Sennheiser raised wireless mic issues in a meeting with staff from the FCC Office of Engineering and Technology and Wireless Bureau, said a filing posted Monday in 21-115 and other dockets. “In light of the termination of the Vacant Channel proceeding, Sennheiser discussed potential solutions to help solve the low-band spectrum crunch that wireless microphone operators are experiencing,” the company said (see 2205120031): “As Sennheiser has repeatedly emphasized, wireless microphones are inherently fault intolerant devices that require clean, low-band, UHF spectrum to operate effectively, particularly when deployed for live events that do not offer an opportunity for a second take.” Sennheiser urged the FCC to finalize a proceeding to adopt rules that permit wireless multichannel audio systems (see 2104220056). The company said the FCC should also complete a 2017 proceeding expanding eligibility for Part 74 licenses to include professional wireless mic users that don't routinely use 50 or more microphones (see 1710030020). “This proceeding has been pending for far too long, and the Commission should move expeditiously to adopt the rules associated with it,” the company said.
The NFL asked the FCC to approve its proposed waiver extension of rules for the citizens broadband radio service allowing the league to continue operating a coach-to-coach communications systems in the event of a localized internet outage in stadiums during games. The league noted only NCTA filed comments and supported the extension (see 2207120055). “Before seeking an extension … the NFL engineering team conducted extensive due diligence to see if an alternative approach was available, but after considering many options and consulting with both vendors and staff, the League concluded that a waiver was necessary for these very limited circumstances since a technology ‘work around’ was not available,” said a filing posted Monday in docket 21-111.
NCTA supported an NFL request for a waiver of rules for the citizens broadband radio service allowing the league to continue operating a coach-to-coach communications systems in the event of a localized internet outage in stadiums during games. Any relief granted “should continue to be narrowly tailored to the NFL’s specific and unique circumstances to avoid creating a de facto exemption from the Spectrum Access System connectivity requirement” for CBRS operations “at special events, including sporting events,” said a filing by the group posted Tuesday in docket 22-111. Comments on the request were due Monday (see 2206300037).
The Wi-Fi Alliance briefed FCC Office of Engineering and Technology staff on upcoming documents needed for the use of standard power devices in the 6 GHz band, controlled by an automated frequency coordination (AFC) system. The documents are: AFC System to AFC Device/Interface Specification, v1.2.3; AFC System Under Test Compliance Test Plan, v1.1.5; and AFC Device Under Test Compliance Test Plan, v1.2, said a filing posted Wednesday in docket 18-295. “In each case, the specifications remain in development,” the alliance said: The group “continues to work with 6 GHz stakeholders and industry experts to finalize these specifications following resolution of the remaining outstanding issues while taking into account comments received.” The alliance expressed hope that “even in their current preliminary form, these specifications will allow OET to initiate the AFC systems testing process, and thereby expedite introduction of robust and ubiquitous 6 GHz connectivity.”
CTA representatives told the FCC of “the importance of spectrum efficiency,” in response to the FCC’s April notice of inquiry on receiver performance (see 2204210049). CTA said it opposes a “one-size-fits all” approach. “Industry (and CTA specifically) has explored spectrum efficiencies across a variety of vectors -- including receiver performance -- over the years, especially in the FCC’s Technological Advisory Committee,” said a filing posted Friday in docket 22-137. “Industry has been working for many years to analyze system performance, write standards and design and test devices,” CTA said: “As part of this process, industry considers in-band and adjacent channel interference. Participants also discussed that an increasingly congested RF environment raises difficult questions for the Commission as it reallocates spectrum to support 5G services and beyond.” The CTA representatives spoke with aides to Chairwoman Jessica Rosenworcel and Commissioners Brendan Carr and Geoffrey Starks. Initial comments are due on the NOI June 27.
