[Federal Register Volume 65, Number 121 (Thursday, June 22, 2000)]
[Notices]
[Pages 38874-38875]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 00-15812]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Office of the Secretary

[OST Docket No. OST-2000-7538]


Notice of Test Plan for Determining Potential for Interference 
from Ultra-Wideband Devices (UWB) to Global Positioning System (GPS) 
Receivers; Review and Comment

AGENCY: Office of the Secretary, Department of Transportation.

ACTION: Notice.

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SUMMARY: Since the potential for interference from certain ultra-
wideband (UWB) parameters has been determined through preliminary 
analyses and tests, the Department of Transportation has sponsored a 
more rigorous test to evaluate the potential for interference to Global 
Positioning System (GPS) receivers from UWB devices. The Department 
invites comments on this test plan.

DATES: Comments should be submitted in written form July 24, 2000.

ADDRESS: Send comments to: Department of Transportation, Office of the 
Secretary Radionavigation & Positioning Staff, P-7, Room 10315, 400 
Seventh Street, SW., Washington, DC 20590 Attn: GPS-UWB Comments.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Sally L. Frodge, (202) 366-4894.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) 
is considering placing UWB devices under Part 15 of the FCC Regulations 
under Title 47 of the Code of Federal Regulations and modifying these 
rules accordingly. The FCC released on May 11, 2000, a Notice of 
Proposed Rule-Making (NPRM), ``In the Matter of Revision of Part 15 of 
the

[[Page 38875]]

Commission's Rules Regarding Ultra-Wideband Transmission Systems''. The 
FCC has proposed ``* * * permitting the operation of ultra-wideband 
(UWB) technology on an unlicensed basis'' citing ``* * * enormous 
benefits for public safety, consumers and businesses'' (http://www.fcc.gov/Bureaus/Engineering_Technology/News_Releases/2000/nret0006.html). The FCC has stated that test results are encouraged and 
can be submitted through October 30, 2000.
    The term ``ultra-wideband'' by definition refers to any radiated 
waveform whose fractional bandwidth is greater than 25%. There are many 
technologies that fit this broad definition; of particular interest is 
a group of technologies known as ``impulsive systems''. Such systems 
utilize short radio frequency (RF) pulses with pulse durations on the 
order of nanoseconds that result in bandwidths that can be on the order 
of several Gigahertz. Some current UWB impulsive system designs and 
devices have fractional bandwidths that can exceed 100%. Such systems 
could intentionally radiate energy into restricted bands (defined in 
Part 15) that include aeronautical safety-related systems, including 
GPS and other sensitive systems.
    This test plan describes an initial phase of testing that selects 
the metric of accuracy performance and GPS signal reacquisition time. 
Aviation receivers meeting published specifications will be used in the 
accuracy measurement phase; a land receiver will be used for the 
reacquisition testing. A GPS simulator provides the GPS input and the 
UWB parameters are provided by a prototype UWB waveform generator where 
the various UWB waveform parameters can be varied independently in a 
controlled manner. These metrics were considered appropriate for the 
first phase of testing.
    Obtaining a copy for comment. The Department will consider written 
comments for incorporation into the test plan. To obtain a copy of this 
test plan, contact Ms. Veronica Pannell at (202) 366-0353 or write to: 
Department of Transportation, Office of the Secretary Radionavigation & 
Positioning Staff, P-7, Room 10315, 400 Seventh Street SW, Washington, 
DC 20590.

    Dated: June 15, 2000.
Joseph Canny,
Deputy Assistant Secretary for Navigation Systems Policy.
[FR Doc. 00-15812 Filed 6-21-00; 8:45 am]
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