80 FR 73070, Nov. 23, 2015, unless otherwise noted.
This subpart sets forth the regulations for unlicensed white space devices. These devices are unlicensed intentional radiators that operate on available TV channels in the broadcast television frequency bands, the 600 MHz band (including the guard bands and duplex gap), and in 608-614 MHz (channel 37).
600 MHz duplex gap. An 11 megahertz guard band at 652-663 MHz that separates part 27 600 MHz service uplink and downlink frequencies.
600 MHz guard band. Designated frequency band at 614-617 MHz that prevents interference between licensed services in the 600 MHz service band and channel 37.
600 MHz service band. Frequencies in the 617-652 MHz and 663-698 MHz bands that are reallocated and reassigned for 600 MHz band services under part 27 of this chapter.
Available channel. A channel which is not being used by an authorized service and is acceptable for use by the device at its geographic location under the provisions of this subpart.
Contact verification signal. An encoded signal broadcast by a fixed or Mode II device for reception by Mode I devices to which the fixed or Mode II device has provided a list of available channels for operation. Such signal is for the purpose of establishing that the Mode I device is still within the reception range of the fixed or Mode II device for purposes of validating the list of available channels used by the Mode I device and shall be encoded to ensure that the signal originates from the device that provided the list of available channels. A Mode I device may respond only to a contact verification signal from the fixed or Mode II device that provided the list of available channels on which it operates. A fixed or Mode II device shall provide the information needed by a Mode I device to decode the contact verification signal at the same time it provides the list of available channels.
Fixed device. A white space device that transmits and/or receives radiocommunication signals at a specified fixed location. A fixed device may select channels for operation from a list of available channels provided by a white space database, and initiate and operate a network by sending enabling signals to one or more fixed devices and/or personal/portable devices. Fixed devices may provide to a Mode I personal/portable device a list of available channels on which the Mode I device may operate, including channels on which the Mode I device but not the fixed device may operate.
Geo-fenced area. A defined geographic area over which the white space database has determined the set of available channels.
Geo-location capability. The capability of a white space device to determine its geographic coordinates and geo-location uncertainty. This capability is used with a white space database approved by the FCC to determine the availability of spectrum at a white space device's location.
Less congested area. Geographic areas where at least half of the TV channels within a specific TV band are unused for broadcast and other protected services and available for white space device use. Less congested areas are determined separately for each TV band—the low VHF band (channels 2-6), the high VHF band (channels 7-13) and the UHF band (channels 14-36); i.e., one, two or all three bands or any combination could qualify as less congested. White space devices may only operate at the levels permitted for less congested areas within the area and the specific TV band(s) that qualify as a less congested area. For the purpose of this definition, a channel is considered available for white space device use if it is available for fixed devices operating with 40 milliwatts EIRP at 3 meters HAAT. Less congested areas in the UHF TV band are also considered to be less congested areas in the 600 MHz service band.
Mobile white space device. A white space device that transmits and/or receives radiocommunication signals on available channels within a defined geo-fenced area. A mobile white space device uses an incorporated geo-location capability to determine its location with respect to the boundaries of the defined area. A mobile white space device may operate only in less congested areas.
Mode I personal/portable device. A personal/portable white space device that does not use an internal geo-location capability and access to a white space database to obtain a list of available channels. A Mode I device must obtain a list of available channels on which it may operate from either a fixed white space device or Mode II personal/portable white space device. A Mode I device may not initiate a network of fixed and/or personal/portable white space devices nor may it provide a list of available channels to another Mode I device for operation by such device.
Mode II personal/portable device. A personal/portable device that uses an internal geo-location capability and access to a white space database, either through a direct connection to the Internet or through an indirect connection to the Internet by way of fixed device or another Mode II device, to obtain a list of available channels. A Mode II device may select a channel itself and initiate and operate as part of a network of white space devices, transmitting to and receiving from one or more fixed devices or personal/portable devices. A Mode II personal/portable device may provide its list of available channels to a Mode I personal/portable device for operation on by the Mode I device.
Narrowband white space device. A fixed or personal/portable white space device operating in a bandwidth of no greater than 100 kilohertz.
Network initiation. The process by which a fixed or Mode II white space device sends control signals to one or more fixed white space devices or personal/portable white space devices and allows them to begin communications.
Operating channel. An available channel used by a white space device for transmission and/or reception.
Personal/portable device. A white space device that transmits and/or receives radiocommunication signals on available channels at unspecified locations that may change.
Receive site. The location where the signal of a full service television station is received for rebroadcast by a television translator or low power TV station, including a Class A TV station, or for distribution by a Multiple Video Program Distributor (MVPD) as defined in 47 U.S.C. 602(13).
Sensing only device. A personal/portable white space device that uses spectrum sensing to determine a list of available channels. Sensing only devices may transmit on any available channels in the frequency bands 512-608 MHz (TV channels 21-36).
Spectrum Act. Title VI of the Middle Class Tax Relief and Job Creation Act of 2012 (Pub. L. 112-96).
Spectrum sensing. A process whereby a white space device monitors a television channel to detect whether the channel is occupied by a radio signal or signals from authorized services.
Television bands. The broadcast television frequency bands at 54-72 MHz (TV channels 2-4), 76-88 MHz (TV channels 5-6), 174-216 MHz (TV channels 7-13) and 470-608 MHz (channels 14-36).
White space database. A database system approved by the Commission that maintains records on authorized services and provides lists of available channels to white space devices and unlicensed wireless microphone users.
[80 FR 73070, Nov. 23, 2015, as amended at 84 FR 34796, July 19, 2019; 86 FR 2290, Jan. 12, 2021]
(a) The provisions of subparts A, B, and C of this part apply to white space devices, except where specific provisions are contained in this subpart.
(b) The requirements of this subpart apply only to the radio transmitter contained in the white space device. Other aspects of the operation of a white space device may be subject to requirements contained elsewhere in this chapter. In particular, a white space device that includes a receiver that tunes within the frequency range specified in § 15.101(b) and contains digital circuitry not directly associated with the radio transmitter is also subject to the requirements for unintentional radiators in subpart B.
(a) In addition to the labeling requirements contained in § 15.19, the instructions furnished to the user of a white space device shall include the following statement, placed in a prominent location in the text of the manual:
This equipment has been tested and found to comply with the rules for white space devices, pursuant to part 15 of the FCC rules. These rules are designed to provide reasonable protection against harmful interference. This equipment generates, uses and can radiate radio frequency energy and, if not installed and used in accordance with the instructions, may cause harmful interference to radio communications. If this equipment does cause harmful interference to radio or television reception, which can be determined by turning the equipment off and on, the user is encouraged to try to correct the interference by one or more of the following measures:
(1) Reorient or relocate the receiving antenna.
(2) Increase the separation between the equipment and receiver.
(3) Connect the equipment into an outlet on a circuit different from that to which the receiver is connected.
(4) Consult the manufacturer, dealer or an experienced radio/TV technician for help.
(b) In cases where the manual is provided only in a form other than paper, such as on a computer disk or over the Internet, the information required by this section may be included in the manual in that alternative form, provided the user can reasonably be expected to have the capability to access information in that form.
(a)
(1) 470-614 MHz band. Fixed and personal/portable white space devices are permitted to operate on available channels in the frequency bands 470-614 MHz (TV channels 14-37), subject to the interference protection requirements in §§ 15.711 and 15.712.
(2) 600 MHz duplex gap. Fixed and personal/portable white space devices may operate in the 657-663 MHz segment of the 600 MHz duplex gap.
(3) 600 MHz service band. Fixed and personal/portable white space devices may operate on frequencies in the bands 617-652 MHz and 663-698 MHz in areas where 600 MHz band licensees have not commenced operations, as defined in § 27.4 of this chapter.
(4) Channel 37 guard band. White space devices are not permitted to operate in the band 614-617 MHz.
(b) Only mobile white space devices and fixed white space devices that communicate only with other fixed or mobile white space devices may operate on available channels in the bands 54-72 MHz (TV channels 2-4), 76-88 MHz (TV channels 5 and 6), and 174-216 MHz (TV channels 7-13), subject to the interference protection requirements in §§ 15.711 and 15.712.
(c) Narrowband and mobile white space devices may only operate on frequencies below 602 MHz.
[86 FR 2291, Jan. 12, 2021]
(a) Radiated power limits. The maximum white space device EIRP per 6 MHz shall not exceed the limits of paragraphs (a)(2) through (4) of this section.
(1) General requirements.
(i) White space devices may be required to operate with less power than the maximum permitted to meet the co-channel and adjacent channel separation requirements of § 15.712 of this part.
(ii) Mode I personal/portable devices are limited to 40 mW, if the white space device that controls it is limited to 40 mW.
(2) TV bands and 600 MHz service band.
(i)
(A) Fixed devices in the TV bands below 602 MHz: Up to 4 W (36 dBm) EIRP, and up to 16 W (42 dBm) EIRP in less congested areas. Fixed devices in the 602-608 MHz band may operate with up to 4 W (36 dBm) EIRP.
(B) Fixed devices in the 600 MHz service bands above 620 MHz: Up to 4 W (36 dBm) EIRP, and up to 10 W (40 dBm) EIRP in less congested areas. Fixed devices that operate in any portion of the 614-620 MHz band may operate with up to 4 W (36 dBm) EIRP.
(ii) Personal/Portable devices: Up to 100 mW (20 dBm) EIRP.
(3) 608-614 MHz band (channel 37). Up to 40 mW (16 dBm) EIRP.
(ii) Personal/Portable devices: Up to 100 mW (20 dBm) EIRP.
(4) 600 MHz duplex gap and guard bands. Up to 40 mW (16 dBm) EIRP.
(5) Mobile devices in the TV bands below 602 MHz. Up to 16 W (42 dBm) EIRP in less congested areas. Mobile device operation is not permitted above 602 MHz. Mobile devices may operate only in less congested areas.
(b) Technical limits -
(1) Fixed and mobile white space devices.
(i) Technical limits for fixed and mobile white space devices are shown in the table in paragraph (b)(1)(iii) of this section and subject to the requirements of this section.
