the page is a link to a pdf copy of the complete instructions for the 601 and all schedules

Main Page 2 Item 16 for licenses to individuals – do not complete for agency licensing Items 28 and 29 do not apply to public safety licensing

Main Page 2 continued Item 41 needs only Private, Internal communications to be checked Item 42 needs only Mobile because we are dealing with Land Mobile radios. I would suggest leaving the rest either blank or use the default answers on an electronic version

The General Certification Statements certifies that the application has been completed accurately.

The FCC requires that the applicant sign and won’t accept a vendor’s or licensing service employee’s signature. They will accept an attorney’s signature as counsel of record.

Schedule D

Item 14 on Schedule d – height in meters of just structure

Structure itself

Item 15 on Schedule D – height plus appurtenances in meters

Height plus appurtenances

• FCC Definition of Control Station – “An Operational Fixed Station, the transmissions of which are used to control automatically the emissions or operation of another radio station at a specified location.”

• 6.1 Meter Rule 90.119(b) – If the control station will operate on the same frequency as the mobile station, and if the height of the antenna(s) will not exceed 6.1 meters (20 feet) above ground OR an existing man-made structure (other than an antenna structure), there is no limit on the number of such

stations which may be authorized.

Item 3 – 6.1 Item 4 – X is only option Item 11 – state is required

The FCC allows the applicant to put his FX1’s anywhere within his mobile area of operation. Although the Schedule D might seem to be allowing “statewide” coverage, FX1’s are only legal within the specified mobile area of operation.

Area of Operation Codes and Information Required for Various Options

Items 3 thru 7 are completed by the Coordinator If you need to show the rest of the system, add existing licenses in item 9 Control Points listed here FCC definition: Control point. The location at which the control operator function is performed.

Each location should have an antenna – even the mobiles although they will not have any other information. A 6.1 meter site will not have any other information on this page, either.

MO’s and 6.1’s just need to be shown

Frequency Page

Most Common Station Classes (Item 32 on Frequency Page)

• FB – base only – simplex operation • FB2 – repeater – two frequencies needed • MO – mobiles and/or handhelds • FX1 – control station • FX2 – link – often from a different band • FXO – Fixed operational – often telemetry • MO3 – mobile repeater

Frequency Page, continued

Step Three Frequency Coordination

• Coordination speed dependent upon steps one and two

• Coordinators “certify” delivered choice • Coordinators can “search” for most appropriate

frequency. • - Poor choice if band/technology are selected

prior • Coordinators file application with FCC

Coordination VHF-HB • Most requested • Highly congested • Channel centers are not uniformly consistent due

to odd block assignments over the years • Input & output channels are not paired • Channel bandwidths are 12.5 KHz • Channels are separated at 15 KHz & 7.5 KHz and

mostly overlap.

VHF-HB 150-174 MHz

VHF-HB • VHF service area is geographic area served by RF strength of 37 dBu • Non-intersection of 37 dBu (service) of incumbent vs. 19 dBu

(interference) of proposed • Adjacent 7.5 KHz channels treated with derated contour values

(Example: 44 dBu for analog) • Co-channel of 113 Km (70 miles) – MANY EXCEPTIONS • Adjacent channel separation of 32 Km – MANY EXCEPTIONS • ERP limited by Safe Harbor Rule 90.205 (Max. AOP is 40 Km) • Mobile units associated w/base will be protected per service contour

of the base. • Mobile only operations are protected based on licensed AOP

VHF-HB

• In lieu of distance separation, engineering studies are required; Contour studies and/or Interference analysis based on TSB-88 standards

• If engineering fails, then last option is LOC (letter of concurrence) • Coordinators pay attention to contours • Some run detailed analysis based on propagation models (Longley-

Rice) and apply TSB-88 standards • Coordinator also will look at path profiles (line-of-sight) • Coordinators could propose utilization of directional antennas

pointed at certain azimuth

TDMA Coordination in VHF

• PSCC agreement applies only to point-to-point (base-to-base) coordination cases

