[Federal Register Volume 86, Number 201 (Thursday, October 21, 2021)]
[Notices]
[Pages 58267-58269]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2021-22765]


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FEDERAL COMMUNICATIONS COMMISSION

[ET Docket No. 21-352; FCC 21-100; FR ID 53409]


FCC Requests 6 GHz Automated Frequency Coordination Proposals

AGENCY: Federal Communications Commission.

ACTION: Notice.

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SUMMARY: In this document, the Commission begins the process of 
authorizing standard power unlicensed operations in the 6 GHz band by 
inviting proposals from parties interested in operating an automated 
frequency coordination (AFC) system in accordance with the 6 GHz Report 
and Order. This Public Notice summarizes the requirements for AFC 
systems as set forth in that order, describes the information that must 
be provided with proposals to operate an AFC system, and describes the 
procedures for designating AFC system operators.

DATES: Initial AFC system proposals are due on November 30, 2021, and 
comments regarding the proposals are due on December 21, 2021.

ADDRESSES: Federal Communications Commission, 45 L Street NE, 
Washington, DC 20554.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Nicholas Oros, Office of Engineering 
and Technology, 202-418-0636, [email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: This is a summary of the Commission's 
document, Public Notice, FCC 21-100, ET Docket No. 21-352, released 
September 28, 2021. The full text of this document is available for 
public inspection and can be downloaded at: https://www.fcc.gov/document/fcc-requests-6-ghz-automated-frequency-coordination-proposals 
or by using the search function for ET Docket No. 21-352 on the 
Commission's ECFS web page at www.fcc.gov/ecfs. People with 
Disabilities. To request materials in accessible formats for people 
with disabilities (Braille, large print, electronic files, audio 
format), send an email to [email protected] or call the Consumer and 
Governmental Affairs Bureau at (202) 418-0530 (voice), (202) 418-0432 
(TTY).

Synopsis

    1. The 6 GHz Report and Order (FCC 20-51; 35 FCC Rcd 3852 (2020); 
85 FR 31390 (May, 26 2020)) authorized two different types of 
unlicensed operations--standard-power and indoor low-power operations. 
Standard-power operations, which encompass standard-power access points 
and fixed client devices (collectively referred to as standard-power 
devices in this Public Notice), are permitted in the 5.925-6.425 GHz 
and 6.525-6.875 GHz portions of the 6 GHz band and must operate under 
the control of an automated frequency coordination (AFC) system to 
prevent harmful interference to fixed microwave links that operate in 
the band. The standard-power devices are required to have a geo-
location capability and, at least once per day, must communicate their 
location to an AFC system, which will provide them with the frequencies 
and maximum power levels at which they may operate without causing 
harmful interference to any microwave links. The AFC system will also 
prevent operation of standard-power devices in the 6.6500-6.6752 GHz 
band near a limited number of radio astronomy observatories.

                                 Expanded Unlicensed Use of the 6 Gigahertz Band
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                    Maximum EIRP power spectral
          Device class              Operating bands           Maximum EIRP                    density
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Standard-Power Access Point (AFC  U-NII-5 (5.925-     36 dBm.....................  23 dBm/MHz.
 Controlled).                      6.425 GHz).        36 dBm.....................  23 dBm/MHz.
Fixed Client (AFC Controlled)...  U-NII-7 (6.525-
                                   6.875 GHz).
Client Connected to Standard-                         30 dBm.....................  17 dBm/MHz.
 Power Access Point.
Low-Power Access Point (indoor    U-NII-5 (5.925-     30 dBm.....................  5 dBm/MHz.
 only).                            6.425 GHz).        24 dBm.....................  -1 dBm/MHz.
Client Connected to Low-Power     U-NII-6 (6.425-
 Access Point.                     6.525 GHz).
                                  U-NII-7 (6.525-
                                   6.875 GHz).
                                  U-NII-8 (6.875-
                                   7.125 GHz).
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