(ii) For operation at EIRP levels of 36 dBm (4,000 mW) or less, fixed and mobile white space devices may operate at EIRP levels between the values shown in the table in paragraph (b)(1)(iii) of this section provided that the conducted power and the conducted power spectral density (PSD) limits are linearly interpolated between the values shown and the adjacent channel emission limit of the higher value shown in the table is met. Operation at EIRP levels above 36 dBm (4,000 mW) but not greater than 40 dBm (10,000 mW) shall follow the requirements for 40 dBm (10,000 mW). Operation at EIRP levels above 40 dBm (10,000 mW) shall follow the requirements for 42 dBm (16,000 mW).
(iii) The conducted power spectral density from a fixed or mobile white space device shall not be greater than the values shown in the table in this paragraph (b)(1)(iii) when measured in any 100 kilohertz band during any time interval of continuous transmission.
Table 1 to Paragraph (b)(1)(iii)
| EIRP (6 MHz) |
Conducted power limit (6 MHz) |
Conducted PSD limit1 (100 kHz) (dBm) |
Conducted adjacent channel emission limit (100 kHz) (dBm) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 16 dBm (40 mW) | 10 dBm (10 mW) | −7.4 | −62.8 |
| 20 dBm (100 mW) | 14 dBm (25 mW) | −3.4 | −58.8 |
| 24 dBm (250 mW) | 18 dBm (63 mW) | 0.6 | −54.8 |
| 28 dBm (625 mW) | 22 dBm (158 mW) | 4.6 | −50.8 |
| 32 dBm (1,600 mW) | 26 dBm (400 mW) | 8.6 | −46.8 |
| 36 dBm (4,000 mW) | 30 dBm (1,000 mW) | 12.6 | −42.8 |
| 40 dBm (1,0000 mW) | 30 dBm (1,000 mW) | 12.6 | −42.8 |
| 42 dBm (16,000 mW) | 30 dBm (1,000 mW) | 12.6 | −42.8 |
(2) Personal/portable white space devices.
(i) Technical limits for personal/portable white space devices are shown in the table in paragraph (b)(2)(ii) of this section and subject to the requirements of this section.
(ii) The radiated power spectral density from a personal/portable white space device shall not be greater than the values shown in the table in this paragraph (b)(2)(ii) when measured in any 100 kHz band during any time interval of continuous transmission.
Table 2 to Paragraph (b)(2)(ii)
| EIRP (6 MHz) |
Radiated PSD limit EIRP (100 kHz) (dBm) |
Radiated adjacent channel emission limit EIRP (100 kHz) (dBm) |
|---|---|---|
| 16 dBm (40 mW) | −1.4 | −56.8 |
| 20 dBm (100 mW) | 2.6 | −52.8 |
(3) Sensing-only devices. Sensing-only white space devices are limited to 17 dBm (50 mW) EIRP and are subject to the requirements of this paragraph and of § 15.717 of this part.
(i) Radiated PSD limit: −0.4 dBm EIRP.
(ii) Adjacent channel emission limit: −55.8 dBm EIRP.
(4) Narrowband white space devices.
(i) A narrowband white space device that operates as a client must communicate with a master device (fixed, Mode II, mobile or narrowband) that contacts the white space database to obtain a list of available channels and operating powers at its location. A narrowband white space device that acts as a master must incorporate a geo-location mechanism and be capable of obtaining lists of available channels and operating powers from the white space database.
(ii) Narrowband white space devices shall operate on channel sizes that are no more than 100 kilohertz. The edge of a narrowband channel shall be offset from the upper and lower edge of the 6 megahertz channel in which it operates by at least 250 kilohertz, except in the case where bonded 6 megahertz channels share a common band edge. Narrowband operating channels shall be at integral multiples of 100 kilohertz beginning at a 250 kilohertz offset from a 6 megahertz channel's edge, or with no offset at the common band edge of two bonded 6 megahertz channels.
(iii) The conducted power limit is 12.6 dBm in a 100 kilohertz segment. The EIRP limit is 18.6 dBm in a 100 kilohertz segment. The conducted power spectral density limit is 12.6 dBm in any 100 kilohertz band during any time interval of continuous transmission.
(iv) Conducted adjacent channel emissions shall be limited to −42.8 dBm in 100 kilohertz in a first adjacent 6 megahertz channel, starting at the edge of the 6 megahertz channel within which the narrowband device is operating. This limit shall not apply between the edge of the narrowband channel and the edge of the 6 megahertz channel that contains it.
(v) If transmitting antennas of directional gain greater than 6 dBi are used, the maximum conducted power output shall be reduced by the amount in dB that the directional gain of the antenna exceeds 6 dBi.
(vi) Total occupancy for each narrowband channel shall be limited to 36 seconds per hour.
(c) Conducted power limits.
(1) The conducted power, PSD and adjacent channel limits for fixed white space devices operating at up to 36 dBm (4000 milliwatts) EIRP shown in the table in paragraph (b)(1) of this section are based on a maximum transmitting antenna gain of 6 dBi. If transmitting antennas of directional gain greater than 6 dBi are used, the maximum conducted output power shall be reduced by the amount in dB that the directional gain of the antenna exceeds 6 dBi.
(2) The conducted power, PSD, and adjacent channel limits for fixed and mobile white space devices operating at greater than 36 dBm (4,000 milliwatts) EIRP shown in the table in paragraph (b)(1)(iii) of this section are based on a maximum transmitting antenna gain of 12 dBi. If transmitting antennas of directional gain greater than 12 dBi are used, the maximum conducted output power shall be reduced by the amount in dB that the directional gain of the antenna exceeds 12 dBi.
(3) Maximum conducted output power is the total transmit power over the occupied bandwidth delivered to all antennas and antenna elements averaged across all symbols in the signaling alphabet when the transmitter is operating at its maximum power level. Power must be summed across all antennas and antenna elements. The average must not include any time intervals during which the transmitter is off or is transmitting at a reduced power level. If multiple modes of operation are possible (e.g., alternative modulation methods), the maximum conducted output power is the highest total transmit power occurring in any mode.
(4) White space devices connected to the AC power line are required to comply with the conducted limits set forth in § 15.207.
(d) Emission limits.
(1) The adjacent channel emission limits shown in the tables in paragraphs (b)(1) and (2) of this section apply in the six megahertz channel immediately adjacent to each white space channel or group of contiguous white space channels in which the white space device is operating.
(2) At frequencies beyond the six megahertz channel immediately adjacent to each white space channel or group of contiguous white space channels in which the white space device is operating the white space device shall meet the requirements of § 15.209.
(3) Emission measurements in the adjacent bands shall be performed using a minimum resolution bandwidth of 100 kHz with an average detector. A narrower resolution bandwidth may be employed near the band edge, when necessary, provided the measured energy is integrated to show the total power over 100 kHz.
(e) Transmit power control. White space devices shall incorporate transmit power control to limit their operating power to the minimum necessary for successful communication. Applicants for equipment certification shall include a description of the device's transmit power control feature mechanism.
(f) Security. White space devices shall incorporate adequate security measures to prevent the devices from accessing databases not approved by the FCC and to ensure that unauthorized parties cannot modify the device or configure its control features to operate in a manner inconsistent with the rules and protection criteria set forth in this subpart.
(g) Antenna requirements -
(1) Fixed white space devices -
(i) Above ground level. The transmit antenna height shall not exceed 10 meters above ground level in any area for fixed white space devices operating in the TV bands at 40 mW EIRP or less or operating across multiple contiguous TV channels at 100 mW EIRP or less.
(ii) Height above average terrain (HAAT). The transmit antenna shall not be located where the height above average terrain is more than 250 meters. The HAAT is to be calculated by the white space database using the methodology in § 73.684(d) of this chapter.
(2) Personal/portable white space devices. Personal/portable devices shall have permanently attached transmit and receive antenna(s).
(3) Sensing-only white space devices operating under the provisions of § 15.717 of this subpart.
(i) The provisions of § 15.204(c)(4) do not apply to an antenna used for transmission and reception/spectrum sensing.
(ii) Compliance testing for white space devices that incorporate a separate sensing antenna shall be performed using the lowest gain antenna for each type of antenna to be certified.
(h) Compliance with radio frequency exposure requirements. White space devices shall ensure compliance with the Commission's radio frequency exposure requirements in §§ 1.1307(b), 2.1091 and 2.1093 of this chapter, as appropriate. Applications for equipment authorization of RF sources under this section must contain a statement confirming compliance with these requirements. Technical information showing the basis for this statement must be submitted to the Commission upon request.
[80 FR 73070, Nov. 23, 2015, as amended at 84 FR 34797, July 19, 2019; 85 FR 18149, Apr. 1, 2020; 86 FR 2291, Jan. 12, 2021]
Except as provided in § 15.717 of this part, channel availability for a white space device is determined based on the geo-location and database access method described in paragraphs (a) through (e) of this section.
(a) Geolocation required. White space devices shall rely on a geolocation capability and database access mechanism to protect the following authorized service in accordance with the interference protection requirements of § 15.712: Digital television stations, digital and analog Class A, low power, translator and booster stations; translator receive operations; fixed broadcast auxiliary service links; private land mobile service/commercial radio service (PLMRS/CMRS) operations; offshore radiotelephone service; low power auxiliary services authorized pursuant to §§ 74.801 through 74.882 of this chapter, including licensed wireless microphones; MVPD receive sites; wireless medical telemetry service (WMTS); radio astronomy service (RAS); and 600 MHz service band licensees where they have commenced operations, as defined in § 27.4 of this chapter. In addition, protection shall be provided in border areas near Canada and Mexico in accordance with § 15.712(g).
(b) Geo-location requirement -
(1) Accuracy. Fixed white space devices that incorporate a geo-location capability and Mode II devices shall determine their location and their geo-location uncertainty (in meters), with a confidence level of 95%.
(2) Reference datum. All geographic coordinates shall be referenced to the North American Datum of 1983 (NAD 83).
(c) Requirements for fixed white space devices.
(1) The geographic coordinates of a fixed white space device shall be determined at the time of installation and first activation from a power off condition by an incorporated geo-location capability. The antenna height above ground shall be determined by the installer or operator of the device, or by an automatic means. This information shall be stored internally in the white space device and transmitted automatically by the device to the white space database. The operator of a fixed white space device shall be responsible for assuring the accuracy of the information registered in the white space database. If a fixed white space device is moved to another location or if its stored coordinates become altered, the operator shall reestablish the device's:
(i) Geographic location through the incorporated geo-location capability and the antenna height above ground level and store this information in the white space device; and
(ii) Registration with the database based on the device's new coordinates and antenna height above ground level.