• All incumbents removed by 7.5 KHz will be protected from proposed/incumbent TDMA system regardless of distance

• Assumption: Rx AGL = Tx AGL • If unable to determine AGL, then 60 meter is

assumed

TDMA • Longley- Rice : 50,50,50% • Standard applies to:

– New analog vs. incumbent TDMA – New digital vs. incumbent TDMA – New TDMA vs. incumbent analog – New TDMA vs. incumbent digital

TDMA

• PSCC standard requires the following: • Coordination is valid if proposed base Tx signal strength is

at 9 dBu or lower at incumbent base receive antenna • Coordination is failure if proposed base Tx signal strength

is at 29 dBu or higher at incumbent base receive antenna • If the signal is between 9 & 29 dBu, then it will be

considered on case-by-case basis • For 7.5 KHz offset, the values above are increased by 20

dB.

Vehicular Repeater Systems 173 MHz • Frequencies 173.2375, 173.2625, 173.2875, 173.3125, 173.3375,

173.3625 • The FCC has accepted LMCC’s request for a three step process for

coordination. • Distance – The edge of area of operation of the VRS facility and

telemetry facility is 160 km. The distance is measured from the edge of AOPat the closest point to the telemetry station.

• Interference Contours – The 19 dBu F(50,10) interference contour of the incumbent telemetry station shall not intersect the AOP of the proposed VRS.

• Letter of Concurrence – The proposed VRS operator obtains a Letter of Concurrence from all licensees who do not conform to the above clearances.

UHF (453- 470 MHz)

• Channel bandwidths at 12.5 & 6.25 KHz • Channel are separated by 25 & 12.5 KHz (channel centers

& bandwidth are equal) • Input & output frequencies are 5 MHz apart (i.e., 453 –

output & 458 – Input) • 113 KM separation between co-channels • 32 Km separation to nearest adjacent 6.25 KHz channel • Mobiles are protected based on the service contour of the

associated base station.

UHF

• Non-intersection of 39 dBu (service) of incumbent vs. 21 dBu (interference) of proposed

• ERP limited by Safe Harbor Rule (Max. AOP is 32 Km) • 14 channels “set-aside” for low-power operations, no

wide-area operations allowed. Limited to 6 watts ERP, 7 meter antenna height, and Portables limited to watts ERP

• Several channels reserved for interoperability on narrowband basis

UHF Band 450-512 MHz

T-Band (470-512 MHz) - Frozen

• Channel bandwidths at 25 & 12.5 KHz • Input & output frequencies at 3 MHz split • Channel assignment based on urbanized areas (90.301),

roughly 14 areas – for example: New York/N.E./NJ, Boston, Miami, San Francisco/Oakland, etc.

• Shared with B/I • Channel availability depends on existing assignments in

that area

T-Band

• Once a channel is assigned to PS in a given area, it remains a PS channel as long as licensed

• Transmitter site(s) must be located not more than 80 km (50 mi.) from the geographic center (i.e., urbanized area – 90.303)

• Adjacent channel TV station: 145 km • Co-channel TV station: 193 km

T-Band • If not meeting the required distance, then

engineering & waiver required: • - 64 dBu of TV vs. 14 dBu of proposed LMR,

50 dB of protection to co-channel TV station • - 64 dBu of TV vs. 64 dBu of LMR – o dB

protection to adjacent TV station • Control stations (FX1) treated as fixed site

T-Band • If proposing a narrowband system, then pass/fail ratio

calculations based on TSB-88 standards are required per LMCC agreement

• Pass/fail: less than 5% degradation to incumbent wideband systems

• FCC has imposed a freeze on licensing as part of D-block allocation to PS

• Cannot expand current footprint or request new channels. Waivers are a possibility but not recommended.

