NTIA Report 04-413 

POTENTIAL INTERFERENCE FROM 

BROADBAND OVER POWER LINE (BPL) 

SYSTEMS TO FEDERAL GOVERNMENT 

RADIOCOMMUNICATIONS AT 1.7 - 80 MHz 

Phase 1 Study 

VOLUME II 

technical report 

U.S. DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE  National Telecommunications and Information Administration
 

NTIA Report 04-413 

POTENTIAL INTERFERENCE FROM BROADBAND OVER 

POWER LINE (BPL) SYSTEMS TO FEDERAL GOVERNMENT 

RADIOCOMMUNICATIONS AT 1.7 - 80 MHz 

Phase 1 Study 

VOLUME II 

U.S. Department of Commerce 

Donald Evans, Secretary 

Michael D Gallagher, Acting Assistant Secretary 

For Communications and Information 

APRIL 2004
iii 

 TABLE OF CONTENTS 

 

VOLUME II 

TABLE OF CONTENTS ....................................................................... iii 

GLOSSARY .................................................................................... viii 

APPENDIX A RELEVANT PART 15 PROVISIONS 

 A.1 Provisions Regarding Field Strength Limits ......................... A-1 

 A.2 Provisions Specifying Compliance Measurements .................. A-2 

 

APPENDIX B SUMMARY OF FOREIGN TECHNICAL REPORTS 

 B.1 Introduction ............................................................... B-1 

 B.2 Implementation Reports ................................................ B-1 

 B.3 Measurement Reports ................................................... B-2 

 B.4 Modeling and Analysis Reports ....................................... B-8 

 

APPENDIX C CHARACTERIZATION OF FEDERAL GOVERNMENT 

SPECTRUM USAGE AND OPERATIONS, 

REPRESENTATIVE SYSTEMS AND TYPICAL 

PARAMETERS 

 C.1 Introduction ............................................................... C-1 

 C.2 Services And Example Systems ............................................ C-1 

 C.2.1 Fixed Service (1.7-29.7 MHz) ......................................... C-1 

 C.2.2 Fixed Service (29.7-80 MHz) .......................................... C-3 

 C.2.3 Mobile Service ........................................................... C-4 

 C.2.4 Land Mobile Service .................................................... C-7 

 C.2.5 Maritime Mobile Service ............................................... C-8 

 C.2.6 Broadcasting Service ................................................... C-11 

 C.2.7 Aeronautical Mobile Service .......................................... C-12 

 C.2.8 Standard Frequency and Time Signal ................................. C-16 

 C.2.9 Aeronautical Radionavigation ...................................................... C-17 

 C.2.10 Radiolocation Service ................................................... C-18 

 C.2.11 Amateur and Amateur-Satellite Services ............................. C-19 

 C.3 Federal Government Special Operations ............................. C-21 

 C.3.1 Automatic Link Establishment (ALE) Systems ..................... C-21 

 C.3.2 Sounders .................................................................. C-21 

 C.3.3 Over the Horizon (OTH) Radars ....................................... C-22 

 C.4 Special Operational Considerations ................................... C-24 

 C.4.1 Operational Requirements for Access to Several Frequency 

Assignments Within an Allocation .................................... C-24 

 C.4.2 Federal Government Use of Radio Frequencies Below 30 MHz 

for Domestic Fixed Service ............................................ C-25 

 C.4.3 Summary of the Emergency Use of Federal Government HF 

Frequencies for the Shares Program .................................. C-26 
iv 

 C.4.4 National Criteria Established Jointly by NTIA and FCC on the 

Use of Frequencies from Appendix 27 Allotment Plan ............ C-26 

 

APPENDIX D BROADBAND OVER POWER LINE EMISSION 

MEASUREMENTS 

 D.1 Introduction ............................................................... D-1 

 D.2 The Measurement System .............................................. D-1 

 D.3 BPL Measurements ...................................................... D-3 

 D.3.1 Background on BPL Emissions Measurements ..................... D-3 

 D.3.2 Measurements of BPL Along the Energized Power Line .......... D-10 

 D.3.3 Measurements of BPL Away From the Energized Power Line ... D-23 

 D.3.4 Measurements of BPL Using Various Detectors .................... D-37 

 D.3.5 Measurements of BPL Varying Antenna Height .................... D-41 

 D.3.6 Measurements of BPL APDs .......................................... D-47 

 D.4 Background on Amplitude Probability Distributions ............... D-50 

 D.5 Gain and Noise Figure Calibration Using a Noise Diode .......... D-59 

 

APPENDIX E BPL MODELING OUTPUT 

 E.1 Introduction ............................................................... E-1 

 E.2 Tables and NEC plots ................................................... E-1 

 

APPENDIX F NTIA PHASE 2 STUDY BPL DEPLOYMENT MODELS 

 F.1 Introduction ............................................................... F-1 

 F.2 Neighborhood Deployment Model .................................... F-1 

 F.3 Antenna Coverage Area Deployment Model ........................ F-3 

 F.4 Regional Deployment Model .......................................... F-4 

 F.4.1 Regional Deployment Model Description ........................... F-5 

 F.4.2 Density and Distribution of Households .............................. F-5 

 F.4.3 Density and Distribution of BPL Devices ............................ F-6 

 F.4.4 Other Factors ............................................................. F-6 

 F.4.5 Regional Model Output ................................................. F-9 

 

VOLUME I 

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS .................................................................... iii 

PREFACE ....................................................................................... iv 

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY .................................................................... v 

TABLE OF CONTENTS ..................................................................... viii 

GLOSSARY .................................................................................... xiii 

 

SECTION 1 INTRODUCTION 

 1.1 Background ............................................................... 1-1 

 1.2 Objectives ................................................................ 1-1 

 1.3 Approach .................................................................. 1-2 
v 

 1.4 Scope ...................................................................... 1-2 

 

SECTION 2 TECHNICAL DESCRIPTION OF BPL SYSTEMS 

 2.1 Introduction ............................................................... 2-1 

 2.2 BPL System Architectures ............................................. 2-2 

 2.2.1 BPL System #1 .......................................................... 2-2 

 2.2.2 BPL System #2 .......................................................... 2-3 

 2.2.3 BPL System #3 ............................................................ 2-4 

 2.3 Potential Future Systems ................................................ 2-5 

 2.4 Summary ................................................................... 2-7 

 

SECTION 3 BPL RELATED STUDIES AND REGULATIONS 

 3.1 Introduction ............................................................... 3-1 

 3.2 Regulations ............................................................... 3-1 

 3.2.1 Part 15 of the Commission’s Rules .................................... 3-1 

 3.2.2 Foreign Regulations ...................................................... 3-2 

 3.3 Studies ..................................................................... 3-6 

 3.3.1 Analyses of Interference from BPL Filed Under the FCC NOI ... 3-6 

 3.3.2 International Telecommunications Union (ITU) Activities ........ 3-10 

 3.3.3 Other Technical Literature ............................................. 3-12 

 3.4 Summary .................................................................. 3-12 

 

SECTION 4 CHRACTERIZATION OF FEDERAL GOVERNMENT 

RADIO SYSTEMS AND SPECTRUM USAGE 

 4.1 Introduction ............................................................... 4-1 

 4.2 Allocations Overview ................................................... 4-2 

 4.3 Overview of Federal Government Spectrum Use ................... 4-4 

 4.4 Summary of the Representative Federal Government Systems in 

the 1.7-80 MHz Band ................................................... 4-6 

 4.5 Representative Technical Characteristics of Federal Equipment . 4-7 

 4.6 Sensitive or Protected Frequencies in the 1.7-80 MHz Band ...... 4-8 

 4.7 Conclusion ............................................................... 4-13 

 

SECTION 5 CHARACTERIZING BPL EMISSIONS THROUGH 

COMPUTER MODELING AND MEASUREMENTS 

 5.1 Introduction ............................................................... 5-1 

 5.2 Theory ..................................................................... 5-1 

 5.2.1 Relevant Radiation Theory ............................................. 5-1 

 5.2.2 Propagation Modes ...................................................... 5-2 

 5.3 BPL Measurements ...................................................... 5-3 

 5.3.1 Approach ................................................................. 5-3 

 5.3.2 Identification and Characterization of BPL Signals ................ 5-4 

 5.3.3 BPL Signal Power Along an Energized Power Line ............... 5-4 

 5.3.4 BPL Signal Power Away from the Energized Power Line ......... 5-5 

 5.3.5 Measurement of BPL Using Various Detectors ..................... 5-5 
vi 

 5.3.6 Measurement of BPL Using Different Antenna Heights ........... 5-6 

 5.3.7 Measurements of BPL Amplitude Probability Distributions 

(APDs) .................................................................... 5-6 

 5.4 Analytical Models of Power Line Radiation ........................ 5-7 

 5.4.1 Numerical Electromagnetics Code (NEC) ........................... 5-7 

 5.4.2 Modeling of Power Lines by NEC .................................... 5-8 

 5.4.3 Effects of a Neutral Line ................................................ 5-10 

 5.4.4 Environmental Noise ................................................... 5-11 

 5.5 Conclusion ............................................................... 5-15 

 

SECTION 6 ANALYSIS OF INTERFERENCE POTENTIAL TO 

VARIOUS SERVICES 

 6.1 Introduction ............................................................... 6-1 

 6.2 Methodology ............................................................. 6-1 

 6.3 Risk Evaluation Criteria ................................................ 6-2 

 6.3.1 Interfering Signal Thresholds .......................................... 6-2 

 6.3.2 Noise Calculations ...................................................... 6-5 

 6.4 Interference Models ..................................................... 6-5 

 6.4.1 Receiving Systems ...................................................... 6-5 

 6.4.2 Power Line Model ....................................................... 6-7 

 6.5 Interference Calculations ............................................... 6-7 

 6.5.1 Scaling Output Power to Meet FCC Part 15 Limits ................ 6-7 

 6.5.2 Analysis Methodology for Land-mobile, Fixed and Maritime 

Services ................................................................... 6-8 

 6.5.3 Analysis Methodology for Aeronautical Service .................... 6-9 

 6.6 Results of Interference Calculations .................................. 6-11 

 6.6.1 Land – Mobile Service .................................................. 6-11 

 6.6.2 Fixed Service ............................................................ 6-15 

 6.6.3 Maritime Service ......................................................... 6-15 

 6.6.4 Aeronautical Service .................................................... 6-20 

 6.7 Conclusion ................................................................ 6-23 

 

SECTION 7 BPL COMPLIANCE MEASUREMENT PROCEDURES 

 7.1 Introduction ............................................................... 7-1 

 7.2 Measurements Must Address Radiation from Power Lines to 

Which BPL Devices are Connected ................................... 7-2 

 7.3 Measurements Should Address Aggregated Emissions for the 

Fully Deployed BPL Network ......................................... 7-2 

 7.4 Measurement Antenna Heights Should Address All Important 

Directions of BPL Signal Radiation .................................. 7-3 

 7.5 A Single Measurement Distance Should Be Used For Overhead 

Power Lines and BPL Devices ........................................ 7-4 

 7.6 A Modified Distance Extrapolation Factor is Needed for BPL ... 7-5 

 7.7 BPL Frequency Agility and Power Line Frequency Selective 

Effects Must Be Addressed in the Measurement Procedures ...... 7-5 

 7.8 Near Field Measurement Errors Must be Mitigated ................ 7-5 
vii 

 7.9 Appropriate Choice of Power Lines Used for BPL 

Measurements Will Reduce Statistical Sampling Uncertainties ... 7-6 

 7.10 BPL Device Output Power Should Be Reduced as Needed for 

Compliance with Radiated Emission Limits ......................... 7-7 

 7.11 The Results of Radiated Emission Measurements Should Be 

Properly Recorded in Measurement Reports and Applied in BPL 

Operations ................................................................ 7-7 

 7.12 Conclusion ............................................................... 7-8 

 

SECTION 8 INTERFERENCE PREVENTION AND MITIGATION 

TECHNIQUES 

 8.1 Introduction ............................................................... 8-1 

 8.2 Power Level .............................................................. 8-1 

 8.3 Avoidance of Locally Used Frequencies ............................. 8-1 

 8.4 Differential-mode Signal Injection .................................... 8-2 

 8.5 Filters and Signal Terminations ....................................... 8-3 

 8.6 Implementation of a “one active device per area” rule ............. 8-3 

 8.7 Judicious Signal Carrier Choice ....................................... 8-4 

 8.8 Maintenance of a Single Point of Control ............................ 8-4 

 8.9 Web-based Access to Radio License Information .................. 8-4 

 8.10 BPL Installation and Equipment Registration ....................... 8-5 

 8.11 Conclusion ............................................................... 8-5 

 

SECTION 9 SUMMARY OF RESULTS 

 9.1 Introduction .............................................................. 9-1 

 9.2 Preliminary Investigations ............................................. 9-1 

 9.2.1 Description of BPL Systems ............................................ 9-1 

 9.2.2 Studies and Relevant Regulations ......................................... 9-1 

 9.2.3 Federal Government Radio Systems and Spectrum Usage ........ 9-2 

 9.2.4 Characterization of BPL Emissions ................................... 9-2 

 9.3 Phase 1 Analyses ........................................................ 9-4 

 9.3.1 Evaluation of Potential Interference Risks ........................... 9-4 

 9.3.2 Risk Reduction Through Compliance Measurement Procedures . 9-6 

 9.3.3 Techniques for Prevention and Mitigation of Interference ........ 9-7 

 9.4 Topics for Further Study ................................................ 9-9 

 
ix 

 GLOSSARY 

 

 

AC Alternating Current 

ACA Australian Communications Authority 

AERO-SAR Aeronautical Search and Rescue 

ALE Automatic Link Establishment 

AM Amplitude Modulation 

ANSI American National Standards Institute 

APD Amplitude Probability Distribution 

ARRL Amateur Radio Relay League 

AWG American Wire Gauge 

BBC British Broadcasting Corporation 

BBG Broadcasting Board of Governors 

BPL Broadband over Power Line(s) 

BW Bandwidth 

CA Collision Avoidance 

CB Citizens Band 

CCS Carrier Current System 

CD Collision Detection 

CEPT European Conference of Postal and Telecommunications Administrations 

CISPR International Special Committee on Radio Interference 

CONUS Continental United States 

COTHEN Customs Over The Horizon Enforcement Network 

CSMA Carrier Sense Multiple Access 

CW Carrier Wave 

dB Decibel 

dBi Decibel referenced to an isotropic radiator 

dBm Decibel referenced to 1 milliWatt 

dBW Decibels above 1 Watt 

DHS Department of Homeland Security 

DOA Department of Agriculture 

DOC Department of Commerce 

DOD Department of Defense 

DOE Department of Energy 

DOI Department of the Interior 

DOJ Department of Justice 

DRM Digital Radio Mondiale 

DSC Digital Selective Calling 

DSL Digital Subscriber Line 

DSSS Direct Sequence Spread Spectrum 

DUT Device Under Test 

E Electric 

EBU European Broadcasting Union 

ECC Electronics Communications Committee 

EFIE Electric Field Integral Equation 
x 

EM Electromagnetic 

EMC Electromagnetic Compatibility 

EN European Norm (Standard) 

