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4. Overseas Regulatory Developments
A number of initiatives are being undertaken worldwide to develop standards and regulations for the introduction and use of UWB devices. However, the development of an international regulatory framework has been slow, owing to concerns about their impact on existing services. At present, the US is the only market where UWB devices are allowed to be operated without a licence.
4.1 ITU
The ITU initiated UWB-related work through its Radiocommunications Sector (ITU-R) Study Group 1 (SG1), which considers general spectrum management matters. In 2002, task group TG1/8 was formed to study and advise on various aspects of UWB.
TG 1/8 is comprised of four working groups:
- WG1: UWB Characteristics
- WG2: UWB Compatibility/ Impact on other radio systems (14 subgroups)
- WG3: Spectrum Management Framework
- WG4: Measurement Techniques
TG 1/8's work is scheduled to be concluded and presented to SG1 by October 2005. The Ministry is an active participant of this task group.
The findings of the technical studies being conducted by TG 1/8 are expected to have a strong influence on many administrations' future regulatory arrangements for UWB.
4.2 IEEE
The UWB standardisation process in the Institute of Electrical and Electronic Engineers (IEEE) is considered primarily by two task groups:
- IEEE 802.15.3a, which is developing a standard for the physical layer of wireless PANs at data rates above 100Mbits/s, and
- IEEE 802.15.4a, which is considering standards for UWB short-range wireless applications with data rates from 500kbits/s up to a few Mbits/s.
These standards are expected to be developed by the end of 2005.
4.3 CEPT & ETSI
4.3.1 UWB Communications and Imaging Devices
The use of UWB is currently not permitted in the European Union (EU). In March 2004, the European Commission (EC) mandated the Conference of European Posts and Telegraphs (CEPT) to develop technical implementation measures for the harmonised use of radio spectrum for UWB within the European Union. CEPT's work on UWB communication systems, particularly its study on coexistence criterion between UWB and existing users, is expected to be completed sometime this year (2005).
The European Telecommunications Standards Institute (ETSI) was mandated by the EC in February 2003 to investigate and develop generic and specific ETSI radio standards for short-range UWB devices, identify spectrum requirements, and ensure spectrum efficiency and compatibility with other radio services and devices. Since then, ETSI has been developing three standards: EN 302 065 (for UWB communication devices), EN 302 066 (for ground and wall penetrating radar devices) and EN 301 091 (for automotive radar systems). At present, ETSI is awaiting input from the CEPT to complete its work.
The proposed ETSI emission mask for UWB indoor communications systems currently being considered within CEPT and ETSI envisages introducing additional limits on UWB transmissions at the edges of the 3.1 to 10.6 GHz band as compared to the FCC emission limits for indoor UWB systems. For instance, a -65 dBm/MHz limit is proposed at 2.1 GHz. The UK (OfCom) proposes a limit at 2.1 GHz, even tighter than the proposed ETSI limit discussed in Sec 4.5. These masks are depicted pictorially in Appendix C - Proposed Emission Limits - Europe.
A decision by the EC, following the completion of CEPT's work, would be binding on member states of the EU.
4.3.2 UWB Vehicular Radar Devices
The 79 GHz band has been identified by the CEPT as the most suitable band for the long term development and deployment of automotive short-range radar. However, as the technology is still under development and not immediately available on a cost-effective basis, the CEPT has identified the 24 GHz band as a temporary solution to enable the early introduction of vehicular radar in the EU. Pursuant to this, the EU has decided to designate and make available the 24 GHz band7 for vehicular radar services as soon as possible (no later than 1 July 2005).
Additional EU Restrictions on UWB Vehicular Radar
- The 24 GHz band is made available to vehicular radar on a non-interference and non-protected basis.
- Total number of vehicles registered, placed on the market or put into service equipped with any automotive short-range radar (not necessarily UWB) in each EU Member State should not exceed 7% of the total number of vehicles in circulation in each Member State.
