Experimental Radio Applications at the FCC

This summarizes a selection of applications for the Experimental Radio Service received by the FCC during February 21-26: radar, WiMAX, MVDDS, aeronautical communications, private mobile data, millimeter wave, high-frequency data, space communications, and radiolocation.

  • The Maryland Department of the Environment filed an application (with supporting exhibits) to operate a wind-profiling radar on 915 MHz. The equipment was developed by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) and fabricated by Radian International. The antenna is to consist of one steerable four-panel micro-patch phased array.
  • DTV Norwich filed an application (with supporting exhibit) for special temporary authority to conduct propagation tests prior to potential full-scale deployment of Multichannel Video and Data Distribution Service (“MVDDS”) at 12.2 to 12.7 GHz in the Miami area. This is to determine the suitability of potential transmitter sites for full-scale operation, for which DTV Norwich has a license.

  • Lockheed Martin filed an application for special temporary authority to test and demonstrate a military airborne communications system. It is a 3G cellular-like voice and data system that will be provided by a tactical airborne radio base station and modified Commercial Off-the-Shelf (COTS) mobile ground terminals. The equipment is manufactured by IP Wireless and will operate on 758-763 and 788-793 MHz.
  • Lockheed Martin also filed an application (and supporting exhibits) for experimental license to test the countermeasure capabilities of the TPS-77 tactical transportable radar system. This activity is in support of a contract with the National Armed Forces of the Republic of Latvia. Operation is to be on 1275 and 1372 MHz.
  • Lockheed Martin also requested special temporary authority for testing involving the transmission of video imagery and tactical data. Transmission will be ground-to-ground and air-to-ground using a helicopter. Operation is to be on 2.428 and 4.700 GHz.
  • Battelle filed an application (and supporting exhibit) for special temporary authority to test a millimeter-wave communications link with a data rate of 10 Gbps over a distance of 1 km. Operation is to be on 95-105 GHz.
  • The City of Memphis requested special temporary authority on behalf of its Memphis Light Gas and Water (MLGW) utility. This is to test a high-speed private point-to-multipoint mobile broadband wireless system to support its existing and planned mission-critical data applications. The intent is to improve on an existing, obsolete, narrowband, private mobile radio data system for its 500 utility vehicles. Operation will be on 775-805 MHz.
  • Rockwell Collins requested special temporary authority  to test high-speed data waveforms over high-frequencies using bandwidths wider than the traditional 3 kHz (specifically, up to 12 KHz). Rockwell Collins is currently designing these new waveforms and testing them in the laboratory. Testing will occur on various frequencies from 3.171 to 14.550 MHz.
  • Universal Avionics Systems filed an application (with supporting exhibits) for experimental license to operate on 131.55, 136.85, and 136.975 MHz. This is to test a two-way digital data link that allows an aircraft to exchange data with a ground host computer.
  • Aviat Networks requested special temporary authority to test and demonstrate new WiMAX equipment and system design including a base station, customer-premise equipment, and mobile equipment. Operation is to be on 2502.0-2507.5 MHz.
  • The University of Iowa filed an application (and associated exhibits) for experimental license to test a flight simulation system that involves ground-based and airborne simulators. Under this system, a video downlink allows a group of subject matter experts to witness the performance of the technology from the ground, while the flight is underway. This testing supports a project focusing on the development and commercialization of a physiologically-based training system that supports the goals of the US military. Operation will be at 2410.275-2415.725 MHz.
  • TV Microwaves Company filed an application (with supporting exhibits) for special temporary authority to test COFDM video transmitters aboard a non-government rocket at elevations up to 100,000 feet, above Tillamook, Oregon (the receive site). Testing will be on various frequencies between 450.65 and 2483.5 MHz.
  • Rincon Research filed an application (with supporting exhibits) for experimental license to conduct tests in support of a research project is to develop and improve radiolocation technology. The proposed system is to consist of “simple” equipment on unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) using omnidirectional antennas communicating with a base station with directional antennas tracking the UAVs. Part of the communications includes a wideband link from the UAV to the ground processing station containing signals-of-interest and precision tracking and timing information. There are also control signals from the ground processing station to the UAV signal processing hardware. Requested frequencies include 902-928, 5470-5600, and 9300-9500 MHz.

Applications were also filed by the following, but there is little information publicly available due to requests for confidentiality:

  • SpiderCloud Wireless
  • Boeing
  • Deterministic Time Solutions
  • Digital Receiver Technology

The following two companies filed applications that appear incomplete at the time of this post. An FCC staffer has requested additional information. This post will be updated as details are received.

  • Intel
  • International Totalizing Systems

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