EUT Equipment Under Test 

FAA Federal Aviation Administration 

FCC Federal Communications Commission 

FEMA Federal Emergency Management Agency 

FICORA Finnish Communications Regulatory Authority 

FM Frequency Modulation 

FNRCS FEMA National Radio Communication System 

ft Feet 

GHz Gigahertz 

GMDSS Global Maritime Distress and Safety System 

GMF Government Master File 

GPS Global Positioning System 

GRWAVE Ground Wave Propagation Program 

H Magnetic 

HF High Frequency 

HPA HomePlug Powerline Alliance 

Hz Hertz 

I Interference Power 

ICAO International Civil Aviation Organization 

IEC International Electrotechnical Commission 

ILS Instrumentation Landing System 

IMO International Maritime Organization 

IRAC Interdepartment Radio Advisory Committee 

ITS Institute for Telecommunication Sciences 

ITU International Telecommunications Union 

ITU-R International Telecommunication Union Radiocommunication Sector 

ITU-T International Telecommunication Union Telecommunication 

Standardization Sector 

JARL Japan Amateur Radio League 

kHz Kilohertz 

km Kilometer 

LAN Local Area Network 

LF Low Frequency 

LORAN Long Range Aid to Navigation 

LV Low Voltage 

m Meter 

MARS Military Affiliate Radio System 

Mbps Megabits per second 

MF Medium Frequency 

MFIE Magnetic Field Integral Equation 

MHz Megahertz 

MPHPT Ministry of Public Management Home Affaires, Post and 

Telecommunications of Japan 
xi 

MPT Ministry of Posts and Telecommunications 

mS Siemens/meter 

ms Millisecond 

MSI-HF Marine Safety Information – High Frequency 

MV Medium Voltage 

MWARA Major World Air Route Areas 

N Noise Power 

NATO North Atlantic Treaty Organization 

NB30 Usage Provision 30 

NBDP-COM Narrow-Band Direct Printing - Communications 

NEC Numerical Electromagnetics Code 

NIST National Institute of Standards and Technology 

NOI Notice of Inquiry 

NPRM Notice of Proposed Rulemaking 

NRCS National Radio Communication System 

NSEP National Security Emergency Preparedness 

NTIA National Telecommunications and Information Administration 

OATS Open Air Test Site 

OFCOM Swiss Federal Office of Communications 

OFDM Orthogonal Frequency Division Multiplexing 

OR Off-Route 

OTH Over the Horizon 

PLC Power Line Communications 

PLT Power Line Telecommunications 

PSD Power Spectral Density 

QAM Quadrature Amplitude Modulation 

R Route 

RA Radio Communications Agency of UK 

RAM Random Access Memory 

RBW Resolution Bandwidth 

RDARA Regional and Domestic Air Route Areas 

RF Radio Frequency 

rms Root Mean Square 

RR Radio Regulations 

RSGB Radio Society of Great Britain 

RSMS Radio Spectrum Measurement System 

RTP-COM Radio Telephony - Communications 

S/N Signal-to-Noise Ratio 

SF&TS Standard Frequency and Time Signal 

SHARES Shared Resources network 

SINAD Signal to Interference and Noise Ratio 

SINCGARS Single-Channel Ground and Airborne Radio System 

SNR Signal-to-Noise Ratio 

SOLAS Safety of Life at Sea 

SSB Single Sideband 

TEM Transverse Electromagnetic Mode 
xii 

TV Television 

TVA Tennessee Valley Authority 

UHF Ultra High Frequency 

UK United Kingdom 

US&P United States and Possessions 

USCG United States Coast Guard 

USGS United States Geological Survey 

UTC Coordinated Universal Time 

VDSL Very high-speed Digital Subscriber Line 

VHF Very High Frequency 

VOA Voice of America 

VOACAP Voice of America Coverage Analysis Program 

VOLMET Meteorological Information for Aircraft in Flight 

WiFi Wireless Fidelity 

xDSL Various types of Digital Subscriber Lines 

μA Microampere 

μV Microvolt 
A-1 

APPENDIX A 

RELEVANT PART 15 PROVISIONS 

Part 15 provisions regarding field strength limits and compliance measurements 

are quoted or paraphrased below. Observations relevant to the application of these 

provisions to BPL systems are presented in footnotes. 

A.1 PROVISIONS REGARDING FIELD STRENGTH LIMITS 

§15.15(c) "Parties responsible for equipment compliance should note that the limits 

specified in this part will not prevent harmful interference under all circumstances." 

§15.109(a) "...the field strength of radiated emission from unintentional radiators at a 

distance of 3 meters shall not exceed the following values..." 1

§15.109(e) "Carrier current systems used as unintentional radiators...shall comply with 

the radiated emission limits for intentional radiators provided in §15.209 for the 

frequency range 9 kHz to 30 MHz." 

§15.109(g) "As an alternative to the radiated emission limits shown in paragraphs (a) 

and (b) of this section, digital devices may be shown to comply with the standards 

contained in the Third Edition of International Electrotechnical Commission ("IEC"), 

International Special Committee on Radio Interference ("CISPR") Pub. 22 (1997)..."

§15.113(b) "The operating parameters of a power line carrier system (particularly the 

frequency) shall be selected to achieve the highest practical degree of compatibility with 

authorized or licensed users of the radio spectrum." 2

§15.113(c) "Power line carrier system apparatus shall be operated with the minimum 

power possible to accomplish the desired purpose."

§15.205(a) "...only spurious emissions are permitted in any of the frequency bands listed 

below:.." 3

§15.209(a) "...emissions...shall not exceed the field strength levels specified in the 

following table..." 4

 

1

 NTIA recommends a uniform ten (10) meter measurement distance. See Section 7.5.

2

 In Section 7, NTIA has identified potential means for enhancing compatibility of BPL systems with radio 

systems. 

3

 NTIA recommends consideration of excluding BPL use of certain narrow frequency bands, but further 

study is needed to determine whether these exclusions can be specified on a geographical basis. Generally, 

BPL systems should not operate in certain frequency bands in order to protect distress, alarm, urgency or 

safety communications in accordance with ITU Radio Regulations (see RR No. 4.22). 

4

 NTIA recommends a uniform ten (10) meter measurement distance. See Section 7.5. 
A-2 

A.2 PROVISIONS SPECIFYING COMPLIANCE MEASUREMENTS 

§15.31(a) "The following measurement procedures are used by the Commission to 

determine compliance with the technical requirements of this part." 

§15.31(a)(6) Digital devices are to be measured using procedures specified in American 

National Standards Institute (ANSI) C63.4-1992 to determine compliance with the 

technical requirements of Part 15. 

§15.31(b) "All parties making compliance measurements on equipment subject to the 

requirements of this part are urged to use these procedures." 

§15.31(d) Measurements are to be made at a calibrated test site to the extent possible. 

CCS are cited as a case where measurements can be made only at an installation site. 

Measurements "...shall be performed at a minimum of three installations that can be 

demonstrated to be representative of typical installation sites." 5

§15.31(f) "To the extent practical, the device under test shall be measured at the distance 

specified in the appropriate rule section." The measurement distance is applied 

horizontally with respect to a boundary around the device and any interconnection 

cables.6

§15.31(f)(1) "At frequencies at or above 30 MHz,...measurements are not made in the 

near field except where it can be shown that near field measurements are appropriate 

due to the characteristics of the device; and it can be demonstrated that the signal levels 

needed to be measured at the distance employed can be detected by the measurement 

equipment."7

 "When performing measurements at a distance other than that specified, 

the results shall be extrapolated to the specified distance using an extrapolation factor of 

..." 8

§15.31(f)(2) "At frequencies below 30 MHz, measurements may be performed at a 

distance closer than that specified in the regulations; however, an attempt should be 

made to avoid making measurements in the near field." "...when performing 

measurements at a closer distance than specified, the results shall be extrapolated to the 

specified distance...." 

 

5 See Section 7.9. 

6

 None of the three proprietary access-BPL measurement reports reviewed by NTIA applied §15.31(f). 

Instead, these measurements were performed on radials at distances measured from the "telephone" pole on 

which the BPL device was mounted. 

7

 NTIA's Phase 1 Study indicates that BPL emissions must be measured in the near-field because of its 

large expanse. 

8

 NTIA's Phase 1 Study shows that BPL radiation characteristics may not be consistent with the 

extrapolation factors specified in §15.31(f). Further study is needed. 
A-3 

§15.31(f)(4) "When measurements of 30 meters or less are specified in the regulations, 

the Commission will test the equipment at the distance specified unless measurement at 

that distance results in measurements being performed in the near field." 

§15.31(f)(5) "The maximum field strength at the frequency being measured shall be 

reported in an application for certification." 9

§15.31(g) "Equipment under test shall be adjusted, using those controls that are readily 

accessible to or are intended to be accessible to the consumer, in such a manner as to 

maximize the level of emissions. For those devices to which wire leads may be attached 

by the consumer, tests shall be performed with wire leads attached. The wire leads shall 

be of the length to be used with the equipment if that length is known. Otherwise, wire 

leads one meter in length shall be attached to the equipment." 10

§15.31(h) "For a composite system that incorporates devices contained either in a single 

enclosure or in separate enclosures connected by a wire or cable, testing for compliance 

with the standards in this part shall be performed with all of the devices in the system 

functioning." 11

§15.31(i): "The emission tests shall be performed with the device and accessories 

configured in a manner that tends to produce maximized emissions within the range of 

variations that can be expected under normal operating conditions." 

§15.31(j): "If the equipment under test consists of a central control unit and external or 

internal accessory(ies) (peripheral) and the party ...applying for a grant of equipment 

authorization manufactures or assembles the central control unit and at least one of the 

accessory devices that can be used with the control unit, testing of the control unit and/or 

the accessory(ies) must be performed using the devices manufactured or assembled by 

that party, in addition to any other needed devices which the party does not manufacture 

or assemble." 

§15.31(k): "If the individual devices in a composite system are subject to different 

technical standards, each such device must comply with its specific standards. In no 

 

9

 Regardless of whether certification ultimately is required for BPL authorizations, under NTIA's 

recommended measurement provisions (Section 7) the maximum field strength at a given measurement 

frequency is determined from measurements made while operating the BPL system at each frequency at 

which it is capable of operating. 

10 The "consumer" for outdoor BPL devices normally will be the BPL system operator, whereas the 

consumer for indoor BPL devices normally will be the BPL subscriber. The length of outdoor "wire leads" 

used with access and in-house BPL devices vary substantially among the potential BPL installation sites 

and, as recommended by NTIA (Section 7.9), the representative power lines selected for BPL testing 

should encompass various features that significantly affect peak field strength levels. In no case can a onemeter or other short length of power line be used for BPL compliance measurements because standing 

waves associated with peak field strength will not be manifest. 

11 NTIA interprets §§15.31(h), (i), (j) and (k) to mean that at any frequency, during measurement and 

operational use, a network of BPL devices may not generate an aggregate field strength that exceeds the 

field strength limit for BPL systems. See Section 7.3. 
A-4 

event may the measured emissions of the composite system exceed the highest level 

permitted for an individual component." 

§15.33(b)(1) "...the spectrum shall be investigated from the lowest radio frequency 

signal generated or used in the device, without going below the lowest frequency for 

which a radiated emission limit is specified, up to the frequency shown in the following 

table..." 

§15.35(a): The limits are based on measurement using a CISPR quasi-peak detector and 

related bandwidths. 12

 

12 See Publication 16 of the International Special Committee on Radio Interference (CISPR) of the 

International Electrotechnical Commission. Measurement bandwidths of 9 kHz and 120 kHz are to be used 

with a quasi-peak detector at frequencies below and above 30 MHz, respectively. 
B-1 

APPENDIX B 

SUMMARY OF FOREIGN TECHNICAL REPORTS 

B.1 INTRODUCTION 

This appendix summarizes foreign technical reports related to BPL 

implementation. NTIA reviewed these reports in the course of designing and refining its 

technical approach. Citation and summarization of a report herein does not, in itself, 

signify NTIA concurrence with any aspect of the report and inclusion or exclusion of a 

report has no significance. In this appendix, the acronyms BPL (for Broadband on Power 

Line), PLC (for Power Line Communications), and PLT (for Power Line 

Telecommunications or Technologies) are synonymous and will be used in accordance 

with each original report. 

B.2 IMPLEMENTATION REPORTS 

Several telecom equipment manufacturers have teamed up with utility companies 

to build BPL systems in order to test the technical and economical feasibility of BPL. 

Results of some of these implementation efforts are presented in Table B-1. 

Table B-1: BPL Implementation Results 

Company / 

Nation 

Result Source of Information 

SIEMENS / 

Germany 

SIEMENS decided in March 2001to leave the 

PLC business. Power companies which were due 

to use SIEMENS equipments are now supplied by 

ASCOM. 

http://www.darc.de/refera

te/emv/plc/PLC-inGermany-3-2001-Pressrelease.pdf

NUON / 

Netherlands 

NUON stops offering digital services through the 

power lines in the beginning of July, 2003. 

http://www.webwereld.nl

/nieuws/14920.phtml (in 

Dutch) 

ASCOM / 

Switzerland 

According to DARC, ASCOM has declared that 

it was unable to supply all PLC main outlets with 

sufficient low failure rate because it can not be 

supported by the NB30 requirement. 

http://www.darc.de/refera

te/emv/plc/c3.4-rev1-

PLC5RPRT.pdf 

ASCOM: Swiss PLC equipment supplier 

NUON: Dutch energy company 

SIEMENS: German PLC equipment supplier 
B-2 

B.3 MEASUREMENT REPORTS 

 Many EMC measurements conducted by government agencies and private groups 

have been reported. Some of these reports are presented in Table B-2. 

