[Federal Register Volume 73, Number 241 (Monday, December 15, 2008)]
[Notices]
[Pages 76002-76003]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E8-29631]


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

DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Telecommunications and Information Administration

Docket No. 0811251523-81524-01


Spectrum Sharing Innovation Test-Bed Pilot Program

AGENCY: National Telecommunications and Information Administration, 
U.S. Department of Commerce

ACTION: Notice, Request for Comments

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

SUMMARY: This notice describes and seeks comment on the types and depth 
of testing that the National Telecommunications and Information 
Administration (NTIA) intends to conduct in Phase I of the Spectrum 
Sharing Innovation Test-Bed pilot program to assess whether devices 
employing Dynamic Spectrum Access techniques can share the frequency 
spectrum with land mobile radio systems.

DATES: Comments are due on or before December 30, 2008.

ADDRESSES: Comments should be sent to the attention of Ed Drocella, 
Office of Spectrum Management, 1401 Constitution Avenue, N.W., Room 
6725, Washington DC, 20230; by facsimile transmission to (202) 482-
4595; or by electronic mail to [email protected].

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Ed Drocella at 202-482-2608 or 
[email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

I. Background

    One of the recommendations in the Department of Commerce reports 
for the Presidential Spectrum Policy Initiative directed NTIA, in 
coordination with the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) and other 
Federal agencies, to establish a Spectrum Sharing Innovation Test-Bed 
(Test-Bed) pilot program to examine the feasibility of increased 
sharing between Federal and non-Federal users. This pilot program is 
one of the key elements of the President's 21st Century Spectrum Policy 
Initiative and is an opportunity for Federal agencies to work 
cooperatively with industry, researchers, and academia to objectively 
evaluate new technologies that can improve management of the nation's 
airwaves.
    On February 5, 2008, NTIA published a Notice in the Federal 
Register describing the Test-Bed pilot program.\1\ Concurrently, the 
FCC released a Public

[[Page 76003]]

Notice (PN) designating 10 MHz of non-Federal spectrum to be used in 
the Test-Bed pilot program and providing guidance for participants.\2\ 
As described in the Notice and the PN, the Test-Bed pilot program will 
evaluate the ability of Dynamic Spectrum Access (DSA) devices employing 
spectrum sensing and/or geo-location techniques to share spectrum with 
land mobile radio (LMR) systems operating in the 410-420 MHz Federal 
band and in the 470-512 MHz non-Federal band.\3\ To address potential 
interference to incumbent spectrum users, the Test-Bed will include 
both laboratory and field measurements performed in three phases:
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \1\ Spectrum Sharing Test-Bed, 73 Fed. Reg. 6,710 (NTIA February 
5, 2008) (notice of solicitation of participation).
    \2\ See Federal Communications Commission Designates Spectrum 
and Provides Guidance For Participation in a Spectrum Sharing 
Innovation Test-Bed, Public Notice, ET Docket No. 06-89, 23 FCC Rcd. 
1654 (Feb. 5, 2008).
    \3\ Dynamic Spectrum Access technology allows a radio device to 
(i) evaluate its radio frequency environment using spectrum sensing, 
geo-location, or a combination of spectrum sensing and geo-location 
techniques, (ii) determine which frequencies are available for use 
on a non-interference basis, and (iii) reconfigure itself to operate 
on the identified frequencies.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

     Phase I Equipment Characterization. Equipment employing DSA 
techniques will be sent to the NTIA Institute for Telecommunication 
Sciences in Boulder, Colorado to undergo characterization measurements 
of the DSA capabilities in response to simulated environmental signals.
     Phase II Evaluation of Capabilities. After successful completion 
of Phase I, the DSA spectrum sensing and/or geo-location capabilities 
of the equipment will be evaluated in the geographic area of the Test-
Bed.
     Phase III Field Operation Evaluation. After successful completion 
of Phase II, the DSA equipment will be permitted to transmit in an 
actual radio frequency signal environment. An automatic signal logging 
capability will be used during operation of the Test-Bed to help 
resolve interference events if they occur. A point-of-contact will also 
be established to stop Test-Bed operations if interference is reported.
     Eleven parties submitted solicitations of interest to participate 
in the Test-Bed pilot program. As a result of selection criteria 
specified in the February 2008 Federal Register Notice, the following 
parties were selected to participate in the Test-Bed pilot program: 
Adapt4 LLC, Adaptrum Inc., BAE Systems, Motorola Inc., Shared Spectrum 
Company, and Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University.\4\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \4\ Additional information on the Test-Bed pilot program is 
available at the following website: http://www.ntia.doc.gov/ntiahome/frnotices/2006/ spectrumshare/comments.htm.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

II. Request for Comments

     As discussed in the February 2008 Federal Register Notice, a peer 
review process will be employed to give the public an opportunity to 
participate in the development of test plans for the Test-Bed pilot 
program.\5\ A copy of the draft Phase I test plan is available in HTML, 
Word, and PDF formats on the following website:
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \5\ There are certain limitations on the peer review process to 
take into account the proprietary rights of the developers 
participating in the Test-Bed. As part of the Test-Bed, NTIA may 
enter into Cooperative Research and Development Agreements or Joint 
Project Agreements with the equipment developers.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

     http://www.ntia.doc.gov/ntiahome/ frnotices/2006/spectrumshare/ 
comments.htm.
    On or before December 30, 2008, interested parties wishing to 
comment on the draft Phase I test plan should submit to the address set 
forth above, their name, address, phone number, e-mail address and 
their comments. NTIA will publish the final version of the Phase I test 
plan on its website.

    Dated: December 10, 2008.
Kathy D. Smith,
Chief Counsel, National Telecommunications and Information 
Administration.
[FR Doc. E8-29631 Filed 12-12-08; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-60-S