GET YOUR FREQ ON A Seminar on Navigating the Wireless Spectrum Upheaval
Schedule Introduction and Overview Presentation followed by Q&A by: Lectrosonics Zaxcom Shure Hands on/breakout Sessions
Introduction and Overview What is the role of the FCC? Review of Terminology The Golden Age of Radio Mic Usage 700 MHz reallocation Licensed vs. un-licensed wireless use White Space Device The FCC Incentive Auction (600 MHz re-pack) Strategies going forward
Definition & Terms The definition of wireless microphone includes a variety of devices used for content creation & live events: Handheld Body Packs with Lavaliers Intercom systems In-Ear monitoring Systems Interruptible Fold-Back (IFB) Systems = To the FCC, wireless microphones and personal monitors that operate in the VHF or UHF TV bands are the same. They are subject to the same rules and regulations.
The Spectrum
The Role of the FCC Radio Frequency Spectrum is treated as a shared public resource "Every new radio emitter since Marconi's 2nd transmitter has caused interference to other systems!" - Michael Marcus (FCC Engineer responsible for regulations leading to WiFi) FCC established by Congress to regulate, communications by radio, television, wire, satellite and cable. FCC regulates spectrum usage to maximize use of spectrum and avoid interference between users.
Wireless Microphone Spectrum
Frequencies Traditionally Used for Wireless Advantages - Disadvantages Mic s Antenna length ; 30-45 MHz (8-m HF) RF-interference from (electric) appliances 174-216 MHz (VHF) Good wave propagation; TV-transmitters; RF-distortions from digital equipment 470-960 MHz (UHF) Excellent wave propagation Compact antennas & other components 2400-2485 MHz (ISM) Industrial-Scientific-Medical 9 Less favorable wave propagation ; no exclusive frequencies (license free devices); interference from microwave-ovens
Operating in vacant ( white space ) TV channels DTV Signal (strong) DTV Signal Distant DTV Signal Low Power DTV Signal Wireless Mics 50 mw Ch. 20 10 Ch. 21 Ch. 22 Ch. 23 Ch. 24
174 MHz 7 8 216 MHz 9 10 11 12 13 470 MHz 698 MHz 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 VHF TV 902 MHz 928 MHz 900 MHz 44 45 46 47 48 49 50 51 UHF TV 1920 MHz 1930 MHz 1.9 GHz 2400 MHz 2483.5 MHz 2.4 GHz
UHF is the beach front property in the spectrum Provides exceptional wave propagation characteristics Travels through foliage, walls, furniture, etc Operates with compact antennas and filter components Important for small mobile transmitters like mics Less susceptible to noise from electronic devices Long transmission range using moderate power output 12
i n U.S. Television Spectrum pre-2017 Former TV Band Ch. 2 TV Ch. 2-51 - 69 Ch. 52 69 Digital Switchover 2010 Wireless Microphones Repurposed TV & White Space Devices (WSD) Channels operating in locally vacant TV Auctioned for wireless services & channels public safety use 13
FCC Established Unlicensed Class Licensed (FCC Part 74) Priority over any unlicensed operation Operate up to 250 mw in UHF band Can reserve channels in white space database system Unlicensed (FCC Part 15) Limited to 50 mw No recourse if interference is experienced 14
Part 74 License Eligibility. Previously only broadcasters, cable TV operators, film and content providers were eligible to obtain a license. Now sound companies and venues who routinely use 50 mics are too. FCC plans to further expand eligibility Issued Further Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (FNPRM) 15
White Space Devices (WSD) a.k.a. TV White Space (TVWS) or TV Band Devices (TVBD) White Space channels 2 51 are open to unlicensed devices: Rural broadband internet Metropolitan broadband internet Multimedia services Home networking systems Consumer electronics: PDA s and cell phones w/ advanced features Future products 16
Safeguards For Wireless Mics FCC rules governing WSD include safeguards to avoid interference to wireless microphones: Reserved channels: currently 2 channels in each market are reserved for wireless mics but the FCC is eliminating them! In the future, wireless mics will have portions of the duplex gap and guard band that are exclusive for their use. WSD must use Geolocation/Database system to find channels that are not reserved for TV broadcast or by wireless mic operators Currently WSD pull info from database once a day. This means it may take nearly 48 hours to clear channels. Future: database system will push info to WSD upon new mic reservation, clearing channels of WSD in about 20 minutes. 17
Database System Licensed mic operators can reserve white space channels 18
Incentive Auction and Repacking Let s hear about it from John Legere, CEO of T-Mobile As part of the national broadband plan, the Federal Government sought to increase spectrum available for wireless broadband services. The result was a complex series of reverse auctions and auctions encouraging broadcasters to vacate spectrum. They would either go off the air or move. Reverse Auction $10.05 billion Revenues to winning broadcast stations 84 MHz Cleared by the reverse auction process 175 Winning stations $304 million Largest individual station payout $194 million Largest non-commercial station payout Forward Auction $19.8 billion Gross revenues $19.3 billion Revenues net of requested bidding credits $7.3 billion Auction proceeds for federal deficit reduction 70 MHz Largest amount of licensed low-band spectrum ever made available at auction 14 MHz Spectrum available for wireless mics and unlic. use