- This band may remain available for vehicular radar only until 30 June 2013.8
- The radiated emissions in the 24 GHz band must not exceed -41.3 dBm/MHz e.i.r.p and for frequencies below 22 GHz. The emissions must be limited to - 61.3 dBm/MHz e.i.r.p.
- To protect Earth Exploration Satellite Systems at 23.6-24.0 GHz, vehicular radar systems emissions have to be attenuated (by 25 dB below limits given above for vehicles placed on the market before 2010 and thereafter by at least 30 dB) within the band when directed 30 degrees above the horizon.
4.4 United States of America
The US was the first country to adopt regulatory arrangements relating to UWB and is still the only market where UWB devices can be legally operated (without a licence). The FCC, however, has placed stringent conditions concomitant to the use of these devices.
The FCC initiated its UWB proceedings in 1998 and issued its First Report and Order (Rules and Regulations) in February 2002, in which it amended its Part 15 rules on unlicensed radio devices to allow the operation of UWB devices. A new subpart (F) was created specifically to cover UWB devices9. Under subpart F, there is a broad range of requirements for the registration of UWB devices. This includes the coordination of some UWB devices with the US regulatory Bodies - the FCC and the National Telecommunication Information Administration - and restrictions on the marketing, supply and operation of these devices. Further, UWB devices cannot be used in toys and are prohibited aboard an aircraft, a ship or a satellite.
The FCC has defined three specialized UWB device classes with different technical standards and operating restrictions based on their potential to cause interference. The emission limits are outlined in Appendix B - USA FCC Emission Limits.
The FCC has decreed that any radiated emissions at or below 960 MHz from any UWB device shall not exceed the emission levels in Section 15.209 of the FCC Part 15 Rules.10
4.4.1 UWB Communications Devices
The FCC has made spectrum available between 3.1 GHz to 10.6 GHz for unlicensed UWB communications devices (indoor or handheld) with a maximum power emission limit of - 41.3 dBm/MHz. The FCC believes that this limit will ensure that unlicensed UWB devices do not cause interference to existing licensed users of the 3.1-10.6 GHz frequency band. To provide additional protection to GPS users, the FCC has also mandated that spurious emissions between 1 GHz and 2 GHz be limited to -75 dBm/MHz.
Additional Restrictions Placed on Indoor UWB Communication Systems
- They can be used solely for indoor operations.
- Emissions shall not be intentionally directed outside of the building in which the device is located.
- They can only transmit when the intentional radiator is sending information to an associated receiver.
Additional Restrictions Placed on Handheld Outdoor UWB Communication Systems
- They must be relatively small hand-held devices.
- They can only transmit when the intentional radiator is sending information to an associated receiver. The UWB radiator should cease transmission within 10 seconds unless it receives an acknowledgment from the associated receiver that its transmission is being received. These acknowledgments of reception must continue to be received by the UWB radiator at least every 10 seconds or the device must cease transmitting.
4.4.2 UWB Imaging Systems
The FCC has ruled that UWB imaging systems, including medical imaging and ground-penetrating radar (GPR), can operate in the following bands:
- below 960 MHz,
- 1900 to 10600 MHz, and
- 3100 to 10600 GHz.
Most of these devices can only be operated by specialist organizations such as licensed healthcare groups, law enforcement agencies, emergency rescue services, scientific research institutes, and construction and mining companies. All UWB imaging devices have to be coordinated through the FCC before the equipment can be used.
4.4.3 UWB Vehicular Radar Systems
In the US, UWB vehicular radar systems can operate in the 22-29 GHz band.
Some of the FCC technical requirements are given below:
- These devices can operate only when the vehicle is operating (e.g. the engine is running).
- The centre frequency and the frequency at which the highest level emission occurs must be greater than 24.075 GHz.
- The radiated emissions between 22-29 GHz shall not exceed -41.3 dBm/MHz.
- To protect Earth Exploration Satellite Systems at 23.6-24.0 GHz, emissions from vehicular radar systems are required to be attenuated (by 25 dB below the limits in Table 6) within the band when directed 30 degrees above the horizon.