Table B-2: Measurement Reports 

Country or 

Agency 

Report or Result Source of Information 

OVSV / 

Austria 

Video Showing Effect of PLC in Tirol, Austria http://www.darc.de/refera

te/emv/plc/plc_video_tiro

l.rm 

OVSV / 

Austria 

Video Showing Effect of PLC in Linz, Austria http://www.darc.de/refera

te/emv/plc/plc_video_lin

z.rm 

Austria During an emergency exercise of the Austrian 

Red Cross in May 2003, communication was 

massively disturbed by PLC, with interference 

levels exceeding the limits by a factor 10,000. 

http://futurezone.orf.at/fu

turezone.orf?read=detail

&id=205693&tmp=4659 

Finland In October 2001, FICORA measured disturbance 

levels in the PLC test network in a residential 

area. The measurements revealed that data 

transmission caused a significant rise in 

disturbance levels inside buildings, and outside 

near buildings and underground cables. The 

measured levels were significantly higher than 

NB30. 

http://www.ficora.fi/2001

/VV_vsk2001.pdf

Germany “PLT, DSL, cable communications (including 

cable TV), LANs and other effect on radio 

services” 

ECC Report 24, Section 

8.1.2 

Germany “PLT, DSL, cable communications (including 

cable TV), LANs and other effect on radio 

services” 

ECC Report 24, Section 

8.1.3 

Germany “PLT, DSL, cable communications (including 

cable TV), LANs and other effect on radio 

services” 

ECC Report 24, Section 

8.1.4 

JARL / Japan “On Radio Interference Assessments of Access 

PLC System” 

http://www.qsl.net/jh5es

m/PLC/isplc2003/isplc20

03a2-3.pdf 

JARL / Japan “On Radio Interference Assessments of Access 

PLC System – Presentation Material” 

http://www.qsl.net/jh5es

m/PLC/isplc2003/isplc20

03a2-3presentation.pdf 
B-3 

Japan “Interference measurements in HF and UHF 

bands caused by extension of power line 

communication bandwidth for astronomical 

purpose” 

http://www.qsl.net/jh5es

m/PLC/isplc2003/isplc20

03a7-1.pdf 

VERON / 

Netherlands 

“The Radio Amateur and the Effects of the Use of 

the 230-Volt Power Line for Broadband Data 

Communications” 

http://www.darc.de/refera

te/emv/plc/VERON_PLC

_Report.pdf 

VERON / 

Netherlands 

“HF radio reception compatibility test of an inhouse PLC system using two brands of modems” http://www.arrl.org/tis/in

fo/HTML/plc/files/Mode

mRPRTVeron11-04-

03.pdf 

Netherlands “Current Situation on the Field Trials and Other 

Tests Performed in the Netherlands” (in Dutch) 

http://www.agentschaptelecom.nl/informatie/plc

/Position_NL_PLC_C..p

df (special access 

required) 

Netherlands “Information on radiating properties of mains 

networks” (in Dutch) 

http://www.agentschaptelecom.nl/informatie/plc

/NL_versie 6_final.pdf 

(special access required) 

Norway “PLT, DSL, cable communications (including 

cable TV), LANs and other effect on radio 

services” 

ECC Report 24, Section 

8.1.1 

Switzerland “Power Line Communication at Fribourg” (study 

report in French only)

http://www.bakom.ch/en/

funk/elektromagnetisch/p

lc_freiburg/index.html

BBC/U.K. In October 2002, the Technical Working Group 

completed final report on the “Compatibility of 

VDSL and PLT with radio services in the range 

1.6 MHz to 30 MHz”, in which Appendix M 

contains emission limit proposed by BBC.

http://www.radio.gov.uk/

topics/interference/docu

ments/dslplt.htm 

RA / U.K. RA Technical Working Group Final Report 

“Compatibility of VDSL and PLT with radio 

services in the range 1.6 MHz to 30 MHz” 

(Sections 7.2 & 7.3, Appendices P, Q) 

http://www.radio.gov.uk/

topics/interference/docu

ments/dslplt.htm 

RSGB / U.K. "Notes on RSGB Observations of HF Ambient 

Noise Floor” 

http://www.qsl.net/rsgb_

emc/RSGBMeasurement

s_1b.pdf 

RSGB / U.K. “A paper on the difficulty of measuring 

broadband interference emissions from cables and 

the problem of assessing the results with respect 

to interference to radio reception. Tests and 

experiences from an installed PLT system” 

http://www.qsl.net/rsgb_

emc/PLTREP.pdf 

RSGB / U.K. “Background noise on HF bands” http://www.qsl.net/rsgb_

emc/emcslides.html 
B-4 

RSGB / U.K. “Notes on the RSGB investigation of PLT 

systems in Crieff” 

http://www.qsl.net/rsgb_

emc/CRIEFF%20Notes%

20Version_1.html 

White Box 

Solutions / 

U.K. 

“Some Practical Measurements of Far Field 

Radiated Emissions from a PLT Cell and an 

Estimation of the Cumulative Ground-Wave 

Effects of PLT Deployment on a Sensitive HF 

Surveillance Site protected by a Non-Deployment 

Area of Radius 1500m”, Appendix X of the RA 

Technical Working Group Final Report 

“Compatibility of VDSL and PLT with radio 

services in the range 1.6 MHz to 30 MHz” 

http://www.radio.gov.uk/

topics/interference/docu

ments/dslplt.htm 

ARRL / U.S. “Home Phone Networking Alliance Testing” http://www.arrl.org/tis/in

fo/HTML/plc/files/hpnat

ests.html 

ARRL / U.S. “HomePlug and ARRL Joint Test Report”, 

January 24, 2001

http://www.arrl.org/tis/in

fo/HTML/plc/files/Home

Plug_ARRL_Dec_2000.

pdf 

ECC: Electronic Communications Committer (within CEPT) 

JARL: Japan Amateur Radio League, Inc. 

OVSV: Austrian Amateur Radio Society 

RSGB: Radio Society of Great Britain 

VERON: Vereniging voor Experimenteel Radio Onderzoek Nederland 

Abstracts of some of the reports are presented as follows. 

“Measurement results from PLT field trials – Germany, System A,” ECC Report 24, 

Section 8.1.2. The section presented the measurement result of the radiated noise level 

from a PLT system. System A is designed for outdoor and indoor communication in 

several frequency bands. The outdoor portion begins at a transformer station and ends in 

the cellar of several houses, mostly in front of the power meter. At the same location the 

indoor portion begins using another frequency range and ends at the plugs in the rooms. 

The characteristics of a PLT signal is determined by switching off the PLT system, then 

comparing the scans made with the system on and off. The measurement results showed 

that the PLT signal in the field trial exceeded the NB 30 limit with an injected power 

level of +10 dBm. It was noted that the field trial was based on two examples of cabling 

and using PLT equipment which is still under development, and it covered only one 

injection point (outdoor master) and only less than three households, hence the result was 

not representative. 

“Measurement results from PLT field trials – Germany, System B,” ECC Report 24, 

Section 8.1.3. The section presented the measurement result of the radiated noise level 

from a PLT system. System B is designed for outdoor and indoor communication in the 

same frequency bands. The outdoor portion begins at a transformer station and ends in 
B-5 

the cellar of several houses, mostly in front of the power meter. The indoor portion 

begins at the same location using the same frequency range and ends at the plugs in the 

rooms. A filter is inserted between outdoor slave and indoor master devices to suppress 

influence. The characteristics of a PLT signal were determined by switching off the PLT 

system, and comparing the scans made with the system on and off. The measurement 

results showed the PLT signal in the field trial exceeded the NB 30 limit with an injected 

power level of +17 dBm. It was noted that the trial was based on one example of cabling 

and using PLT equipment which was still under development, and covered only one 

injection point and only three households, hence the result was not representative. 

“Measurement results from PLT field trials – Germany, System C,” ECC Report 24, 

Section 8.1.4. The section presented the measurement result of the radiated noise level 

from a PLT system. System C was developed under the assumption that there would be 

no EMC problems if the system used low enough signal level such that the radiated noise 

met the threshold values specified in NB 30. The field strengths generated by the PLT 

signals, both inside and outside of buildings, were measured using the method in 

Measurement Specification 322MV05. The results showed that the radiated field 

strength at a distance of 3 meters from the injection point was close to the threshold 

values in NB 30, while the field strength at the “transformer station“ exceeded the 

threshold. 

“On Radio Interference Assessments of Access PLC System,” JARL/Japan. 

Measurements were conducted to evaluate the impact of overhead access PLC to the 

amateur radio service and broadcasting service. Three cases were examined. First, the 

S/N of an AM signal and SINAD of a CW carrier were measured, and the results showed 

unacceptable degradation of HF broadcasting services from PLC interference. Second, 

observation using a spectrum analyzer showed that the HF broadcasting signal was 

completely jammed by the BPL modem operation. Third, measurement of the far-field 

component showed that short wave radio was jammed by the PLC signal at 156 meters 

away, and the PLC signal became undetectable at a distance of 200 to 400 meters. The 

experiment concluded that access PLC systems jam HF broadcasting and other radio 

communication services. 

“Interference measurements in HF and UHF bands caused by extension of power line 

communication bandwidth for astronomical purpose,” Japan. Two sets of modems, 

spread spectrum and OFDM, of the access PLC system were tested for the interference 

effect to radio astronomical observation. It was found that in the HF band, the PLC noise 

exceeds the level of the galactic noise by more than 30 dB when the two systems were 

180 meters apart. In the UHF band, spurious emission near 327 MHz was observed at a 

55 meter distance. In both cases, the interference noise exceeds the limit in ITU-R Rec. 

RA 769-1 for protection of radio astronomical observation. Safety separations to meet 

RA 769-1 limit are estimated to be 219 km and 12 km at 9.2 MHz and 327 MHz, 

respectively. The report concluded that PLC is harmful to radio astronomical observation 

in both the HF and UHF bands. 
B-6 

“The Radio Amateur and the Effects of the Use of the 230-Volt Power Line for 

Broadband Data Communications,” VERON/Netherlands. Measurement was conducted 

to evaluate the risks of interference from PLC to an amateur station. Both in-house and 

outside field strength measurements were taken and compared with the CEPT proposed 

radiation limits (NB 30, Norwegian Limit and BBC limit). The coupling between the 

mains wiring and the antennas of the amateur station was also determined. In the audio 

test, the level of interference in the HF amateur bands was evaluated using amateur 

antennas and receiver. The results showed that adequate protection can be provided 

against mains injected interference signals only in the BBC limit which was the strictest. 

Additional measurements were performed to find the “normal” interference levels on the 

mains wiring. The results showed that (1) it was apparent that the present interference 

levels in a quiet rural area are far below the CISPR 22 limits, and (2) injection of 

interference signals with a level equal to the CISPR 22 limit level causes harmful 

interference to the reception of signals in the amateur bands. 

“HF radio reception compatibility test of an in-house PLC system using two brands of 

modems,” VERON/Netherlands. Tests were performed on the emissions of two types of 

in-house PLC modems developed to the HomePlug® standard. The measurements were 

done in a laboratory set-up, and in a residential house. The laboratory set-up, with many 

PCs running, was used to measure the mains disturbance voltage, field strength, and 

background noise; the residential house was used to measure the interference on an 

amateur radio receiving antenna, background signals, and noise on mains. The results 

show that one modem seems just to meet the mains disturbance limit in EN55022 for 

residential environment, and the other modem shows a level approximately 20 dB higher. 

Also, the following general observations were made: (1) interference from the modems is 

probably not a threat to the radio amateur service for a reasonably well constructed 

outdoor receive antenna, (2) interference may be harmful to the broadcasting services 

outside the spectrum notches, and (3) the background mains disturbance level is 30 dB or 

more below the EN55022 B limit in both the laboratory and residential environments. 

“Measurement results from PLT field trials – Norway,” ECC Report 24, Section 8.1.1. 

The Norwegian Post and Telecommunications Authority conducted measurement tests on 

all experimental PLT systems in Norway in order to obtain information on unwanted 

radiation to other spectrally collocated radio systems in the HF band. The EMC 

requirement of PLT equipment for the mains port in wood buildings, a worst-case 

scenario, is 20 dBμV/m quasi-peak measured at a distance of 3 meters from the cable 

structure. The measured data are combined with a coupling factor to give the extent of 

field emission from equipment for the mains port. The measurement results show EM 

field levels 20–40 dB higher than 20 dBμV/m. This clearly indicates the need for a 

significant reduction in the spectral power density of the PLT signal to achieve 

compliance with existing EMC standards. Moreover, the report asserts that the field 

emission requirements for PLT should be somewhat more restrictive than the 20 dBμV/m 

limit because the PLT signal might be an ”always on” signal, and the geographical 

concentration of PLT units within a certain area might be fairly high. 
B-7 

“Power Line Communication at Fribourg,” Switzerland. A PLC network had been 

installed at the Swiss city of Fribourg. The Swiss Federal Office of Communication 

(OFCOM) accomplished extensive interference measurements on site with the goal to 

find out if and to what extent radio services in the short wave range would be disturbed. 

The already existent man-made noise at urban and rural areas has been analyzed and 

accounted for as well. The statistical interpretation of measurement data shows that PLC 

interference below 10 MHz is of little impact at urban areas because of already existent 

interference from other sources. However, at frequencies above 10MHz, PLC emissions 

are clearly the predominant cause for interference. Furthermore it has been shown that 

the limit of the German standard NB30 is exceeded at all frequencies of interest between 

2.4 MHz and 25.4 MHz at urban areas. This report is available only in French. 

 “Compatibility of VDSL and PLT with radio services in the range 1.6 MHz to 30 MHz,” 

RA Technical Working Group Final Report, RA/U.K., Sections 7.2 & 7.3. 

Measurements of radiated emission from access and in-house PLC systems were 

conducted and data were presented. There was no discussion on the interference effect. 

“Notes on the RSGB investigation of PLT systems in Crieff”, RSGB/U.K. Two PLT 

systems, ACOM and MAINNET, were tested. The primary objective was to obtain 

information on levels of interference noise generated by PLT systems and how this will 

affect radio amateurs and short wave listeners. Interference noise was observed, but no 

quantitative data were reported. No analysis or conclusion was presented. 

“Some Practical Measurements of Far Field Radiated Emissions from a PLT Cell and an 

Estimation of the Cumulative Ground-Wave Effects of PLT Deployment on a Sensitive 

HF Surveillance Site protected by a Non-Deployment Area of Radius 1500m,” White 

Box Solutions/U.K. Field strength measurements were undertaken in a suburban/rural 

area. The results of these measurements were applied to the scenario of a sensitive HF 

radio surveillance site. It was concluded that for a non-deployment zone of radius 

1500m, the dominant source of noise remains atmospheric noise (including man-made) 

and that the cumulative contribution from the surrounding PLT interferers would, in a 

worst case scenario, have less than 0.1 dB impact on the noise floor. 

