RF Shorts: Other Items of Interest - Nov. 12 2009

By Doug Lung
published

  • • The terrestrial wireless industry isn't the only one seeking more spectrum in the FCC's national broadband proceeding. In BusinessWeek's article Satellite Operators Call for More Spectrum, Qualcomm and SkyTerra discussed a way to make 100 MHz of spectrum available for use by satellites and their associated ancillary terrestrial component (ATC) for mobile broadband. Broadcasters will be relieved the plan does not appear to take away broadcast spectrum. The article includes an excellent overview of the mobile satellite service and companies SkyTerra and TerreStar.
  • • Easy to use RF propagation tools are always appreciated. WiMAX.com describes a web site that’s Simplifying point-to-point wireless planning. The Web site www.alphimax.com/ptp provides tools for designing fixed links in the 2.4, 4.5, 4.8, 4.9, 5.1, 5.2, 5.3, 5.4 and 5.8 GHz bands. Results can be displayed in a Google Earth map view. Registration is required at the Alphimax site to access the tools.
  • • The Association for Maximum Service Television (MSTV) and NAB have submitted reply comments [PDF] in FCC dockets on a national broadband plan and fostering innovation and investment in the wireless communications market. The comments express concern about interference from TV band devices (aka "white space devices") to existing TV receivers. The MSTV and NAB summary states, "Broadcasters use spectrum to deliver a wide range of services that benefit American consumers, from free, high-definition video programming and multicast services to mobile broadcasting and other ancillary and supplemental services. Limiting costs imposed on viewers will be a key aspect of any framework that is designed to promote innovation and protect consumers. We look forward to working with the Commission as it moves forward in reassessing its spectrum policies."
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.