[Federal Register Volume 65, Number 209 (Friday, October 27, 2000)]
[Notices]
[Pages 64473-64474]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 00-27645]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Office of the Secretary

[OST Docket No. OST-2000-7538]


Test Plan for Determining Potential for Interference From Ultra-
wideband Devices (UWB) to Global Positioning System (GPS) Receivers; 
Response to Comment

AGENCY: Office of the Secretary, Department of Transportation.

ACTION: Response to comment.

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SUMMARY: DOT announced a test program to begin to acquire data on the 
potential for interference to GPS systems from UWB signals, and sought 
comment thereon. Only one comment was received, which warrants 
additional explanation of, but no changes to, the test program.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Sally L. Frodge, Radionavigation and 
Positioning , P-7, (202) 366-4894

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The Department of Transportation (DOT) 
became aware last year of the potential for interference to the Global 
Positioning System (GPS) and other communications, navigation, and 
surveillance systems, including actively used aviation systems, from 
ultra-wideband (UWB) signals. Due to the lack of technical data on 
interference available at that time, DOT decided to

[[Page 64474]]

initiate a limited testing program to begin to explore the interference 
potential of UWB to GPS. Working with the National Telecommunications 
and Information Administration, the Federal Aviation Administration, 
the Interdepartment Radio Advisory Committee, RTCA, Inc., and others, a 
test plan was devised to develop data in a technically sound and 
controlled manner. The Department contracted with Stanford University 
to perform the tests. In addition, because of the potential for wide 
public and industry interest in this matter, the Department distributed 
the test plan broadly and formally solicited comment on the plan 
through a notice in the Federal Register. 65 FR 38874 (June 22, 2000). 
Only one party submitted comments in response to this notice--Time 
Domain Corporation (TDC).
    TDC criticized the test plan and concluded that it would not 
produce valid data about the potential for interference from UWB 
signals. DOT appreciates the TDC comments. Although DOT disagrees with 
TDC's assessment of the efficacy of the test plan, it is clear that 
additional clarification of certain points in the plan description and 
an explanation of the rationale for the plan's basic approach are 
warranted. DOT remains confident that the test plan is methodologically 
sound and will develop data that will help support a determination 
about whether and to what extent UWB emissions will interfere with GPS 
applications.
    DOT's complete response will be sent to TDC, and to other 
interested parties upon request. DOT will provide all data and analyses 
available from the test program to the FCC by October 30, 2000, the 
filing date for test results in FCC ET Docket No. OST-98-153. The test 
program will be incomplete at that time and further results will 
continue to be developed into the first quarter of 2001.

    Dated: October 19, 2000.
Joseph Canny,
Deputy Assistant Secretary for Navigation Systems Policy.
[FR Doc. 00-27645 Filed 10-26-00; 8:45 am]
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