Goto Section: 25.202 | 25.204 | Table of Contents
FCC 25.203
Revised as of October 1, 2011
Goto Year:2010 |
2012
§ 25.203 Choice of sites and frequencies.
(a) Sites and frequencies for earth stations, other than ESVs,
operating in frequency bands shared with equal rights between
terrestrial and space services, shall be selected, to the extent
practicable, in areas where the surrounding terrain and existing
frequency usage are such as to minimize the possibility of harmful
interference between the sharing services.
(b) An applicant for an earth station authorization, other than an ESV,
in a frequency band shared with equal rights with terrestrial microwave
services shall compute the great circle coordination distance
contour(s) for the proposed station in accordance with the procedures
set forth in § 25.251. The applicant shall submit with the application
a map or maps drawn to appropriate scale and in a form suitable for
reproduction indicating the location of the proposed station and these
contours. These maps, together with the pertinent data on which the
computation of these contours is based, including all relevant
transmitting and/or receiving parameters of the proposed station that
is necessary in assessing the likelihood of interference, an
appropriately scaled plot of the elevation of the local horizon as a
function of azimuth, and the electrical characteristics of the earth
station antenna(s), shall be submitted by the applicant in a single
exhibit to the application. The coordination distance contour plot(s),
horizon elevation plot, and antenna horizon gain plot(s) required by
this section may also be submitted in tabular numerical format at 5DEG
azimuthal increments instead of graphical format. At a minimum, this
exhibit shall include the information listed in paragraph (c)(2) of
this section. An earth station applicant shall also include in the
application relevant technical details (both theoretical calculations
and/or actual measurements) of any special techniques, such as the use
of artificial site shielding, or operating procedures or restrictions
at the proposed earth station which are to be employed to reduce the
likelihood of interference, or of any particular characteristics of the
earth station site which could have an effect on the calculation of the
coordination distance.
(c) Prior to the filing of its application, an applicant for operation
of an earth station, other than an ESV or a VMES, shall coordinate the
proposed frequency usage with existing terrestrial users and with
applicants for terrestrial station authorizations with previously filed
applications in accordance with the following procedure:
(1) An applicant for an earth station authorization shall perform an
interference analysis in accordance with the procedures set forth in
§ 25.251 for each terrestrial station, for which a license or
construction permit has been granted or for which an application has
been accepted for filing, which is or is to be operated in a shared
frequency band to be used by the proposed earth station and which is
located within the great circle coordination distance contour(s) of the
proposed earth station.
(2) The earth station applicant shall provide each such terrestrial
station licensee, permittee, and prior filed applicant with the
technical details of the proposed earth station and the relevant
interference analyses that were made. At a minimum, the earth station
applicant shall provide the terrestrial user with the following
technical information:
(i) The geographical coordinates of the proposed earth station
antenna(s),
(ii) Proposed operating frequency band(s) and emission(s),
(iii) Antenna center height above ground and ground elevation above
mean sea level,
(iv) Antenna gain pattern(s) in the plane of the main beam,
(v) Longitude range of geostationary satellite orbit (GSO) satellites
at which antenna may be pointed, for proposed earth station antenna(s)
accessing GSO satellites,
(vi) Horizon elevation plot,
(vii) Antenna horizon gain plot(s) determined in accordance with
§ 25.251 for satellite longitude range specified in paragraph (c)(2)(v)
of this section, taking into account the provisions of § 25.251 for
earth stations operating with non-geostationary satellites,
(viii) Minimum elevation angle,
(ix) Maximum equivalent isotropically radiated power (e.i.r.p.) density
in the main beam in any 4 kHz band, (dBW/4 kHz) for frequency bands
below 15 GHz or in any 1 MHz band (dBW/MHz) for frequency band above 15
GHz,
(x) Maximum available RF transmit power density in any 1 MHz band and
in any 4 kHz band at the input terminals of the antenna(s),
(xi) Maximum permissible RF interference power level as determined in
accordance with § 25.251 for all applicable percentages of time, and
(xii) A plot of great circle coordination distance contour(s) and rain
scatter coordination distance contour(s) as determined by § 25.251.
(3) The coordination procedures specified in § 101.103 of this chapter
and § 25.251 shall be applicable except that the information to be
provided shall be that set forth in paragraph (c)(2) of this section,
and that the 30-day period allowed for response to a request for
coordination may be increased to a maximum of 45 days by mutual consent
of the parties.