“HomePlug and ARRL Joint Test Report,” ARRL/U.S. The experiment examined the 

interference effect from the BPL waveform and power spectral density (PSD) limits 

proposed by HomePlug to the amateur radio services. Tests showed in general that with 

moderate separation of the antenna from the structure containing the HomePlug signal 

that interference was barely perceptible. The cases of objectionable interference were 

noted for an antenna located close to the power lines, a configuration chosen to mimic the 

situation in which the HomePlug equipment was in one house and the amateur radio in 

another. 
B-8 

B.4 MODELING AND ANALYSIS REPORTS 

Several studies have developed models to analyze the potential BPL EMC 

problems. Some of the reports are listed in Table B-3. 

Table B-3: Modeling and Analysis Reports 

Country or 

Agency 

Report Source of Information 

CEPT “Determination of limiting values for emissions 

from PLT to protect DRM” 

ECC PT SE35 

Japan “Sharing studies between the radio astronomy 

telescopes and the power line communication 

systems in the HF region” 

http://www.qsl.net/jh5es

m/PLC/isplc2003/isplc20

03a7-4.pdf 

BBC / U.K. “Cumulative Effects of Distributed Interferers”, 

Appendix R of the RA Technical Working Group 

Final Report “Compatibility of VDSL and PLT 

with radio services in the range 1.6 MHz to 30 

MHz” 

http://www.radio.gov.uk/

topics/interference/docu

ments/dslplt.htm 

White Box 

Solutions / 

U.K. 

“Application of Power Control and Other 

Correction Factors to PLT Systems and their 

Subsequent Impact on the Cumulative Effects, via 

Space Wave Propagation, on Aircraft HF 

Receivers”, Appendix Y of the RA Technical 

Working Group Final Report “Compatibility of 

VDSL and PLT with radio services in the range 

1.6 MHz to 30 MHz” 

http://www.radio.gov.uk/

topics/interference/docu

ments/dslplt.htm 

ARRL / U.S. “Calculated Impact of PLC on Stations Operating 

in the Amateur Radio Service” (p.9-13) 

http://www.arrl.org/tis/in

fo/HTML/plc/files/C63N

ovPLC.pdf 

Abstracts of these reports are presented as follows. 

“Determination of limiting values for emissions from PLT to protect DRM,” CEPT/ECC 

PT SE35. This report presents measurement result for determining PLT emission limits 

to protect DRM transmission. The DRM system uses either 9 or 10 kHz channels or 

multiples thereof, QAM/OFDM modulation with channel coding, time interleaving, and 

FEC. The PLT system has neither defined bandwidth nor standardized modulation. The 

measurements were conducted in the HF band. The DRM reference field strength is 40 

dBμV/m, which is the minimum sensitivity of an average AM receiver; this level is about 

10 to 20 dB above the minimum usable field strength of DRM receivers. The PLT signal 

was transmitted with a mains power supply cable connecting two PLT modems. It was 

observed that the PLT signal in file transfer mode affects noticeably the DRM receiver 

sensitivity threshold by 7 to 15 dB. Moreover, the DRM receiver threshold is affected 
B-9 

even when the PLT was switched on but not transferring files. It was also observed that 

when the PLT signal level reaches the NB30 limit (32 dBμV/m), the DRM receiver 

sensitivity threshold is 3 dB higher than the protected minimum field strength in mode 1 

(43 dBμV/m instead of 40 dBμV/m), and 9 dB higher in mode 2. Therefore, the limiting 

value for emissions from a radiating PLT source to protect DRM receiver at less than 3-

meter distance shall be equal to or less than 16 dBμV/m in the HF band. This value is 16 

dB more stringent than the NB30 limit defined at 3-meter distance. The results clearly 

show that the NB30 limits are not sufficient to protect DRM receivers in presence of a 

PLT signal. 

“Sharing studies between the radio astronomy telescopes and the power line 

communication systems in the HF region,” Japan. The report develops a 

methodology to calculate the necessary distance between a radio astronomy 

antenna site and a metropolitan PLC system by using two equations in ITU-R 

P.525. First, it uses an equation for point-to-area links to calculate the radiation 

field strength at 30 meters. Then, it uses an equation for point-to-point links to 

calculate free space loss of the radiated field. Considering that 30-meter 

distance is likely in the near-field range for a BPL system, and that the BPL 

emission source may not be a point source, the accuracy of this model may be 

subject to examination. 

 

“Cumulative Effects of Distributed Interferers,” BBC/U.K. This model develops 

methodologies to estimate the aggregate interference power from a distribution of PLC 

sources. The receiver can be in either an aircraft or a ground-based system. This is a farfield model, and curvature of the Earth surface is being considered. The analysis 

indicates that the interference received by an aircraft is nearly independent of aircraft 

height when the entire visible earth is populated with the PLT systems. Limiting the area 

of distributed interferers from the visible earth to a smaller area representative of a major 

conurbation does not decrease the interference very greatly, unless the aircraft is very 

high. For ground receivers, the analysis indicates that sky-wave interference from 

widespread PLT systems to ground-based receivers may not always be negligible, even 

though it is less than that shown to be suffered by aircraft. 

“Application of Power Control and Other Correction Factors to PLT Systems and their 

Subsequent Impact on the Cumulative Effects, via Space Wave Propagation, on Aircraft 

HF Receivers,” White Box Solutions/U.K. This study utilizes the model in the report 

“Cumulative Effects of Distributed Interferers” to examine the possibility of using power 

control and other correction factors for the PLT systems to alleviate the impact from the 

distributed BPL systems to aircraft HF receivers. Its result indicates that practical PLT 

systems employing power control and power density less than -60dBm/Hz would not 

appear to raise the HF noise floor at an aircraft at any reasonable operational altitude. 

“Calculated Impact of PLC on Stations Operating in the Amateur Radio Service,” 

ARRL/U.S. ARRL uses EZNEC 3.1 with the NEC-4 engine to model a power line of 

300 feet as an antenna. Its result shows that the emitted PLC signal at 30-meter distance 

is 275μV/m/9kHz, which exceeds the FCC limits by about 15 dB. ARRL claims that the 
B-10 

data is supported by actual measurements made in Japan. Another message from this 

paper is that, by using a line source instead of a point source, the signal strength vs. 

distance relationship should be 20dB/decade instead of 40dB/decade. 
C-1 

APPENDIX C 

CHARACTERIZATION OF FEDERAL GOVERNMENT SPECTRUM 

USAGE AND OPERATIONS, REPRESENTATIVE SYSTEMS AND 

TYPICAL PARAMETERS 

C.1 INTRODUCTION 

 As summarized in Section 4, the 1.7-80 MHz frequency range hosts a number of radio 

services and supports well over one-hundred-thousand Federal Government RF systems. 

Frequencies in this range are intensively used on the bases of time-and geographic-sharing by 

several radio systems. This appendix provides a more detailed discussion on federal spectrum 

usage and operations under each radio service. In addition, this appendix provides a general 

characterization of Federal Government RF systems that includes presentation of representative 

federal systems and typical system parameters. 

The main data sources used in the description of the Federal Government RF systems, 

spectrum usage and, in some cases, the radio services are the Government Master File (GMF), 

federal agencies’ inputs, and an earlier NTIA study.1

 Section C.2 discusses the nature of relevant 

radio services and their allocations in the 1.7-80 MHz band. Special systems are described in 

Section C.3, and special operating considerations are summarized in Section C.4. 

C.2 SERVICES AND EXAMPLE SYSTEMS 

C.2.1 Fixed Service (1.7-29.7 MHz)

 The use of radio frequencies below 30 MHz for domestic fixed service by the Federal 

Government is delineated in Section 8.2.11 of the NTIA Manual. An excerpt from the NTIA 

Manual regarding the use of fixed service below 30 MHz by the Federal Government is 

presented in Section C.4. The frequency bands allocated to the fixed service in the 1.7-30 MHz 

band are shown in Table C-1. 

 In general, the Federal Government fixed service applications include voice and data 

transmissions over intermediate and long-range distances (25 km to over 2,000 km). Many fixed 

stations are located in the vicinity of power lines which could eventually be used by BPL 

systems (e.g., see Figure C-1). The DOD, for example, uses HF radios on military installations, 

both for ground and skywave modes of operations, on or near major urban environments. The 

DOJ and DHS employ fixed systems throughout the United States, including urban and suburban 

areas, in support of law enforcement activities. 

 

1

 Grant, W.B., et al., Spectrum Resource Assessment of Government Use of the HF (3-30 MHz) Band, NTIA 

Technical Memorandum 89-141, June 1989. Relevant information from this study is included in this Appendix. 
C-2 

Table C-1: Frequency Bands Allocated to the Fixed Service in the 1.7-30 MHz Band

Frequency 

(kHz) 

BW 

(kHz) 

Frequency 

(kHz) 

BW 

(kHz) 

Frequency 

(kHz) 

BW 

(kHz) 

Frequency 

(kHz) 

BW 

(kHz) 

1705-1800 95 5730-5900 170 13410-13570 160 19029-19680 651 

2000-2065 65 5900-5950 50 13570-13600 30 19800-19990 190 

2107-2170 63 6765-7000 235 13800-13870 70 20010-21000 990 

2194-2495 301 7300-7350 50 13870-14000 130 21850-21924 74 

2505-2850 345 7350-8100 750 14350-14990 640 22855-23000 145 

3155-3230 75 9040-9500 460 15600-15800 200 23000-23200 200 

3230-3400 170 9900-9995 95 15800-16360 560 23350-24890 1540 

4438-4650 212 10150-11175 1025 17410-17480 70 25330-25550 220 

4750-4850 100 11400-11600 200 17480-17550 70 26480-26950 470 

4850-4995 145 11600-11650 50 18030-18068 38 27540-28000 460 

5005-5060 55 12050-12100 50 18168-18780 612 --- 

5060-5450 390 12100-12230 130 18900-19020 120 --- 

Total Bandwidth = 12,030 kHz

Both the DOJ and DHS HF systems that support law enforcement activities in many 

cases use encryption in both ground and skywave modes of operations.2

 Some of these systems 

support crisis response teams, including the Federal Government’s SHARES network program 

that is described below. The vast majority of fixed systems in this portion of the spectrum 

operate in the simplex mode. Table C-2 shows the representative technical characteristics of 

fixed systems in the 1.7-30 MHz band. 

 Many foreign governments operate HF fixed stations at their embassy and mission 

facilities that typically are located in major cities throughout the United States. While many of 

these operations may backup or supplement other means of communications, these HF systems 

become critical sole means of communications in certain times of crises. 

SHARES. The mission of the shared resources (SHARES) network is to provide backup or 

supplemental communications for exchange of critical information among federal entities during 

certain crisis situations. Normally, frequency assignments that support the SHARES network are 

nationwide or assigned under the United States and Possessions (US&P) category. The HF 

portion of the spectrum is most suitable for the operation of the SHARES network because it 

offers a medium in which a reliable, geographically expansive network can be established, 

without satellites, using easy to implement equipment operating over a range of frequencies 

(Federal Government satellite facilities are used for other purposes in certain times of crises). A 

summary of the emergency use of Federal Government HF frequencies for the SHARES 

program is provided in Section C.4.2. 

 

2

 Interference to encrypted radio channels can be particularly harmful insofar as considerable time is needed to 

reestablish communications in an encrypted mode of operation. 
C-3 

Figure C-1: An Example of a Federal Government Radio Antenna near Power Lines. 

Table C-2: Typical Technical Characteristics of Fixed Systems (1.7-30 MHz Band)

System Bandwidth 

(kHz) 

Ant. Gain 

(dBi) 

Ant. Height 

(ft) 

Ant. Type/ 

Polarization

Modulations 

Typical Fx 2.8 0-2 30-140 Dipole/ 

V& H 

Analog, single channel, suppressed 

carrier, telephony 

C.2.2 Fixed Service (29.7-80 MHz)

 There are twelve fixed service bands, as shown in Table C-3, allocated to the Federal 

Government to support federal fixed service requirements in the 29.7-80 MHz band. The fixed 

systems operated by the federal non-military agencies in this frequency range normally 

compliment the mobile or land mobile service. They provide relay connectivity (repeater 

stations) to hand held and vehicular mobile phones used by the federal agencies for: 

management, protection, and preservation of the natural resources; search and rescue operations; 

and law enforcement activities. These fixed systems are also used for: exchange of 
C-4 

meteorological data; detection of unauthorized vehicular traffic, such as on or near shuttle 

landing areas; and for fire alarm supervisory systems at various facilities. 

Table C-3: Frequency Bands Allocated to the Federal Government for 

Fixed Service in the 29.7-80 MHz Band

Frequency 

(MHz) 

BW 

(MHz) 

Frequency 

(MHz) 

BW 

(MHz) 

Frequency 

(MHz) 

BW 

(MHz) 

Frequency 

(MHz) 

BW 

(MHz) 

29.89-29.91 0.02 34-35 1.0 38.25-39 0.75 49.6-50 0.4 

30-30.56 0.56 36-37 1.0 40-42 2.0 74.6-74.8 0.2 

32-33 1.0 38-38.25 0.25 46.6-47 0.4 75.2-75.4 0.2 

Total Bandwidth = 7.78 MHz

 The DOD also employs their fixed systems as repeaters for: land and air networks; 

tactical and training purposes; and support of military bases operations. These include tactical 

communications exercises for base defense missions; command and control; law enforcement; 

remote control of multiple cameras on test ranges; airfield lighting; and acoustic range traffic 

lights. In addition, these fixed systems support research, development, test and evaluation of 

DOD systems. 

Federal Agencies’ Repeaters (Relay Stations). The vast majority of fixed systems used by the 

federal agencies in the 29.7-80 MHz band compliments or provides relay connectivity for land 

mobile systems. The majority of the federal fixed assignments that support relay operations are 

under the US&P category. Some of these assignments are required for short term intermittent 

use at unspecified locations and used for notification of planned regular operations. Typical 

technical characteristics of these systems are provided in Table C-4. 

Table C-4: Typical Technical Characteristics of Fixed System (29.7-80 MHz Band)

Fixed 

Systems 

Bandwidth 

(kHz) 

Ant. Gain 

(dBi) 

Ant. Height 

(Ft) 

Ant. Type/ 

Polarization 

Modulations 

Non-DoD 16 0-3 16-250 Whip, yagi, 

collinear & 

dipole/V&H 

Analog and digital, frequency 

modulated, single channel, data and 

telephony. 

DoD 16-40 0-2 10-400 Whip, dipole, 

collinear, & 

coaxial/V&H 

Analog and digital, frequency 

modulated, single channel, data and 

telephony. 

