Alternative Frequencies for Use by Public Safety Systems [PDF]

Assessment of Compatibility Between Ultrawideband Systems and Global Positioning System Receivers (Report Addendum) [PDF]
• Companion report by NTIA's Institute for Telelcommunication Sciences [PDF]

The Potential for Accommodating Third Generation Mobile Systems: Federal Operations, Relocation Costs, and Operational Impacts: Final Report [PDF]
• Department of Defense companion assessment [PDF]
• US Air Force case study [PDF]

Assessment of Compatibility Between Ultrawideband (UWB] Systems and Global Positioning System (GPS] Receivers [PDF]
• Companion report by NTIA's Institute for Telecommunication Sciences [Link to ITS]

Assessment of Electromagnetic Spectrum Reallocation, Response to Title X of the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2000 [PDF]

Assessment of Compatibility Between Ultrawideband Devices and Selected Federal Systems [PDF]
• Excel Spreadsheets used in calculations [HTML link]
• Companion report by NTIA's Institute for Telecommunication Sciences [Link to ITS]

Federal Operations in the 1755-1850 MHz Band: The Potential for Accommodating Third Generation Mobile Systems Interim Report [PDF]
• Referenced Department of Defense report [PDF]

Electromagnetic Compatibility Between Marine Automatic Identification and Public Correspondence Systems in the Maritime Mobile VHF Band [PDF]

Lower Mississippi River Ports and Waterways Safety System (PAWSS] RF Coverage Test Results [PDF]

Lower Mississippi River VTS Frequency Survey

Evaluation of Marine VHF Radios: Compliance to IEC Receiver Standards [PDF]

Evaluation of Marine VHF Radios: Performance in the Savannah, Ga. and New Orleans, La. Port Areas [PDF]

Technical Characteristics of Radiolocation Systems Operating in the 3.1-3.7 GHz Band and Procedures for Assessing EMC with Fixed Earth Station Receivers [PDF]

Indentification of Alternate Bands, Response to Title III of The Balanced Budget Act of 1997 [PDF]

Reallocation Impact Study of the 1990-2110 MHz Band, Response to Title III of The Balanced Budget Act of 1997 [PDF]

Spectrum Reallocation Report, Response to Title III of The Balanced Budget Act Of 1997 [HTML]

Radio Astronomy Spectrum Planning Options [HTML]

Summary of Results of Measurements and Tests Related to RF Interference at Bath, Maine [PDF]

Assessment of Compatibility Between 25 and 12.5 kHz Channelized Marine VHF Radios [HTML]

Assessment of the Expansion of the Earth Exploration-Satellite Service in the
8025-8400 MHz Range [HTML]

High Frequency (3-30 MHz] Spectrum Planning Options [HTML]

Land Mobile Spectrum Planning Options [HTML]

Assessment of Compatibility Between 25 and 12.5 kHz Channelized Marine VHF Radios [HTML]

Assessment of the Expansion of the Earth Exploration-Satellite Service in the 8025-8400 MHz Range [HTML]

High Frequency (3-30 MHz] Spectrum Planning Options [HTML]

Land Mobile Spectrum Planning Options [HTML]

US National Spectrum Requirements: Projections and Trends [HTML]

U.S. Spectrum Management Policy: Agenda for the Future, a 1991 spectrum policy study [HTML]

A Survey of Relative Spectrum Efficiency of Mobile Voice Communication Systems

This paper provides definitions of spectrum efficiency for general communication systems, then simplifies the definitions so that the spectrum efficiency of several contemporary mobile radio systems can be easily compared. [PDF]

Radio Spectrum Measurements of Individual Microwave Ovens - Volume 2

The Radio Spectrum Measurements of Individual Microwave Ovens report was released in March 1994, consisting of Volumes 1 and 2. This report provides results of radio spectrum measurements of 13 individual microwave ovens performed at the NTIA, Institute for Telecommunication Sciences (ITS). Measurements include emission characteristics and time waveforms covering the frequency range 2300-2600 MHZ and oven emission characteristics of harmonic frequency ranges up to the 7th harmonic. Test parameters were varied to identify their impact on test results. These parameter variations include such factors as cooking load, start temperature, oven orientation, and receiver bandwidth. Test procedures of the Federal Communications Commission (FCC), the International Special Committee on Radio Interference (CISPR), and additional procedures developed by NTIA and ITS are also discussed.