4.5 United Kingdom
The use of UWB is currently not permitted in the European Union. OfCom, the spectrum regulator in the UK, published a consultation document on a harmonised European position on UWB devices in January 2005, which seeks comments on whether UWB should be allowed or not, and if allowed, what the most appropriate technical limits would be.
The OfCom consultation document is confined to the consideration of UWB communications devices in the 3.1-10.6 GHz band. OfCom considers that given the likely applications for UWB technology, it will be appropriate to exempt most UWB devices from a licensing requirement, subject to their operation within defined limits. The consultation document is largely driven by concerns that the US specification is inappropriate for the UK (and Europe). OfCom's proposal is that if UWB is allowed, it should be limited to the same in-band power levels as permitted in the US but with tighter out-of-band limits. OfCom proposes an emission mask that falls from -41dBm/MHz at 3.1 GHz to -85 dBm/MHz at 2.1 GHz for indoor communication systems. It believes that the risk of interference to services below 3 GHz, such as 3G operators in their currently licensed spectrum, can be reduced to insignificant levels by applying such a mask.
Comparisons between the FCC mask, proposed ETSI mask and the proposed OfCom mask for indoor communications are graphically depicted in Appendix C - Proposed Emission Limits - Europe.
4.6 Australia
Australia has, so far, adopted a cautious approach. Since publishing a "Background Brief" on UWB in May 2003, the Australian Communications Authority (ACA), the spectrum regulator of Australia, has issued a few interim apparatus licences (akin to radio licences in New Zealand) since April 2004 for the use of ground penetrating radar (GPR) systems. This is the first example of an application using UWB technology that has been licensed in Australia and it has, at this stage, been authorised under a temporary "scientific assigned" licence. A key element in the interim licensing arrangements is an interference control condition that restricts stray radiofrequency signals caused by the operation of these UWB GPR devices.
The view of the ACA at this stage is that only applications with low potential to cause interference will be authorised under these interim licensing arrangements.
4.7 Canada
In February 2005, Canada published a Consultation Paper on the introduction of UWB wireless systems, seeking public interest and comment on UWB technology.
Canada expects public comments on the paper to provide important input for the development of specific spectrum policy provisions and radio equipment standards for the introduction and use of UWB systems in Canada.
4.8 Asia
Japan
In Japan, the Ministry of Public Management, Home Affairs, Post and Telecommunications, the Japanese spectrum regulator, has proposed to issue experimental licences until it issues its formal UWB regulations, which is expected to take place by the end of 2005.
Singapore
Infocomm Development Authority (IDA), the spectrum regulator of Singapore, launched its UWB programme in February 2003. Trial regulations have been set up by the IDA to permit controlled UWB emissions within a specific area in Singapore (named as the UWB Friendly Zone or UFZ) as part of the effort to introduce UWB. A UWB emission mask of 6dB above the general FCC Part 15 level from 2.2 GHz to 10.6 GHz has been imposed to encourage experimentation in the UFZ. No intentional emissions are allowed below 960MHz. The progress of UWB trials is monitored by the IDA to ensure existing wireless services are not affected. The UFZ will be available until the IDA formally announces its UWB regulations, which the IDA considers will be based on the ITU-R recommendations.
Issue 4.a
The Ministry invites comments on the FCC proposals for different UWB applications and their applicability to New Zealand.
Comments are also invited on the UK proposal for UWB indoor communication devices in comparison to the FCC limits and the ETSI limits.
Further, comments are invited on the European Union proposal on vehicular radar and the applicability of the proposed parameters to New Zealand.
4.9 Conclusions
Worldwide regulatory developments for UWB appear to be gathering momentum, with several countries publishing consultative documents this year based on modifications to the FCC technical parameters.
Most countries and standards bodies, however, appear to be awaiting the ITU-R TG 1/8 results, expected to be available by October 2005, before making any definite regulatory decisions.
8 As long as there is no harmful interference caused to other users in that band and the threshold of 7% has not been reached
9 FCC Part 15 Subpart F can be found on the Atlas Compliance & Engineering website
10 This can be referred to at the FCC website.
