Philips Submits New White Space Prototypes for Testing

Philips has delivered to the FCC two prototype devices designed to detect occupied DTV frequencies. The company says its latest devices related to transmissions in the unused DTV channels known as white space can detect signals on Channels 21-51 down to -114 dBm—the threshold suggested by the high-tech companies of the White Space Coalition.

The “sensing prototypes,” each consisting of a TV tuner, digital processing board and computer, have changes suggested by engineers from the FCC’s Office of Engineering and Technology, Philips said in an FCC filing.

Test results released in July showed spotty spectrum-sensing performance for prototypes furnished by Philips and Microsoft. Philips tweaked its box and the two companies gave a fresh set of data to the FCC in September. Philips delivered the new devices, with instructions for their operation, to the FCC Dec. 7.