C.2.3 Mobile Service

 A total of 42 bands are allocated to the Federal Government for mobile service in the 1.7-

80 MHz band. Of these, 13 bands provide secondary allocation to the mobile service and 17 

bands exclude the use of aeronautical mobile service as indicated in Table C-5. Typical systems 

parameters are described below. 
C-5 

Table C-5: Frequency Bands Allocated to the Mobile Service in the 1.7-80 MHz Band 

Frequency 

(kHz) 

BW 

(kHz) 

Frequency 

(kHz) 

BW 

(kHz) 

Frequency 

(kHz) 

BW 

(kHz) 

Frequency 

(kHz) 

BW 

(kHz) 

1705-1800 95 5060-5450 *

 390 ** 14350-14990 * 640 ** 34000-35000 1000 

2000-2065 65 5730-5900 170 ** 18168-18780 * 612 36000-37000 1000 

2107-2170 63 5900-5950 50 ** 20010-21000 * 990 38000-38250 250 

2173.5-2190.5 17 6765-7000 * 235 23000-23200 *

 200 ** 38250-39000 750 

2194-2495 301 7300-7350 * 50 23350-24890 1540 ** 40000-42000 2000 

2505-2850 345 7350-8100 * 750 25330-25550 220 ** 46600-47000 400 

3155-3230 75 ** 10150-11175 *

 1025 ** 26480-26950 470 ** 49600-50000 400 

3230-3400 170 ** 13410-13570 *

 160 ** 27540-28000 460 74600-74800 200 

4438-4650 212 ** 13570-13600 *

 30 ** 29890-29910 20 75200-75400 200 

4750-4850 100 ** 13800-13870 *

 70 ** 30000-30560 560 — -- 

4850-4995 145 13870-14000 *

 130 ** 32000-33000 1000 --- -- 

* Mobile service is secondary in this band 

** The use of aeronautical mobile is prohibited in this band. 

Total Bandwidth = 17,560 kHz

For the most part, federal mobile service requirements in this portion of the spectrum 

include voice and data, which also encompass intermediate and long-range operations. The 

military, for example, uses HF mobile radios in ground wave modes (e.g., hundreds of 

kilometers) and skywave modes (thousands of kilometers) the same way they use the their fixed 

systems. The vast majority of military mobile radios operations are for tactical training, 

including tactical communications to ground units, ships and aircraft, base operations, and as 

back-ups or supplements to satellite communications. Normal training occurs in military bases 

which may be in the vicinity of power lines. Example systems used by the DOD for training and 

tactical communications are described below (AN/VRC-100 and SINCGARS). 

 The Coast Guard uses the HF and MF portions of the spectrum extensively for sea and air 

operations that include monitoring distress calls, both international and domestic digital selective 

calling including for distress calls, and search and rescue operations along the coastal areas of the 

United States. A total of about 160 base stations sites, including command and control sites, in 

the United States are used for these purposes. In addition, there are approximately 100 HF/MFequipped buoy tenders and other vessels that operate on inland waters, up rivers and inshore 

along the coasts. These vessels/boats are frequently near power lines. 
C-6 

 The DOJ and the DHS substantially use mobile radios in the HF band. The vast majority 

of these radios are dedicated for law enforcement or used in support of emergency and crises 

responses; as such, these systems are authorized to operate anywhere in the United States. 

Mobile radios employed by both agencies use encryption technology and some use ALE. An 

example system is the U.S. Customs Over the Horizon Enforcement Network (COTHEN). A 

brief description of the COTHEN system is presented below. 

Single-Channel Ground and Airborne Radio System (SINCGARS). The SINCGARS is a 

family of VHF-FM combat net radios which provide the primary means of command and control 

for infantry, armor, and artillery units in the Army. It is capable of short range or long range 

operation for voice or digital data communications. The system’s configurations include manpack, vehicular, and airborne units. These units can be used for single channel operation or in a 

jam-resistant, frequency hopping mode which can be changed as needed. When configured for 

use of low VHF frequencies, the system operates on any of the 2320 channels between 30-88 

MHz in 25 kHz increments and is designed to survive a nuclear environment. The SINCGARS 

Program is continuously evolving to provide the latest in improvements and capabilities to the 

soldier and to meet the Army’s objectives for widespread digitization. 

The SINCGARS system, which was once a conventional voice-only radio used for 

communications up and down the chain of command, has evolved into a software-defined, open 

architecture system with extensive networking capabilities. It offers clear or secure voice and 

data communications capabilities that provide situational awareness and transmit command and 

control information across entire theaters of battle or control.3

 A handheld unit, an airborne unit 

(AN/ARC-210D), a man-pack (AN/PRC-119F(V)), and various vehicular components 

(AN/VRC-90F(V), AN/VRC-87F(V), AN/VRC-87F(V), AN/VRC-89F(V), AN/VRC-91F(V) 

and VRC-92F(V)) are under production.4 The SINCGARS program office has fielded more than 

136,000 radios to training base and Army units worldwide.5 

COTHEN. This network became widely operational in 1985. Previously, only Custom’s 

marine vessels were equipped with the COTHEN radios; however, because of the success of this 

initial deployment, the network now provides communications support for more than 235 

aircraft, numerous maritime interdiction vessels, several command offices, and numerous allied 

agencies including the Coast Guard, Drug Enforcement Administration, Border Patrol, Army, 

Navy, and Joint Interagency Task Forces. 

The network integrates radio, computer, and a tactical voice privacy unit in a extremely reliable, 

state-of-the-art communications network that meets the demanding requirements of Customs’ 

tactical interdiction aircraft and boats in their fight against smuggling activities. High powered 

fixed station transmitters located across the United States are connected to Customs’ air, marine, 

and Special Agent In Charge (SAIC) locations via dedicated telephone lines. Tactical 

interdiction platforms equipped with COTHEN radio can place a call to any other platform or 

 

3

 http:/www.acd.itt.com/sincgars.htm. 

4 Id.

5

 http:/www.globalsecurity.org/military/systems/ground/sincgars.htm. 
C-7 

office in the network thousands of miles away typically using an ALE protocol. Units on the 

COTHEN network use encryption for most of the voice communications. The COTHEN 

network uses frequencies throughout the HF band in order to obtain both the needed capacity and 

frequency diversity (see Section C.4.1). 

AN/VRC-100 (V). The Army’s AN/VRC-100 (V) system works in conjunction with the 

AN/ARC-220 (V) to provide air-to-ground, ground-to-air, ground-to-ground, and air-to-air nonline of sight communications with aircraft at low altitude (30 meters to ground level in the HF 

band). These radios will support normal voice and encrypted voice communications, as well as 

message data. The AN/VRC-100 (V) uses multiple modulations and coding techniques and it 

uses an ALE tone (8-ary frequency shift keying). Table C-6 shows typical technical 

characteristics of mobile systems. 

C.2.4 Land Mobile Service

 

For so many decades, the federal agencies land mobile requirements have been fulfilled in the 

mobile bands listed in Table C-5. The vast majority of federal agencies usage of the land mobile 

service are for: national defense (DOD); law enforcement (e.g., DHS and DOJ); management 

and preservation of national resources; search and rescue; and emergency and safety 

communications operations in national seashores, lakes, forests, water resources, and wildlife 

refuge, including Tribal Lands and reservations (e.g., DOI and DOA). Frequency assignments 

that support land mobile radios for law enforcement are under the US&P category. The areas of 

operation for these radios include the urban, suburban, and rural areas, both off-shore and inland. Operation of these land mobile radios typically occurs near power lines that may be used 

for BPL systems. 

Table C-6: Typical Technical Characteristics of Mobile Service in the 1.7-80 MHz Band 

Mobile 

Systems 

Freq. 

Range 

(MHz) 

Bandwidth 

(kHz) 

Ant. Gain

(dBi) 

Ant. 

Height 

(Ft) ) 

Ant. Type/ 

Polarization

 Modulations 

Fx Station 1.7-30 2.8 0 30-100 Whip/V& H Analog, single channel. 

Suppressed carrier, telephony 

Mobile unit 1.7-30 2.8-3.0 0-2 6-32 Whip/V & H Analog, single channel. 

Suppressed carrier, telephony 

Fx Station 29.7-80 16 0-3 30-400 Whip, 

Dipole/V&H 

Analog or digital, single 

channel, Frequency modulated, 

telephony and data. 

Mobile unit 29.7-80 16 0 6-32 Whip/V Analog or digital, single or 

multiple channels. Frequency 

Modulated, telephony and data 

 In some cases, especially in areas lacking adequate commercial telephone facilities, 

alternative communications that involve the use of non-government stations (e.g., citizens radio 

service (CB)) are provided by the federal agencies. Such uses are in accordance with Part 95 of 
C-8 

the FCC Rules and Regulations. In a practical sense, these systems typically may not be in areas 

where power lines are deployed. 

 The DOE’s most prominent use of the HF spectrum is for secure communications. The 

DOE’s HF system provides a nationwide communications capability to facilitate shipments in 

support of national defense. The system supplements existing physical security measures by 

providing normal and emergency communications between vehicles and the DOE’s operations 

office control center.6

 The DOE also relies upon HF to provide essential communications during 

periods of critical emergencies around various DOE facilities throughout the United States. 

Typical technical characteristics of land mobile systems in the 1.7-80 MHz band are shown in 

Table C-7. 

Table C-7: Typical Technical Characteristics of Land Mobile Services in the 

1.7-80 MHz Band 

Land 

Mobile 

Systems 

Freq. 

Range 

(MHz) 

Bandwidth 

(kHz) 

Antenna 

Gain 

(dBi) 

Antenna 

Height 

(Ft) ) 

Antenna 

Type/ 

Polarization

 Modulations 

Base 

Station 

1.7-30 2.8 0 30-100 Collinear, 

whip, 

dipole/V&H 

Analog or digital, single 

channel., suppressed carrier, 

telephony and telegraphy 

Mobile 

Unit 

1.7-30 2.8-3.0 0-2 6-32 Whip/V&H Analog or digital, single 

channel, suppressed carrier, 

telephony and telegraphy 

Base 

Station 

29.7-80 16-25 0-3 30-400 Collinear, 

whip, 

dipole/V&H 

Analog or digital, single 

channel, suppressed carrier, 

telephony and telegraphy 

Mobile 

Unit 

29.7-80 16-25 0 6-32 Whip/V Analog or digital, single 

channel, suppressed carrier, 

telephony and telegraphy 

C.2.5 Maritime Mobile Service7

 

 The maritime mobile bands in the 1.7-80 MHz frequency range allocated to the Federal 

Government are shown in Table C-8. The Federal Government’s main users of the maritime 

mobile bands are the Coast Guard, Navy, DOI, and the Department of Commerce (DOC). 

 The Coast Guard operates HF systems for communications between shore stations and 

ships, and from ship-to-ship. These systems support command and control communications with 

cutters, aircraft, and shore facilities for various purposes including: off shore search and rescue; 

drug interdiction; enforcement of laws and treaties; and Arctic and Antarctic operations. 

Because of the Coast Guard’s important role in the drug interdiction, a significant increase in the 

use of HF systems for air/ground and ship-to-shore communications has taken place over the last 

 

6 Supra note 1 at 66. 

7 Id. at 69. 
C-9 

few decades. The Coast Guard also relies on the HF band for services such as distress and safety 

communications, broadcast of maritime safety information, emergency medical assistance 

communications, broadcast of weather observation reports, and receipt of vessel position reports 

for safety purposes. 

Table C-8: Frequency Bands Allocated to the Federal Government for 

Maritime Mobile Service in the 1.7-80 MHz Band 

Frequency Band 

(kHz) 

BW 

(kHz) 

Frequency Band 

(kHz) 

BW 

(kHz) 

Frequency Band 

(kHz) 

BW 

(kHz) 

2065-2107 42 6200-6525 325 18780-18900 120 

2170-2173.5 3.5 8100-8195 95 19680-19800 120 

2190.5-2194 3.5 8195-8815 620 22000-22855 855 

4000-4063 63 12230-13200 970 25070-25210 140 

4063-4438 375 16360-17410 1050 26100-26175 75 

Total Bandwidth (BW) = 4,857 kHz

 In addition, the Coast Guard has an HF network that ties its major bases together, 

including bases in Alaska, throughout CONUS, Hawaii, Puerto Rico, the U.S. Virgin Islands, 

and the trust territories of the Pacific Ocean. The Coast Guard also has communication networks 

in the HF band to support the Long Range Aid to Navigation-C (LORAN-C). Although, the 

LORAN-C was earmarked for replacement by the Global Positioning System (GPS), the existing 

LORAN-C chains will be maintained and upgraded, at least till the year 2008, in the transition 

period to satellite-based navigation.8

 The Coast Guard carefully monitors several protected HF channels 24 hours a day from 

several locations in the U.S. and its possessions for distress and maritime safety information 

communications. Some of these frequencies are used by the Global Maritime Distress and 

Safety System (GMDSS). Table C-9 shows the specific frequencies monitored by the Coast 

Guard for distress calling. Consistently over the last few decades, the Coast Guard annually 

responded to about 2000 search and rescue cases from boats and ships in trouble, where alerting 

is via frequencies listed in Table C-9. 

 The Navy also has communication systems between shore stations and ships, as well as 

ship-to-ship in the HF maritime mobile bands. Navy uses include: communications support to 

hydrographic surveys; tanker operations; weapon system testing; secure voice communications, 

and the naval telecommunications system that provides command, control, and communications 

for the Navy and Marine Corps operating forces. For the Navy, the HF band provides major 

back-up and supplemental capabilities for long distance emergency and war time 

communications and will continue to be very important asset to the Navy for fleet-wide 

communication needs. 

 

8

 http://webhome.idirect.com/~jproc/hyperbolic/loran_c_future.html. 
C-10 

Table C-9: Frequencies Monitored by Coast Guard for Distress and Safety Communications in the HF Band9

Freq. (kHz) Usage Freq. (kHz) Usage Freq. (kHz) Usage 

2174.5

 * NBDP-COM 6215 * RTP-COM 12577 * DSC 

2182

 * RTP-COM 6268 * NBDP-COM 12579 * MSI 

2187.5

 * DSC 6312 * DSC 16420 * RTP-COM 

3023 Aero-SAR 6314 MSI 16695

 * NBDP-COM

4125

 * RTP-COM 8291 * RTP-COM 16804.5 * DSC 

4177.5

 * NBDP-COM 8376.5 * NBDP-COM 16806.5 MSI 

4207.5

 * DSC 8414.5 * DSC 19680.5 MSI 

4209.5 MSI 8416.5 MSI 22376 MSI 

4210 MSI 12290

 * RTP-COM 26100.5 MSI 

5680 Aero-SAR 12520

 * NBDP-COM — -- 

* 

Except provided in the ITU Radio Regulations, any emission capable of causing harmful interference to distress, 

alarm, urgency or safety communications on these frequencies is prohibited. 

