[Federal Register Volume 62, Number 120 (Monday, June 23, 1997)]
[Notices]
[Pages 33947-33949]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 97-16251]


=======================================================================
-----------------------------------------------------------------------

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Highway Administration


Dedicated Short Range Communication Systems; Applications for 
Frequency Assignments

AGENCY: Federal Highway Administration (FHWA), DOT.

ACTION: Notice.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

SUMMARY: The FHWA invites any party interested in making use of 
spectrum in the 5850 to 5925 megahertz (MHz) radio frequency band for 
dedicated short range communication (DSRC) systems to request an 
application package for frequency assignment. The use of these 
frequencies will be limited to certain applications and subject to 
technical constraints. This spectrum was allotted to the FHWA on an 
experimental basis for 15 years and is intended to be used by the FHWA 
to develop applications for the Intelligent Transportation Systems 
(ITS) program.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Mr. James A. Arnold, Intelligent 
Systems and Technologies Division, (703) 285-2974, or Ms. Beverly 
Russell, Office of the Chief Counsel, (202) 366-0780, Federal Highway 
Administration, 400 Seventh Street, SW., Washington, D.C. 20590. Office 
hours are from 7:45 a.m. to 4:15 p.m., e.t., Monday through Friday, 
except Federal holidays.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: On May 23, 1996, the FHWA was granted shared 
use of spectrum in the 5850-5925 MHz radio frequency band for 
development and testing of DSRC. The authorization was granted through 
a Certificate of Spectrum by the National Telecommunications and 
Information Administration (NTIA), the agency responsible for 
management of Federal spectrum. This spectrum was allotted to the FHWA 
on an experimental basis for 15 years and is intended to be used by the 
FHWA to develop applications for the ITS program. The FHWA invites 
parties interested in making use of these frequencies for ITS 
applications to request an application package as indicated below.
    The national ITS program encompasses the use of advanced and 
emerging technologies in such fields as information processing, 
communications, control and electronics to increase the safety and 
efficiency of the Nation's intermodal transportation system. One way in 
which the FHWA facilitates the development of ITS is through research 
and testing of enabling technologies for ITS. DSRC is one such 
technology, identified as being critical to the future nationwide 
interoperability of intelligent transportation systems applications in 
the National ITS Architecture Final Report (June 1996). DSRC systems 
consist of short-range communication devices that are capable of 
transferring large amounts of data over a wireless interface between 
mobile or stationary vehicles and normally structure-mounted or 
handheld stationary devices at the roadside. When

[[Page 33948]]

used, each DSRC application, like all other radio frequency systems, 
requires some specific, unused portion of the electromagnetic spectrum.
    The FHWA intends to share the use of its recently acquired spectrum 
with public and private organizations in selected ITS projects 
involving applications that are broadly consistent with the following: 
In-Vehicle Signing, Highway-Rail Intersection, Commercial Vehicle 
Operations (CVO) Electronic Clearance*, CVO Automated Roadside 
Inspection*, Fleet Management, Intermodal Freight Management, Hazardous 
Material Incident Response, CVO Off-line Verification, Intersection 
Collision Avoidance, Emergency Vehicle Signal Preemption, Transit 
Vehicle Signal Priority, Transit Vehicle Data Transfer, High-occupancy 
Vehicle (HOV) Access Clearance, Traffic Network Performance Monitoring, 
Traffic Information Dissemination, Automated Highway System to Vehicle 
Communications, Electronic Toll Collection*, and Parking Payments. The 
functions marked with an asterisk are likely to be limited to the 5850-
5875 MHz portion of the radio frequency band. A full description of 
these services is included in the frequency assignment application 
package (see Applications for Frequency Assignments below).

Objectives

    The FHWA has several objectives related to the experimental use of 
this spectrum. The first objective is to foster the development of a 
single nationwide standard system for DSRC. Such a standard implies a 
minimum level of interoperability of the communication link such that a 
single in-vehicle unit will meet all known user requirements. Since 
this communication link has not been fully defined, there exists an 
opportunity for the DSRC community and the FHWA to jointly develop a 
single communications link for DSRC systems. This definition of 
standards in the DSRC area is currently being conducted under the 
auspices of the American Society of Testing and Materials (ASTM) and 
the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE).
    The second, and related, FHWA objective is to develop a DSRC system 
that is compatible with existing users of the band. Much of the 
information concerning electromagnetic compatibility (EMC) of DSRC 
systems and other systems is not available to the general public. The 
FHWA can assist DSRC users to identify and resolve potential EMC 
issues.
    The third objective is to develop a DSRC system that is not only 
sufficiently robust to meet existing requirements of the applications 
identified above, but is also capable of expanding to include 
applications that are as yet unknown. Future application requirements 
may be difficult to define, but must be considered if this DSRC system 
is to have a service life sufficient to warrant deployment nationwide. 
Applications may be proposed that have not yet been considered but 
which involve innovative uses of the spectrum to meet user requirements 
and provide significant societal benefits.
    Finally, the FHWA encourages organizations interested in using this 
spectrum to apply as soon as possible. As mentioned above, this 
spectrum has been specifically allotted for experimental work that will 
aid in developing early products for a nationwide and compatible DSRC 
system.

