Harmonising Spectrumfor

Low Power Radio Devices

Bob BarronHead of Technology Sectors Unit

Radiocommunications Agency

Spectrum Harmonisation

• Advantages of harmonisation for Low Power Radio

• European harmonisation forums

• Developing a UK Position

• Hot issues

• Proposed Changes to UK Exemption Regulations

Harmonisation: the basics

• technical standards

• frequency band limits

• regulations concerning use

Reaching international agreement on common…….

Harmonisation: the advantages

• for users:

“cross border” mobility

• for regulators: improved spectrum efficiency

Particularly appropriate/ advantageous for “de-regulated” uncoordinated (ubiquitous) low power devices

• for industry: larger potential product market

The relevant European forumsTechnical Standards Spectrum Management

Working Group FM

Working Group RR

Working Group SE

Project Team SE24

SRD Maintenance Group

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

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)

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

European Radiocommunications Office SRD Maintenance Group

• Maintains ERC Recommendation 70-03

• Proposes band plans

• Develops ERC (ECC) Decisions on SRDs

ERC Recommendation 70-03Relating to the Use of Short Range Devices

• 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

Sets out common spectrum allocations for SRDs:

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

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)

RA Technology Sectors Unit

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

(a brief commercial interlude!)

RA Technology Sectors Unit

• Low Power Devices Information Sheet - RA114

• Test & Development Application Form- RA382

• RTTE UK SRD Interface Requirements - IR2030

Publications

Available today at the RA Stand, or from www.radio.gov.uk

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

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

UHF Duty Cycles

100% 1mW; no channelling

10% 10mW; no channelling

100% 10mW; 25kHzchannels

433.05 434.2 434.79

Objective is to:

• Minimise probability of co-channel interference

• Maximise use, and improve access to band

Current proposal:

• 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…….

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-TT-DABGSMBluetooth

SE24 Study Report, including protection distances based on

RA test results, to be presented at a proposed ERO sponsored UWB Workshop in March 2002.

862 - 870 MHz review

• 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?

Borne out of ERO Detailed Spectrum Investigation Phase III……..

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!

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

Licence Exempt Public Services?

NATIONAL CONSULTATION

• Published 19th October

• Replies by 11th January

• Available on RA Website

CONSULTATION DOCUMENT

Use of Licence-Exempt Spectrum

For Provision of Public Telecommunication

Services

October 2001

The Radiocommunications agency is an Executive Agency of the Department of Trade and Industry.

The Agency's website is located at www.radio.gov.uk

National Consultation

Three regulatory scenarios……….

………..and nine questions.

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)

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

National ConsultationThe nine questions

Thank you!

bob.barron@ra.gsi.gov.uk