Legend:

NBDP = Narrow band direct printing 

COM = Communication 

RTP= Radio Telephony 

DSC = Digital Selective Calling 

Aero-SAR = Aeronautical Search and Rescue 

MSI = Marine Safety Information 

 The DOI uses the HF maritime mobile bands for its U.S. Geological Survey organization 

(USGS) in support of marine geology exploration and mapping tasks. The DOI also has systems 

in the HF maritime mobile bands to support communications for the Pacific trust territories of 

the United States. This includes communications between the islands and ships, the outer island 

dispensary communications system in the marshal Islands, between islands in the Marianas 

group, and between islands in the American-Samoan group. 

 The DOC uses HF maritime mobile systems to support ships and boats used by the 

National Marine Fisheries Service and for communication links between major fishery centers 

and research vessels of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) Corps 

Fleet. The National Ocean Service has radio communication facilities in the HF band to support 

ships and mobile field teams engaged in oceanographic and marine, and geodetic survey 

activities. 

 

9 Frequencies for Distress and Safety Communications for the Global Maritime Distress and Safety System, ITU 

Radio Regulations, Appendix S15, Geneva 1998. 
C-11 

GMDSS. The GMDSS is a distress alerting and safety communications system that relies on 

satellite and terrestrial communications links, and has changed international communications 

networking from being primarily ship-to-ship to ship-to-shore (Rescue Coordination Center). In 

addition, the system provides for location determination in cases where a radio operator does not 

have time to send a complete SOS or MAYDAY call. Ships are required to receive broadcast of 

maritime safety information via the GMDSS. In 1988, the International Maritime Organization 

(IMO) amended the Safety of Life at Sea (SOLAS) Convention, requiring most ships to be 

retrofitted with GMDSS equipment. In the absence of interference, the GMDSS is able to 

reliably perform the following functions: alerting, including position determination of the unit in 

distress; search and rescue coordination; locating (homing); maritime information broadcasts; 

general communications; and bridge-to-bridge communications. 

 Section 5.4 of the NTIA Manual states that, “stations in the maritime and other radio 

services employing frequencies and techniques used in the GMDSS shall comply with the 

relevant ITU-R recommendations with respect to the technical characteristics of, among others, 

digital selective calling (DSC) distress call formats and . . . other broadcasts of maritime safety 

information using narrow band direct-printing (NBDP) in the bands 4-27.5 MHz.” Additionally, 

such stations when using DSC shall conform to the calling, acknowledgment, and operating 

procedures for DSC contained in the ITU Radio Regulations (Article 32) and the relevant ITU-R 

recommendations. Table C-10 provides typical technical characteristics of maritime mobile 

systems in the HF band. 

Table C-10: Typical Technical Characteristics of Maritime Mobile Systems 

(1.7-30 MHz Band) 

System Freq. 

Band 

(MHz) 

Bandwidth 

(kHz) 

Ant. Gain 

(dBi) 

Ant. 

Height (Ft)

Ant. Type/ 

Polarization

Modulations 

Distress/ 

SAR *

2-30 2.8 0-2 unknown Whip, 

Cone/V 

Single sideband-suppressed 

carrier, single channel, analog, 

telephony *

 SAR = Search and Rescue.

C.2.6 Broadcasting Service

 In the Federal Government, HF broadcasting from the U.S. is conducted by the 

Broadcasting Board of Governors (BBG). The BBG has the mission to promote understanding 

abroad of the United States, its policies, its people, and its culture. HF radio is a very practical 

means of communicating directly with the people of other nations because of the extensive 

availability of inexpensive broadcast receivers. The BBG’s global radio network, the Voice of 

America (VOA), consists primarily of two powerful HF transmitter sites (located in California 

and Virginia). 

 The power levels for equipment at VOA installation can be as high as 500 kW. The 

modulation designator typically is 10K00A3E. This accommodates a 10 kHz bandwidth signal, 

amplitude modulation, and audio communication. A multi-band, curtain-array antenna is a 

representative type of antenna for VOA broadcast installation. 
C-12 

 While the intended receivers of the VOA’s transmissions generally are abroad there are 

numerous broadcasting receivers owned and operated by foreign citizens and government 

personnel in the United States that could be susceptible to BPL interference because of proximity 

to power lines. Protecting other administrations’ broadcasting is critical because of reciprocity. 

The current ITU-R B-03, Seasonal Broadcasting Schedule, shows multiple administrations 

broadcasting to the United States for every timeframe within a 24- hour period.10

 The 18 bands allocated to the Federal Government for broadcasting service in the HF 

portion of the spectrum are listed in Table C-11. Because of frequency reuse capabilities 

inherent in HF broadcasting, one should expect that broadcast receivers located in the United 

States are tuned within these bands. 

Table C-11: Frequency Bands Allocated to the Federal Government for 

Broadcasting Service in the 1.7-80 MHz Band 

Frequency 

(kHz) 

BW (kHz) Frequency 

(kHz) 

BW (kHz) Frequency 

(kHz) 

BW (kHz) 

5900-5950 50 11650-12050 400 15600-15800 200 

5950-6200 250 12050-12100 50 17480-17550 70 

7300-7350 50 13570-13600 30 17550-17900 350 

9400-9500 100 13600-13800 200 18900-19020 120 

9500-9900 400 13800-13870 70 21450-21850 400 

11600-11650 50 15100-15600 500 25670-26100 430 

Total Bandwidth (BW) = 3,720 kHz 

C.2.7 Aeronautical Mobile Service

 The aeronautical mobile service is subdivided into two distinct radio services; namely, 

aeronautical mobile route (R) and aeronautical mobile off-route (OR) services. By definition, 

the aeronautical mobile (R) service is reserved for communications relating to safety and 

regularity of flight, primarily along national or international civil air routes; while, the 

aeronautical mobile (OR) service is intended for other communications, including those relating 

to flight coordination, primarily outside national or international civil air routes.11 In the 1.7-80 

MHz band, a total of 21 bands are allocated to these services with a total of 2176 kHz of 

spectrum. Out of the 2176 kHz of spectrum, 1331 kHz is dedicated for the aeronautical mobile 

(R) service and 845 kHz is assigned to aeronautical mobile (OR) service. In general, the Federal 

Government frequency assignments in the bands allocated to the aeronautical mobile service in 

this portion of the spectrum are used for controlling aircraft traffic. Other uses in the United 

 

10 Broadcasting Board of Governors Response to NTIA Memo, Questionnaire Regarding Equipment and 

Operations in the 1.7-80 MHz Frequency Range, November 7, 2003. 

11 NTIA, Manual of Regulations and Procedures for Federal Radio Frequency Managers, U.S. Department of 

Commerce, National Telecommunications and Information Administration, Washington, D.C., January 2004 

Revision. 
C-13 

States may include Airline Operational Control (AOC) communications of foreign air carriers, 

including for scheduled traffic. 

C.2.7.1 Aeronautical Mobile (R) Service 

 Frequency assignments to stations in the aeronautical mobile (R) service, in the HF band, 

must be assigned in conformity with the provisions and the allotment plan of Appendix 27 of the 

ITU Radio Regulation (RR). Such assignments conform to the plan for the allotment of 

frequencies to: (a) Major World Air Route Areas (MWARAs); (b) Regional and Domestic Air 

Route Areas (RDARAs); (c) VOLMET Allotment Areas; and (d) Worldwide Allotment Areas 

contained in Appendix 27 (RR) or, to meet operational requirements not otherwise met by the 

Allotment Plan, must comply with the provisions of Appendix 27 for the adaptation of allotment 

procedures. Assignments in support of International Air Routes (MWARA and VOLMET 

allotments) are also within the purview of applicable International Civil Aviation Organization 

(ICAO) frequency assignment plans that have been agreed internationally and are recognized in 

the ITU RR. 

 As a matter of general policy, HF is not normally used for aeronautical mobile (R) 

communications in the domestic services within the conterminous United States, the need for 

such frequencies having been generally eliminated through successful use of the VHF 

communications.12 However, Appendix 27 (RR) Part II, Section I, Article 2 provides for the 

allotment of frequencies to the RDARAs, which include the conterminous United States, and 

also Alaska, Hawaii, Puerto Rico, and the Virgin Islands. This then enables special aeronautical 

communication requirements, not conforming fully to the definition of the aeronautical mobile 

(R) service, to be satisfied by use of frequencies from these allotments within the limitations of 

the national criteria established jointly with the FCC.13 Section C.4.4 provides these national 

criteria. 

 Certain frequencies in the HF band are available to all government agencies for 

operational control and safety of civil government aircraft in certain specified areas. These 

frequencies, as listed in Table C-12, are intended for support of operations not exclusively en 

route in nature. These frequencies were chosen so as to avoid those channels in which operation 

might result in harmful interference to aeronautical stations dedicated to the safety and regularity 

of flight. 

 

12 Id. at 8-13. 

13 Id.
C-14 

Table C-12: Frequencies Designated for Operational Control of Civil Government Aircraft 

Assigned 

Freq. (kHz) 

Carrier Freq. 

(kHz) 

Areas of Operation Assigned 

Freq. (kHz) 

Carrier Freq. 

(kHz) 

Areas of Operation

2897.4 2896 AK, HI, CONUS 10055.4 10054 HI 

2948.4 2947 AK, HI, CONUS 11307.4 11306 CONUS 

3002.4 3001 AK, HI, CONUS 17950.4 7949 AK, HI, CONUS 

6539.4 6538 CONUS 21926.4 21925 AK, HI, CONUS 

8886.4 8885 CONUS 21929.4 21928 AK, HI, CONUS 

8910.4 8909 AK, HI, CONUS 21935.4 21934 AK, HI, CONUS 

 The Federal Government aeronautical stations that operate in the aeronautical mobile (R) 

service within the US&P are normally authorized only for the Federal Aviation Administration 

(FAA), mainly for its HF system called the National Radio Communications System (NRCS). 

As such, Federal Government spectrum use of the aeronautical mobile (R) service in the HF 

band is limited to few federal agencies. For example, the DOI use of the aeronautical mobile (R) 

service is mainly outside of the contiguous United States. Specifically, their use is mostly in 

Alaska, Hawaii, and the trust territories of the Mariana and Marshall Islands in the Pacific 

Ocean. Operations in the trust territories include inter-island communications. In Alaska, 

Hawaii, and CONUS, the DOI assignments are required for en route communications and flight 

following of aircraft in support of national resource programs. 

 Frequency assignments belonging to the Department of Treasury are used for aircraft in 

support of law enforcement responsibilities. Table C-13 specifies the particular bands used for 

aeronautical mobile (R) and respective bandwidths. 

Table C-13: Frequency Bands Allocated to the Aeronautical Mobile Service (R) (1.7-30 MHz Band) 

Frequency (kHz) Bandwidth (kHz) Frequency (kHz)/Service Bandwidth (kHz)

2850-3025 175 10005-10100 95 

3400-3500 100 11275-11400 125 

4650-4700 50 13260-13360 100 

5450-5680 230 17900-17970 70 

6525-6685 160 21924-22000 76 

8815-8965 150 — --- 

Total Bandwidth = 1331 kHz

 Table C-14 shows typical technical characteristics of Federal Government systems in the 

aeronautical mobile (R) service. 
C-15 

Table C-14: Typical Technical Characteristics of Aeronautical Mobile (R) Systems (1.7-30 MHz Band) 

System Bandwidth 

(kHz) 

Ant. Gain 

(dBi) 

Ant. Height 

(Ft) 

Ant. Type/ 

Polarization 

Modulations 

Airborne 2.8 0 18000-

40000 

Conformal/V Analog, single channel, suppressed 

carrier, telephony. 

Ground 2.8 0-3 unknown Various /V Analog, single channel, suppressed 

carrier, telephony. 

C.2.7.2 Aeronautical Mobile (OR) Service

 Frequencies in bands allocated exclusively to the (OR) service are internationally alloted 

to countries by Appendix 26 of the ITU RR, which also establishes frequency sharing criteria, 

protection ratios, and other technical and operational principles. These principles recognize the 

possible necessity for the adaptation of the allotment plan to meet valid requirements of the 

various administrations, provided these adaptations do not decrease the protection to frequencies 

assigned in strict adherence to the plan.14 

Frequencies in the bands allocated exclusively to the (OR) service are nationally used 

primarily for the satisfaction of military aeronautical requirements. Assignments of frequencies 

in these bands are subject to coordination with the Military Departments through the 

Interdepartment Radio Advisory Committee (IRAC) mechanism. 

 Nationally, the use of the aeronautical mobile (OR) service bands is mainly for military 

operations that include controlling traffic routes and special military needs. The Navy and Air 

Force are the major users of the aeronautical mobile (OR) bands. The vast majority of their 

assignments are dedicated for air-ground-air communications provided by the AN/ARC family 

of radios. The AN/ARC-190 is a typical radio used by the Air Force in the HF band and is 

described below. Other uses of the aeronautical mobile (OR) service bands by the Air force are: 

global command and control stations required for air and ground communications; flight testing; 

ground tactical communications; communications for the Strategic Air Command (SAC) forces; 

data coordination; and de-orbiting satellite recovery operations. 

 Table C-15 shows the frequency bands allocated to the aeronautical mobile service (OR) 

in the 1.7-30 MHz band and Table C-16 shows a typical technical characteristics of aeronautical 

mobile service (OR) system in the HF band. 

 

14 Id. at 8-14.
C-16 

Table C-15: Frequency Bands Allocated to the Aeronautical Mobile (OR) Service (1.7-30 MHz Band) 

Frequency (kHz) Bandwidth (kHz) Frequency (kHz) Bandwidth (kHz)

3025-3155 130 11175-11275 100 

4700-4750 50 13200-13260 60 

5680-5730 50 15010-15100 90 

6685-6765 80 17970-18030 60 

8965-9040 75 23200-23350 150 

Total Bandwidth = 845 kHz

AN/ARC-190. The AN/ARC-190 works in conjunction with the AN/TRC-181 to provide short-, 

medium-, and long-range voice and data communications employing an automatic 

communications processor for auto link and anti-jam capabilities. These systems employ 

multiple modulations and coding techniques, including sideband suppressed carrier, single 

sideband reduced or variable level carrier, continuous wave employing frequency hopping and 

pseudo random pre-selection technique. 