Tech companies told staff from the FCC Office of Engineering and Technology a two-millisecond duty cycle provision, previously sought by Intel, Meta Platforms, Qualcomm and others, would limit use of the 60 GHz band. The provision would “effectively foreclose making the 60 GHz band a home for a host of next generation, innovative, low-power technologies,” said a filing by Acconeer, Amazon, Google, Infineon Technologies Americas and Texas Instruments, posted Wednesday in docket 21-264. The “window duration over which duty cycle is measured affects the variety of chirp patterns that can be used by low-power frequency-modulated continuous-wave radars in the 60 GHz band,” the companies said.
Intel, Meta and Qualcomm representatives urged the FCC to consider their proposal for future use of the 60 GHz band, in a call with an aide to Chairwoman Jessica Rosenworcel. “The companies presented a proposal that would allow the 57-64 GHz portion of the FCC’s 60 GHz unlicensed band to successfully support expanded radar applications and reliable” augmented, virtual, extended and mixed reality, said a filing posted Tuesday in docket 21-264. The band was the topic of an NPRM last summer (see 2107130066). Their proposal “allows 2 GHz radars to transmit at 20 dBm [effective isotropic radiated power] without any duty cycle limitations, and it completely removes the conducted power limit in the NPRM proposal to allow radar equipment designers greater implementation flexibility across the 57-64 GHz band,” the companies said: “The proposal also offers more permissive operating parameters for 4.5 GHz and 7 GHz radars than what our companies previously requested.”
Tech company representatives met virtually with staff from the FCC Office of Engineering and Technology to discuss a path to the certification of standard-power devices operating in the 6 GHz Band, with an approved automated frequency coordination operator. “Industry is excited about 6 GHz Standard Power (SP) operations,” said a filing posted Tuesday in docket 18-295: “Along with discussions on the certification of AFC systems, we are working on SP device certification requirements.” Representatives of Broadcom, Cisco, Google, Intel, Hewlett Packard Enterprise, Meta Platforms, Microsoft and Qualcomm were on the call. Verizon, meanwhile, wants further investigation before AFC applications are approved in the band. “Sharing in 6 GHz will only be effective with meaningful” AFC, it said, noting it earlier raised concerns. “We appreciate that OET has since requested supplemental information from the AFC applicants, including inquiry on issues that Verizon identified,” Verizon said: AFC proposals “continue to have gaps that need to be addressed before AFC operations commence, and we strongly urge OET to develop a robust testing regime that will ensure any authorized AFC systems will adequately protect incumbent operators in the band.”
Shure representatives urged FCC action on wireless multichannel audio systems rules, teed up in an NPRM a year ago (see 2104220056), in a call with Wireless Bureau and Office of Engineering and Technology staff. Shure supports a three-channel/MHz minimum spectral efficiency standard, said a filing posted Monday in docket 21-115. Allow licensed mics to employ WMAS technologies at 250 mW and unlicensed at 150 mW, Shure said: “Refrain from imposing conditions on WMAS operations such as a limitation to large events.” Shure discussed “its continued enthusiasm about the promise of WMAS technology and its ability to help address the continuing need to make greater use out of spectrum in high demand while satisfying the very substantial and still growing need for high performance wireless microphones for professional uses.”
CTA President Gary Shapiro and others from the association urged a cautious approach to transmitter rules, after the recent notice of inquiry, in a meeting with FCC Commissioner Nathan Simington. “It is timely for the Commission to lead another discussion of these issues now in light of an increasingly congested RF environment and the increasingly difficult questions facing the Commission as it reallocates spectrum to support innovative use cases,” said a filing posted Monday in docket 22-137. “One-size-fits all mandates on receiver performance would only undercut these efforts and stifle innovation. Every band and service is unique, and industry-led efforts have proven time and again that these efforts are the most likely to be successful.” Representatives from Intel, Samsung Electronics America, Amazon Lab126, Apple and LG Electronics were also at the meeting. In April, commissioners agreed 4-0 to launch a receiver NOI (see 2204210049).