Harmonising Spectrum for Low Power Radio Devices

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Harmonising SpectrumforLow Power Radio Devices

• Bob Barron
• Head of Technology Sectors Unit
• Radiocommunications Agency

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Spectrum Harmonisation

• Advantages of harmonisation for Low Power Radio
• European harmonisation forums
• Developing a UK Position
• Hot issues
• Proposed Changes to UK Exemption Regulations

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Harmonisation the basics
Reaching international agreement on common.

• technical standards
• frequency band limits
• regulations concerning use

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Harmonisation the advantages

• for industry
• larger potential product market

• for users
• cross border mobility
• for regulators
• improved spectrum efficiency

? Particularly appropriate/ advantageous for
de-regulated uncoordinated (ubiquitous) low
power devices
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The relevant European forums
Technical Standards
Spectrum Management
TC ERM Task Groups TG 11- Wide Band Data
Systems TG 17 - Broadcasting and Ancillaries TG
28 - Generic SRD TG 29 - Road Transport
Telematics TG 30- Wireless Medical Devices TG
31- Ultra Wide Band Radar Formerly RP08
Working Group FM Working Group RR Working Group
SE Project Team SE24 SRD Maintenance Group
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CEPT Working Groups

• Radio Regulatory WGRR
• Frequency Management WGFM
• Spectrum Engineering WGSE
• Conference Preparatory CPG (WRC2003)

In addition, there are a number of Project teams
associated with, and reporting to, the Working
Groups. These deal with specific issues (e.g.
WGSE PT SE24 for SRDs)
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CEPT Project Team SE24

• Reports to CEPT Working Group Spectrum
  Engineering
• PT membership includes administrations and
  industry
• Supports WG FM activities on SRDs
• Undertakes SRD compatibility studies
• Commissions any necessary practical work
• Works closely with the ERO SRD Maintenance Group

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European Radiocommunications Office SRD
Maintenance Group

• Maintains ERC Recommendation 70-03
• Proposes band plans
• Develops ERC (ECC) Decisions on SRDs

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ERC Recommendation 70-03Relating to the Use of
Short Range Devices
Sets out common spectrum allocations for SRDs

• Appendix 1 Specific applications technical
  parameters
• Appendix 2 Relevant ERC Decisions ETSI
  Standards
• Appendix 3 National Restrictions

ERC Rec 70-03 must be continually maintained
to keep pace with changing requirements and moves
towards increased harmonisation of SRD
allocations regulations
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ERC (ECC) Decisions on SRDsERC/DEC (01)01 to
ERC/DEC(01)18 inclusive

• Total 18 new Decisions agreed in 2001, covering
• Non specific SRDs
• Radio LANs
• Movement Detection / Alert
• Alarms
• Model Control
• Inductive applications
• Medical Implants
• Wireless Audio
• Decisions based heavily on ERC Rec 70-03
• UK Committed to implementing them all

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RA / LPRA Forum

• Meets quarterly
• Briefs LPRA council members on regulations
• Briefs RA officials on industry requirements
• Informs RA spectrum policy committee

• Facilitated by RA2/Technology Sectors Unit
  (TSU)

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RA Technology Sectors Unit
(a brief commercial interlude!)

• The RA Business Unit for Low Power Radio
• Represents SRD interests within the Agency
• and also responsible for..
• Processing of all Test Development Licence
  applications
• All policy issues concerning implementation of
  RTTE Directive

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RA Technology Sectors Unit
Publications

• Low Power Devices Information Sheet - RA114
• Test Development Application Form- RA382
• RTTE UK SRD Interface Requirements - IR2030

Available today at the RA Stand, or from
www.radio.gov.uk
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The RTTE DirectiveA harmonised solution to
equipment conformity

• Telecommunication Conformity Assessment Market
  Surveillance Committee (TCAM)
• Class A Equipment requires no Notification
• Proposed extension of Class A to more SRDs
• But restricted due to limited spectrum
  harmonisation
• Referred by TCAM to SRD Maintenance Group

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Harmonisation current hot topics

• Duty Cycles in 400 MHz SRD bands
• Ultra Wide Band
• technical compatibility
• regulations
• 862 - 870 MHz Review
• A new allocation for RFID?
• Introduction of FHSS
• narrow / wide band channels

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UHF Duty Cycles

• Objective is to
• Minimise probability of co-channel interference
• Maximise use, and improve access to band

Current proposal
433.05
434.2
434.79
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Ultra Wide Band

• A promising innovation
• Many potential commercial applications
• Solution to spectrum shortage in certain areas?
• Very low average power (cumulative effects?)
• Certainly justifies further consideration
• But need to protect existing users.

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UWB Study

• Any UWB regulations need to be decided at
  European level
• First phase of study defined by CEPT PT SE24
• Practical compatibility tests carried out by
  RA in support of SE24
• C/I determined, using proprietary UWB, for a
  range of services
• DVB-T
• T-DAB
• GSM
• Bluetooth

SE24 Study Report, including protection distances
based on RA test results, to be presented at a
proposed ERO sponsored UWB Workshop in March
2002.
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862 - 870 MHz review
Borne out of ERO Detailed Spectrum Investigation
Phase III..

• Consultation on future industry requirements
• bandwidths
• power levels
• duty cycles
• access technologies
• Main area of consideration is 865 - 868 MHz (ex
  CT2)
• Need for compatibility studies to verify any
  bandplans
• introduction of spread spectrum
• possible RFID allocation
• Networks Third Party Traffic?

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UK Licence Exemption Regulations Statutory
Instrument SI 930 1999

• All use of radio subject to individual licensing
  (WT Act)
• Except certain (generally low power) devices
• Exempt devices must conform to RTTE Directive
• But Exemption in SI 930 1999 does not apply.
• to relevant apparatus.. by means of
  which a telecommunication service is provided by
  way of business to another person

i.e. no commercial third party traffic!
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Exemption RegulationsThe rationale for proposed
changes

• Market demand for broadband public access
• (particularly in hot spots such as airport
  lounges)
• Advent of polite access technologies
• Recommendations of 5GHz Advisory Group
• (particularly public private use)

N.B. also a recent European Commission Licensing
Committee initiative to determine member states
regulatory policy concerning Public Access
Broadband R-LAN Services
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Licence Exempt Public Services?

• NATIONAL CONSULTATION
• Published 19th October
• Replies by 11th January
• Available on RA Website

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National Consultation
Three regulatory scenarios.
..and nine questions.
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National ConsultationThe three regulatory
scenarios

• Maintain status quo
• (no public services without a licence)
• Some public use but with a light regulatory
  regime
• (e.g. indoor use only?)
• Licence Exempt Public Services
• (public private use of certain bands without
  licence)

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National ConsultationThe nine questions

• Covering
• potential gains benefits
• interference to existing users
• congestion
• channel access techniques
• types of commercial services envisaged
• quality of service in de-regulated spectrum
• suitability of specific bands
• potential problems
• timescales
• LPRA members views on these and any other
  relevant issues raised by the proposals will be
  particularly welcome!
• CLOSING DATE 11TH JANUARY 2002

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Thank you! bob.barron_at_ra.gsi.gov.uk