Table C-16: Typical Technical Characteristics of Aeronautical Mobile (OR) Systems (1.7-30 MHz Band) 

System Bandwidth 

(kHz) 

Ant. Gain 

(dBi) 

Ant. Height 

(ft) 

Ant. Type/ 

Polarization

Modulations 

AN/ARC 

(airborne) 

3.5 0.0 30,000 Blade/V Analog and digital, single channel, 

reduced or suppressed carrier, telephony 

and data. 

AN/TRC 

(ground) 

3.5 0.0 6-32 Whip/V Analog and digital, single channel, 

reduced or suppressed carrier, telephony 

and data. 

C.2.8 Standard Frequency and Time Signal15

 The Federal Government, via the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST), 

has provided standard time and frequency services since 1923 in the HF band. These services 

are important to a community of technical users in support of basic activities such as navigation, 

power generations, and communications. However, many of these HF capabilities are being 

supplemented by the GPS. The services provided include: time announcements; standard time 

intervals; standard frequencies; geophysical alerts; marine storm warnings; Omega Navigation 

System status report; Coordinated Universal Time (UTC) corrections; and digital time code. 

 NIST provides time and frequency services at 2.5 MHz, 5 MHz, 10 MHz, 15 MHz, and 

20 MHz. The services are broadcast from stations WWV, in Fort Collins, CO, and from 

WWVH, in Kauai, HI. Table C-17 shows the radiated power for the transmissions at each 

location. The antennas at WWV are omnidirectional, half-wave dipoles. At WWVH, the 

 

15 Supra note 1 at 72. 
C-17 

antennas are phased vertical half-wave dipole arrays with maximum gain in a westerly direction. 

Double sideband amplitude modulation is employed at both stations. Four modulation levels 

(25, 50, 75, and 100 percent) are used depending on the particular information transmitted. 

Table C-17: Radiated Power for Transmissions at Stations WWV and WWVH

Frequency (MHz) a Radiated Power at WWV (kW) Radiated Power at WWVH (kW) 

2.5 10 10 

10 10 10 

15 10 10 

20 2.5 -- 

a The 25 MHz is currently not in use.

 As the GPS and other communications systems become more widely assimilated, HF 

time broadcasts service may become obsolete. Currently, the main users of the HF standard 

frequency and time signal services are hobbyists, amateurs, and signal propagation researchers. 

 In the 1.7- 30 MHz frequency range, 13 bands are allocated to the standard frequency and 

time signal radio service on a primary basis. Table C-18 shows these bands and their respective 

bandwidths. 

Table C-18: Frequency Bands Allocated to the Standard Frequency and Time Signal Service 

in the 1.7-30 MHz Band 

Frequency (kHz) Bandwidth (kHz) Frequency (kHz) Bandwidth (kHz)

2495-2505 10 14990-15010 20 

4995-5005 10 19990-20010 20 

9995-10005 10 24990-25010 20 

Total Bandwidth = 90 kHz

C.2.9 Aeronautical Radionavigation

 In the 1.7-80 MHz frequency range, the 74.8-75.2 MHz band is allocated to the 

aeronautical radionavigation service. The federal agencies that operate on this band are the Air 

Force, Army and the FAA. Basically, use of this band is for marker beacons that provide 

navigational aids, including the Instrumentation Landing System (ILS). Marker beacons provide 

the pilot a reliable altitude indicator as it approaches the runway (barometric altimeters are not 

accurate at low altitudes). Most ILS and localizer landing approaches incorporate at least one 

marker and as many as three. The first marker (Outer Marker) is anywhere from four to 10 miles 

from the end of a runway and, normally, supports navigation for the initial approach. The 

marker beacon transmit in the ground-to-air direction at 75 MHz and is modulated with a 400 Hz 

intermit tone. The second marker (Middle Marker) is normally used about 3,000 feet off the end 

of the landing runway. The Middle Marker is normally used about 200 feet above ground level. 

This marker is transmitted at 75 MHz with a 1,300 Hz tone modulation. The third marker (Inner 
C-18 

Marker) is normally installed around 1,000 feet from the end of the runway. Again, the transmit 

frequency is 75 MHz but the tone is at 3,000 Hz.16 

 ITU RR No. 5.180 states that, 

“The frequency 75 MHz is assigned to marker beacons. Administrations shall refrain 

from assigning frequencies close to the limits of the guardband to stations of other 

services which, because of their power or geographical position, might cause harmful 

interference or otherwise place a constraint on marker beacons. Every effort should 

be made to improve further the characteristics of airborne receivers and to limit the 

power of transmitting stations close to the limits 74.8-75.2 MHz.” 

 About 98 percent of the federal assignments that support marker beacons operation 

belong to the FAA. Because many major airports are within the vicinity of metropolitan or 

urban areas, BPL operations generally should not be considered in the 74.8-75.2 MHz band. 

Typical technical characteristics of aeronautical radionavigation systems operating in the 7.4-

75.2 MHz band are shown in Table C-19. 

Table C-19: Typical Technical Characteristics of Radionavigation Systems in the 74.8-75.2 MHz Band 

System Bandwidth 

(kHz) 

Ant. Gain 

(dBi) 

Ant. Height 

(Ft) 

Ant. Type/ 

Polarization

Modulations 

Marker 

Beacon 

0.8-6 -2.5-2.0 0-3000 Blade/H Amplitude modulation, double sideband, 

single channel, digital and telegraphy 

C.2.10 Radiolocation Service

 The radiolocation service is a radiodetermination service used for detection and 

positional location of distant objects (targets).17 There are three bands allocated to the 

radiolocation service in the 1.7-80 MHz range, as shown in Table C-20. 

Table C-20: Frequency Bands Allocated to the Radiolocation Service (1.7-80 MHz Band)

Frequency Band (kHz) Bandwidth (kHz) Allocation 

1705-1800 95 Primary 

1900-2000 100 Primary 

3230-3400 170 Secondary 

 In these bands, three federal entities (Navy, Army, and Tennessee Valley Authority 

(TVA)) are currently employing radiolocation systems. The Navy uses these bands in support of 

fleet operations and for surveillance. Specifically, the Navy’s radiolocation systems provide 

position fixing in support of mine countermeasure operations and long range surveillance. For 

 

16 http:/www.avionicswest.com/marker beacon receiver.htm. 

17 Id. at 6-11. 
C-19 

surveillance, the Navy employs a long range, re-locatable over the horizon radar system 

(AN/TPS-71). This system is described further in Section C.4. The Army has multiple 

radiolocation requirements in these bands, namely, for test range and off-shore operations, 

including such as; target scoring; hydrographic surveys; and for determining location of missile 

payloads during recovery operations. The TVA has two radiolocation assignments for 

establishing boat positions while conducting water quality surveys in the vicinity of thermalelectric generation plants in TVA service areas. Typical technical characteristics of a 

radiolocation system in the 1.7-80 MHz band are presented in Table C-21. 

Table C-21: Representative Technical Characteristics of Radiolocation Systems in the 1.7-80 MHz Band 

System 

Station 

Bandwidth 

(kHz) 

Ant. Gain 

(dBi) 

Ant. Height 

(ft) 

Ant. Type/ 

Polarization

Modulations 

Land & Ship 0.001-0.600 0-3 unknown unknown/V Amplitude modulation, double sideband, 

single channel, digital and telegraphy 

C.2.11 Amateur and Amateur-Satellite Services

 The amateur service is a radiocommunication service for the purpose of self-training, 

inter-communication and technical investigation that is used by duly authorized persons 

interested in radio techniques solely with a personal aim and without pecuniary interest.18 

Amateur radio operators’ licenses are granted by the FCC and uses must adhere to technical 

standards as given in the FCC Rules and Regulations, Part 97 — Amateur Radio Service. The 

Amateur-satellite service is a radiocommunication service using space stations on earth satellites 

for the same purposes as those of the amateur service.19 

 Amateur radio operators extensively assist the law enforcement community and other 

public service organizations during all kinds of emergencies including: hurricanes, earthquakes, 

tornadoes and floods, motorist accidents, fires and chemical spills, and search and rescue 

operations.20 

 There are 13 bands allocated to the amateur and amateur-satellite services (1.7-80 MHz 

band). The majority of these bands is in the lower portion of the HF band and is presented in 

Table C-22. 

 

18 47 C.F.R. §2.1(c). 

19 Id.

20 http://www.arrl.org/hamradio.html. 
C-20 

Table C-22: Frequency Bands Allocated to the Amateur and Amateur-Satellite Services 

in the 1.7-80 MHz Band

Frequency Band (kHz) Radio Service Bandwidth (kHz) Total Bandwidth (kHz) 

1800-1900 Amateur 100 

3500-4000 Amateur 500 

7000-7100 Amateur/Amateur-Satellite 100 

7100-7300 Amateur 200 

10100-10150 Amateur 50 

14000-14250 Amateur/Amateur-Satellite 250 

14250-14350 Amateur 100 

18068-18168 Amateur/Amateur-Satellite 100 

21000-21450 Amateur/Amateur-Satellite 450 

24890-24990 Amateur/Amateur-Satellite 100 

28000-29700 Amateur/Amateur-Satellite 1700 

50000-54000 Amateur 4000 

Amateur = 7650 

AmateurSatellite = 2700 

 The DOD administers the Military Affiliate Radio System (MARS). The MARS is 

managed and operated by the Army, Navy and the Air Force. The MARS program consists of 

civilian and military licensed amateur radio operators who are interested in supporting military 

communications. The MARS volunteer force includes more than 5,000 dedicated and skilled 

amateur radio operators.21 They contribute to the MARS mission providing auxiliary or 

emergency communications on a local, national, and international basis as an adjunct to normal 

communications.22 The radios used in the MARS program are the same or equivalent systems 

used by the amateur radio operators. 

 The MARS system continues to play an important role in the military for: (1) helping to 

maintain morale through assistance in the maintenance of contacts with spouses or friends even 

when the distance separation is great, and (2) when needed, it can augment emergency 

communication services within the military. The morale of servicemen and women is always an 

important area of concern for military commanders, particularly for personnel stationed in 

remote areas away from family and friends. Another area of concern for the military is to 

maintain an independent system that can be used in time of war, emergencies or other national 

disasters in ready-to-use condition. The MARS HF network is constantly being tested by calls 

made by the military personnel. Another benefit of this active system is as a training tool for 

reservists and active duty servicemen on a system they may be called upon to operate in an 

emergency situation.23 Typical technical characteristics of a MARS radio are presented in Table 

C-23. Note, however, that the antennas used vary widely. 

 

21 http:/www.asc.army.mil/mars/mars/. 

22 http:/www.//afmars.tripod.com/mars1.html. 

23 Supra note 1 at 83-84. 
C-21 

Table C-23: Representative Technical Characteristics of MARS System (1.7-30 MHz Band) 

System Bandwidth 

(kHz) 

Ant. Gain 

(dBi) 

Ant. Height 

(Ft) 

Ant. Type/ 

Polarization 

Modulations 

MARS 2.7 0-10 0-80 Dipole, yagi, 

log periodic/ 

H & V 

Amplitude modulated, Analog and digital, 

single or multiple channels, suppressed 

carrier, telephony and telegraphy. 

C.3 FEDERAL GOVERNMENT SPECIAL OPERATIONS

C.3.1 Automatic Link Establishment (ALE) Systems 

 The Federal Government employs ALE subsystems in the medium to high frequency 

(MF-HF) range of the radio spectrum to eliminate the need for extensive training needed for 

manual establishment of HF and MF radio channels that use ionospheric (skywave) signal 

propagation. An ALE system is characterized by periodic polling of several frequencies 

(typically seven or more) that are assigned to a station to determine if ionospheric circuits are 

available at these frequencies. An ALE equipped radio automatically selects the best channel for 

communications by maintaining in real time a data base of link performance (e.g., received 

signal-to-noise power ratio) versus frequency for each addressee in the users net and using that 

data to choose frequencies on which to initiate a link. A network of stations is assigned a 

number of frequencies over which to communicate, and each station is assigned a unique address 

(e.g., alpha-numeric). 

 For example, station A, attempting to establish a link with station B will repetitively 

broadcast the address code for station B over one of the assigned network frequencies. This 

transmission will last long enough for station B to automatically scan its assigned frequencies. If 

station B receives and recognized its address code, it stops on that frequency. The equipment at 

both ends of the link will then automatically handshake and alert the operators that the link has 

been or can be established, and the desired traffic can be transmitted (e.g., voice, secure voice, 

and data). If communications fail, the ALE equipment tries another frequency in the preset list 

until a link is established or the operator is informed of communications failure. Failures will 

occur, for example, if interference prevents communications on frequency assignments that an 

ALE system would otherwise determine to be the best available channels, in which the user will 

not realize that interference is the cause. 

C.3.2 Sounders

 In general, sounders are used to gain an in-depth real-time knowledge of the ionosphere 

conditions important to communication applications. In a stable ionospheric condition, sounder 

data need only to be taken every 15 minutes, and a complete record can be obtained in a fraction 

of a minute. Sounders data typically are used in support of non-ALE applications. 
C-22 

 There are three main types of sounding systems; namely, backscatter, oblique and 

vertical incidence sounders. Backscatter sounders typically receive weak signals originating 

from a signal transmitted to the ionosphere, scattered back to the Earth’s surface, back to the 

ionosphere, and scattered back to the original transmitter site and its associated receiver system. 

This technique is well suited for obtaining the propagation conditions as they relate to range, 

azimuth bearing, and frequency of operation. Oblique sounding uses an intermittent beacon 

located at a known distance from the receiver site. Since the range variable is removed, the 

resulting signal will be due to the ray-path distance associated with the various layers in the 

ionosphere. With good synchronization between the beacon and the receiver system, detailed 

information can be readily obtained. With this method, it is possible to determine the 

ionospheric virtual height. However, for this method to be applicable, the beacon must be placed 

in the area under the portion of the ionosphere that is of interest. Vertical incidence sounding 

provide information regarding the portion of the ionosphere that is directly overhead. The 

advantage of this type of sounding is that the transmitter and the receiver are co-located and this 

greatly simplifies the synchronization problem between the transmitter and the receiver. 

Operationally, however, the vertical incidence sounders are the least desirable type of sounder 

for determining appropriate communication system parameters. Table C-24 provides a summary 

of the Federal Government agencies sounding systems and relevant technical characteristics. 

