White Space Device Test Issues Reach Newpapers

By Doug Lung
published

The Washington Post has an interesting article on the FCC’s White Space Device tests.

The article FCC works to settle debate over new Web technology by Kim Hart presents both sides of the debate, listing the potential interference to TV reception and to wireless microphones. It also notes the problems Microsoft had with its device.

The article reported that the Motorola device detected a signal at one location, but not another one nearby.

Bruce Franca, vice president of policy and technology for the Association for Maximum Service Television was quoted as saying, “The results of every single test were different. The device failed to recognize that certain channels are actually being occupied by TV signals. ... Clearly this is not ready for prime time.”

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.