(iii) A fixed white space device may obtain its geographic coordinates through an external geo-location source when it is used at a location where its internal geo-location capability does not function. An external geo-location source may be connected to a fixed device through either a wired or a wireless connection, and a single geo-location source may provide location information to multiple fixed devices. An external geo-location source must be connected to a fixed device using a secure connection that ensures that only an external geo-location source that has been approved with a particular fixed device can provide geographic coordinates to that device. The geographic coordinates must be provided automatically by the external geo-location source to the fixed device; users may not manually enter them. Alternatively, an extender cable may be used to connect a remote receive antenna to a geo-location receiver within a fixed device.
(iv) The applicant for certification of a fixed device must demonstrate the accuracy of the geo-location method used and the location uncertainty as defined in paragraph (b) of this section. For fixed devices that are not using an internal geo-location capability, this uncertainty must account for the accuracy of the geo-location source and the separation distance between such source and the white space device.
(2)
(i) Each fixed white space device must access a white space database over the Internet to determine the available channels and the corresponding maximum permitted power for each available channel that is available at its geographic coordinates, taking into consideration the fixed device's antenna height above ground level and geo-location uncertainty, prior to its initial service transmission at a given location.
(ii) Operation is permitted only on channels and at power levels that are indicated in the database as being available for each white space device. Operation on a channel must cease immediately or power must be reduced to a permissible level if the database indicates that the channel is no longer available at the current operating level.
(iii) Each fixed white space device shall access the database at least once a day to verify that the operating channels continue to remain available. Each fixed white space device must adjust its use of channels in accordance with channel availability schedule information provided by its database for the 48-hour period beginning at the time the device last accessed the database for a list of available channels. The fixed device's registration information shall be updated if the geographic coordinates reported to the database differ by more than ±50 meters from the previously registered coordinates.
(iv) Fixed devices without a direct connection to the Internet: A fixed white space device may not operate on channels provided by a white space database for another fixed device. A fixed white space device that has not yet been initialized and registered with a white space database consistent with § 15.713 of this part, but can receive the transmissions of another fixed white space device, may transmit to that other fixed white space device on either a channel that the other white space device has transmitted on or on a channel which the other white space device indicates is available for use to access the database to register its location and receive a list of channels that are available for it to use. Subsequently, the newly registered fixed white space device must only use the channels that the database indicates are available for it to use.
(d) Requirements for Mode II personal/portable white space devices.
(1) The geographic coordinates of a Mode II personal/portable white space device shall be determined by an incorporated geo-location capability prior to its initial service transmission at a given location and each time the device is activated from a power-off condition to determine the available channels and the corresponding maximum permitted power for each available channel at its geographic coordinates, taking into consideration the device's geo-location uncertainty. The location must be checked at least once every 60 seconds while in operation, except while in sleep mode, i.e., in a mode in which the device is inactive but is not powered-down.
(2) Each Mode II personal/portable white space device must access a white space database over the Internet to obtain a list of available channels for its location. The device must access the database for an updated available channel list if its location changes by more than 100 meters from the location at which it last established its available channel list.
(3) Operation is permitted only on channels and at power levels that are indicated in the database as being available for the Mode II personal/portable white space device. Operation on a channel must cease immediately or power must be reduced to a permissible level if the database indicates that the channel is no longer available at the current operating level.
(4) A Mode II personal/portable white space device that has been in a powered state shall re-check its location and access the database daily to verify that the operating channel(s) and corresponding power levels continue to be available. Mode II personal/portable devices must adjust their use of channels and power levels in accordance with channel availability schedule information provided by their database for the 48-hour period beginning at the time of the device last accessed the database for a list of available channels.
(5) A Mode II personal/portable device may load channel availability information for multiple locations, (i.e., in the vicinity of its current location) and use that information to define a geographic area within which it can operate on the same available channels at all locations. For example a Mode II personal/portable white space device could calculate a bounded area in which a channel or channels are available at all locations within the area and operate on a mobile basis within that area. A Mode II white space device using such channel availability information for multiple locations must contact the database again if/when it moves beyond the boundary of the area where the channel availability data is valid.
(e) Requirements for Mode I personal/portable white space devices.
(1) A Mode I personal/portable white space device may only transmit upon receiving a list of available channels from a fixed or Mode II white space device. A fixed or Mode II white space device may provide a Mode I device with a list of available channels only after it contacts its database, provides the database the FCC Identifier (FCC ID) of the Mode I device requesting available channels, and receives verification that the FCC ID is valid for operation.
(2) A Mode II device must provide a list of channels to the Mode I device that is the same as the list of channels available to the Mode II device.
(3) A fixed device may provide a list of available channels to a Mode I device only if the fixed device HAAT as verified by the white space database does not exceed 106 meters. The fixed device must provide a list of available channels to the Mode I device that is the same as the list of channels available to the fixed device, except that a Mode I device may operate only on those channels that are permissible for its use under § 15.707 of this part. A fixed device may also obtain from a white space database and provide to a Mode I personal/portable white space device, a separate list of available channels that includes adjacent channels available to a Mode I personal/portable white space device, but not a fixed white space device.
(4) To initiate contact with a fixed or Mode II device, a Mode I device may transmit on an available channel used by the fixed or Mode II white space device or on a channel the fixed or Mode II white space device indicates is available for use by a Mode I device. At least once every 60 seconds, except when in sleep mode (i.e., a mode in which the device is inactive but is not powered-down), a Mode I device must either receive a contact verification signal from the Mode II or fixed white space device that provided its current list of available channels or contact a Mode II or fixed white space device to re-verify/re-establish channel availability. A Mode I device must cease operation immediately if it does not receive a contact verification signal or is not able to re-establish a list of available channels through contact with a fixed or Mode II device on this schedule. If a fixed or Mode II white space device loses power and obtains a new channel list, it must signal all Mode I devices it is serving to acquire and use a new channel list.
(f) Display of available channels. A white space device must incorporate the capability to display a list of identified available channels and its operating channels.
(g) Identifying information. Fixed white space devices shall transmit identifying information. The identification signal must conform to a standard established by a recognized industry standards setting organization. The identification signal shall carry sufficient information to identify the device and its geographic coordinates.
(h) Continuing operation. If a fixed or Mode II personal/portable white space device fails to successfully contact the white space database during any given day, it may continue to operate until 11:59 p.m. of the following day at which time it must cease operations until it re-establishes contact with the white space database and re-verifies its list of available channels.
(i) Push notifications. White space device manufacturers and database administrators must implement the push notification requirements of paragraphs (i)(1) and (2) of this section, and may also implement a system that pushes additional updated channel availability information from the database to white space devices.
(1) In response to a request for immediate access to a channel by a licensed wireless microphone user, white space database administrators are required to share the licensed microphone channel registration information to all other white space database administrators within 10 minutes of receiving each wireless microphone registration.
(2) White space database administrators shall push updated available channel lists to fixed and Mode II personal/portable white space devices within 20 minutes of receiving the notification required by paragraph (i)(1) of this section. The information need only be pushed to white space devices that are located within the separation distances, specified in § 15.712(f) of this part, for each licensed wireless microphone registration received.
(3) White space database administrators must update their systems to comply with these requirements no later than December 23, 2016.
(j) Security.
(1) White space devices shall incorporate adequate security measures to ensure that they are capable of communicating for purposes of obtaining lists of available channels only with databases operated by administrators authorized by the Commission, and to ensure that communications between white space devices and databases are secure to prevent corruption or unauthorized interception of data. This requirement includes implementing security for communications between Mode I personal portable devices and fixed or Mode II devices for purposes of providing lists of available channels. This requirement applies to communications of channel availability and other spectrum access information between the databases and fixed and Mode II devices (it is not necessary for white space devices to apply security coding to channel availability and channel access information where they are not the originating or terminating device and that they simply pass through).
(2) Communications between a Mode I device and a fixed or Mode II device for purposes of obtaining a list of available channels shall employ secure methods that ensure against corruption or unauthorized modification of the data. When a Mode I device makes a request to a fixed or Mode II device for a list of available channels, the receiving device shall check with the white space database that the Mode I device has a valid FCC Identifier before providing a list of available channels. Contact verification signals transmitted for Mode I devices are to be encoded with encryption to secure the identity of the transmitting device. Mode I devices using contact verification signals shall accept as valid for authorization only the signals of the device from which they obtained their list of available channels.
(3) A white space database shall be protected from unauthorized data input or alteration of stored data. To provide this protection, the white space database administrator shall establish communications authentication procedures that allow fixed, mobile, and Mode II white space devices to be assured that the data they receive is from an authorized source.
(4) Applications for certification of white space devices shall include a high level operational description of the technologies and measures that are incorporated in the device to comply with the security requirements of this section. In addition, applications for certification of fixed, mobile, and Mode II white space devices shall identify at least one of the white space databases operated by a designated white space database administrator that the device will access for channel availability and affirm that the device will conform to the communications security methods used by that database.
(k) Requirements for mobile white space devices.
(1) Mobile white space devices shall operate within geo-fenced areas over which the white space database has determined channel availability. A mobile white space device shall have the capability to internally store the boundaries of a geo-fenced area and determine its location with respect to those boundaries. The area boundaries stored within a mobile white space device must be the same as those used by the white space database to determine channel availability.
(2) A mobile white space device shall incorporate a geo-location capability to determine its geographic coordinates. A mobile white space device may obtain its geographic coordinates through an external geo-location source, provided that source is on the same vehicle or other mobile platform as the mobile device. An external geo-location source may be connected to a mobile device through either a wired or a wireless connection, and a single geo-location source may provide location information to multiple mobile devices on the same mobile platform. An external geo-location source must be connected to a mobile device using a secure connection that ensures that only an external geo-location source that has been approved with a particular mobile device can provide geographic coordinates to that device. The geographic coordinates must be provided automatically by the external geo-location source to the mobile device; users may not manually enter them. Alternatively, an extender cable may be used to connect a remote receive antenna to a geo-location receiver within a mobile device.
(3) The applicant for certification of a mobile device must demonstrate the accuracy of the geo-location method used and the location uncertainty as defined in paragraph (b) of this section. For mobile devices that are not using an internal geo-location capability, this uncertainty must account for the accuracy of the geo-location source and the separation distance between such source and the white space device.
(4) The antenna height above ground shall be determined by the operator of the device, or by an automatic means. The mobile device shall provide this information to the white space database when it requests a list of available channels for the geo-fenced area in which it will operate.