470 MHz Wireless microphones TV Transmitter 806 MHz CH14 CH69 ~20 years ago: Analog TV only DTV Transmitter UHF TV frequencies Transition: Analog & DTV DTV Transmitter 700 MHz LTE Services UHF TV frequencies 2010 Now: Full Digital Scenario 2010 DTV Transmitter 600 MHz Incentive Auction UHF TV frequencies 21 700 MHz LTE Services Broadband ~ 2020 Future: More Broadband services
Full power TV Distant / low field strength TV signal: co-channel operation possible Exclusive mic channels Shared white space channel Current TV Band White Space Devices (WSD) devices are presently few and far between Ch 14 22 Contact: Ch 37 Joe Ciaudelli, Spectrum Affairs 212-688-6666 Ch 51
Full power TV Distant / low field strength TV signal: co-channel operation possible Exclusive mic channels Shared white space channel Current TV Band White Space Devices (WSD) devices are presently few and far between Ch 14 Ch 37 Ch 51 Repacking Scenario Downlink Uplink (simplified) 7 station off air 4 stations relocated Naturally occurring White Space channel. Higher activity as more WSD enter the market 23 Contact: Joe Ciaudelli, Spectrum Affairs 212-688-6666 Guard band: unlicensed operation of unlicensed WSD & mics Duplex Gap for licensed mic use. High noise floor possible Duplex Gap for unlicensed WSD & mics
FCC Incentive Auction Outcome A large portion of the 600 MHz band, specifically 614-698 MHz, will be repurposed and become unavailable at the end of a 39 month transition period scheduled to end on July 13, 2020. About half the existing UHF equipment will need to be replaced or require considerable modification. Mic owners should plan to start replacing equipment in 2017 and complete their transition well before the final deadline (July 13, 2020). There will be pockets (duplex gap and guard band) in the repurposed spectrum where mics will be allowed to operate but under different rules. Co-channel operation rules are revised. Alternative ranges are now available to licensed mic operators The FCC is making a clearer distinction between licensed and unlicensed mic operations. 24
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NEW UHF TV BAND 470 MHz 600 MHz BAND 614 MHz 616 MHz 653 MHz 663 MHz 698 MHz TV Channels 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 32 33 34 35 36 37 Unlicensed Wireless Mics (50 mw max) White Space Devices Public Safety (13 cities) Wireless microphones should not be used on these channels in these cities, where they are allocated for Public Safety communications: Boston (14, 16) Chicago (14, 15) Cleveland (14, 15) Dallas (16) Detroit (15, 16) Houston (17) Los Angeles (14, 15, 16, 20) Miami (14) New York (14, 15, 16) Philadelphia (19, 20) Pittsburgh (14, 18) San Francisco (16, 17) Washington DC (17, 18) Channel 37 (608-614 MHz) is reserved for use by Radio Astronomy, Wireless Medical Telemetry Systems, and White Space Devices G B Mobile Broadband Duplex Gap Mobile Broadband
Operation In Guard Bands & Duplex Gap Limited to 20 mw EIRP Manual database checks for unlicensed mics will be allowed, which is very good as opposed to being required to be CONTROLLED by a database like a white space device. However, unlicensed mics operating in the guard bands will need to register with a database administrator and may have to pay fees, although the procedure is not detailed. 27
Co-Channel Operation The FCC adopted Sennheiser s proposal to revise rules regarding co-channel operation with TV broadcast, opening channels to wireless mics at locations that were formerly prohibited. 4 km outside of TV service contour, rather than 100 km away from TV antenna, or Licensed operators can use field a strength benchmark where the TV signal < -84 dbm (indoors), rather than geographical separation. 28
Alternative Ranges 169-172 MHz (just below high band VHF TV channels) rules were revised to make it more practical for wireless mics. Licensed operation under FCC Part 90. Additional frequency ranges above the TV Bands are now available to licensed wireless microphone operators: 941.5-960 MHz extends current STL band Now open to all part 74 licensees. 941.5 944 MHz is for fixed venue applications & requires an additional licensing step. 1435-1525 MHz shared with flight training Requires approval from AFTRCC (coordinating agency for this range). Intended for power users configuring large systems (e.g., 100 mics) in a fixed venues. Equipment will use an electronic key which will allow its operation at the approved time and location. 30 MHz limit per operator, otherwise a special temporary authorization (STA) required. 6875-6900 & 7100 7125 MHz : OK for short range applications 29
216 MHz 174 MHz 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 VHF TV 470 MHz 698 MHz 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 32 33 34 35 36 37 38 39 40 41 42 43 44 45 46 47 48 49 50 51 UHF TV
216 MHz 174 MHz 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 VHF TV 470 MHz 614 MHz 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 32 33 34 35 36 37 UHF TV
Strategies going Forward If you are eligible, apply for an FCC license. Allows for operating in more spectrum with higher power. And makes our presence known. Stay informed, eg Spectrum Bridge and FCC (https://www.fcc.gov/about-fcc/fcc-initiatives/incentive-auctions/transition-schedule, https://www.fcc.gov/general/wireless-microphones-0) Consider alternate bands for Comms & IFB (STL and VHF) and technologies for wireless mics (DECT, UWB, 1.4 GHz for fixed installs) where possible Digital wireless makes efficient use of the spectrum and improves upon technology invented by Major Armstrong in the 1930s Recording transmitters Inform producers about upcoming changes Hardwired Boom - Just kidding
Thank you Questions? peters@gothamsound.com (212) 629-9430