(4) Where technical problems are resolved by an agreement or operating
arrangement between the parties that would require special procedures
be taken to reduce the likelihood of harmful interference (such as the
use of artificial site shielding) or would result in lessened quality
or capacity of either system, the details thereof shall be contained in
the application.
(5) The Commission may, in the course of examining any application,
require the submission of additional showings, complete with pertinent
data and calculations in accordance with § 25.251, showing that harmful
interference is not likely to result from the proposed operation.
(d) An applicant for operation of an earth station, other than an ESV
or a VMES, shall also ascertain whether the great circle coordination
distance contours and rain scatter coordination distance contours,
computed for those values of parameters indicated in § 25.251 (Appendix
7 of the ITU RR) for international coordination, cross the boundaries
of another Administration. In this case, the applicant shall furnish
the Commission copies of these contours on maps drawn to appropriate
scale for use by the Commission in effecting coordination of the
proposed earth station with the Administration(s) affected.
(e) Protection for Table Mountain Radio Receiving Zone, Boulder County,
Colorado.
(1) Applicants for a station authorization to operate in the vicinity
of Boulder County, Colorado under this part are advised to give due
consideration, prior to filing applications, to the need to protect the
Table Mountain Radio Receiving Zone from harmful interference. These
are the research laboratories of the Department of Commerce, Boulder
County, Colorado. To prevent degradation of the present ambient radio
signal level at the site, the Department of Commerce seeks to ensure
that the field strengths of any radiated signals (excluding reflected
signals) received on this 1800 acre site (in the vicinity of
coordinates 40DEG07'50" N Latitude, 105DEG14'40" W Longitude) resulting
from new assignments (other than mobile stations) or from the
modification or relocation of existing facilities do not exceed the
following values:
Frequency range In authorized bandwidth of service
Field strength (mV/m) Power flux density^1(dBW/m^2)
Below 540 kHz 10 -65.8
540 to 1600 kHz 20 -59.8
1.6 to 470 MHz 10 ^2 -65.8
470 to 890 MHz 30 ^2 -56.2
Above 890 MHz 1 ^2 -85.8
^1Equivalent values of power flux density are calculated assuming free
space characteristic impedance of 376.7=120p ohms.
^2Space stations shall conform to the power flux density limits at the
earth's surface specified in appropriate parts of the FCC rules, but in
no case should exceed the above levels in any 4 kHz band for all angles
of arrival.
(2) Advance consultation is recommended particularly for those
applicants who have no reliable data which indicates whether the field
strength or power flux density figures in the above table would be
exceeded by their proposed radio facilities (except mobile stations).
In such instances, the following is a suggested guide for determining
whether coordination is recommended:
(i) All stations within 2.5 kilometers;
(ii) Stations within 5 kilometers with 50 watts or more average
effective radiated power (ERP) in the primary plane of polarization in
the azimuthal direction of the Table Mountain Radio Receiving Zone;
(iii) Stations within 15 kilometers with 1 kW or more average ERP in
the primary plane of polarization in the azimuthal direction of Table
Mountain Receiving Zone;
(iv) Stations within 80 kilometers with 25 kW or more average ERP in
the primary plane of polarization in the azimuthal direction of Table
Mountain Receiving Zone.
(3) Applicants concerned are urged to communicate with the Radio
Frequency Management Coordinator, Department of Commerce, Research
Support Services, NOAA R/E5X2, Boulder Laboratories, Boulder, CO 80303;
telephone (303) 497-6548, in advance of filing their applications with
the Commission.
(4) The Commission will not screen applications to determine whether
advance consultation has taken place. However, applicants are advised
that such consultation can avoid objections from the Department of
Commerce or proceedings to modify any authorization which may be
granted which, in fact, delivers a signal at the site in excess of the
field strength specified herein.
(f) Notification to the National Radio Astronomy Observatory: In order
to minimize possible harmful interference at the National Radio
Astronomy Observatory site located at Green Bank, Pocahontas County, W.
