Opportunities Relating to the Spectrum Sharing Test Bed

Commerce Spectrum Management Advisory Committee

Abstract: On June 7, 2006, the Department of Commerce's National Telecommunications and Information Administration ("NTIA") solicited public comment on "the establishment of a spectrum sharing Test-Bed to explore innovative ways to make more intensive use of the nation's airwaves and promote continued economic growth and national security."

The Test-Bed program was proposed as a vehicle for achieving the objectives embodied in the President's Spectrum Policy Initiative ("SPI"), including the more efficient use of spectrum, the rapid deployment of new and innovative technologies, and addressing the spectrum needs associated with critical government functions, such as national security, homeland security, and public safety. Consistent therewith, the Test-Bed should be used to evaluate technologies that foster these objectives.

Based on its review of the record and additional materials provided to the Committee, four specific technologies and services have been identified for the Test-Bed to date: dynamic spectrum access; multi-antenna signal processing ("MAS"); airborne video; and mobile satellite service with an ancillary terrestrial component ("MSS/ATC"). As set forth in the report, each of these technologies/services was evaluated under the eight selection criteria and only two —dynamic spectrum access and multi-antenna signal processing — satisfied each of the criteria.

This report is the seventh in a series of reports the Department of Commerce’s CSMAC submitted in 2007 and 2008, making recommendations on spectrum management to the Assistant Secretary for Communications and Information. The reports previous to this one are: (1) Transition of Federal Land Mobile Radio Systems to Increase Spectrum Efficiency; (2) Report on Operational Efficiency; (3) Definitions of Efficiency in Spectrum Use; (4) Streamlining Federal/non-Federal Spectrum Sharing; (5) Recommendations for Improving the Process for Identifying Spectrum for Future Reallocation or Sharing; and (6) Opportunities for Government Adoption of Commercial Technologies.

The CSMAC is composed of experts from the telecommunications industry, the public safety community, and academia. The committee provides advice to the Assistant Secretary for Communications and Information, and provides an opportunity for NTIA to benefit from the insights, experiences, and technical knowledge of the non-Federal sector.

Keywords: spectrum management

(test_bed_0-1.pdf)

(csmac_Fed-Register-notice-re-120607_0.pdf)

(december_07_agenda_0.pdf)

(december_2007_minutes_0.pdf)

Disclaimer: Certain commercial equipment, components, and software may be identified in this report to specify adequately the technical aspects of the reported results. In no case does such identification imply recommendation or endorsement by the National Telecommunications and Information Administration, nor does it imply that the equipment or software identified is necessarily the best available for the particular application or uses.

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