Trunking Rules Below 512 MHz • FCC announced new rules on April 18, 2013 • FCC requires non-overlapping of contours for co

and adjacent channel analysis (derated values) • What is new??? • Mobiles associated with a base station are not

protected • Mobile only licenses are protected up to AOP • Reverse engineering

Trunking • PSCC filed a petition with FCC requesting the

following: • Protection of mobiles associated with a base

station per service contour of the base • Removing reverse engineering requirement for PS

licensees. • PS Coordinators are currently implementing

above steps

Finding Your Way Around ULS

www.fcc.gov

To start from new FCC Homepage

Scroll down to Quick Links and choose Universal Licensing System (ULS)

Or find the Access Now links

Main Access to ULS

Obtaining an FRN

On this page, click on the Online Filing Login

Use FRN and Password to Login

Licenses, applications, archives

Look up Licenses by Call Sign, FRN, or Name

Results of a Call Sign Search

Check the various tabs or print a reference copy of the license

Click link for reference copy

Main Tab

Admin Tab

Locations Tab

Click for Details

Location Information

Frequencies Tab

Buildout (Schedule K)

COSER Link

COSER: Canadian Co-channel Serial Coordination System • COSER Canadian Coordination

Frequency (MHz) • Number—Sequential number identifying the proposal being sent to Canada. • Request Type—Code indicating the type of request and action required. The valid codes are as

follows: – N—New Proposal – T—Notification – R—Reconsideration – O—On-Air Test – C—Cancellation

• Result—Code identifying the results of the coordination with Canada. The values are as follows: – NHIA—No Harmful Interference Anticipated – NHIC—No Harmful Interference with Conditions – HIA—Harmful Interference Anticipated – NOTED—acknowledgment of a Notification or a Cancellation – ERROR—proposal was found to be in error

Emissions

IRAC - Interdepartment Radio Advisory Committee

IRAC Results Codes • IRAC Interference Coordination

Frequency(MHz) • FAS Docket—The FAS Docket Number assigned to a specific

coordination by the NTIA • FCCM—An FCC-assigned number. There is one FCCM serial number

assigned per application being coordinated with the NTIA. • FAA NG—An FCC-assigned number. There is one NG Number assigned

to each frequency on an application. • Result—The results of the coordination request. Values can be:

– RF—Rejected by FAA – RN—Rejected by NTIA – AN—Approved by NTIA. Note: If the FAA approves the coordination, it is

sent to NTIA.

Applications

Search Options

Results Screen

Same format as a license search Click for copy of application

Admin Tab

Service Specific Tab

Locations Tab Each of these Location links provide more detailed information about that site.

Fixed Location Information

Frequency Tab

Archives – Past versions of the license

Search Criteria

Archived Search results show all versions of license

Accessing ASR and TOWAIR

TOWAIR

Required Data for TOWAIR Determination

Structure Types

Results of TOWAIR query

To access other ULS pages click here.

This allows access to several items that will be helpful to most licensees or application preparers

ASR Registration Search Link

Search for ASR

Search Options

Search by coordinates

Rules & Regulations Link found on homepage.

CFR 47 – Code of Federal Regulations Title 47

Rules by which frequencies are coordinated in Part 90

E-CFR data

Now you can select the rule section you need

Coordinate Conversion Tool

Distance conversion tool

Other Tools

800 MHz • Rebanding process • No new NPSPAC channels can be added to a

license until rebanding is complete in a region– ASK FOR STA

• Changes can be made to wave in freeze & within 70 miles of a wave in freeze as long as foot-print is not expanded

• Band is divided into two categories: General & NPSPAC (National Plan)

800 MHz • NPSPAC channels must be reviewed and

approved by Regional Planning Committee (RPC) • Coordinators will require approval letter from

RPC before sending application to FCC • Applications are normally processed within 1 day • Most RPCs have their requirements (i.e.,

engineering, tower information, etc.)