Va., and at the Naval Radio Research Observatory site at Sugar Grove,
Pendleton County, W. Va. any applicant for a station authorization
other than mobile, temporary base, temporary fixed, Personal Radio,
Civil Air Patrol, or amateur seeking a station license for a new
station, a construction permit to construct a new station or to modify
an existing station license in a manner which would change either the
frequency, power, antenna height or directivity, or location of such a
station within the area bounded by 39DEG15' N. on the north, 78DEG30'
W. on the east, 37DEG30' N. on the south and 80DEG30' W. on the west
shall, at the time of filing such application with the Commission,
simultaneously notify the Director, National Radio Astronomy
Observatory, P.O. Box No. 2, Green Bank, W. Va. 24944, in writing, of
the technical particulars of the proposed station. Such notification
shall include the geographical coordinates of the antenna, antenna
height, antenna directivity if any, proposed frequency, type of
emission, and power. In addition, the applicant shall indicate in his
application to the Commission the date notification was made to the
observatory. After receipt of such applications, the Commission will
allow a period of 20 days for comments or objections in response to the
notifications indicated. If an objection to the proposed operation is
received during the 20-day period from the National Radio Astronomy
Observatory for itself or on behalf of the Naval Radio Research
Observatory, the Commission will consider all aspects of the problem
and take whatever action is deemed appropriate.
(g) Protection for Federal Communications Commission monitoring
stations:
(1) Applicants in the vicinity of an FCC monitoring station for a radio
station authorization to operate new transmitting facilities or changed
transmitting facilities which would increase the field strength
produced over the monitoring station over that previously authorized
are advised to give consideration, prior to filing applications, to the
possible need to protect the FCC stations from harmful interference.
Geographical coordinates of the facilities which require protection are
listed in § 0.121(c) of the Commission's Rules. Applications for
stations (except mobile stations) which will produce on any frequency a
direct wave fundamental field strength of greater than 10 mV/m in the
authorized bandwidth of service ( -65.8 dBW/m^2 power flux density
assuming a free space characteristic impedance of 120 ohms) at the
referenced coordinates, may be examined to determine extent of possible
interference. Depending on the theoretical field strength value and
existing root-sum-square or other ambient radio field signal levels at
the indicated coordinates, a clause protecting the monitoring station
may be added to the station authorization.
(2) In the event that calculated value of expected field exceeds 10
mV/m ( -65.8 dBW/m^2 ) at the reference coordinates, or if there is any
question whether field strength levels might exceed the threshold
value, advance consultation with the FCC to discuss any protection
necessary should be considered. Prospective applicants may communicate
with: Chief, Compliance and Information Bureau, Federal Communications
Commission, Washington, DC 20554, Telephone (202) 632-6980.
(3) Advance consultation is suggested particularly for those applicants
who have no reliable data which indicates whether the field strength or
power flux density figure indicated would be exceeded by their proposed
radio facilities (except mobile stations). In such instances, the
following is a suggested guide for determining whether an applicant
should coordinate:
(i) All stations within 2.5 kilometers;
(ii) Stations within 5 kilometers with 50 watts or more average
effective radiated power (ERP) in the primary plane of polarization in
the azimuthal direction of the Monitoring Station;
(iii) Stations within 15 kilometers with 1 kW or more average ERP in
the primary plane of polarization in the azimuthal direction of the
Monitoring Station;
(iv) Stations within 80 kilometers with 25 kW or more average ERP in
the primary plane of polarization in the azimuthal direction of the
Monitoring Station.
(4) Advance coordination for stations operating above 1000 MHz is
recommended only where the proposed station is in the vicinity of a
monitoring station designated as a satellite monitoring facility in
§ 0.121(c) of the Commission's Rules and also meets the criteria
outlined in paragraphs (h)(2) and (3) of this section.
(5) The Commission will not screen applications to determine whether
advance consultation has taken place. However, applicants are advised
that such consultation can avoid objections from the Federal
Communications Commission or modification of any authorization which
will cause harmful interference.
(h) Sites and frequencies for GSO and NGSO earth stations, operating in
a frequency band where both have a co-primary allocation, shall be
selected to avoid earth station antenna mainlobe-to-satellite antenna
mainlobe coupling, between NGSO systems and between NGSO and GSO
systems, in order to minimize the possibility of harmful interference
between these services. Prior to filing an earth station application,
in bands with co-primary allocations to NGSO and GSO earth stations,
the applicant shall coordinate the proposed site and frequency usage
with existing earth station licensees and with current earth station
authorization applicants.
(i) Any applicant for a new permanent transmitting fixed earth station
authorization to be located on the islands of Puerto Rico, Desecheo,
Mona, Vieques, and Culebra, or for a modification of an existing
authorization which would change the frequency, power, antenna height,
directivity, or location of such station on these islands and would
increase the likelihood of the authorized facility causing
interference, shall notify the Interference Office, Arecibo
Observatory, HC3 Box 53995, Arecibo, Puerto Rico 00612, in writing or
electronically, of the technical parameters of the proposal. Applicants
may wish to consult interference guidelines, which will be provided by
Cornell University. Applicants who choose to transmit information
electronically should e-mail to: prcz@naic.edu.
