TV White Space:
From Possibilities to Precedents
Super WiFi Summit
Miami Beach Convention Center
February 2, 2012
Julius Knapp, Chief
Office of Engineering and Technology
Note: The views expressed in this presentation are those of the author and may not
necessarily represent the views of the Federal Communications Commission
Unlicensed Devices: Part 15
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Part 15 provides for operation of low power radio transmitters
without the need for the user to obtain a license
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Operating conditions:
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Minimizes likelihood of interference by:
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Identifying permissible frequencies
Limiting power to very low levels
Requiring equipment authorization
Permissible frequencies:
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May not cause harmful interference
Must accept any interference received
Unlicensed devices are not “allocated” spectrum (except Unlicensed-PCS)
Generally operate on unused spectrum or on “overlay” basis
Or in ISM “junk bands”: 915 MHz, 2.4 GHz, 5.8 GHz
Restricted from operating in public safety & low signal bands
Industry has developed voluntary protocol standards within the
framework of the rules: Wi-Fi, Bluetooth; Zigbee; etc.
Wide Variety of Applications
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Wi-Fi devices - Home and
business networks; hot-spots
Community, urban & rural broadband
networks by WISPs
Bluetooth headsets & keyboards
Automobile keyless entry
Wireless baby monitors
In-home video distribution
Remote control toys
Toy walkie-talkies
Utility meter readers & smart grid
energy control
Tank level meters
Traffic light controls
Crane controls
Lighting controls & dimmers
Wireless door bells
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Cordless phones
Garage door opener controls
Sensors for automatic doors
Industrial automation controls
RF ID systems
Retail anti-theft systems
Security alarm systems
Wireless speakers
Satellite Radio-to-FM radio
Convergence w licensed devices
Medical camera pills
Medical panic alerts
Meat thermometers
Inventory control
Pool cover controllers
Diaper wetness sensor
And the list goes on . . .
TV White Spaces
• TV channels are “allotted” to cities to serve the local area
• Other licensed and unlicensed services are also in TV bands
• “White Spaces” are the channels that are “unused” at any
given location by licensed devices
2
Low
Power TV
New York City
Full Power
TV Stations
5
White
Space
7
9
Wireless
Microphones
Etc.
Only for illustrative purposes
White
Space
Philadelphia
Full Power
TV Stations
NonBroadcast
spectrum
4
3
Low
Power TV
NonBroadcast
spectrum
White
Space
6
White
Space
8
10
Wireless
Microphones
Etc.
TVWS Spectrum Availability
Available spectrum varies by location
In rural areas many channels are available
In big cities only a few channels may be available
Examples of availability in UHF channels 21 – 51 (Illustrative):
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2
1
2
2
New York
2
3
2
4
2
5
2
6
2 2
7 8
2
9
3
0
3
1
3 3
2 3
3
4
3
5
3
6
3
7
3
8
3
9
4
0
4
1
4
2
4
3
4
4
4
5
4
6
4
7
4
8
4
9
5
0
5
1
4
0
4
1
4
2
4
3
4
4
4
5
4
6
4
7
4
8
4
9
5
0
5
1
Washington, DC
2
1
2
2
2
3
2
4
2
5
2
6
2
7
Full Service DTV
Station
2
8
2
9
3
0
3
1
3
2
3
3
3
4
Low Power TV
Station
3
5
3
6
3
7
3
8
3
9
Channel Open/
Adjacent to TV
Channel Open/ Not
Adjacent to TV
In less dense areas many channels are available.
