FCC to Test 'Interference Temperature' Approach in 6.5 GHz and 13 GHz Bands

Unlicensed devices may be joining broadcast and cable TV- fixed links in 13 GHz band. Thursday the FCC approved a Notice Of Inquiry (NOI) and Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (NPRM) seeking "comment on various technical rules that would establish procedures and the use of the interference temperature model on a limited basis in the following two bands: 6525-6700 MHz and portions of the 12.75-13.25 GHz bands." The NOI and NPRM have not been released, but this information was contained in the FCC News Release FCC Begins Inquiry and Proposed Rulemaking Regarding 'Interference Temperature' Approach for Interference Management.

According to the FCC the interference temperature approach for managing interference "takes into account the actual cumulative radio frequency (RF) energy from transmissions of spectrum-based devices, and would set a maximum cap on the aggregate of these transmissions." The current way of managing interference looks at specifying and limiting emissions of individual spectrum-based devices to prevent interference. The FCC believes the interference temperature approach may allow more intensive use of the radio spectrum, create opportunities for new services and improve the predictability of interference to existing services.

I'll report on how the FCC proposes to implement this approach in the 13 GHz band when it releases its NOI/NPRM.