Spectrum Sharing Innovation Test-Bed
The National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA), in coordination with the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) and the Federal agencies, established a Spectrum Sharing Innovation Test-Bed (Test-Bed) pilot program to examine the feasibility of increased sharing between Federal and non-Federal users. This pilot program is an opportunity for the Federal agencies to work cooperatively with industry, researchers, and academia to objectively examine new technologies that can improve management of the nation's airwaves.
Test-Bed Pilot Program
The Test-Bed Pilot Program will evaluate the ability of Dynamic Spectrum Access (DSA) devices employing spectrum sensing and/or geo-location techniques to share spectrum with land mobile radio systems operating in the 410-420 MHz Federal band and 470-512 MHz non-Federal band. The Test-Bed Pilot Program will be performed in three phases:
1) Equipment Characterization. Equipment employing DSA techniques will be sent to the NTIA Institute for Telecommunication Sciences in Boulder, Colorado and characterization measurements of the DSA capabilities in response to simulated environmental signals will be performed.
2) Evaluation of Capabilities. After successful completion of Phase 1, the DSA capabilities of the equipment in the geographic area of the Test-Bed will be evaluated.
3) Field Operation Evaluation. After successful completion of Phase 2, the DSA equipment will be permitted to transmit in an actual radio frequency signal environment. An automatic signal logging capability will be used during the operation of the Test-Bed to help resolve interference events if they occur. A point-of-contact will also be established to stop Test-Bed operations if interference is reported
Test-Bed Participants:
- Adapt4 LLC
- Adaptrum Inc.
- BAE Systems
- Shared Spectrum Company
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Supporting Innovative Approaches to Spectrum Sharing
This article is cross-posted on the OSTP blog
The President’s strategy for expanding the capacity of high-speed wireless broadband services across the Nation may get a boost from a new Defense Department Initiative to fund research and development of innovative new approaches to spectrum sharing.
Wireless technology continues to drive innovation and productivity in the United States, fueling economic growth and creating jobs. By most measures, the United States leads the world in the development and deployment of cutting-edge wireless technologies. More subscribers to advanced 4G wireless broadband live in the United States than in the rest of the world combined. U.S. companies dominate the market for smartphone operating systems and online apps. And the wireless industry contributes hundreds of billions of dollars to America’s gross domestic product.
Evaluation of the 5350-5470 MHz and 5850-5925 MHz Bands
Through this report, the National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) presents the results of its initial study on the potential use of up to 195 megahertz of spectrum in the 5 gigahertz (GHz) band by Unlicensed-National Information Infrastructure (U-NII) devices. Pursuant to Section 6406(b)(1) of the Middle Class Tax Relief and Job Creation Act of 2012 (Tax Relief Act), NTIA, in consultation with the Department of Defense and other impacted agencies, assessed known and proposed spectrum-sharing technologies. This study also evaluated the risk to federal users if the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) allows U-NII devices to operate in the 5350-5470 MHz and 5850-5925 MHz bands.
Phase II/III Test Plan Spectrum Sharing Innovation Test-Bed Pilot Program (final)
NTIA, in coordination with the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) and federal agencies, has established a Spectrum Sharing Innovation Test-Bed pilot program to examine the feasibility of increased sharing between federal and non-federal users. The pilot program is evaluating the ability of dynamic spectrum access (DSA) devices employing spectrum sensing and/or geo-location technologies to share spectrum with land mobile radio (LMR) systems operating in the 410-420 MHz band, allocated for federal use.
This test plan covers Phases II and III of the test-bed.