(1) The notification to the Interference Office, Arecibo Observatory
shall be made prior to, or simultaneously with, the filing of the
application with the Commission. The notification shall state the
geographical coordinates of the antenna (NAD-83 datum), antenna height
above ground, ground elevation at the antenna, antenna directivity and
gain, proposed frequency and FCC Rule Part, type of emission, effective
radiated power, and whether the proposed use is itinerant. Generally,
submission of the information in the technical portion of the FCC
license application is adequate notification. In addition, the
applicant shall indicate in its application to the Commission the date
notification was made to the Arecibo Observatory.
(2) After receipt of such applications, the Commission will allow the
Arecibo Observatory a period of 20 days for comments or objections in
response to the notification indicated. The applicant will be required
to make reasonable efforts in order to resolve or mitigate any
potential interference problem with the Arecibo Observatory and to file
either an amendment to the application or a modification application,
as appropriate. If the Commission determines that an applicant has
satisfied its responsibility to make reasonable efforts to protect the
Observatory from interference, its application may be granted.
(3) The provisions of this paragraph do not apply to operations that
transmit on frequencies above 15 GHz.
(j) Applicants for non-geostationary 1.6/2.4 GHz Mobile-Satellite
Service/ Radiodetermination satellite service feeder links in the bands
17.7-20.2 GHz and 27.5-30.0 GHz shall indicate the frequencies and
spacecraft antenna gain contours towards each feeder-link earth station
location and will coordinate with licensees of other fixed-satellite
service and terrestrial-service systems sharing the band to determine
geographic protection areas around each non-geostationary
mobile-satellite service/radiodetermination satellite service
feeder-link earth station.
(k) An applicant for operation of an earth station, other than an ESV
or a VMES, that will operate with a geostationary satellite or
non-geostationary satellite in a shared frequency band in which the
non-geostationary system is (or is proposed to be) licensed for feeder
links, shall demonstrate in its applications that its proposed earth
station will not cause unacceptable interference to any other satellite
network that is authorized to operate in the same frequency band, or
certify that the operations of its earth station shall conform to
established coordination agreements between the operator(s) of the
space station(s) with which the earth station is to communicate and the
operator(s) of any other space station licensed to use the band.
(l) Applicants for feeder link earth station facilities operating in
the 25.05-25.25 GHz band may be licensed only in Economic Areas where
no existing FS licensee has been authorized, and shall coordinate their
operations with 24 GHz fixed service operations if the power flux
density of their transmitted signal at the boundary of the fixed
service license area is equal to or greater than -114 dBW/m^2 in any 1
MHz.
(1) When uplink adaptive power control is used, the EIRP used for
calculation of the power flux density level should be the maximum
possible, taking into account the adaptive power increase.
(2) The power flux density levels should be calculated based on the
actual off-axis gain characteristics of the earth station antenna, and
should assume free space propagation conditions.
(3) When determining whether the power flux density threshold limit is
exceeded at the 24 GHz FS licensing boundary, a feeder link earth
station applicant must take into account not only the transmissions
from its own antenna(s), but also those from any previously authorized
feeder link earth stations. Thus, if the cumulative power flux density
level at the FS license boundary is in excess of -114 dBW/m^2 /MHz, the
earth station applicant must either modify its proposed operations such
that this value is not exceeded, or enter into coordination with the
affected FS licensee.
[ 30 FR 7176 , May 28, 1965, as amended at 36 FR 2562 , Feb. 6, 1971; 38 FR 8573 , Apr. 4, 1973; 42 FR 8329 , Feb. 9, 1977; 44 FR 77167 , Dec. 31,
1979; 50 FR 40862 , Oct. 7, 1985; 58 FR 13419 , Mar. 11, 1993; 58 FR 44904 , Aug. 25, 1993; 59 FR 53329 , Oct. 21, 1994; 61 FR 8477 , Mar. 5,
1996; 61 FR 9945 , Mar. 12, 1996; 61 FR 44181 , Aug. 28, 1996; 62 FR 55531 , Oct. 27, 1997; 65 FR 38325 , June 20, 2000; 65 FR 59144 , Oct. 4,
2000; 66 FR 10622 , Feb. 16, 2001; 70 FR 4784 , Jan. 31, 2005; 70 FR 31373 , June 1, 2005; 72 FR 50029 , Aug. 29, 2007; 74 FR 57098 , Nov. 4,
2009]
Goto Section: 25.202 | 25.204
Goto Year: 2010 |
2012
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