Terms of Use

    Under the terms of this authorization (a Stage 2 Experimental 
Certificate of Spectrum Support from the NTIA), the FHWA must maintain 
administrative control over the use of these frequencies, which is 
accomplished through a contract or memorandum of understanding between 
the FHWA and the party applying for use of this spectrum. Several terms 
of the Certificate of Spectrum support apply to the FHWA or any party 
with whom the FHWA enters into an agreement, and are stated as follows:
    (1) There is an absolute prohibition against interfering with 
existing users of the spectrum in the 5850-5925 MHz and surrounding 
bands (see number 2 below). If such interference takes place, the FHWA 
must demand that the interfering entity either cease operation or take 
other appropriate action. The right of the FHWA to make such a demand, 
and the obligation of the interfering entity to immediately comply, 
will be written in all contracts or memoranda of understanding for use 
of the spectrum.
    (2) The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) and the NTIA share 
jurisdiction over this Mhz radio frequency band. The FCC has allocated 
this spectrum on a primary basis to fixed satellite earth-to-space 
applications, and on a secondary basis to amateur radio operations. The 
NTIA has allocated this spectrum to government radiolocation and the 
band is used for military radar applications. Experimental DSRC systems 
must, therefore, defer to these types of systems. As part of the 
agreement to allow experimental use of this band it was pointed out by 
the NTIA that: (i) The band is allocated to the radiolocation service, 
and is the subject of ongoing reallocation efforts; (ii) the FCC issued 
a final rule at 62 FR 4649 on January 31, 1997, to provide for 
unlicensed National Information Infrastructure (U-NII) devices in the 
5150-5350 and 5725-5875 MHz bands (47 CFR part 15, subpart E); (iii) 
this system may suffer harmful interference from adjacent and co-
channel high power Department of Defense (DoD) systems in this band, in 
addition to harmonics of 2700-2900 MHz radar operations; (iv) the DSRC 
system may not be deployed (i.e., be made available to the general 
public) until the FHWA performs an analysis that identifies techniques 
to mitigate the electromagnetic interference potential from and to 
other co and adjacent-band users, and all parties agree that 
electromagnetic compatibility exists.
    (3) The FHWA is required further by NTIA to: (i) Conduct an 
analysis to determine potential worst-case interference distances for a 
set of emitters identified by the DoD; (ii) perform coordinated testing 
in areas indicated by the analysis [that] pose the greatest 
interference threat to either the DoD systems or [DSRC systems], and 
provide copies of the test results to DoD for review; and (iii) limit 
[DSRC system] operations to areas that are determined to be free from 
interference either to or from the emitters identified by the DoD. 
Again, any agreement entered by the FHWA with another party applying 
for use of this spectrum must aim to ensure that these recommendations 
are upheld.

Additional Terms of Use--Technical Limitations

    Bandwidth: The power emission shall be attenuated below the highest 
power contained within the authorized channel according to the 
following schedule:

3 dB Bandwidth--1.0 MHz
20 dB Bandwidth--2.2 MHz
60 dB Bandwidth--10.0 Mhz

    Power: The maximum permissible effective radiated power (ERP) for 
base and mobile, is 10 watts.
    Modulation: The final digital modulation type that will be 
authorized on these frequencies is currently under study. It will be a 
digital modulation, with a spectral efficiency such that channel data 
rates in the vicinity of 600 kilobits per second (kbps) will be 
supported. This will yield a user data rate of between 300 and 400 
kbps. For any specific field experiments that want to use the 
frequencies prior to the

[[Page 33949]]

determination of a standard modulation scheme, the FHWA will grant 
authorization for a period not to exceed one year for alternative 
modulations that meet the overall bandwidth limitations (attenuation 
vs. frequency displacement) specified above.
    Frequency Stability: Base and Mobile stations shall maintain the 
carrier frequency within 0.1 ppm.
    Hardware type Acceptance: If the equipment has received an FCC Type 
Acceptance Number, this should be stated in connection with any 
application for an experimental license.

Applications for Frequency Assignments

    To request an application package or additional information, 
parties interested in using these frequencies should contact the 
following: James A. Arnold, Intelligent Systems and Technologies 
Division, HSR-10, 6300 Georgetown Pike, McLean, VA 22101-2296, (703) 
285-2974. Generally, frequency assignments will be made for one to 
three years with potential for renewal.

(Authority: 23 U.S.C 307 note)

    Issued on: June 13, 1997.
Jane Garvey,
Acting Administrator for the Federal Highway Administration.
[FR Doc. 97-16251 Filed 6-20-97; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-22-P