Date:
Meeting:
19th May 2003
PPWG
Document Reference:
Working Paper No:
116104255
Radiocommunications
Agency
Fixed Terrestrial & Satellite
Links Unit
Wyndham House
189 Marsh Wall
London E14 9SX
Helpdesk Tel: 020 7211 0300
http://www.radio.gov.uk
Minutes of the Point-to-Point Working Group
Meeting held on 19th May 2003
1
Approval of the agenda
The agenda was approved.
2
Attendees / Apologies
Please see separate document: alPPWG 0203 001 0.
3
Approval of the minutes of the last meeting
The minutes were agreed. See document 0103 001 0
4
Outstanding actions
2002-12. Ongoing: The proposal is to have two sets of W/U ratios to test the two interference
conditions will be simulated with the software being developed for the interference-limited study.
2002-19. Complete: Refer to section 10.1 of the minutes.
2003-1. Ongoing: RA issued a statement regarding the re-deployment of STM-1 in 40 MHz systems
for a limited period. One operator opposed the proposal and RA are now looking to resolve the matter
through the FLCC.
2003-2. Ongoing: The combined FAC approach was agreed at the last meeting. A presentation of the
draft document will be made once the resources can be found to progress the work further.
2003-3. Complete: It was accepted that the increase in cost to the operator associated with an
increase in interference margin could outweigh the advantage given by increased spectral efficiency.
2003-4. Complete: Refer section 6.2.
2003-5. Referred to FLCC: RA shall clarify the definition of light licensing in contrast with the
approach for 5.8 GHz at the next meeting of the FLCC. (The comparison cannot be made until the
definition for 5.8 GHz has been agreed.)
2003-6. Complete: Refer to section 6.1.
2003-7. Complete: Refer to section 6.1.
2003-8. Complete: RA and other interested parties shall be progressing the draft technical standard
for 64-66 GHz HDFS in time for the ETSI TM4 Plenary in June.
1
5
Interference-Limited Study
prPPWG 0203 026 1 was presented.
The method detailed in the paper was identical to that used in the previous study. The difference was
that this study processed a greater number of links (totalling 6778). The results confirmed those of the
earlier study: when an interference-limited, rather than noise-limited, assignment methodology is used
a pre-defined number of links can be assigned in comparatively fewer channels. However, for each
1 dB increase in the Interference Margin, there is a corresponding 1 dB increase in RSL and,
therefore, in EIRP at the distant end of the link. Members were of the opinion that any increase in
assigned EIRP levels would be undesirable. Therefore, it was agreed that the PPWG would not
recommend changing the FiLSM assignment methodology for 18, 32, 52 and 55 GHz on this basis,
but would investigate the possibility of reducing W/U values through the calculation of 'best practice'
RSL and co-channel W/U values, for example. This would be discussed at future meetings.
6
6.1
18 GHz Assignment Proposals
RA Proposal
RA presented paper prPPWG 0203 014 1 to the meeting setting out proposals for assignment
methodology in the 18 GHz band. Specifically, the paper proposed:

segmentation of the band with respect to 3.5 MHz and 7 MHz assignments and all other
assignments, with the current band manager continuing to self assign within a specified portion of
the 3.5/7 MHz sub-band

separation of higher and lower order modulation schemes throughout the remainder of the band
through use of different starting points for FiLSM

co-ordination with FSS within a specified sub-band
In addition, it was noted that future assignment methodology in the band would be noise limited.
The proposals were endorsed by the meeting and it was agreed that a recommendation, setting out
these proposals, would be forwarded to the FLCC as a formal PPWG recommendation.
New Action 2003-9: PPWG to formalise a recommendation to the FLCC on proposed 18GHz band
partitioning with soft boundary assignment methodology.
6.2
BT Assignment method at 18 GHz
BT presented paper pr PPWG 0203 25 1 setting out the frequency assignment methodology currently
used at 18 GHz.
It was noted that, if RA's proposal for future management of the 18 GHz band is implemented, a
proper system of co-ordination would be required between BT and RA with respect to assignments
made in the segment of the band that would be dedicated to 3.5 MHz and 7 MHz systems. It is
proposed that (both) RA and BT will make assignments within this segment of the band.
7
ETSI TM4 Plenary Report
RA presented paper prPPWG 0203 015 1 to the meeting, reporting on the discussions that took place
at the ETSI TM4 WP1 meeting held on 25-27 February 2003, in London.
The paper details discussions, including updates, on:

Interface Regulations

RTR 101 854 (RTR/TM-4148)

systems operating between 59 GHz and 100 GHz (DTR/TM-4157)

multipart Standard (DEN/TM-4131)
The report was accepted by the meeting.
2
8
8.1
RIR 2000
Changes to Format
It was noted that an output from SE19 (prPPWG 0203 18 1) includes a modified list of parameters
suitable for inclusion in Interface Regulations. This paper will be discussed at the next meeting of ETSI
TM4 in June.
8.2
New item for 18 GHz
prPPWG 0203 021 1 was presented.
It was agreed that the 18 GHz Interface Requirement would be shown in two sections. The first
showing the medium and high capacity systems, compliant with the CEPT Rec 12-03 band plan. The
second for low capacity systems (i.e. 8 Mbit/s in 7 MHz), compliant with Recommends 6 of ITU-R Rec
F.595 Annex 5a.
It was noted that the maximum EIRP was shown incorrectly as 30 dBm. It was suggested that 30 dBW
would also be incorrect.
New Action 2003-10: RA to establish the maximum EIRP for the 18 GHz band.
8.3
New item for 65 GHz
prPPWG 0203 022 1 was presented.
It was agreed that the 65 GHz Interface Requirement would include references to: a block-edge
arrangement; no limitation to the types of systems, so long as they remain within the block edge limits;
no minimum path length requirement.
8.4
Proposal to include 32  E1
NEC presented paper prPPWG 0203 013 1 which stated that the new multi-part standard allowed
existing PDH and SDH specifications to be used for systems with more flexible traffic interfaces and
capacities, e.g. 32 x E1 in 28 MHz class 4 operating in all bands below 50 GHz. PPWG accepted the
proposal to include 32 x E1 systems in bands <= 15 GHz according with the new multi-part standard
DEN/TM 04131-1.
New Action 2003-11: RA to prepare version 5 of RIR2000 for the next meeting including items 8.1 to
8.3. Also appropriate FACs need updating.
9
65 GHz Specification
prPPWG 0203 017 1 (SE19 and TM4 implications with technical report), prPPWG 0203 019 1 (Need
of a specification – the way forward (TR, TS, VNS etc….)) and prPPWG 0203 024 1 (Technical
Specifications) were presented.
prPPWG 0203 017 1 was a CEPT Liaison Statement (LS) that suggested further amendments to the
scope of the ETSI 59 – 100 GHz Technical Report (TR). As it was likely to cause more delays
(previous CEPT LS had already resulted in delays to the writing of the TR) it was decided that at the
next ETSI TM4 meeting RA would propose a new Work Item to write a Technical Specification (TS).
(The work Item proposal form is shown in prPPWG 0203 024 1.) The TS would concentrate on
systems for the 64- 66 GHz band only. A draft version was shown in prPPWG 0203 019 1.
It was thought that some non-UK TM4 members might try to delay the writing of the TS also. It was
therefore suggested that, as the writing of the TR had already been agreed, the relevant part(s) of the
draft TS should be included in an annex as a backup method to ensure that the Essential
Requirements would be discussed.
Members were informed that it was RA’s intention to hold a meeting to discuss the final details of the
draft TS. That meeting was scheduled for 2pm on 3rd June; the afternoon of the FLCC meeting. It was
suggested that another meeting could be held before then, if times and numbers for attendance
permit.
It was agreed that the final draft would be circulated to PPWG members prior to presentation at TM4.
New Action 2003-12: RA to circulate the ETSI TR submission before the Plenary for last comments.
3
New Action 2003-13: RA to establish via the TM4 and WP1 Chairmen whether the TR can simply be
converted to a TS or whether a new work item needed to be raised to initiate a new TS. RA would take
a pragmatic view on whether to continue with the TR during the TM4 Plenary when all the inputs via
SE19 had been collated.
It was noted that SE19 had sent further correspondence to ETSI TM4 (prPPWG 0203 017 1) advising
that Work Item DTR/TM-4157 (59 GHz -100 GHz) be divided into two areas of work: the first part to
cover frequencies below 70 GHz (down to 50 GHz) and the second part to cover frequencies above
70 GHz. The reason for this proposed division of work being the different propagation conditions
experienced by these two frequency bands.
RA staff explained that the work would now focus entirely on producing and achieving standardisation
of an equipment specification for the band 64 GHz to 66 GHz.
New Action 2003-14: RA to establish via the TM4 and WP1 Chairmen whether the TR can simply
beconverted to a TS or whether a new work item needed to be raised to initiate a new TS. RA would
take a pragmatic view on whether to continue with the TR during the TM4 Plenary when all the inputs
via SE19 had been collated.
10 FAC issues
10.1 Use of EN 300 234 STM-1 sub-classes
prPPWG 0203 020 1 was presented.
RA agreed with the proposal in prPPWG 0402 064 0 to allow equipment vendors the opportunity to
declare EN 300 234 Class 5 Grade A defined equipment with compliance to the Class 5 Grade B
adjacent channel performance figure. RA intends to incorporate this option into the FiLSM assignment
system.
New Action 2003-15: RA to update the 7.5, 13 and 15 GHz FACs to include the option to declare
equipment compliance to Class 5 Grade B adjacent channel performance.
RA informed the members that it was intending to continue to only use EN 300 234 figures 2, 3 and 4
(and the ETSI Multipart Standard equivalents, i.e. to –105 dBc) STM-1 masks for the foreseeable
future. ATPC at 18 GHz
RA presented paper prPPWG 0203 16 1 to the meeting proposing that research be done into the use
of ATPC at 18 GHz since this may be a suitable mitigation technique for use by the FS in order to
facilitate sharing with FSS.
It was agreed that RA should proceed with this research and that this work might be done on the
recently developed simulation tool. It was noted that an accurate ATPC algorithm would be required
for this work.
10.2 Extension of EN 300 833 Frequency Range
prPPWG 0203 023 1 was presented. The paper outlines a proposed new ETSI work item to extend
ETSI standard EN 300 833 to cover antenna specifications for use in the 64 – 66 GHz HDFS band.
RA shall attempt to raise the work item at the ETSI Plenary meeting in June.
New Action 2003-16: RA to propose a new ETSI work item to extend ETSI standard EN 300 833 (or
the new multipart standard) to cover antenna specifications for use in the 64 – 66 GHz HDFS band.
10.3 FiLSM Changes
prPPWG 0203 27 1 summarises the functionality changes in version 3.4 release of FiLSM which went
live on 22nd April 2003. The release implements:

ITU-R 530-9 and ITU-R 452-11, removing discontinuities in previous versions.

The PPWG agreed sleet model. All assignments will use the sleet model by default although, if
requested, the extra sleet margin can be ignored providing the customer is willing to trade off
protection from sleet for a frequency assignment.

The PPWG agreed UK Rain Map.

A new 50 m resolution terrain database for the British Isles.
4

An increased assignment range to 57 GHz

Fades calculated on the actual Go and Return frequencies, as opposed to the highest frequency
in the band. This means that Go and Return assigned EIRPs will differ slightly for all frequency
bands.
Members questioned the last change specified above. It was believed that the original request was
that fades should be calculated on Go and Return frequencies only for bands above 40 GHz.
New Action 2003-17: RA to investigate the FiLSM change for fade calculation on Go and Return spot
frequencies.
11 Feedback from ITU-R SG9
RA gave a brief oral report on some feedback recently received regarding the 30 MHz channel
arrangement at Upper 6 GHz. It was noted that ITU-R SG9+WP agreed the UK proposal for the
modifications to F.384 (U6GHz channel plan. The channel plan was agreed at SG9 for adoption by
correspondence (i.e. the document is going through the formal approval process). It is unlikely for the
formal revision of the recommendation to be completed until the end of the year.
12 Review of documentation work programme
See paper PPWG 0203 28 1.
For purposes of ease-of-maintenance it was agreed that all further documentation would be published
electronically on the website only.
FACs for 11, 31 and 32 GHz were now agreed and would be published on the website in due course.
13 Any other business
There was no other business.
14 Date of next meeting
Thursday 28th August 2003 at Wyndham House.
5