FCC Again Rejects Petitions from C-band Users to Restrict UWB Device Emissions

By Doug Lung
published


The FCC, in a Third Memorandum Opinion and Order and Memorandum Opinion and Order (FCC 10-151), rejected petitions filed by the Satellite Industry Association and Cingular Wireless LLC (now AT&T) arguing that the waiver granted by the docket ET 04-352 Order would significantly increase the potential for interference to C-band fixed, satellite and cellular operation. Throughout the UWB proceedings, users of the 3.7-4.2 GHz C-band spectrum have expressed concerns about interference to their operations.

The FCC left its current rules, including the waiver to allow MB-COFDM UWB system emissions to be measured in its normal operating mode, intact. It rejected worst-case studies showing the potential for interference.

So far, I haven't any seen any advertisements or announcements for consumer UWB devices operating in the 3.7-4.2 GHz band. In the introduction for the Third Memorandum Opinion and Order, the FCC states, "This action terminates the above-captioned proceedings and thus provides certainty for the continued development of UWB equipment, including ground penetrating radars for underground imaging, through wall imaging systems, short-range high capacity data links and other applications." As these devices become more common, I hope the FCC's analysis of the interference to C-band reception is correct.

Doug Lung
Doug Lung

Doug Lung is one of America's foremost authorities on broadcast RF technology. As vice president of Broadcast Technology for NBCUniversal Local, H. Douglas Lung leads NBC and Telemundo-owned stations’ RF and transmission affairs, including microwave, radars, satellite uplinks, and FCC technical filings. Beginning his career in 1976 at KSCI in Los Angeles, Lung has nearly 50 years of experience in broadcast television engineering. Beginning in 1985, he led the engineering department for what was to become the Telemundo network and station group, assisting in the design, construction and installation of the company’s broadcast and cable facilities. Other projects include work on the launch of Hawaii’s first UHF TV station, the rollout and testing of the ATSC mobile-handheld standard, and software development related to the incentive auction TV spectrum repack.
A longtime columnist for TV Technology, Doug is also a regular contributor to IEEE Broadcast Technology. He is the recipient of the 2023 NAB Television Engineering Award. He also received a Tech Leadership Award from TV Tech publisher Future plc in 2021 and is a member of the IEEE Broadcast Technology Society and the Society of Broadcast Engineers.