Radio Spectrum Measurements of Individual Microwave Ovens - Volume 1

The Radio Spectrum Measurements of Individual Microwave Ovens report was released in March 1994, consisting of Volumes 1 and 2. This report provides results of radio spectrum measurements of 13 individual microwave ovens performed at the NTIA, Institute for Telecommunication Sciences (ITS). Measurements include emission characteristics and time waveforms covering the frequency range 2300-2600 MHZ and oven emission characteristics of harmonic frequency ranges up to the 7th harmonic. Test parameters were varied to identify their impact on test results. These parameter variations include such factors as cooking load, start temperature, oven orientation, and receiver bandwidth. Test procedures of the Federal Communications Commission (FCC), the International Special Committee on Radio Interference (CISPR), and additional procedures developed by NTIA and ITS are also discussed.

NOAA Special Report: Measurements of Wind Profiler EMC Characteristics

This report provides the results of measurements that were conducted on a 404.37 MHz wind profiler located in Platteville, Colorado. These measurements included: radiated spectra (both high and low mode), radiated harmonic and sub-harmonic power measurements, characterization of the antenna frequency response, determination of the radiated antenna gain values near ground level, susceptibility of profiler performance to interference from selected emission waveforms, and the effects on a typical land mobile/amateur operation from wind profiler emissions. [PDF]

Preliminary Spectrum Reallocation Report: Response to Title VI - Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act of 1993

National Land Mobile Spectrum Requirements

The National Land Mobile Spectrum Requirements report was released in January 1994. This report describes the Federal Government's land mobile radio (LMR) usage and trends in the following bands: 30-50, 138-150.8, 162-174, 220-222 and 406.1-420 MHZ. It also presents public (common carriers such as cellular radiotelephone and radio paging), and private sector (including state and local government) uses from 25 MHZ to 1 GHz, related regulatory issues and trends in the land mobile services. The report also contains a discussion on personal communications services. zo, E. Response to Title VI - Omnibus Budget Drocella, E.F., Jr. Reconciliation Act of 1993 Scammon, C. The Preliminary Spectrum Reallocation Report was released on February 10, 1994. This report, prepared in response to Title VI of the Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act of 1993, identified 235 MHZ of radio spectrum for transfer from Federal Government use to private, commercial use. The report marks the first step in a process that will lead the way to major changes in U.S. Management of the radio spectrum.

Land Mobile Spectrum Efficiency - A Plan for Federal Government Agencies to use More Spectrum-Efficient Technologies

The Land Mobile Spectrum Efficiency - A Plan for Federal Government Agencies to use More Spectrum-Efficient Technologies report was released in October 1993. The IRAC established the Ad Hoc 210 committee to provide a forum for Federal Government agency member-representatives to present their views on telecommunication policies dealing with mobile systems. This committee provided extensive assistance to NTIA in the development of this study and plan. They described requirements of government departments and agencies for mobile radio communication services, and provided both technical and policy comments on the material drafted by NTIA technical staff. Their descriptions of technical requirements and discussions of the policy issues, and the practicality of implementing some of the proposals, contributed greatly to the initial draft of the study and plan. IRAC approved a draft of this study and plan based on the work of Ad Hoc 201. The study was then reviewed by NTIA, Department of Commerce and Congressional Senior Staff members. Their comments led to clarifications and amplifications of the proposed plan and procedures included in this report.

Digital Emission Spectrum Model

The Digital Emission Spectrum Model report was released in September 1993. A computer program was developed to calculate the power spectral density (PSD) and the fractional power containment bandwidth for various digital modulation techniques. The power containment capability was used to provide guidance for determination of necessary bandwidth in support of Annex J of the NTIA Manual. This report documents the models contained in the computer program and illustrates the models with various sample problems. The report also shows the verification of the computer program implementation.