(5) Each mobile device must access a white space database over the internet to determine the available channels and the maximum permitted power for each available channel within the geo-fenced area in which it will operate. The white space database must take into consideration the mobile device's antenna height above ground level and geo-location uncertainty in determining the list of available channels. It must also take into consideration any variation in mobile device HAAT throughout the geo-fenced area and must use the highest HAAT within the geo-fenced area in determining channel availability. Operation is permitted only on channels that are indicated by the database as being available at the same power level throughout the entire geo-fenced area in which the mobile device will operate.
(6) Mobile devices must comply with the same separation distances from protected services in § 15.712 as fixed devices.
(7) Mobile devices may use electrically steerable directional antennas, but a device's maximum EIRP in any direction must be used by the white space database in determining channel availability.
(8) A mobile device must re-check its coordinates at least once every 60 seconds while in operation except while in sleep mode, i.e., in a mode in which the device is inactive but is not powered down. It must cease operation if its location is within 1.9 kilometers of the boundary, or outside the boundary, of the geo-fenced area over which the white space database has determined the available channels.
(9) Each mobile white space device shall access the white space database at least once a day to verify that the operating channels within the geo-fenced area continue to remain available. Each mobile white space device must adjust its use of channels in accordance with channel availability schedule information provided by its database for the 48-hour period beginning at the time the device last accessed the database for a list of available channels.
(10) Operation of mobile white space devices on satellites and aircraft, including unmanned aerial vehicles, is prohibited.
[80 FR 73070, Nov. 23, 2015, as amended at 81 FR 4974, Jan. 29, 2016; 82 FR 41559, Sept. 1, 2017; 84 FR 34797, July 19, 2019; 86 FR 2292, Jan. 12, 2021]
The separation distances in this section apply to fixed, mobile, and personal/portable white space devices with a location accuracy of ±50 meters. These distances must be increased by the amount that the location uncertainty of a white space device exceeds ±50 meters. Narrowband white space devices shall comply with the separation distances applicable to a fixed white space device operating with 30 dBm conducted power and 36 dBm EIRP across a 6 megahertz channel.
(a) Digital television stations, and digital and analog Class A TV, low power TV, TV translator and TV booster stations -
(1) Protected contour. White space devices must protect digital and analog TV services within the contours shown in the following table. These contours are calculated using the methodology in § 73.684 of this chapter and the R-6602 curves contained in § 73.699 of this chapter.
| Type of station | Protected contour | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Channel | Contour (dBu) |
Propagation curve | |
| Analog: Class A TV, LPTV, translator and booster | Low VHF (2-6) | 47 | F(50,50) |
| High VHF (7-13) | 56 | F(50,50) | |
| UHF (14-69) | 64 | F(50,50) | |
| Digital: Full service TV, Class A TV, LPTV, translator and booster | Low VHF (2-6) | 28 | F(50,90) |
| High VHF (7-13) | 36 | F(50,90) | |
| UHF (14-51) | 41 | F(50,90) | |
(2) Required separation distance. White space devices must be located outside the contours indicated in paragraph (a)(1) of this section of co-channel and adjacent channel stations by at least the minimum distances specified in the tables in paragraph (a)(2)(v) of this section.
(i) If a device operates between two defined power levels, it must comply with the separation distances for the higher power level.
(ii) White space devices operating at 40 mW EIRP or less are not required to meet the adjacent channel separation distances.
(iii) Fixed white space devices operating at 100 mW EIRP or less per 6 megahertz across multiple contiguous TV channels with at least 3-megahertz separation between the frequency band occupied by the white space device and adjacent TV channels are not required to meet the adjacent channel separation distances.
(iv) Fixed white space devices may only operate above 4 W EIRP in less congested areas as defined in § 15.703.
(v) The following are the tables of minimum required separation distances outside the contours of co-channel and adjacent channel stations that white space devices must meet.
Table 2 to Paragraph (a)(2)(v)
| Mode II personal/portable white space devices | ||
|---|---|---|
| Required separation in kilometers from co-channel digital or analog TV (full service or low power) protected contour |
||
| 16 dBm (40 mW) |
20 dBm (100 mW) |
|
| Communicating with Mode II or Fixed device | 1.3 | 1.7 |
| Communicating with Mode I device | 2.6 | 3.4 |
Table 3 to Paragraph (a)(2)(v)
| Fixed white space devices | ||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Antenna height above average terrain of unlicensed devices (meters) |
Required separation in kilometers from co-channel digital or analog TV (full service or low power) protected contour1 |
|||||||
| 16 dBm (40 mW) |
20 dBm (100 mW) |
24 dBm (250 mW) |
28 dBm (625 mW) |
32 dBm (1,600 mW) |
36 dBm (4 W) |
40 dBm (10 W) |
42 dBm (16 W) |
|
| Less than 3 | 1.3 | 1.7 | 2.1 | 2.7 | 3.3 | 4.0 | 4.5 | 5.0 |
| 3-10 | 2.4 | 3.1 | 3.8 | 4.8 | 6.1 | 7.3 | 8.5 | 9.4 |
| 10-30 | 4.2 | 5.1 | 6.0 | 7.1 | 8.9 | 11.1 | 13.9 | 15.3 |
| 30-50 | 5.4 | 6.5 | 7.7 | 9.2 | 11.5 | 14.3 | 19.1 | 20.9 |
| 50-75 | 6.6 | 7.9 | 9.4 | 11.1 | 13.9 | 18.0 | 23.8 | 26.2 |
| 75-100 | 7.7 | 9.2 | 10.9 | 12.8 | 17.2 | 21.1 | 27.2 | 30.1 |
| 100-150 | 9.4 | 11.1 | 13.2 | 16.5 | 21.4 | 25.3 | 32.3 | 35.5 |
| 150-200 | 10.9 | 12.7 | 15.8 | 19.5 | 24.7 | 28.5 | 36.4 | 39.5 |
| 200-250 | 12.1 | 14.3 | 18.2 | 22.0 | 27.3 | 31.2 | 39.5 | 42.5 |
| 250-300 | 13.9 | 16.4 | 20.0 | 23.9 | 29.4 | 35.4 | 42.1 | 45.9 |
| 300-350 | 15.3 | 17.9 | 21.7 | 25.7 | 31.4 | 37.6 | 44.5 | 48.4 |
| 350-400 | 16.6 | 19.3 | 23.2 | 27.3 | 33.3 | 39.7 | 46.9 | 51.0 |
| 400-450 | 17.6 | 20.4 | 24.4 | 28.7 | 35.1 | 41.9 | 49.4 | 53.8 |
| 450-500 | 18.3 | 21.4 | 25.5 | 30.1 | 36.7 | 43.7 | 51.4 | 55.9 |
| 500-550 | 18.9 | 21.8 | 26.3 | 31.0 | 37.9 | 45.3 | 53.3 | 57.5 |
Table 4 to Paragraph (a)(2)(v)
| Personal/portable white space devices | |
|---|---|
| Required separation in kilometers from adjacent channel digital or analog TV (full service or low power) protected contour |
|
| 20 dBm (100 mW) |
|
| Communicating with Mode II or Fixed device | 0.1 |
| Communicating with Mode I device | 0.2 |
Table 5 to Paragraph (a)(2)(v)
| Fixed white space devices | |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Antenna height above average terrain of unlicensed devices (meters) |
Required separation in kilometers from adjacent channel digital or analog TV (full service or low power) protected contour1 |
||||||
| 20 dBm (100 mW) |
24 dBm (250 mW) |
28 dBm (625 mW) |
32 dBm (1,600 mW) |
36 dBm (4 W) |
40 dBm (10 W) |
42 dBm (16 W) |
|
| Less than 3 | 0.1 | 0.1 | 0.1 | 0.1 | 0.2 | 0.2 | 0.3 |
| 3-10 | 0.1 | 0.2 | 0.2 | 0.2 | 0.3 | 0.4 | 0.5 |
| 10-30 | 0.2 | 0.3 | 0.3 | 0.4 | 0.5 | 0.6 | 0.7 |
| 30-50 | 0.3 | 0.3 | 0.4 | 0.5 | 0.7 | 0.8 | 1.0 |
| 50-75 | 0.3 | 0.4 | 0.5 | 0.7 | 0.8 | 0.9 | 1.0 |
| 75-100 | 0.4 | 0.5 | 0.6 | 0.8 | 1.0 | 1.1 | 1.3 |
| 100-150 | 0.5 | 0.6 | 0.8 | 0.9 | 1.2 | 1.3 | 1.5 |
| 150-200 | 0.5 | 0.7 | 0.9 | 1.1 | 1.4 | 1.5 | 1.7 |
| 200-250 | 0.6 | 0.8 | 1.0 | 1.2 | 1.5 | 1.7 | 1.9 |
| 250-300 | 0.7 | 0.8 | 1.0 | 1.3 | 1.6 | 2.1 | 2.3 |
| 300-350 | 0.7 | 0.9 | 1.1 | 1.4 | 1.8 | 2.2 | 2.4 |
| 350-400 | 0.8 | 1.0 | 1.2 | 1.5 | 1.9 | 2.4 | 2.7 |
| 400-450 | 0.8 | 1.0 | 1.3 | 1.6 | 2.1 | 2.6 | 2.9 |
| 450-500 | 0.8 | 1.1 | 1.4 | 1.7 | 2.1 | 2.7 | 2.9 |
| 500-550 | 0.9 | 1.2 | 1.5 | 1.8 | 2.2 | 2.8 | 3.0 |
(3) Fixed white space device antenna height. Fixed white space devices must comply with the requirements of § 15.709(g).
(b) TV translator, Low Power TV (including Class A) and Multi-channel Video Programming Distributor (MVPD) receive sites.
(1) MVPD, TV translator station and low power TV (including Class A) station receive sites located outside the protected contour of the TV station(s) being received may be registered in the white space database if they are no farther than 80 km outside the nearest edge of the relevant contour(s). Only channels received over the air and used by the MVPD, TV translator station or low power/Class A TV station may be registered.
(2) White space devices may not operate within an arc of ±30 degrees from a line between a registered receive site and the contour of the TV station being received in the direction of the station's transmitter at a distance of up to 80 km from the edge of the protected contour of the received TV station for co-channel operation and up to 20 km from the registered receive site for adjacent channel operation, except that the protection distance shall not exceed the distance from the receive site to the protected contour.
