Google granted FCC approval for TV bands database system

The FCC’s Office of Engineering and Technology (OET) has granted operational approval for Google’s TV bands database system, to provide service to the public.

The TV bands database system is designed to protect broadcast TV stations, fixed broadcast auxiliary service (BAS) links, Multichannel video programing distributors (MVPDs), private land mobile and commercial mobile radio service, offshore radio telephone service, radio astronomy at specific sites and low power auxiliary service.

Some operators must specifically register to receive protection from TV band devices, such as, MVPD receive sites, wireless microphone users and temporary BAS links.

Google’s spectrum database can be found at http://www.google.org/spectrum/whitespace/index.html

REF:

http://transition.fcc.gov/Daily_Releases/Daily_Business/2013/db0628/DA-13-1472A1.pdf

FCC requests comments on TV bands database test

The OET (Office of Engineering and Technology ) is requesting comments on the Spectrum Bridge Inc. database system trial that was recently completed.

Comments are due by Nov. 28th 2011, and reply comments by Dec. 5th 2011. All comments must be filed using the Commission’s Electronic Comment Filing System.

ECFS: http://fjallfoss.fcc.gov/ecfs2/.

The full press release can be found at http://transition.fcc.gov/Daily_Releases/Daily_Business/2011/db1117/DA-11-1872A1.pdf

Microsoft is designated a TV bands database admin, follows Google

Image via Wikipedia

Microsoft Corporation received conditional designation by the FCC as a TV bands database administrator. Microsoft joins Google and 8 others, Comsearch, Frequency Finder Inc., KB Enterprises LLC and LS Telcom, Key Bridge Global LLC, Neustar Inc., Spectrum Bridge Inc., Telcordia Technologies, and WSdb LLC. This brings the list of available administrators to 10 in total. 

The TV bands, or television “white spaces” are the unused portions of the broadcast television spectrum, freed by the transition to digital TV. Availability within the spectrum varies with geographical location; the TV bands database is used as a control and coordination measure for the bands. It is required that devices that would use this unlicensed spectrum would include a geo-location capability and access to the database, containing frequencies off limits for use in that area, enabling devices to communicate without interfering with incumbent users. 

Manufacturers of devices are free to choose which database to use in their devices. Database administrators may charge fees for access to the database. In lieu of geo-location and database access, devices can employ hardware that listens to the band, called spectrum sensing, this requires approval by the FCC first, each application must be placed on public notice, and the FCC will conduct tests to evaluate performance prior to approval, which could result in a far more costly product. 

Each approved database administrator must make their database available for a 5 year term. At this time all administrators are conditional and pending, the FCC will announce when and if any particular administrator is available for public use.

By: J Klinger

The FCC OET is conducting 1st workshop for TV band database administrators

 

The Federal Communication Commission’s Office of Engineering and Technology is conducting the first mandatory workshop for TV band database administrators. The workshop will be held on March 10^th, 2011, at the FCC lab in Columbia, Maryland.

Nine entities are on the list of conditionally designated administrators - Comsearch, Frequency Finder Inc., Google Inc., KB Enterprises LLC and LS Telcom, Key Bridge Global LLC, Neustar Inc., Spectrum Bridge Inc., Telcordia Technologies, and WSdb LLC. While all nine entities are required to attend, the workshop is open to other interested parties, the number of attendees will be limited however, and all parties attending must register in advance.

The workshop topics include 1) the construction of the database(s), including its contents, 2) sharing of information among the databases, and 3) the determination of available channels. In addition, information will be provided on the required security provisions and the database trial periods.

TV Bands Devices are unlicensed devices that will operate in the space between TV channels, at locations where channels are not being used for authorized services, or as is commonly referred to as the White space.

The Laboratory Division of the OET released an Initial evaluation of prototype TV bands “White Space Devices” in 2007, following up with a Phase II evaluation in 2008. The FCC first adopted rules for the unlicensed use of “White Space” devices in November of 2008, under a document titled FCC-08-260A1, Second Report and Order and Memorandum Opinion and Order, in particular this addressed unlicensed operation in the TV broadcast bands and additional spectrum for unlicensed devices below 900 MHz and in the 3 GHz band, these rules were amended by a Second Memorandum Opinion and Order, FCC-10-174A1, in September of 2010.

The rules require that all fixed and Mode II (portable devices with Geo Location capabilities built in) TV bands devices access a database to obtain information on the available channels at their location and require that all unlicensed fixed TV bands devices register their operations in this database. The databases will be privately owned and operated, currently by the nine entities listed above. Which database the device will use will be determined by the user or manufacturer of the particular device(s)

For updates to current FCC rules and requirements, please visit Compatible Electronics, Inc. on the web at http://CElectronics.com, or subscribe to the feed.

References

· DA-11-404A1 · DA-07-3457A1 · FCC-08-260A1 · FCC-10-174A1

· http://www.federalregister.gov/articles/2010/12/06/2010-30184/unlicensed-operation-in-the-tv-broadcast-bands

First significant release of unlicensed spectrum in 25 years!

Image via WikipediaFCC frees spectrum for "Super Wi-Fi", wireless microphones, and other innovations.
On Thursday Sept.23rd, the FCC took steps to free up the so called "white spaces", vacant spectrum between television channels.

Chairman Julius Genachowski sighted that the focus was on unlicensed spectrum, commenting on the opportunities to innovators and entrepreneurs. In a statement released by the commission, Chairman Genachowski continues by commenting on the importance of the unlicensed spectrum to the future of our National Broadband Plan.

“The new unlicensed spectrum will be a powerful platform for innovation”, said Chairman Genachowski. The Chairman gave an example of the results of the release of the so-called “Junk band” years ago, and the wave of new technology that followed, utilizing the newly released spectrum, particularly the evolution of the multi-billion (dollar) Wi-Fi industry.
 
The first major application for the newly released spectrum, says the Chairman, is "Super Wi-Fi". The new Wi-Fi boasts longer range, faster speeds, and more reliable connections.

In a related release, Commissioner Michael J. Copps commended Julie Knapp and his team at the Office of Engineering and Technology for “confronting the hard questions head on”, and bringing the commission “an item that provides a technologically-sound way forward”.

Commissioner Copps continues, in the statement, by recognizing the importance of licensed wireless microphones, particularly to news gathering, as well as the recognition of the dependencies upon wireless microphones of other venues such as Broadway Theaters, sports arena, and churches. Commisioner Copps indicated that two reserved channels will be set aside nationwide, for the use of wireless microphones.

The adopted order eliminates the requirement that TV band devices that incorporate geo-location and database access must also include sensing technology to detect the signals of TV stations and low-power auxiliary service stations (wireless microphones). Furthermore, it requires wireless microphone users who seek to register in the TV bands databases to certify that they will use all available channels from 7 through 51 prior to requesting registration. Requests to register in the database will be public, thus allowing interested parties to weigh in on any given request.

Read the FCC Press Release.