Federal Government Spectrum Usage in the 902-928, 2400-2500 and 5725-5875 MHz Bands

The Federal Government Spectrum Usage in the 902-928, 2400-2500 and 5725-5875 MHZ Bands report was released in February 1993. This report assesses the Federal Government spectrum usage of these three bands. Current rules and regulations, allocations, and major systems currently operating or planned for operation in each of the bands, as well as systems' deployments and some technical characteristics are identified. Major non- government application of special systems is also addressed whenever data is available.

Feasibility of Relocating Non-Government Fixed Systems into the 1710-1850 MHz Band

Preliminary Building Attenuation Model (1-30000 MHz)

Federal Spectrum Usage of the 1710-1850 and 2200-2290 MHz Bands

Accommodation of Broadcast Satellite (Sound) and Mobile Satellite Services in the 2300-2450 MHz Band

Assessment of Bands for Wind Profile Accommodation (216-225,400.15-406, and 410-450 MHz)

Assessment of Technological Forecasting for Use in Spectrum Management

Measured Characteristics of Selected Non-Licensed Devices

Telecommunications in the Age of Information

Federal Spectrum Management: A Guide to the NTIA Process

U.S. Spectrum Management Policy: An Agenda for the Future

Ground-Based Weather Radar Compatibility with Digital Radio-Relay Microwave Systems

Interference from high powered weather radars to digital microwave systems is a growing problem in the US. The study identified procedures to avoid these problems. The study was completed in coordination with the FCC and industry. Recommendations dealing with exchange of data bases, coordination procedures and other technical areas have been adopted. [PDF]

Hydrologic and Meteorological Operations in the 162-174 and 406.1-420 MHz Bands

Use of Government and non Government flood warning systems in the 162-174 MHz band are growing rapidly in the US. The report investigated ways of improving the spectrum efficiency of these systems to allow for continued growth. Recommendations for narrowing channel widths and allotting certain channels for their use have been adopted.

Procedure for Calculating the Power Density of a Parabolic Circular Reflector Antenna

This technical report details a procedure for calculating the mainbeam off-axis power density in the near- and far-field of a parabolic circular reflector antenna. In the report, the on-axis procedures of an earlier report are extended to off-axis analysis. Like its predecessors, it is intended for general use in system planning and evaluation and gives a worst-case estimate for radiation hazard assessment.

Long Range Plan for Management and Use of the Radio Spectrum by Agencies and Establishments of the Federal Government

Spectrum Resource Assessment of Government Use of the HF (3-30 MHz) Band

This report is a spectrum resource assessment of the HF band (3-30 MHz). It incudes information on rules, regulations, allocations, technical standards, frequency assignments, system characteristics, and special uses unique to the HF band. The impact on HF services brought about by new technologies is discussed along with potential impacts of HF Over-the-Horizon (OTH) radars and ionospheric sounders. The importance of domestic emergency communciations in the HF band is discussed along with new standards for interoperability presently being drafted.

Conservation Techniques for Fixed Microwave Systems (7125-8500 MHz)

Since the spectrum is a limited natural resource, the spectrum management community has a major interest in identifying spectrum conservation techniques that will provide more efficient spectrum utilization. Advances in new technology for fixed microwave systems in antennas, modulation schemes and signal processing techniques offer increased efficiency in spectrum utilization. This report analyzes the spectrum conserving properties of the various new technologies for fixed microwave systems applying the concepts in CCIR Report 662-2, and was defined as the spectrum conservation factor (SCF). The report concludes that the SCF technique is an effective indicator of the spectrum conserving properties of technologies which can be used to develop new spectrum standards. [PDF]

Handbook of Radio Wave Propagation Loss, Part II (100-20,000 MHz)

This handbook is intended to provide estimates of radio wave propagation loss between transmitting and receiving antennas of various heights and transmission frequencies above the assumed smooth-earth surface calculated using the NLAMBDA computer model. For many cases involving electromagnetic compatibility analysis, the curves of predicted transmission losses in this report may be used to estimate the transmission losses of the desired and undesired signals. These estimated loss values are given in dB as BASIC MEDIAN TRANSMISSION LOSS for antennas with effective heights up to 5000 meters, operating in the 100-20,000 MHz frequency range, over land or sea, at great circle earth surface distances up to 1000 kilometers.