(3) Outside of the ±30 degree arc defined in paragraph (b)(2) of this section:
(i) White space devices operating at 4 watts EIRP or less may not operate within 8 km from the receive site for co-channel operation and 2 km from the receive site for adjacent channel operation.
(ii) White space devices operating with more than 4 watts EIRP and up to 10 watts EIRP may not operate within 10.2 kilometers from the receive site for co-channel operation and 2.5 kilometers from the receive site for adjacent channel operation.
(iii) White space devices operating with more than 10 watts EIRP may not operate within 16.6 kilometers from the receive site for co-channel operation and 3.5 kilometers from the receive site for adjacent channel operation.
(iv) For purposes of this section, a TV station being received may include a full power TV station, TV translator station or low power TV/Class A TV station.
(c) Fixed Broadcast Auxiliary Service (BAS) links.
(1) For permanent BAS receive sites appearing in the Commission's Universal Licensing System or temporary BAS receive sites registered in the white space database, white space devices may not operate within an arc of ±30 degrees from a line between the BAS receive site and its associated permanent transmitter within a distance of 80 km from the receive site for co-channel operation and 20 km for adjacent channel operation.
(2) Outside of the ±30 degree arc defined in paragraph (c)(1) of this section:
(i) White space devices operating at 4 watts EIRP or less may not operate within 8 km from the receive site for co-channel operation and 2 km from the receive site for adjacent channel operation.
(ii) White space devices operating with more than 4 watts EIRP and up to 10 watts EIRP may not operate within 10.2 km from the receive site for co-channel operation and 2.5 km from the receive site for adjacent channel operation.
(iii) White space devices operating with more than 10 watts EIRP may not operate within 16.6 kilometers from the receive site for co-channel operation and 3.5 kilometers from the receive site for adjacent channel operation.
(d) PLMRS/CMRS operations.
(1) White space devices may not operate at distances less than those specified in the table in this paragraph (d)(1) from the coordinates of the metropolitan areas and on the channels listed in § 90.303(a) of this chapter.
Table 6 to Paragraph (d)(1)
| White space device transmitter power | Required separation in kilometers from the areas specified in § 90.303(a) of this chapter |
|||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Co-channel operation | Adjacent channel operation | |||
| Up to 250 meters HAAT | Greater than 250 meters HAAT | Up to 250 meters HAAT | Greater than 250 meters HAAT | |
| Up to 4 watts EIRP | 134.0 | 158.0 | 131.0 | 155.4 |
| Greater than 4 watts and up to 10 watts EIRP | 136.0 | 169.8 | 131.5 | 166.0 |
| Greater than 10 watts and up to 16 watts EIRP | 139.2 | 171.1 | 132.2 | 166.2 |
(2) White space devices may not operate at distances less than those specified in the table in this paragraph (d)(2) from PLMRS/CMRS operations authorized by waiver outside of the metropolitan areas listed in § 90.303(a) of this chapter.
Table 7 to Paragraph (d)(2)
| White space device transmitter power | Required separation in kilometers from operations authorized by waiver outside of the areas specified in § 90.303(a) of this chapter | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Co-channel operation | Adjacent channel operation | |||
| Up to 250 meters HAAT | Greater than 250 meters HAAT | Up to 250 meters HAAT | Greater than 250 meters HAAT | |
| Up to 4 watts EIRP | 54.0 | 78.0 | 51.0 | 75.4 |
| Greater than 4 watts and up to 10 watts EIRP | 56.0 | 89.8 | 51.5 | 86.0 |
| Greater than 10 watts and up to 16 watts EIRP | 59.2 | 91.1 | 52.2 | 86.2 |
(e) Offshore Radiotelephone Service. White space devices may not operate on channels used by the Offshore Radio Service within the geographic areas specified in § 74.709(e) of this chapter.
(f) Low power auxiliary services, including wireless microphones. White space devices are not permitted to operate within the following distances of the coordinates of registered low power auxiliary station sites on the registered channels during the designated times they are used by low power auxiliary stations.
(1) Fixed white space devices with 10 watts EIRP or less: 1 kilometer.
(2) Fixed white space devices with greater than 10 watts EIRP: 1.3 kilometers.
(3) Personal/portable white space devices: 400 meters.
(g) Border areas near Canada and Mexico. Fixed, mobile, and personal/portable white space devices shall comply with the required separation distances in paragraph (a)(2) of this section from the protected contours of TV stations in Canada and Mexico. White space devices are not required to comply with the separation distances in paragraph (a)(2) from portions of the protected contours of Canadian or Mexican TV stations that fall within the United States.
(h) Radio astronomy services.
(1) Operation of fixed, mobile, and personal/portable white space devices is prohibited on all channels within 2.4 kilometers at the following locations.
(i) The Naval Radio Research Observatory in Sugar Grove, West Virginia at 38 30 58 N and 79 16 48 W.
(ii) The Table Mountain Radio Receiving Zone (TMRZ) at 40 08 02 N and 105 14 40 W.
(iii) The following facilities:
| Observatory | Latitude (deg/min/sec) |
Longitude (deg/min/sec) |
|---|---|---|
| Arecibo Observatory | 18 20 37 N | 066 45 11 W |
| Green Bank Telescope (GBT) | 38 25 59 N | 079 50 23 W |
| Very Long Baseline Array (VLBA) Stations: | ||
| Pie Town, NM | 34 18 04 N | 108 07 09 W |
| Kitt Peak, AZ | 31 57 23 N | 111 36 45 W |
| Los Alamos, NM | 35 46 30 N | 106 14 44 W |
| Ft. Davis, TX | 30 38 06 N | 103 56 41 W |
| N. Liberty, IA | 41 46 17 N | 091 34 27 W |
| Brewster, WA | 48 07 52 N | 119 41 00 W |
| Owens Valley, CA | 37 13 54 N | 118 16 37 W |
| St. Croix, VI | 17 45 24 N | 064 35 01 W |
| Hancock, NH | 42 56 01 N | 071 59 12 W |
| Mauna Kea, HI | 19 48 05 N | 155 27 20 W |
(2) Operation within the band 608-614 MHz is prohibited within the areas defined by the following coordinates (all coordinates are NAD 83):
(i) Pie Town, NM
| North latitude (deg/min/sec) |
West longitude (deg/min/sec) |
|---|---|
| 35 25 56.28 | 107 44 56.40 |
| 35 15 57.24 | 107 41 27.60 |
| 33 52 14.16 | 107 30 25.20 |
| 33 22 39.36 | 107 49 26.40 |
| 33 57 38.52 | 109 36 10.80 |
| 34 04 46.20 | 109 34 12.00 |
| 34 27 20.88 | 109 12 43.20 |
| 35 15 30.24 | 108 25 55.20 |
(ii) Kitt Peak, AZ
| North latitude (deg/min/sec) |
West longitude (deg/min/sec) |
|---|---|
| 34 08 18.24 | 111 36 46.80 |
| 33 54 10.08 | 109 38 20.40 |
| 32 09 25.56 | 113 42 03.60 |
| 31 29 15.72 | 111 33 43.20 |
| 33 20 36.60 | 113 36 14.40 |
| 34 09 20.52 | 112 34 37.20 |
(iii) Los Alamos, NM
| North latitude (deg/min/sec) |
West longitude (deg/min/sec) |
|---|---|
| 36 25 54.12 | 106 06 07.20 |
| 36 32 26.88 | 105 59 27.60 |
| 36 45 23.40 | 105 48 03.60 |
| 36 48 10.44 | 105 30 21.60 |
| 36 13 37.92 | 105 26 38.40 |
| 35 38 40.92 | 105 48 36.00 |
| 35 36 51.48 | 105 49 30.00 |
| 34 06 17.28 | 107 10 48.00 |
| 34 16 18.12 | 107 17 16.80 |
| 35 21 22.68 | 106 51 07.20 |
(iv) Ft. Davis, TX
| North latitude (deg/min/sec) |
West longitude (deg/min/sec) |
|---|---|
| 30 42 16.92 | 103 55 22.80 |
| 30 35 49.92 | 103 41 52.80 |
| 30 32 35.88 | 103 43 04.80 |
| 30 25 20.64 | 103 49 48.00 |
| 30 24 30.24 | 103 52 30.00 |
| 30 26 14.28 | 103 57 54.00 |
| 30 33 03.60 | 104 09 10.80 |
| 30 40 03.36 | 104 05 9.60 |
| 30 43 11.28 | 103 58 48.00 |
(v) N. Liberty, IA
| North latitude (deg/min/sec) |
West longitude (deg/min/sec) |
|---|---|
| 42 03 27.00 | 90 54 16.56 |
| 41 59 03.12 | 90 46 49.44 |
| 41 34 19.20 | 90 51 11.16 |
| 41 19 27.12 | 90 58 58.80 |
| 41 02 09.96 | 91 07 18.84 |
| 41 07 51.24 | 92 03 44.64 |
| 41 50 03.12 | 92 36 20.16 |
| 42 28 50.16 | 91 44 35.16 |
(vi) Brewster, WA
| North latitude (deg/min/sec) |
West longitude (deg/min/sec) |
|---|---|
| 48 18 00.36 | 119 35 27.60 |
| 48 16 40.08 | 119 34 51.60 |
| 48 15 20.52 | 119 34 33.60 |
| 48 12 26.64 | 119 34 08.40 |
| 48 07 51.96 | 119 34 33.60 |
| 48 06 44.64 | 119 34 48.00 |
| 47 58 44.40 | 119 36 03.60 |
| 47 55 06.60 | 119 37 40.80 |
| 47 52 48.72 | 119 39 03.60 |
| 48 00 49.68 | 119 59 06.00 |
| 48 26 59.64 | 119 46 04.80 |
| 48 26 08.52 | 119 43 22.80 |
(vii) Owens Valley, CA
| North latitude (deg/min/sec) |
West longitude (deg/min/sec) |
|---|---|
| 37 05 49.56 | 118 02 13.20 |
| 37 03 27.36 | 118 01 08.40 |
| 36 29 09.96 | 118 06 50.40 |
| 36 30 48.60 | 118 11 56.40 |
| 36 37 08.04 | 118 16 37.20 |
| 37 25 12.72 | 118 41 16.80 |
| 37 27 30.24 | 118 41 02.40 |
| 37 44 45.96 | 118 39 03.60 |
| 37 59 49.92 | 118 32 09.60 |
| 37 46 12.72 | 118 20 09.60 |
(viii) St. Croix, VI
| North latitude (deg/min/sec) |
West longitude (deg/min/sec) |
|---|---|
| 18 29 15.36 | 64 22 38.28 |
| 18 06 51.12 | 64 08 03.84 |
| 18 04 31.44 | 64 06 12.24 |
| 18 02 02.76 | 64 04 33.96 |
| 17 59 26.52 | 64 03 09.36 |
| 17 56 43.80 | 64 01 59.52 |
| 17 53 56.04 | 64 01 04.80 |
| 17 51 03.96 | 64 00 25.56 |
| 17 48 09.72 | 64 00 02.16 |
| 17 42 19.08 | 63 58 57.36 |
| 17 39 07.92 | 63 58 15.96 |
| 17 42 10.44 | 64 39 37.44 |
| 17 43 57.00 | 64 50 46.32 |
| 18 07 24.24 | 66 02 36.96 |
| 18 16 13.80 | 65 44 56.04 |
(ix) Hancock, NH
| North latitude (deg/min/sec) |
West longitude (deg/min/sec) |
|---|---|
| 44 08 59.64 | 71 32 01.68 |
| 43 46 24.60 | 71 18 57.60 |
| 42 58 41.88 | 71 15 14.04 |
| 42 29 25.08 | 71 52 51.96 |
| 42 34 05.88 | 72 07 08.76 |
| 42 34 41.52 | 72 09 41.76 |
| 42 55 47.28 | 72 55 03.72 |
(x) Mauna Kea, HI
| North latitude (deg/min/sec) |
West longitude (deg/min/sec) |
|---|---|
| 20 11 01.32 | 153 03 43.20 |
| 20 00 52.92 | 152 35 56.40 |
| 19 46 42.60 | 152 35 34.80 |
| 19 32 33.36 | 152 36 28.80 |
| 19 18 31.68 | 152 38 38.40 |
| 19 04 44.04 | 152 42 07.20 |
| 18 51 16.56 | 152 46 51.60 |
| 18 38 15.72 | 152 52 44.40 |
| 18 25 46.56 | 152 59 49.20 |
| 18 13 55.20 | 153 07 55.20 |
| 18 02 46.68 | 153 17 06.00 |
| 17 52 26.40 | 153 27 14.40 |
| 17 42 57.96 | 153 38 16.80 |
| 17 35 20.04 | 153 50 45.60 |
| 17 27 52.20 | 154 03 10.80 |
| 17 21 27.00 | 154 16 15.60 |
| 17 16 08.40 | 154 29 49.20 |
| 17 11 57.84 | 154 43 51.60 |
| 17 08 57.48 | 154 58 08.40 |
| 17 07 09.12 | 155 12 43.20 |
| 17 23 53.52 | 155 27 21.60 |
| 19 29 13.92 | 155 36 21.60 |
| 19 47 53.88 | 155 29 27.60 |
| 19 48 52.92 | 155 27 39.60 |
| 19 48 58.68 | 155 27 14.40 |
(3) Operation within the band 608-614 MHz is prohibited within the following areas:
(i) The National Radio Quiet Zone as defined in § 1.924(a)(1) of this chapter.