For example: Wilmington, NC: 25 channels = 150 MHz
Harrisburg, PA: 19 channels = 114 MHz
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TV White Spaces
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Final rules adopted Sept. 2010:
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Provides first new spectrum for unlicensed below 5 GHz in many years
Introduces new spectrum access model based on geolocation & data base of protected services
Also allows for spectrum sensing w/ rigorous review & authorization process
Services protected in the data base:
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TV digital and analog Class A, low power, translator
& booster stations
Broadcast auxiliary (wireless mikes)
Cable head-ends and TV translators
Land mobile
Sites with significant wireless microphone use
Data Base
Mode 1: Portable device obtains
location/channels from fixed device
Mode 2: Portable device uses its
own geolocation/data base access capability
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What We’ve Done
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Jan. 26, 2011, the Commission’s Office of Engineering and Technology issued an
Order in ET Docket 04-186, DA 11-131 that conditionally designated TVWS Data
Base Administrators: Comsearch, Frequency Finder Inc., Google Inc., KB
Enterprises LLC and LS Telcom, Key Bridge Global LLC, Neustar Inc., Spectrum
Bridge Inc., Telcordia Technologies, and WSdb; later added Microsoft
March – May 2011 held 3 public workshops plus additional meetings & dialogue
Extensive info at: http://transition.fcc.gov/oet/whitespace/
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Sept. 14, 2011 – Announced 1st TVWS data base test - Spectrum Bridge
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Dec. 2, 2011 - Announced 2nd TVWS data base test - Telcordia
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Dec. 22, 2011: Approved first data base administrator - Spectrum Bridge
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Dec. 22, 2011: Approved first TVWS device – Koos Technical Services, Inc. (KTS)
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Jan. 26, 2012: First commercial deployment - Wilmington, NC
What We Are Doing
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Accepting & processing applications
for equipment certification
Continuing process to approve
data base administrators
Delivery of wireless microphone
registration process
Waivers to register certain TV
receive sites in data base
Will soon address petitions for
reconsideration of rules
Benefits of TV White Space
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Prime spectrum
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New IEEE 802.22™ standard:
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Great propagation & coverage
High amounts in much of the USA
Close to spectrum used by commercial wireless services - - potential synergy
IEEE SA Emerging Technology of the Year Award
Broadband wireless access over a large area up to 100 km
Up to 29 Mbps per TV channel
Can increase data rate through use of multiple channels
Wi-Fi & TV White Space is not an either-or proposition:
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Each may suit particular needs
Wi-Fi has greater bandwidth but usage density is increasing
When combined consumers & users could see significant benefits
Potential Applications
Provides a new opportunity for innovation and delivery of service,
with potential for both research and commercial applications
Spectrum is open to everyone & and is available now
Broadband (generally)  M2M
 Smart Grid
 Rural broadband
 Health Care
 Video – Monitoring,
surveillance, distribution  Education
 State & Local
 Data traffic off-load
Governments
Potential uses limited only by the imagination
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TV Broadcast Incentive Auctions
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Incentive auctions would share auction proceeds with the current
occupant to motivate voluntary relocation of incumbents
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Otherwise, no incentive for current occupant to give back spectrum
Modification of FCC auction authority needed
Broadcaster participation in incentive auction
would be voluntary
In an incentive auction, in exchange for a share of auction proceeds a
broadcaster could:
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Contribute one or more 6 MHz channels
Choose to move from U to V
Share spectrum with another broadcaster
Or choose not to participate!
The FCC Would Need to Realign the
Spectrum After the Auction
Adjacent Channel
Interference
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FCC would realign the spectrum into
blocks to maximize efficiency and value
Without realignment, interference
between television and wireless
operations would increase
The FCC would work with industry to
minimize any interference or coverage
impacts of realignment, as we did for the
DTV transition
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Stations keep current channel numbers
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Moves to a lower band would be voluntary
based on broadcaster reserve price
TV
BB
TV
BB
TV
TV
Without Realignment:
Reduced Broadband Bandwidth
Adjacent Channel
Interference
TV
TV
TV
TV
BB
With Realignment: Accommodates
Increased Broadband Bandwidth
Impact on TV White Space
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Strong support in Congress for TV bands incentive auction
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Demand for more spectrum for wireless broadband
Could generate $25 billion in revenues, plus 10x in economic benefits
Some of revenue generated could be used to support build out of
public safety broadband network
Impact on TVWS will depend on legislation:
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House: Jumpstarting Opportunity with Broadband Spectrum - JOBS Act
Senate: S-911 – Public Safety Spectrum Wireless Innovation Act
Discussions under way in context of payroll tax negotiations
FCC has advocated support to provide for both licensed and unlicensed
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FCC would conduct rule making if legislation is passed
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There will be white space; question is how much and where
FCC Notice of Inquiry on
Dynamic Spectrum Access (ET Docket 10-237)
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Notice of Inquiry (NOI) considers how dynamic access radios and
techniques can provide a more intensive and efficient use of spectrum
Seeks comment on the current state of the art and how FCC can
promote these technologies - - test-beds or modifying its spectrum
management practices and policies
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Covers both licensed services and unlicensed devices
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What spectrum bands would be most suitable?
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Asks whether TV White Space model might be used for other bands
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Asks whether and how to incorporate spectrum sensing for other bands
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Asks whether FCC provisions for secondary market arrangements could
be enhanced to increase use by dynamic access radios
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Asks how to improve FCC “Spectrum Dashboard” for DSA
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Conclusion
Questions?