800 MHz • General Category channels are coordinated by PS

coordinators – NO RPC involvement • Minimum tolerated co-channel separation : 88

km -Can get closer based on

engineering/waiver or LOC

800 MHz • Must submit DHAAT (short-spacing) studies per

90.621 • Contours are based on 40 dBu (service) of

incumbent vs. 22 dBu (interference) of proposed • Directional antennas are permitted

Vacated Spectrum Background • In July 2004, FCC ordered the reconfiguration of 800 MHz band-

known as “rebanding” • As part of rebanding plan, FCC provided that spectrum vacated by

Sprint in the “Interleaved Band” (809-815/854-860 MHz) would be available for licensing Exclusively to PS and C/I entities

• Licensing is limited to PS entities “exclusively” for the first three years AND to PS & C/I entities for the following two year

• Any fifth year, any remaining channels will revert to their original frequency pool

Information Regarding Available Channels • Sprint has cancelled or modified a majority of its outstanding site-

based & Economic Area (EA) – based licenses • FCC released PN on 12/29/08 (DA 08-2810) announcing application &

licensing procedures. FCC released channels on 10/2009, 11/2010, 12/2012, 10/2013, and 12/2014.

• Channels available in 809-815/854-860 MHz band (channels 231-470). Not all channels available in all regions since some NPSPAC regions include both border and non-border areas

• Example: Region 6- Northern California – Counties not included Pima, Pinal, Santa Cruz, Yuma, and several more (refer to PN for complete list)

• Channels available only in non-border areas

Information Regarding Available Channels • To identify available channels for licensing, consult the

Vacated Channel Search Engine (VCSE): http://wireless2.fcc.gov/UlsApp/UlsSearch/searchLicense.jsp

• If a channel is available, VCSE will specify 1/28/2009 as the availability date in “Channel Availability” field

• Refer to http://www.fcc.gov/oet/info/maps/bea/ to access EA maps and list of counties

Information Regarding Available Channels • A channel is available, if Sprint has

cancelled/modified both site and EA-based licenses

• Exceptions include area where Sprint did not hold an EA-based license

• Examples: Washington-Baltimore, Rapid City, Western Oklahoma, etc…..

Application Procedures • Coordinators have been filing applications as of

1/28/2009 • Applicants must file applications through certified

frequency coordinators • Pre-coordination procedure must be followed by

all coordinators to eliminate conflicts between applications

• Only five channels per “fixed site” will be permitted

Frequency Coordination (Vacated Spectrum) • All application submitted to FCC must include a certification statement that

states the coordinator has searched VCSE and FCC licensing database and has verified availability of the selected channel(s)

• The coordinators must confirm that the 22 dBu V/m F(50,10) contour of the proposed does not extend beyond the 22 dBu V/m F(50,10) contour of Sprint’s originally licensed station.

• Sprint’s contours based on 1000 watts of ERP for site HAAT below 305 meters (see 90.635(b)) AND the actual HAAT

• For EA-based channels, conform 40 dBu contour of the proposed does not extend into an adjacent region where the channel is unavailable

• APCO will inspect both options to ensure best available choice • Coordinators are not required to submit contour analysis but should retain

records for six months after application is granted

Pre-Coordination Procedures (Vacated Spectrum) • All participating coordinators have agreed to 5 business day notification

procedures • The goal is to avoid submitting mutually exclusive applications to FCC • Each coordinator will notify other coordinators through electronic

notification of applications prepared for coordination • Each application will be date/time stamped when status changed to “Notify” • If conflicts are found in case of MX applications, the application with earliest

notification date/time stamp takes precedence • MX channels must be deleted but can maintain priority for channels that

have no conflicts. • Applicants must notify Sprint on their intent to begin operations on vacated

spectrum. Sprint must cease operation on the channels specified in the notice within 60 days.

• New licenses granted pursuant to this PN will be conditioned on providing such notice to Sprint

700 MHz Narrowband Channels • Assigned and authorized by 700 MHZ RPCs • 55 regions • RPCs utilize CAPRAD database to perform pre-

coordination and assigning of channels • Once approved by RPC, application must be filed

thru a certified PS coordinator • FCC recently released 24 reserve channels to the

pool

Tools We Use

• APCO uses web based search capabilities

• Third party provider “Spectrumwatch”

• Applicant can submit application electronically to APCO