Meteor Burst System Communications Capability (30-100 MHz)

The technical and operating characteristics of meteor burst systems of importance for spectrum management applciations are identified. A technical assessment is included which identifies the most appropriate frequency subbands within the VHF spectrum to support meteor burst systems. The electromagnetic compatibility of meteor burst systems with other equipments in the VHF spectrum is determined using computerized analysis methods for both ionospheric and groundwave propagation modes. It is shown that meteor burst equipments can cause and are susceptible to groundwave interference from other VHF equipments. The report includes tables of geographical distance separations between meteor burst and other VHF equipments which satisfy interference threshold criteria.

Single and Aggregate Emission Level Models for Interference Analysis

This report describes analysis models and software packages developed for the assessment of single-entry and aggregate interference from terrestrial emitters into terrestrial or airborne victim receivers. The menu-drive computer programs provide user options for input/output computations, parametric representations, propagations models and emitter distributions. The flexibility in the scenario creation, parameter selection, and computation mode, renders the models applicable to a wide variety of EMC assessments and conditions. Model descriptions, technical formulations, user manuals, and sample runs are provided in this report.

The SUM Database: A New Measure of Spectrum Use

This report describes a new technique for calculating the spectrum space used by existing frequency assignments.  The Spectrum Use Model (SUM) determines the amount of spectrum used at a given location or the probability that a given location is unavailable for a new assignment. [PDF]

Assessment of Digital Radio Voice Protection for Government Land-Mobile Use: Phase II

This study examined the sharing of spectrum between analog and digital land mobile radios in the 162-174 MHz band. Recommendations regarding cochannel and adjacent channel coordination distances have been adopted.

Spectrum Resource Assessment of Selected U.S. Government Space Services

This report describes the use of space services by the U.S. Government in support of NTIA's Long Range Plan for Management and Use of the Radio Spectrum. The report addresses national and international regulations as well as frequency allocations, current and future government use of the space services, and spectrum management issues.

Procedures for Calculating Field Intensities of Antennas: Phase II

This technical memorandum provides additional guidance in applying procedures for finding the near field power density.  The technical memorandum also examines the feasibility of using simple models to calculate the off-axis near-field power density of wire and aperture antennas. [PDF]

Coordination Requirements for Space and Aeronautical Telemetry Systems (2200-2290 MHz)

This report documents an analysis of the probability of interference from systems in the space services to aeronautical telemetry system using the 2200-2290 MHz band. These calculated results may be used to determine the coordination requirements for compatible operation between these systems, if a relaxation in the power flux density limits is adopted.

Procedures for Calculating Field Intensities of Antennas

This technical memorandum discusses simplified procedures for calculating near field and far field intensities of several types of aperture and wire antennas. [PDF]

Spectrum Resource Assessment of the Federal Government Fixed Service (Bands above 400 MHz)

This report documents a spectrum resource assessment of the bands allocated to the Federal Government fixed service above 400 MHz on a primary basis. The assessment identifies allocations, standards, channeling plans and technological trends pertaining to the Federal fixed service. Technical and policy issues are discussed as part of NTIA's long-range planning effort.

NTIA Task Force Measurement Report: Naval Air Test Center, Patuxent River, MD

This report documents the results of a special measurement task at the Naval Air Test Center, Patuxent River, Maryland. In documenting the spectrum usage for land mobile, radar and microwave systems at an active military base, the report serves as a reference for future improvements to spectrum management techniques and procedures.

Effects of Planning of the Fixed-Satellite Service on the Fixed and Mobile Services in the 4500-4800 MHz Band

This report is a study of the potential for sharing in the 4500-4800 MHz band between the fixed-satellite service (FSS) and terrestrial (fixed and mobile) services. The report focuses on decisions of the WARC-ORB-85 concerning planning of the FSS in this band. The report concludes that sharing of the 4500-4800 MHz band by the fixed, mobile and fixed satellite services will continue to be feasible.

