Wide array of wireless, GPS, satellite and air transport interest...

demonstrate that UWB devices have “unique transmission characteristics” that produce intentional transmissions that pose interference risk to GPS, wireless services such as PCS, satellite services such as DARS. Group wrote that because proposed UWB signals varied from characteristics of unintentional transmitters, operation of those devices should be limited to spectrum above 6 GHz and shouldn’t be allowed to operate in any restricted bands. Letter’s signatories included Air Transport Assn. of America, Aircraft Owners & Pilots Assn., Astrolink International, AT&T Wireless, Ericsson, Lockheed Martin, Motorola, Nokia, Nortel, Qualcomm, Satellite Industry Assn., Sirius Satellite Radio, Sprint PCS, U.S. GPS Industry Council, WorldCom, XM Radio. Letter marks latest go-round in UWB proceedings at FCC in which device developers such as Time Domain have said test results from NTIA and elsewhere on GPS and non-GPS bands confirmed compatible operation of their devices with existing services. But GPS, fixed and mobile wireless interests and others have pointed to some of same test results as bolstering their concerns that UWB devices would create harmful interference. Many of same companies had written jointly to Powell in March, recommending that Commission not take final action on UWB equipment under Part 15 without issuing further notice of proposed rulemaking first (CD March 28 p1). While coalition still backs further notice, Fri. letter provides details of stipulations that companies would like to see on Commission’s approval. Letter suggested that Commission identify “specific categories of UWB devices” and establish proposed rules for licensing those categories based on tests of individual UWB waveforms or measurements using UWB simulators. It proposed that in separate licensing regime outside of Part 15, FCC: (1) Identify spectrum higher than 6 GHz and in unrestricted bands where UWB devices could be used without “creating harmful interference.” (2) Define categories of UWB devices, along with technical and operational characteristics for each. (3) Identify areas where more tests were needed. (4) Device specific rules for each UWB device category. Rules should cover mode of operation of UWB devices, by providing allowable average and peak power levels, allowable ranges of pulse characteristics in time domain, allowable spectrum masks and “other appropriate limits.”