(ii) The islands of Puerto Rico, Desecheo, Mona, Vieques or Culebra
(i) 600 MHz service band: Fixed and personal/portable devices operating in the 600 MHz Service Band must comply with the following co-channel and adjacent channel separation distances outside the defined polygonal area encompassing the base stations or other radio facilities deployed by a part 27 600 MHz Service Band licensee that has commenced operations, as defined in § 27.4 of this chapter.
(1) Fixed white space devices may only operate above 4 W EIRP in less congested areas as defined in § 15.703.
(2) If a device operates between two defined power levels, it must comply with the separation distances for the higher power level.
(3) For the purpose of this rule, co-channel means any frequency overlap between a channel used by a white space device and a five megahertz spectrum block used by a part 27 600 MHz band licensee, and adjacent channel means a frequency separation of zero to four megahertz between the edge of a channel used by a white space device and the edge of a five megahertz spectrum block used by a part 27 600 MHz band licensee.
(4) On frequencies used by wireless uplink services:
Mode II Personal/Portable White Space Devices
| 600 MHz band wireless uplink spectrum Minimum co-channel separation distances in kilometers between white space devices and any point along the edge of a polygon representing the outer edge of base station or other radio facility deployment |
||
|---|---|---|
| 16 dBm (40 mW) | 20 dBm (100 mW) | |
| Communicating with Mode II or Fixed device | 5 | 6 |
| Communicating with Mode I device | 10 | 12 |
Fixed White Space Devices
| Antenna height above average terrain of unlicensed devices (meters) | 600 MHz band wireless uplink spectrum Minimum co-channel separation distances in kilometers between white space devices and any point along the edge of a polygon representing the outer edge of base station or other radio facility deployment* |
||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 16 dBm (40mW) | 20 dBm (100 mW) |
24 dBm (250mW) |
28 dBm (625 mW) |
32 dBm (1600 mW) |
36 dBm (4 W) |
40 dBm (10 W) |
|
| Less than 3 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 9 | 12 | 15 | 19 |
| 3 - 10 | 9 | 11 | 14 | 17 | 22 | 27 | 34 |
| 10 - 30 | 15 | 19 | 24 | 30 | 38 | 47 | 60 |
| 30 - 50 | 20 | 24 | 31 | 38 | 49 | 60 | 60 |
| 50 - 75 | 24 | 30 | 37 | 47 | 60 | 60 | 60 |
| 75 - 100 | 27 | 34 | 43 | 54 | 60 | 60 | 60 |
| 100 - 150 | 33 | 42 | 53 | 60 | 60 | 60 | 60 |
| 150 - 200 | 39 | 49 | 60 | 60 | 60 | 60 | 60 |
| 200-250 | 43 | 54 | 60 | 60 | 60 | 60 | 60 |
Personal/Portable White Space Devices
| 600 MHz band wireless uplink spectrum Minimum adjacent channel separation distances in kilometers between white space devices and any point along the edge of a polygon representing the outer edge of base station or other radio facility deployment |
|
|---|---|
| 20 dBm (100 mW) | |
| Communicating with Mode II or Fixed device | 0.1 |
| Communicating with Mode I device | 0.3 |
Fixed White Space Devices
| Antenna height above average terrain of unlicensed devices (meters) | 600 MHz band wireless uplink spectrum Minimum adjacent channel separation distances in kilometers between white space devices and any point along the edge of a polygon representing the outer edge of base station or other radio facility deployment* |
|||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 20 dBm (100 mW) |
24 dBm (250mW) |
28 dBm (625 mW) |
32 dBm (1600 mW) |
36 dBm (4 W) |
40 dBm (10 W) |
|
| Less than 3 | 0.1 | 0.2 | 0.2 | 0.3 | 0.4 | 0.4 |
| 3-10 | 0.3 | 0.3 | 0.4 | 0.5 | 0.6 | 0.8 |
| 10-30 | 0.4 | 0.6 | 0.7 | 0.9 | 1.1 | 1.4 |
| 30-50 | 0.6 | 0.7 | 0.9 | 1.2 | 1.4 | 1.8 |
| 50-75 | 0.7 | 0.9 | 1.1 | 1.4 | 1.8 | 2.2 |
| 75-100 | 0.8 | 1.0 | 1.3 | 1.6 | 2.0 | 2.6 |
| 100-150 | 1.0 | 1.3 | 1.6 | 2.0 | 2.5 | 3.1 |
| 150-200 | 1.2 | 1.4 | 1.8 | 2.3 | 2.9 | 3.6 |
| 200-250 | 1.3 | 1.6 | 2.0 | 2.6 | 3.2 | 4.1 |
(5) On frequencies used by wireless downlink services: 35 kilometers for co-channel operation, and 31 kilometers for adjacent channel operation.
(j) Wireless Medical Telemetry Service.
(1) White space devices operating in the 608-614 MHz band (channel 37) are not permitted to operate within an area defined by the polygon described in § 15.713(j)(11) plus the distances specified in the tables in this paragraph (j)(1):
(i) Mode II personal/portable white space devices.
Table 23 to Paragraph (j)(1)(i)
| Required co-channel separation distances in kilometers from edge of polygon |
|
|---|---|
| 16 dBm (40 mW) |
|
| Communicating with Mode II or Fixed device | 0.38 |
| Communicating with Mode I device | 0.76 |
(ii) Fixed white space devices, except that when communicating with Mode I personal/portable white space devices, the required separation distances must be increased beyond the specified distances by 0.38 kilometers.
Table 24 to Paragraph (j)(1)(ii)
| Antenna height above average terrain of unlicensed devices (meters) |
Required co-channel separation distances in kilometers from edge of polygon |
|---|---|
| 16 dBm (40 mW) |
|
| Less than 3 | 0.38 |
| 3-10 | 0.70 |
| 10-30 | 1.20 |
| 30-50 | 1.55 |
| 50-75 | 1.90 |
| 75-100 | 2.20 |
| 100-150 | 2.70 |
| 150-200 | 3.15 |
| 200-250 | 3.50 |
(2) White space devices operating in the 602-608 MHz band (channel 36) and 614-620 MHz band (channel 38) are not permitted to operate within an area defined by the polygon described in § 15.713(j)(11) plus the distances specified in the tables in this paragraph (j)(2):
(i) Mode II personal/portable white space devices.
Table 25 to Paragraph (j)(2)(i)
| Required adjacent channel separation distances in meters from edge of polygon |
||
|---|---|---|
| 16 dBm (40 mW) |
20 dBm (100 mW) |
|
| Communicating with Mode II or Fixed device | 8 | 13 |
| Communicating with Mode I device | 16 | 26 |
(ii) Fixed white space devices, except that when communicating with Mode I personal/portable white space devices, the required separation distances must be increased beyond the specified distances by 8 meters if the Mode I device operates at power levels no more than 40 mW EIRP, or 13 meters if the Mode I device operates at power levels above 40 mW EIRP.
Table 26 to Paragraph (j)(2)(ii)
| Required adjacent channel separation distances in meters from edge of polygon |
|||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 16 dBm (40 mW) |
20 dBm (100 mW) |
24 dBm (250 mW) |
28 dBm (625 mW) |
32 dBm (1600 mW) |
36 dBm (4 watts) |
| 8 | 13 | 20 | 32 | 50 | 71 |
(k) 488-494 MHz band in Hawaii. White space devices are not permitted to operate in the 488-494 MHz band in Hawaii.
