WASHINGTON-The Federal Communications Commission will seek comment on whether to adopt new fixed microwave rules that would facilitate the introduction of antenna technology developed by the military to the land mobile radio industry.
In a notice of proposed rulemaking adopted Feb. 29, the FCC’s Office of Engineering and Technology wants to initiate rule changes to Parts 74, 78 and 101 that would “permit directional antennas to comply with requirements for either minimum antenna gain or maximum beamwidth,” thus allowing operators some flexibility in the types of directional microwave antennas they could install.
“When we wrote our [microwave] rules many years ago, a lot of technology didn’t exist,” said Dick Smith, OET bureau chief. “The rules were to prevent interference and to maximize spectrum. The new antennas now being developed [for use in the 38 GHz range] don’t have the same beam/gain relationship, and their commercial use currently is prohibited.”
According to Associate Chief Michael Marcus, giving operators the choice of installing new flat-panel fixed microwave antennas-now used in the noses of military fighter jets-that feature either low beam width or high gain would not only save operators money but would make them money. The flat-panel antennas, which essentially are etched circuit boards, are cheaper, lighter and less obtrusive than today’s drum-like units; the units shown at last week’s meeting were manufactured by Endgate Technology in Sunnyvale, Calif. Marcus estimated that the emerging data and video markets alone could make $50 million using them.
The antennas also can be used in harmony with other microwave units. Marcus explained that the new antennas cause no interference and function no differently than their predecessors. “Once you are five feet away, there is no technological difference between antennas,” he said.
The FCC planned to consider forming a joint board to discuss new universal service rules as they apply to the Telecommunications Act of 1996, but that item was dropped pending further discussion. FCC Chairman Reed Hundt nominated himself and Commissioners Susan Ness and Andrew Barrett to serve on the board.