Assessment of Digital Radio Voice Protection for Government Land-Mobile Use

This report documents an effort to measure the operational and performance characteristics of radios equipped with the Data Encryption Standard (DES), as applied to government land-mobile operations. The purpose of these tests was to compare selected operational and performance characteristics of the digital (or guarded) mode of operation with those of the analog (or clear) mode of operation for each radio under test. The measurement results are discussed relative to spectrum management issues involving the use of spectrum allocated to the Federal Government fixed and mobile services and the corresponding rules of use. This measurement effort is the first phase of an on-going program to investigate the effect of using digital modulation schemes in a predominantly analog land-mobile environment.

Application of Trunking to Government Land-Mobile Communications

Before 1987 no commercial trunking systems were available in any Govenment or non Government band below 800 MHz. This study examined the application of trunking to the Government band 406-420 MHz. As a result of this study and subsequent discussions with industry, commercial trunking systems were developed for the Government.

The Effect of Shipborne Radars on the Aeronautical Radionavigation Service in the 9300-9320 MHz Band.

The possibility of allowing shipborne navigation radars within the 9300-9320 MHz band is being considered within Study Group 8 of the International Radio Consultative Committee (CCIR) and within the United States preparation for the 1987 Mobile World Administrative Radio Conference. The impact this would have upon beacon systems used within the aeronautical radionavigation service is of concern. The report provides the background, equipment characteristics, and an analysis of the potential interaction between the shipborne radars and the aeronautical beacon systems.

Application of the Technical Spectrum Efficiency Factor (TSEF) to the Fixed Service Three Frequency Bands (7000-8000 MHz)

The Technical Spectrum Efficiency Factor (TSEF) concept was developed in the Technical Subcommittee (TSC) of the Interdepartment Radio Advisory Committee (IRAC) and was applied, by NTIA, to government fixed telecommunications systems in the 7-8 GHz bands. Both computer automated and manual procedures were employed. The TSEF evaluates the technical spectrum efficiency of a spectrum-using system by comparing the amount of the spectrum it uses to that used by the most spectrum-efficient system that could be procured to accomplish the same mission. The "most spectrum-efficient" system is called "the reference system". An extensive catalog of spectrum conservation techniques is also included.

Calculation of Power-Flux Density Levels in the 2 GHz Band, Phase Three

This report, a follow-on of two earlier reports, examined the impact on fixed and mobile services of relaxing the current power-flux-density limits from satellites in the region of 2 GHz. The results of these studies were used to support U.S. contributions into the International Radio Consultative Committee (CCIR).

Baseband Performance Degradation due to Interference in the Fixed-Satellite Service

This report describes a set of algorithms developed at NTIA for the analytic assessment of interference effects in satellite communication services. These algorithms convert the interference levels at the receiver input into an observable performance degradation of the receiver output, such as, bit errors or distortion of the voice output.

Necessary Bandwidth and Spectral Properties of Digital Modulation

This report shows that for digital modulation systems, the necessary bandwidth, signal power, and bit error rate are all interrelated and tradeoffs among these factors are possible. [PDF]

Spectrum Resource Assessment of the 1530-1660.5 MHz Band [PDF]

Spectrum Resource Assessment of the 7125 - 8500 MHz Band

FM Spectral Modeling and FDM/FM Simulation Programs

This report is concerned with the spectral representation of analog frequency modulated (FM) signals, with particular attention to frequency division multiplexing (FDM)/FM satellite communication systems. The FM spectral modeling and gaussian approximation principles are analyzed and extended to develop computer simulation programs capable of providing representative FM spectra. [PDF]

Background Study on Efficient Use of the 2700-2900 MHz Band

This report summarizes the findings of an analysis that addresses accommodating new radar systems in the 2700-2900 MHz band based on projected growth in the band and projected radar deployment patterns. [PDF]

Spectrum Resource Assessment in the 5650-5925 MHz Band

This report is a Spectrum resource Assessment of the 5650-5925 MHz band. Included in information on rules and regulations, allocations, technical standards, frequency assignments, system characteristics, and applicable compatibility analysis. [PDF]