September 21, 2011
FCC Gives ‘Super Wi-Fi’ Database Testing The Nod
*/By George Lawton/*
*Communications Technology*
http://www.cable360.net/ct/48257.html
The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) has given approval for the
first “Super Wi-Fi” database test for sharing the use of white-spaces
spectrum. The database will help ensure that new users of the spectrum
do not impact existing TV channels or users of wireless microphones
currently licensed in the same geographic area. (For the original
announcement, see FCC Tests White Spaces Database
<http://www.cable360.net/ct/news/thewire/48169.html>).
A number of trials of the RF technology have been conducted in the past
using fixed spectrum, but this will be the first time equipment makers
will be able to see how well the database and cognitive radio
capabilities will work in areas where spectrum interference likely will
occur. Prior trials of Super Wi-Fi RF technology have been conducted in
Claudville, Va.; at Rice University in Houston; in Wilmington, N.C.; in
Logan, Ohio; and at Microsoft's Redmond, Wash., headquarters.
“Unlocking this valuable spectrum will open the doors for new industries
to arise, create American jobs, and spur new investment and innovation,”
says Julius Knapp, chief of the FCC’s Office of Engineering and
Technology. “The limited public testing of Spectrum Bridge's database
system is intended to allow the public to access and test the system to
ensure that it correctly identifies channels that are available for
unlicensed TV band devices, properly registers those facilities entitled
to protection, and provides protection to authorized services and
registered facilities as specified in the rules.”
A 2009 study funded by Microsoft and written by Perspectives Associates
research analyst Richard Thanki estimated that Super Wi-Fi could
generate between $3.9 billion and $7.3 billion in value to Americans in
general each year. While most U.S. cities and towns have five or more
vacated channels, the largest markets - like Los Angeles and New York
City - may only have a few. In theory, users of the spectrum will not
need a license to use the service, just like with Wi-Fi, but that may
change if Congress manages to turn the “empty” spectrum into another
revenue stream for the cash-strapped government.
*The Background*
A year ago, the FCC approved the use of the white-spaces spectrum for
wireless data and Internet services. A number of companies, including
Sprint, Google, Microsoft and HP, are developing plans to use those
airwaves.
Super Wi-Fi operates in the 512 MHz-698 MHz band as opposed to 2,400 MHz
and higher currently used for Wi-Fi. This reportedly will allow
longer-range operation for Super Wi-Fi with better penetration through
walls than the higher-frequency protocols, owing to the physical
properties of the spectrum. In July, the IEEE published IEEE 802.22-2011
to be used for Wireless Regional Area Networks Super Wi-Fi services. The
standard supports data rates as fast as 22 Mbps over a distance of as
much as 100 kilometers. It uses such cognitive-radio capabilities as
dynamic spectrum access, incumbent database access and spectrum sensing
to mitigate harmful interference.
*What Happens Now?*
The FCC has established rules that require Super Wi-Fi devices to
contact an authorized database system to obtain a list of channels not
currently occupied by authorized radio services at their individual
locations; they then must operate only on those channels. The trial of
the Spectrum Bridge database system is scheduled to last for 45 days,
ending Nov. 2. Besides Spectrum Bridge, nine other companies have been
approved to operate a white-spaces database but they have not yet been
approved for a trial. They include Comsearch, Frequency Finder, Google,
KB Enterprises, Key Bridge Global, LS Telecom, Microsoft Neustar,
Telcordia and Wsdb.
Access the FCC’s white-spaces Public Notice by clicking here
<http://hraunfoss.fcc.gov/edocs_public/attachmatch/DA-11-1534A1.doc>.
To read more about the new 802.22 Working Group standard, click here
<http://www.ieee802.org/22/>.
To learn more about Spectrum Bridge's TV band database test facility,
click here <http://whitespaces.spectrumbridge.com/Trial.aspx>.
/
/
_______________________________________________
Medianews mailing list
[email protected]
http://lists.etskywarn.net/mailman/listinfo/medianews