    2. The 6 GHz Report and Order specifies how the AFC systems will 
determine which frequencies are available for use by standard-power 
devices. Once per day each AFC system is required to access the 
Commission's Universal Licensing System (ULS) to obtain the most up-to-
date information on licensed microwave links including their 
transmitter and receiver locations, frequencies, bandwidths, 
polarizations, transmitter EIRP, antenna height, and the make and model 
of the antenna and equipment used. The AFC systems will use this 
information, along with the propagation models specified in the 6 GHz 
Report and Order, to determine on which frequencies and at what power 
levels standard-power devices may operate. In making this 
determination, the AFC systems will ensure that the

[[Page 58268]]

predicted interference-to-noise (I/N) ratio at any microwave receiver 
does not exceed -6 dB. The AFC systems must be capable of determining 
frequency availability for the standard-power device at the maximum 
permitted EIRP of 36 dBm and also at power levels as low as 21 dBm.
    3. Section 15.407(l)(1) of the Commission's rules specifies the 
propagation model the AFC system must use for determining frequency 
availability and power levels, which depends on the distance between 
the standard-power device and the licensed microwave station. For 
separation distances of 30 meters or less, the AFC system will use a 
free space pathloss model. When the separation distance is greater than 
30 meters, but less than 1 kilometer, the AFC system will use the 
WINNER II model. The WINNER II model is one of the most widely used and 
well[hyphen]known channel models in the world and was developed from 
measurements conducted by the WINNER organization, as well as results 
from academic literature. When using the WINNER II model, the AFC 
system should use site-specific information, including building and 
terrain data, for determining the line-of-sight/non-line-of-sight path 
component where this information is available. For evaluating paths 
where this data is not available, the rules specify probabilistic 
combining of the line-of-sight and non-line-of-sight path into a single 
path-loss. For distances greater than 1 kilometer, the AFC system will 
use the Irregular Terrain Model (ITM) combined with a clutter model for 
the local environment. The ITM has been widely available and accepted 
since the early 1980s, has been used by the Commission for interference 
prediction in other proceedings, and is the propagation model currently 
used to determine spectrum availability by the spectrum access systems 
(SAS) that are managing spectrum access for the 3550-3700 MHz band in 
the Citizens Broadband Radio Service. When using the ITM, the rules 
specify that AFC systems are to use 1 arc-second digital elevation 
terrain data and, for locations where such data is not available, use 
the most granular digital elevation terrain data available. To account 
for the effects of clutter, such as from buildings and foliage, the AFC 
system should combine use of the ITM with statistical clutter model 
ITU-R P.2108 for urban and suburban environments and the ITU-R P.452-16 
clutter model for rural environments.
    4. In accordance with the 6 GHz Report and Order, the Office of 
Engineering and Technology (OET) can designate one or more AFC system 
operators. AFC system operators will be required to serve for a five-
year term which can be renewed by the Commission based on the 
operator's performance during the term. If an AFC system operator 
discontinues service or its term is not renewed, it must transfer its 
database along with the information necessary to access the database to 
another designated AFC system operator. AFC system operators are 
permitted to charge a fee for providing service to standard-power 
access devices.

