Navigating the FCC Narrowbanding Requirements - Seiler

Session S-20203-P: Navigatingthe FCC’s NarrowbandingRequirementsCharles Branch

Agenda• What is Narrowbanding?• Legal implications• Effects on radio performance• Recommended actions• Discount programs

What is “Narrowbanding?”• There are 800, 25 kHz-wide slices in the 20MHz band available for UHF datatransmission in the US (450-470 MHz)• Since the mid 1990s, the FCC has known 800licenses wouldn’t be enough in denselypopulated areas

What is “Narrowbanding?”• Given there is only 20 MHz of spectrum tolicense, the only course of action is for theFCC to license users for operation innarrower slices of the pie• Narrowbanding is the move from 25 kHz-wideslices of the 20 MHz pie to 12.5 kHz-wideslices

But there’s a twist…• Some users require 19200 bps throughput buttheir radios can only go this fast in 25 kHzchannels• Perhaps for this reason, the FCC decided tocontinue to allow operation in 25 kHzchannels - but only at 19200 bps

Legal Implications: The Operator• On January 1, 2013 all UHF data radiostransmitting in the US must operate in eitherof two modes:– 12.5 kHz channels, at any radio link rate– 25 kHz channels, at ≥ 19200 bps• It will be illegal to transmit at 4800 or 9600bps in 25 kHz channels

No need to apply for a newlicense• Existing licenses will remain valid andexisting radios will remain legal as long asyou transmit in either of these narrowbandmodes:– 12.5 kHz channels, at any radio link rate– 25 kHz channels, at ≥ 19200 bps

Renewing/modifying a license• When you need to renew or modify anexisting license, you may do so online athttp://wireless.fcc.gov/uls/• If you wish to operate in the 25 kHz / 19200bps narrowband mode, you will be promptedto fill out a special on-line form (see nextslide)

Applying for a 25 kHz/19200 bpslicense• State “your operation of a data radiocomplies with the narrowband equivalentefficiency standards under Section90.203(j)(3) in that it supports a minimum datarate of 4800 bits per second per 6.25 kHz ofchannel bandwidth”• Include your radio’s FCC ID# so the FCC canconfirm the equipment operates in anarrowband-equivalent mode (see next slide)

Trimble UHF Radio FCC ID#sModelHPB450PDL450TDL 450HTDL 450LTNL 450iFCC ID NumberKEAPDL4535KEAPDL4520225KEAADLPKEAADLVKEATNL450i

Legal Implications: TheManufacturer• On January 1, 2013 it will be illegal tomanufacture or import radios that can TX inwideband modes, e.g., at 4800/9600 bps in 25kHz channels• Dealers will be able to reconfigure radios forthese wideband modes for sale to customersoutside the US

Legal Implications: The Dealer• The new Narrowbanding regulations do notpertain to the sale of the radios that weremanufactured prior to Jan 1, 2013• Is it illegal to configure a radio such that acustomer can break the law with it?

The Happy Side of NarrowbandingTwice as many licenses means lessinterference from other usersNarrower licenses means less interferencefrom adjacent users

The Sad Side of Narrowbanding• Radio link rate is typicallyhalved• This can halve battery lifeand double radio heat• You might need a new radiothat supports faster radioprotocols

Battery Life as a function ofprotocol and link rateProtocol Link Rate Battery Life**TRIMMARK 3 9600 bps 10 hoursTransparent FST 9600 bps 9 hoursTRIMTALK 450S 9600 bps 9 hoursTRIMTALK 450S 8000 bps 8 hoursTRIMTALK 450S 4800 bps 6 hours** Tests run on new Trimble batteries until the battery displayed “Low Battery”.Tests run with CMR+ data. CMRx data extends battery life greatly.

Range as a function of protocol,channel bandwidth and link rateProtocol 12.5 / 4800 12.5 / 8000 12.5 / 9600 25 / 9600 25 / 19200TM3 n/a n/a 100% n/a 84%TT450S 82% 96% n/a 100% n/aTransEOT/GMSK ??% n/a n/a 97% n/aTransEOT/4FSK n/a n/a 60% n/a ??%TransFST n/a n/a 99% n/a 102%** Range varies greatly with environment, so it was normalized toTT450S/25kHz/9600bps

Recommendations for 1/1/13• Use frequency tables with 12.5 kHz-widechannels• Select a radio protocol supported by all theradios in the network• Transmit at the fastest radio link ratesupported by that protocol• If the fastest radio link rate is 4800 bps, youmay have to use CMRx corrections

Wireless Modes Supported:HPB450 / PDL450Protocol12.5 kHz OR 25 kHzTRIMTALK 450S 4800 9600*TRIMTALK II/IIe 4800 4800*Transparent EOT 4800 9600** Not legal in US in 2013

Wireless Modes Supported:TDL RadiosProtocol 12.5 kHz 25 kHzTRIMTALK 450S 4800, 8000 9600*/16000*TRIMMARK II/IIe 4800 4800*TRIMMARK 3 9600 19200Transparent EOT 4800 9600*Transparent FST 9600 19200* Not legal in US in 2013

Wireless Modes Supported:R4/R6/R8/R10 Internal RadiosProtocol 12.5 kHz 25 kHzTRIMTALK 450S 4800, 8000 9600*/16000*TRIMMARK II/IIe 4800 4800*TRIMMARK 3 9600 19200* Not legal in US in 2013

Narrowbanding Trade-In Program• Trimble is offering a $300 discount off a TDL450H and antenna cable when the customertrades in an HPB450• Offer good only in US through June 2013Part Number Description Price75450-65-SUR75450-65-HCCTDL 450H 35W Radio, 430-470MHz,with antenna cable$2390HPB450 Radio (Trade-In) -$300Total replacement price $2090