[80 FR 73070, Nov. 23, 2015, as amended at 81 FR 4974, Jan. 29, 2016; 84 FR 34798, July 19, 2019; 86 FR 2293, Jan. 12, 2021; 86 FR 8558, Feb. 8, 2021]
(a) Purpose. The white space database serves the following functions:
(1) To determine and provide to a white space device, upon request, the available channels at the white space device's location in the TV bands, the 600 MHz duplex gap, the 600 MHz service band, and 608-614 MHz (channel 37). Available channels are determined based on the interference protection requirements in § 15.712. A database must provide fixed, mobile, and Mode II personal portable white space devices with channel availability information that includes scheduled changes in channel availability over the course of the 48-hour period beginning at the time the white space devices make a recheck contact. In making lists of available channels available to a white space device, the white space database shall ensure that all communications and interactions between the white space database and the white space device include adequate security measures such that unauthorized parties cannot access or alter the white space database or the list of available channels sent to white space devices or otherwise affect the database system or white space devices in performing their intended functions or in providing adequate interference protections to authorized services operating in the TV bands, the 600 MHz duplex gap, the 600 MHz service band, and 608-614 MHz (channel 37). In addition, a white space database must also verify that the FCC identifier (FCC ID) of a device seeking access to its services is valid; under the requirement in this paragraph (a)(1) the white space database must also verify that the FCC ID of a Mode I device provided by a fixed or Mode II device is valid. A list of devices with valid FCC IDs and the FCC IDs of those devices is to be obtained from the Commission's Equipment Authorization System.
(2) To determine and provide to an unlicensed wireless microphone user, upon request, the available channels at the microphone user's location in the 600 MHz guard bands, the 600 MHz duplex gap, and the 600 MHz service band. Available channels are determined based on the interference protection requirements in § 15.236.
(3) To register the identification information and location of fixed white space devices and unlicensed wireless microphone users.
(4) To register protected locations and channels as specified in paragraph (b)(2) of this section, that are not otherwise recorded in Commission licensing databases.
(b) Information in the white space database.
(1) Facilities already recorded in Commission databases. Identifying and location information will come from the official Commission database. These services include:
(i) Digital television stations.
(ii) Class A television stations.
(iii) Low power television stations.
(iv) Television translator and booster stations.
(v) Broadcast Auxiliary Service stations (including receive only sites), except low power auxiliary stations.
(vi) Private land mobile radio service stations.
(vii) Commercial mobile radio service stations.
(viii) Offshore radiotelephone service stations.
(ix) Class A television station receive sites.
(x) Low power television station receive sites.
(xi) Television translator station receive sites.
(2) Facilities that are not recorded in Commission databases. Identifying and location information will be entered into the white space database in accordance with the procedures established by the white space database administrator(s). These include:
(i) MVPD receive sites.
(ii) Sites where low power auxiliary stations, including wireless microphones and wireless assist video devices, are used and their schedule for operation.
(iii) Fixed white space device registrations.
(iv) 600 MHz service band operations in areas where the part 27 600 MHz service licensee has commenced operations, as defined in § 27.4 of this chapter.
(v) Locations of health care facilities that use WMTS equipment operating on channel 37 (608-614 MHz).
(c) Restrictions on registration.
(1) Television translator, low power TV and Class A station receive sites within the protected contour of the station being received are not eligible for registration in the database.
(2) MVPD receive sites within the protected contour or more than 80 kilometers from the nearest edge of the protected contour of a television station being received are not eligible to register that station's channel in the database.
(d) Determination of available channels. The white space database will determine the available channels at a location using the interference protection requirements of § 15.712, the location information supplied by a white space device, and the data for protected stations/locations in the database.
(e) White space device initialization.
(1) Fixed, mobile, and Mode II white space devices must provide their location and required identifying information to the white space database in accordance with the provisions of this subpart.
(2) Fixed, mobile, and Mode II white space devices shall not transmit unless they receive, from the white space database, a list of available channels and may only transmit on the available channels on the list provided by the database.
(3) Fixed and mobile white space devices register and receive a list of available channels from the database by connecting to the internet, either directly or through another fixed white space device that has a direct connection to the internet. Fixed devices must also register with the database in accordance with paragraph (g) of this section.
(4) Mode II white space devices receive a list of available channels from the database by connecting to the Internet, either directly or through a fixed or Mode II white space device that has a direct connection to the Internet.
(5) A fixed or Mode II white space device that provides a list of available channels to a Mode I device shall notify the database of the FCC identifier of such Mode I device and receive verification that that FCC identifier is valid before providing the list of available channels to the Mode I device.
(6) A fixed device with an antenna height above ground that exceeds 30 meters or an antenna height above average terrain (HAAT) that exceeds 250 meters generally, or 500 meters in less congested areas shall not be provided a list of available channels. The HAAT is to be calculated using computational software employing the methodology in § 73.684(d) of this chapter.
(f) Unlicensed wireless microphone database access. Unlicensed wireless microphone users in the 600 MHz band may register with and access the database manually via a separate Internet connection. Wireless microphone users must register with and check a white space database to determine available channels prior to beginning operation at a given location. A user must re-check the database for available channels if it moves to another location.
(g) Fixed white space device registration.
(1) Prior to operating for the first time or after changing location, a fixed white space device must register with the white space database by providing the information listed in paragraph (g)(3) of this section.
(2) The party responsible for a fixed white space device must ensure that the white space device registration database has the most current, up-to-date information for that device.
(3) The white space device registration database shall contain the following information for fixed white space devices:
(i) FCC identifier (FCC ID) of the device;
(ii) Manufacturer's serial number of the device;
(iii) Device's geographic coordinates (latitude and longitude (NAD 83));
(iv) Device's antenna height above ground level (meters);
(v) Name of the individual or business that owns the device;
(vi) Name of a contact person responsible for the device's operation;
(vii) Address for the contact person;
(viii) Email address for the contact person;
(ix) Phone number for the contact person.
(h) Mode II personal/portable and mobile device information to database.
(1) A mobile device and a personal/portable device operating in Mode II shall provide the database its FCC Identifier (as required by § 2.926 of this chapter) and serial number as assigned by the manufacturer.
(2) A personal/portable device operating in Mode II shall provide the database the device's geographic coordinates (latitude and longitude (NAD 83)).
(3) A mobile device shall provide the database with the boundaries of the geo-fenced area in which it will operate. Alternatively, the boundaries of the geo-fenced area may be loaded from the database into the mobile device.
(i) Unlicensed wireless microphone registration. Unlicensed wireless microphone users in the 600 MHz band shall register with the database prior to operation and include the following information:
(1) Name of the individual or business that owns the unlicensed wireless microphone
(2) Address for the contact person
(3) Email address for the contact person
(4) Phone number for the contact person; and
(5) Coordinates where the device will be used (latitude and longitude in NAD 83).
(j) White space database information. The white space database shall contain the listed information for each of the following:
(1) Digital television stations, digital and analog Class A, low power, translator and booster stations, including stations in Canada and Mexico that are within the border coordination areas as specified in § 73.1650 of this chapter (a white space database is to include only TV station information from station license or license application records. In cases where a station has records for both a license application and a license, a white space database should include the information from the license application rather than the license. In cases where there are multiple license application records or license records for the same station, the database is to include the most recent records, and again with license applications taking precedence over licenses.):
(i) Transmitter coordinates (latitude and longitude in NAD 83);
(ii) radiated power (ERP);
(iii) Height above average terrain of the transmitting antenna (HAAT);
(iv) Horizontal transmit antenna pattern (if the antenna is directional);
(v) Amount of electrical and mechanical beam tilt (degrees depression below horizontal) and orientation of mechanical beam tilt (degrees azimuth clockwise from true north);
(vi) Channel number; and
(vii) Station call sign.
(2) Broadcast Auxiliary Service.
(i) Transmitter coordinates (latitude and longitude in NAD 83).
(ii) Receiver coordinates (latitude and longitude in NAD 83).
(iii) Channel number.
(iv) Call sign.
(3) Metropolitan areas listed in § 90.303(a) of this chapter.
(i) Region name.
(ii) Channel(s) reserved for use in the region.
(iii) Geographic center of the region (latitude and longitude in NAD 83).
(iv) Call sign.
(4) PLMRS/CMRS base station operations located more than 80 km from the geographic centers of the 13 metropolitan areas defined in § 90.303(a) of this chapter (e.g., in accordance with a waiver).
(i) Transmitter location (latitude and longitude in NAD 83) or geographic area of operations.
(ii) TV channel of operation.
(iii) Call sign.
(5) Offshore Radiotelephone Service: For each of the four regions where the Offshore Radiotelephone Service operates.
(i) Geographic boundaries of the region (latitude and longitude in NAD 83 for each point defining the boundary of the region.
(ii) Channel(s) used by the service in that region.
(6) MVPD receive sites: Registration for receive sites is limited to channels that are received over-the-air and are used as part of the MVPD service.
(i) Name and address of MVPD company;
(ii) Location of the MVPD receive site (latitude and longitude in NAD 83, accurate to ±50 m);
(iii) Channel number of each television channel received, subject to the following condition: channels for which the MVPD receive site is located within the protected contour of that channel's transmitting station are not eligible for registration in the database;
(iv) Call sign of each television channel received and eligible for registration;
(v) Location (latitude and longitude) of the transmitter of each television channel received;
(7) Television translator, low power TV and Class A TV station receive sites: Registration for television translator, low power TV and Class A receive sites is limited to channels that are received over-the-air and are used as part of the station's service.
(i) Call sign of the TV translator station;
(ii) Location of the TV translator receive site (latitude and longitude in NAD 83, accurate to ±/− 50 m);
(iii) Channel number of the re-transmitted television station, subject to the following condition: a channel for which the television translator receive site is located within the protected contour of that channel's transmitting station is not eligible for registration in the database;
(iv) Call sign of the retransmitted television station; and
(v) Location (latitude and longitude) of the transmitter of the retransmitted television station.
(8) Licensed low power auxiliary stations, including wireless microphones and wireless assist video devices: Use of licensed low power auxiliary stations at well-defined times and locations may be registered in the database. Multiple registrations that specify more than one point in the facility may be entered for very large sites. Registrations will be valid for no more than one year, after which they may be renewed. Registrations must include the following information:
(i) Name of the individual or business responsible for the low power auxiliary device(s);
(ii) An address for the contact person;
(iii) An email address for the contact person (optional);
(iv) A phone number for the contact person;
(v) Coordinates where the device(s) are used (latitude and longitude in NAD 83, accurate to ±50 m);
(vi) Channels used by the low power auxiliary devices operated at the site;
(vii) Specific months, weeks, days of the week and times when the device(s) are used (on dates when microphones are not used the site will not be protected); and
(viii) The stations call sign.