I. AFC Proposals and Approval Process

    5. As specified in the 6 GHz Report and Order, OET will follow a 
multistep process to approve AFC systems in which each prospective AFC 
system operator must demonstrate its ability to perform the required 
functions pursuant to the Commission's 6 GHz unlicensed rules. The 
Commission requests that parties interested in becoming an AFC system 
operator as part of the initial evaluation process submit their 
proposals no later than November 30, 2021. The public will then have an 
opportunity to review and comment on these proposals, including on each 
prospective operator's fitness to operate an AFC system as well as the 
technical and operational description of each proposed AFC system. 
Comments on these proposals must be submitted by December 21, 2021. OET 
will review all proposals submitted by November 30, 2021 concurrently 
and with equal priority. Proposals submitted after this date will be 
considered by OET, but they may not be considered concurrently with 
proposals submitted by November 30, 2021. For any proposal received 
after November 30, 2021, OET will issue a public notice announcing 
receipt of the proposal and establishing a period for the public to 
review and comment on the proposal. Proposals will not be considered 
mutually exclusive and OET will conditionally approve as many proposals 
as are found to satisfy all AFC system requirements.
    6. Applicants who receive a conditional approval will then be 
required to allow access to their AFC system for a public trial period 
to provide interested parties an opportunity to check that it provides 
accurate results. This trial period will include thorough testing, both 
in a controlled environment (e.g., lab testing) and through 
demonstration projects (e.g., field testing). OET may also require 
prospective AFC system operators to attend workshops and meetings as 
part of the assessment process. Prospective AFC system operators must 
comply with all instructions from OET and must provide any requested 
information in a timely manner.
    7. The AFC system proposals must describe how the prospective AFC 
system operator will comply with the requirements and core functions 
described in Sec.  15.407(k) of the Commission's rules and the 6 GHz 
Report and Order. To demonstrate compliance, the Commission expects the 
proposal to include, for example:
    1. AFC system operator contact information, including name, phone 
number and email address that Commission staff may use for all AFC 
system related inquiries, such as information and data requests or to 
provide enforcement instructions.
    2. A technical diagram showing the architecture of the AFC system 
with a brief description of its operation.
    3. A description of whether the AFC system software is based on a 
propriety implementation or open source.
    4. A demonstration that the prospective AFC system operator 
possesses sufficient technical expertise to operate an AFC system.
    5. A description of the prospective AFC system operator's 
recordkeeping policies, including registration record retention as well 
as retention of historical frequency availability data.
    6. A description of how the prospective AFC system operator will 
handle unanticipated situations that may disrupt performance of the 
system's required functions--ranging from exceptional cases that affect 
the system's ability to perform its required functions in isolated 
instances to cases involving the type of widespread disruption that an 
event like a system failure might cause.
    7. A description of the methods (e.g., interfaces, protocols) that 
will be used for secure communication between the AFC system and its 
associated standard-power devices and to ensure that unauthorized 
parties cannot access or alter the database or the list of available 
frequencies and power levels sent to the standard-power devices.
    8. If the prospective AFC system operator will not be performing 
all AFC functions, information on (1) the entities that will be 
responsible for operating other functions of the AFC system; and (2) 
how the Commission can ensure that all of the requirements for AFC 
systems in the rules are satisfied when AFC functions are divided among 
multiple entities.
    9. A description of how the prospective AFC system operator will 
provide access to their AFC system for a public trial period which will 
include thorough testing.

[[Page 58269]]

    10. An affirmation that the prospective AFC system operator, and 
any entities responsible for operating other functions of the AFC 
system under the control of the AFC system operator, will comply with 
all of the applicable rules as well as applicable enforcement 
mechanisms and procedures.
    8. Prospective AFC system operators must file proposals, and any 
supplements thereto, with the Commission using the Commission's 
Electronic Comment Filing System (ECFS). See Electronic Filing of 
Documents in Rulemaking Proceedings, 63 FR 24121 (1998). To be 
considered concurrently with the other initial proposals, proposals 
must be filed on or before the date indicated on the first page of this 
Public Notice. Prospective AFC system operators may request 
confidential treatment of information contained in their proposals 
consistent with Sec.  0.459 of the Commission's rules. Comments 
regarding the AFC system proposals should also be filed using ECFS by 
the dates indicated on the first page of this Public Notice. All such 
filings should refer to ET Docket 21-352.
    9. Congressional Review Act. The Commission has determined and 
Administrator of the Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs, 
Office of Management and Budget, concurs, that this rule is ``non-
major'' under the Congressional Review Act, 5. U.S.C. 804(2). The 
Commission will send a copy of this Public Notice to Congress and the 
Government Accountability Office pursuant to 5 U.S.C. 801(a)(1)(A).

Federal Communications Commission.
Marlene Dortch,
Secretary.
[FR Doc. 2021-22765 Filed 10-20-21; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6712-01-P