WASHINGTON-The National Telecommunications and Information Administration said last week testing showed that ultra-wideband systems “have the potential” to operate in the 3 to 6 GHz bands even though the power may exceed the interference protection criteria for unlicensed devices.
“We are hopeful this will provide a big enough window for [UWB] companies to operate,” said Greg Rohde, assistant commerce secretary for communications and information in the Clinton administration.
Ultra-wideband, or pulse technology, uses short low powered and fast (up to one trillionth of a second) pulses to transmit digital data over a range of frequencies. UWB technologies have long been recognized as the technology of choice for ground penetrating radars, but it is being recognized that the technology has the potential to address a far wider range of radar, communications and positioning applications including connecting mobile-phone calls directly to the landline network when the call is placed inside a building.
“While we have questions regarding some of the conclusions made by NTIA, we are pleased that the test results confirm that compatible operation of UWB devices with government services is possible. … We believe analysis of all the information received by the FCC will demonstrate that Time Domain’s UWB technology operation at Part 15 power levels … is compatible with protected government systems,” said Jeff Ross, vice president of corporate development and strategy for Time Domain Corp.
The NTIA tests focused on the impact of UWB on federal systems from 400-6000 MHz bands although no tests were performed in the 3-6 GHz bands. NTIA believes the potential exists for UWB based on analysis of tests done in the lower bands.
Notwithstanding the NTIA’s belief that a potential exists for UWB at 3-6 GHz, the agency said it will be negotiating mitigating factors with the Federal Communications Commission.
NTIA believes it is in an equal position with the FCC in developing rules on UWB.
“The FCC cannot act alone,” said Rohde noting that he has briefed FCC staff on the results of the NTIA tests.
This is not the end of the ultra-wideband testing. Results of the testing of ultra-wideband systems in the radio-frequency band used by the global positioning system (1559-1610 MHz) are not expected to be released until late February. Previous testing efforts of negative interference between ultra-wideband technologies and GPS have proven inconclusive.
Three companies-Time Domain, U.S. Radar Inc., and Zircon Corp.-received waivers from the FCC in June 1999 to begin deploying UWB technology.
