FINAL REPORT - Stakeholders - Ofcom

4.2.2.5 Possible New Technologies (in-band)
No new or replacement technologies which operate in the same bands have been
identified.
4.2.2.6 Alternative Technologies or Spectrum (other or none)
No alternative technologies have been identified.
4.2.2.7 Allocation Sharing Opportunities
There are no sharing opportunities specific to RACONs as they occupy the same
spectrum as their interrogating radars. As such, sharing with radars will, by default, imply
sharing with RACONs.
4.2.2.8 Possible Overall Spectrum Efficiency Improvements
The removal of the necessity for RACONs to operate in both S- and X-bands in favour of
an X-band only system would allow more efficient maritime radars to be developed in Sband.
4.2.3 SHF 14 GHz Ship Berthing
4.2.3.1 Frequency Allocations (International & National)
There is no specific spectrum allocation to Maritime Radionavigation in this frequency
band; however the frequencies 13.4 – 14.0 GHz are allocated both in Region 1 and in the
UK to both Radionavigation and Radiolocation as co-primary services. Further the
frequencies 14.0 – 14.3 GHz are also allocated both at Region 1 and in the UK to
Radionavigation as a primary service.
4.2.3.2 Technology Description
Ship-berthing radars are Doppler radars mounted on jetties etc, to assist the berthing of
very large ships. A search of the Internet suggests that such devices operate on various
frequencies in Europe, examples being 12.6 GHz, 13.2 GHz and the frequency band 13.7
– 14.3 GHz. They are used mainly to dock very large oil tankers at a few specific
locations. Such vessels have enormous potential for damage even at extremely low
speeds. Although ship-berthing radars are low power devices and few in number, they are
significant in terms of safety and possible environmental consequences of an accident.
4.2.3.3 Operational Requirements
We have not yet managed to identify any hard evidence that these systems are in use in
the UK, however it is known that standard maritime radar does not have sufficient
accuracy to allow some larger vessels to successfully dock at some of the more active
ports in the UK and that devices such as ship-berthing radars provide the additional
information necessary to ensure the successful management of larger vessels.
4.2.3.4 Regulatory and Standardisation Issues
There do not appear to be any internationally mandated standards for ship-berthing radar,
however it seems likely that such devices are in fact short range Doppler devices as
specified in CEPT/ERC/DEC (99)07 and ETSI EN 300 440. As such they operate at lower
powers of 25mW and are licence exempt in the UK as long as they operate between 13.4
and 14.0 GHz.
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