(9) [Reserved]
(10) 600 MHz service in areas where the part 27 600 MHz band licensee has commenced operations, as defined in § 27.4 of this chapter:
(i) Name of 600 MHz band licensee;
(ii) Name and address of the contact person;
(iii) An email address for the contact person (optional);
(iv) A phone number for the contact person;
(v) Area within a part 27 600 MHz band licensee's Partial Economic Areas (PEA), as defined in § 27.6 of this chapter, where it has commenced operation. This area must be delineated by at minimum of eight and a maximum of 120 geographic coordinates (latitude and longitude in NAD 83, accurate to ±50 m);
(vi) Date of commencement of operations;
(vii) Identification of the frequencies on which the part 27 600 MHz band licensee has commenced operations;
(viii) Call sign.
(11) Location of health care facilities operating WMTS networks on channel 37 (608-614 MHz):
(i) Name and address of the health care facility;
(ii) Name and address of a contact person;
(iii) Phone number of a contact person;
(iv) Email address of a contact person;
(v) Latitude and longitude coordinates referenced to North American Datum 1983 (NAD 83) that define the perimeter of each facility. If several health care facilities using 608-614 MHz wireless medical telemetry equipment are located in close proximity, it is permissible to register a perimeter to protect all facilities in that cluster.
(k) Commission requests for data.
(1) A white space database administrator must provide to the Commission, upon request, any information contained in the database.
(2) A white space database administrator must remove information from the database, upon direction, in writing, by the Commission.
(l) Security. The white space database shall employ protocols and procedures to ensure that all communications and interactions between the white space database and white space devices are accurate and secure and that unauthorized parties cannot access or alter the database or the list of available channels sent to a white space device.
(1) Communications between white space devices and white space databases, and between different white space databases, shall be secure to prevent corruption or unauthorized interception of data. A white space database shall be protected from unauthorized data input or alteration of stored data.
(2) A white space database shall verify that the FCC identification number supplied by a fixed, mobile, or personal/portable white space device is for a certified device and may not provide service to an uncertified device.
(3) A white space database must not provide lists of available channels to uncertified white space devices for purposes of operation (it is acceptable for a white space database to distribute lists of available channels by means other than contact with white space devices to provide list of channels for operation). To implement this provision, a white space database administrator shall obtain a list of certified white space devices from the FCC Equipment Authorization System.
[80 FR 73070, Nov. 23, 2015, as amended at 81 FR 4974, Jan. 29, 2016; 82 FR 41559, Sept. 1, 2017; 84 FR 34799, July 19, 2019; 86 FR 2295, Jan. 12, 2021]
(a) A white space database administrator may charge a fee for provision of lists of available channels to fixed, mobile, and personal/portable devices and for registering fixed devices. This paragraph (a) applies to devices that operate in the TV bands, the 600 MHz service band, the 600 MHz duplex gap, and 608-614 MHz (channel 37).
(b) A white space database administrator may charge a fee for provision of lists of available channels to wireless microphone users.
(c) The Commission, upon request, will review the fees and can require changes in those fees if they are found to be excessive.
[80 FR 73070, Nov. 23, 2015, as amended at 84 FR 34799, July 19, 2019; 86 FR 2296, Jan. 12, 2021]
The Commission will designate one or more entities to administer the white space database(s). The Commission may, at its discretion, permit the functions of a white space database, such as a data repository, registration, and query services, to be divided among multiple entities; however, it will designate specific entities to be a database administrator responsible for coordination of the overall functioning of a database and providing services to white space devices. Each database administrator designated by the Commission shall:
(a) Maintain a database that contains the information described in § 15.713.
(b) Establish a process for acquiring and storing in the database necessary and appropriate information from the Commission's databases and synchronizing the database with the current Commission databases at least once a week to include newly licensed facilities or any changes to licensed facilities.
(c) Establish a process for registering fixed white space devices and registering and including in the database facilities entitled to protection but not contained in a Commission database, including MVPD receive sites.
(d) Establish a process for registering facilities where part 74 low power auxiliary stations are used on a regular basis.
(e) Provide accurate lists of available channels and the corresponding maximum permitted power for each available channel to fixed, mobile, and personal/portable white space devices that submit to it the information required under § 15.713(e), (g), and (h) based on their geographic location and provide accurate lists of available channels and the corresponding maximum permitted power for each available channel to fixed, mobile, and Mode II devices requesting lists of available channels for Mode I devices. Database administrators may allow prospective operators of white space devices to query the database and determine whether there are vacant channels at a particular location.
(f) Establish protocols and procedures to ensure that all communications and interactions between the white space database and white space devices are accurate and secure and that unauthorized parties cannot access or alter the database or the list of available channels sent to a white space device consistent with the provisions of § 15.713(l).
(g) Make its services available to all unlicensed white space device users on a non-discriminatory basis.
(h) Provide service for a five-year term. This term can be renewed at the Commission's discretion.
(i) Respond in a timely manner to verify, correct and/or remove, as appropriate, data in the event that the Commission or a party brings claim of inaccuracies in the database to its attention. This requirement applies only to information that the Commission requires to be stored in the database.
(j) Transfer its database along with the IP addresses and URLs used to access the database and list of registered fixed white space devices, to another designated entity in the event it does not continue as the database administrator at the end of its term. It may charge a reasonable price for such conveyance.
(k) The database must have functionality such that upon request from the Commission it can indicate that no channels are available when queried by a specific white space device or model of white space devices.
(l) If more than one database is developed, the database administrators shall cooperate to develop a standardized process for providing on a daily basis or more often, as appropriate, the data collected for the facilities listed in § 15.713(b)(2) to all other white space databases to ensure consistency in the records of protected facilities.
(m) Provide a means to make publicly available all information the rules require the database to contain, including fixed white space device registrations and voluntarily submitted protected entity information, except the information provided by 600 MHz band licensees pursuant to § 15.713(j)(10)(v) and (vi) of this part shall not be made publicly available.
(n) Establish procedures to allow part 27 600 MHz service licensees to upload the registration information listed in § 15.713(j)(10) for areas where they have commenced operations, as defined in § 27.4 of this chapter, and to allow the removal and replacement of registration information in the database when corrections or updates are necessary.
(o) Remove from the database the registrations of fixed white space devices that have not checked the database for at least three months to update their channel lists. A database administrator may charge a new registration fee for a fixed white space device that is removed from the database under this provision but is later re-registered.
(p) Establish procedures to allow health care facilities to register the locations of facilities where they operate WMTS networks on channel 37.
(q) Establish procedures to allow unlicensed wireless microphone users in the 600 MHz band to register with the database and to provide lists of channels available for wireless microphones at a given location.
[80 FR 73070, Nov. 23, 2015, as amended at 81 FR 4975, Jan. 29, 2016; 86 FR 2296, Jan. 12, 2021]
(a) Applications for certification. Parties may submit applications for certification of white space devices that rely solely on spectrum sensing to identify available channels. Devices authorized under this section must demonstrate with an extremely high degree of confidence that they will not cause harmful interference to incumbent radio services.
(1) In addition to the procedures in subpart J of part 2 of this chapter, applicants shall comply with the following.
(i) The application must include a full explanation of how the device will protect incumbent authorized services against interference.
(ii) Applicants must submit a pre-production device, identical to the device expected to be marketed.
(2) The Commission will follow the procedures below for processing applications pursuant to this section.
(i) Applications will be placed on public notice for a minimum of 30 days for comments and 15 days for reply comments. Applicants may request that portions of their application remain confidential in accordance with § 0.459 of this chapter. This public notice will include proposed test procedures and methodologies.
(ii) The Commission will conduct laboratory and field tests of the pre-production device. This testing will be conducted to evaluate proof of performance of the device, including characterization of its sensing capability and its interference potential. The testing will be open to the public.
(iii) Subsequent to the completion of testing, the Commission will issue by public notice, a test report including recommendations. The public notice will specify a minimum of 30 days for comments and, if any objections are received, an additional 15 days for reply comments.
(b) Power limit for devices that rely on sensing. The white space device shall meet the requirements for personal/portable devices in this subpart except that it will be limited to a maximum EIRP of 50 mW per 6 megahertz of bandwidth on which the device operates and it does not have to comply with the requirements for geo-location and database access in § 15.711(b), (d), and (e). Compliance with the detection threshold for spectrum sensing in § 15.717(c), although required, is not necessarily sufficient for demonstrating reliable interference avoidance. Once a device is certified, additional devices that are identical in electrical characteristics and antenna systems may be certified under the procedures of part 2, Subpart J of this chapter.
(c) Sensing requirements —
(1) Detection threshold.
(i) The required detection thresholds are:
(A) ATSC digital TV signals: −114 dBm, averaged over a 6 MHz bandwidth;
(B) NTSC analog TV signals: −114 dBm, averaged over a 100 kHz bandwidth;
(C) Low power auxiliary, including wireless microphone, signals: −107 dBm, averaged over a 200 kHz bandwidth.
(ii) The detection thresholds are referenced to an omnidirectional receive antenna with a gain of 0 dBi. If a receive antenna with a minimum directional gain of less than 0 dBi is used, the detection threshold shall be reduced by the amount in dB that the minimum directional gain of the antenna is less than 0 dBi. Minimum directional gain shall be defined as the antenna gain in the direction and at the frequency that exhibits the least gain. Alternative approaches for the sensing antenna are permitted, e.g., electronically rotatable antennas, provided the applicant for equipment authorization can demonstrate that its sensing antenna provides at least the same performance as an omnidirectional antenna with 0 dBi gain.
(2) Channel availability check time. A white space device may start operating on a TV channel if no TV, wireless microphone or other low power auxiliary device signals above the detection threshold are detected within a minimum time interval of 30 seconds.
(3) In-service monitoring. A white space device must perform in-service monitoring of an operating channel at least once every 60 seconds. There is no minimum channel availability check time for in-service monitoring.
(4) Channel move time. After a TV, wireless microphone or other low power auxiliary device signal is detected on a white space device operating channel, all transmissions by the white space device must cease within two seconds.