C.3.3 Over the Horizon (OTH) Radars24

 Over the horizon radar systems are employed by the DOD. The OTH radars use skywave 

propagation to detect targets at long ranges from the radar transmitter site. The target return is a 

result of the backscatter signal traversing the path to the ionosphere and back to the original 

transmitter site (primary radar) or an alternative site (secondary site). OTH radar systems 

generally utilize more bandwidth than is typically used for communications. These systems 

place increased demands on the amount of spectrum used and performance is greatly affected by 

the characteristics of the ionospheric channel. OTH-HF radars are capable of detecting targets at 

distances beyond the horizon and therefore, targets located well beyond the range of the 

conventional microwave radar. This increased range is possible due to the ability of the HF 

signals to propagate well beyond the line-of-sight either by ground wave diffraction around the 

curvature of the Earth or by skywave. An example OTH radar system operating in the HF 

portion of the spectrum is the AN/TPS-71. A brief description of this system is provided below. 

 

24 Supra note 1 at 74.
C-23 

Table C-24: Federal Government Sounding Systems and Technical Characteristics

Federal 

Agency 

Receiver 

Type 

No. of 

Assignments25

Operating 

Frequency 

(kHz) 

Emission 

Bandwidth 

Antenna 

Type 

Gain/ 

Polarization

F

DIGISONDE 128 2 415-20012.5 20KM0N -- 15/T -Provides ionosphe

Center 

DPS-4 2 1000-40000 30KV7D -- 10/T -Ionospheric resear

-Propagation resear

DIGITAL 

IONOSONDE 

1 2220.5-2465 60KM1N --- 1 -Regional ionosphe

AF 

AN/FMQ-12 20 1012.5-30000 2H5N0N 

75KM0N 

75KP0N 

600HF9W 

Broadband dipole 0-16/ T/H -Weather forecastin

-Ionospheric resear-Provides ionospheCenter 

AR AN/TRQ-35 2 2000-30000 2H5N0N Double Delta -Support Army’s fi

N R-2368/URR 

AN/TPS-71 

AN/ARC-191 

15 2000-30000 

2H5N0N 

100HN0N 

600HF1B 

4K2F3N 

4K2Q1N 

100KQ1N 

100KF3N 

Phased array/ 

Whip/ 

Log periodic 

0-36/ 

V&H 

-Wide area surveill-Detection, location-Air Defense warni

C --- 1 1000-20000 40KP0N -- -Propagation resear

DOE STQIONOSONDE 5 2505-14990 100HNON Inverted-V 2 -Doppler shift meas

earthquake monitor

25 In the Government Master File, an assignment may represent multiple radio equipments. 
C-24 

AN/TPS-71. The Navy’s AN/TPS-71 is transportable OTH radar, with an operating frequency 

range of 5-28 MHz that can provide wide area active surveillance in support of tactical forces. 

Uses include detection, location, and tracking of aircraft and ship targets at a range of up to 1600 

nautical miles in high interest marine areas. Transportable, in this sense, refers to having the 

capability to redeploy the system to another location over a period of time, as opposed to tactical 

mobility. This provides the Navy flexibility to be responsive to changing threat patterns and 

capabilities. This is a frequency agile system. There are a few OTH radar sites in the United 

States (AK, TX, and, two in VA), and few more overseas. The basic technical characteristics of 

the AN/TPS-71 receiver are shown in Table C-25. 

Table C-25: Technical Characteristics of the AN/TPS-71 System (1.7-30 MHz Band)

System Bandwidth 

(kHz) 

Ant. Gain 

(dBi) 

Ant. Height 

(Ft) 

Ant. Type/ 

Polarization 

Modulations 

AN/TPS-71 4.2-100 9-36 * Not 

available 

Phased Array/ 

Vertical 

FM/CW or Angle-modulated, single 

channel, with analog or digital signals.

* The 9 dBi and 36 dBi antenna gains are measured at the 5 MHz to 28 MHz, respectively.

C.4 SPECIAL OPERATIONAL CONSIDERATIONS 

C.4.1 Operational Requirements for Access to Several Frequency Assignments within an 

 Allocation 

 

Ionospheric (skywave) signal propagation is frequency selective and frequencies usable 

for communications between any two points changes over time throughout the day. This is why 

several different segments of the 1.7-30 MHz frequency range are allocated to each radio service 

(i.e., so that the service has full-time access to frequencies that are usable throughout the day). 

This is an important factor in assessing the operational impact of broadband interfering signals 

that typically overlap an entire HF allocation for one or more services. In the event local harmful 

interference occurs across an HF allocation, the associated service will not be able to operate in 

that locale for several hours during the day. 

 Even if only a portion of a given allocation is subjected to local harmful interference, the 

local communications reliability is greatly diminished for services that utilize multiple frequency 

assignments within a band. This is because the choice among multiple assignments allows the 

local radio operator (or ALE system) to avoid channels that are laden with relatively high local 

noise power levels or are in use by other radio systems. 

 
C-25 

C.4.2 Federal Government use of Radio Frequencies Below 30 MHz for Domestic Fixed 

 Service 

 Section 8.2.11 of the NTIA Manual provides restrictions on fixed service use of 

frequencies below 30 MHz. To insure that, insofar as practicable, sufficient high frequencies 

will be available for the operation of radio circuits essential to the national security and defense 

and to conserve frequencies below 30 MHz for services which cannot operate adequately without 

them, only in following circumstances shall departments and agencies of the Executive Branch 

of the Government use frequencies below 30 MHz for domestic fixed service within the 

conterminous United States: 

a) When it is indispensable to do so, and on the condition that the characteristics of the 

stations continue to conform to those in the GMF, a land station may communicate, on a 

secondary basis, with fixed stations or other land stations in same category, using its 

assigned frequencies; 

b) Where technical and operational requirements dictate, fixed stations may transmit to 

other fixed stations for the domestic haul or overseas traffic in transit, or destined for the 

United Sates. Such domestic radio haul shall be a segment of the overall overseas radio 

system; 

c) When there is a need to provide instantaneous transmission of vital emergency, 

operational command and alerting traffic of such importance as to affect the immediate 

survival and defense of the nation; 

d) When required for use in an emergency jeopardizing life, public safety, or important 

property under conditions calling for immediate communication where other means of 

communication do not exist or are temporarily disrupted or inadequate; 

e) When there is a need to provide for a communications system manned by fully 

qualified operators who are military reservists or affiliates (e.g., MARS). Except in 

emergencies, frequency assignments in this category shall not be used as a means for 

passing traffic that in the absence of such assignments would require delivery by other 

means; 

f) When other telecommunication facilities do not exists, are inadequate, or are 

impracticable of installation, and when the use of frequencies above 30 MHz is not 

practicable; and 

g) In an emergency where it has not been feasible to make prior arrangements for 

alternate means of communications, it is permissible to operate temporarily on regularly 

assigned frequencies in a manner other than that specified in the terms of an existing 

assignment or on other appropriate frequencies under special circumstances such as an 

emergency must actually exist or imminently threaten emergency operations shall be 

discontinued as soon as substantially normal communications facilities are restored. 
C-26 

 Also, Section 8.2.11 (2) and (3) of the Manual supplements or clarifies the above 

mentioned restrictions with respect to the requests for the authorization of frequencies below 30 

MHz for new systems or in circumstances where congestion in the radio spectrum would be 

increased materially, and establishing adequate radio backup of wireline facilities in advance for 

use during an emergency. 

C.4.3 Summary of the Emergency use of Federal Government HF Frequencies for the 

SHARES Program 

 The National Communications System (NCS) SHARES HF Radio Program is a key 

element in the national telecommunications infrastructure using presently authorized HF radio 

networks and cooperating federal agencies. SHARES is a collection of existing federal agency 

controlled HF stations that will interoperate to exchange national security emergency 

preparedness (NSEP) traffic for any federal entity during a crisis or emergency. Participating 

agencies agree to accept SHARES actual or simulated emergency traffic, assuming 

responsibilities for delivery or relay to the extent it does not interfere with their own agency 

mission. The SHARES HF Program supports Executive Order 12472, 12656, and NSDD-97. 

 Agencies providing frequencies for the NCS SHARES program must have a US&P 

assignment in the GMF. Operations under these assignments are limited to SHARES operation 

and tests. Participating agencies in the NCS SHARES HF Radio Program are authorized to test 

the operating system periodically provided the respective agency Frequency Assignment 

Subcommittee Representatives are notified at least 30 days in advance. 

C.4.4 National Criteria Established Jointly by NTIA and FCC on the use of Frequencies 

 from Appendix 27 Allotment Plan

 In the HF band, there are special and certain related aeronautical mobile requirements not 

fully conforming to the definition of the aeronautical mobile (R) service that have to be satisfied 

by the frequencies from ITU RR Appendix 27 allotment plan. However, the use of these 

frequencies will abide within the limitations of the following national criteria established jointly 

by the NTIA and FCC: 

1) Communications related to safety and regularity of flight between an aircraft and those 

aeronautical stations primarily concerned with flight along national or international civil 

air routes shall have absolute priority over all other uses; 

2) Use of (R) band high frequencies shall be limited to single sideband air/ground and 

incidental air/air communications beyond the range of VHF/UHF facilities; 

3) Users shall share frequencies to the maximum extent possible; 

4) Requirements shall be handled on a case-by-case basis; 
C-27 

5) A showing must be made that the accommodation of the requirements in the bands 

other than aeronautical mobile (R), e.g., fixed bands, is not satisfactory for technical, 

operational, or economic reasons; 

6) Only those requirements will be considered where the primary need for 

communications is for the safety of the aircraft and its passengers or for operational 

control communications, i.e., “communications required or exercising authority over 

initiation, continuation, diversion, or termination of a flight in accordance with the 

provisions of Annex 6" (ICAO); 

7) Use of aeronautical mobile (R) high frequencies in accordance with the foregoing 

normally shall be limited to non-military; and 

8) If the aforementioned criteria are met, the stipulation that (R) bands are to be used only 

for flights along national and international civil air routes need not be met. 
D-1 

APPENDIX D 

BROADBAND OVER POWER LINE 

 EMISSION MEASUREMENTS

D.1 INTRODUCTION 

This appendix presents measurements performed by NTIA’s Institute for 

Telecommunications Sciences (ITS) that quantified several aspects of BPL signals. The 

measurements were conducted in three areas where BPL systems are currently deployed for 

testing and are serving customers. Access BPL was implemented on MV wires in all three areas 

and in-house BPL was implemented on LV wires in two areas. Some access BPL was on 

overhead wires and some is on underground wires, whereas, all of the in-house BPL was above 

ground except where, in some cases, there were buried LV wires leading up to the houses. The 

objectives for the measurements were to: 

1. Measure the received BPL signal power at points along power lines; 

2. Measure the received BPL signal power at various distances from power lines; 

3. Measure the received BPL signal peak, average and quasi-peak levels for comparison; 

4. Measure the received BPL signal power at different antenna heights; and 

5. Measure the amplitude probability distributions (APDs) of the BPL signal. 

 The measurement system used for this testing is described in Section D.2. Figures and 

tables of measured data are provided in Section D.3. In section D.4 of this report, background 

information about APDs is covered, and in Section D.5, gain and noise figure calibration is 

described. 

D.2 THE MEASUREMENT SYSTEM

 The measurement system block diagram is shown in Figure D-1. An antenna, positioned 

10 meters above the ground atop a telescopic mast on the ITS “RSMS-4” measurement vehicle 

(Figure D-2) and 2 meters above the ground on a tripod, was used to measure the received 

power. Four different types of antennas were used. A small discone antenna over a small 

ground plane was used to measure the electric fields above 30 MHz. Below 30 MHz, two 

shielded loops were used to measure the magnetic fields and for the electric fields, a rod antenna 

over a small ground plane was used. To measure the received power that is expected to be seen 

by a typical land mobile radio, a 2.13 meter base-loaded whip antenna was mounted on the roof 

of a vehicle at an approximate height of 1.5 meters. The whips were narrow-band, so several of 

them were used to cover the measurement frequencies. The signal from the antenna was split 

into two measurement systems so that simultaneous measurements could occur and to minimize 

switching instrument setups. A preselector was used on each system in order to prevent an 

overload condition from occurring and improve the sensitivity. Computers were used to control 

the measurement instruments and store the data. 
D-2 

Figure D-1: BPL measurement system block diagram. 

Splitter

Antenna Noise Diode

Ag E4440A

Spectrum

Analyzer

HP85685

Preselector

Ag E4440A

Spectrum

Analyzer

HP85685

Preselector

Computer

Computer

HP8566

Spectrum

Analyzer

ICOM

IC-R9000

Receiver

Ag 89641A

VSA
D-3 

Figure D-2: Radio Spectrum Measurement System - 4 (RSMS-4) 

The output of one of the preselectors was variously connected to a HP 8566 spectrum 

analyzer with a quasi-peak detector, a vector signal analyzer or a multi-mode communications 

receiver. The receiver was used to listen to the BPL signal in several demodulation modes and 

to assist with distinguishing between BPL and other signals. The vector signal analyzer was 

used to record the time-waveform for future analysis. 

D.3 BPL MEASUREMENTS

D.3.1 Background on BPL Emissions Measurements

This sub-section provides general information on the BPL emissions from the three types 

of systems under test. These data are provided as an aid to understanding the measurements 

presented in Sections D.3.2 – D.3.6. 
D-4 

The BPL signal shown in Figure D-3 is representative of the weakest (lowest power 

density) BPL signals for which data were recorded. That is, nominal interference-to-noise ratio 

(I/N) levels had to exceed about 5 dB; otherwise no BPL signal level (I) was recorded1

. Thus, 

even though much weaker BPL signal levels were measurable when turning the BPL system on 

and off (i.e., I/N of -6 dB), measurements with I/N ≥ 5 dB ensured that measured signals were 

unquestionably due to BPL emissions. 

System #1

This system used different frequency bands for signals on the MV and LV wiring. Signal 

strength measurements were performed by acquiring multiple traces from a spectrum analyzer 

centered on specific frequencies with a zero span and a sampling detection mode. Trace data 

were downloaded to a computer and later analyzed statistically using Amplitude Probability 

Distributions (APDs). From these distributions, the temporal statistics of the BPL signal were 

identified and the power was determined as described in Section D.5. The signal power 

determined from these distributions is expressed as “100%-duty-cycle” power and represents the 

maximum power if the packet data were present 100% of the time (i.e. signal pulses occurring 

back-to-back), as further explained in Section D.4.0. 

System #2

The BPL signal used OFDM modulation with a carrier spacing of approximately 1.1 kHz. 

BPL is transmitted only on the MV lines. The downstream (towards the customer) bandwidth 

was 3.75 MHz while the upstream (away from the customer) bandwidth was 2.5 MHz. An 

example portion of the spectrum is show in Figure D-3. The BPL signal displayed a repeating 

pattern of three carriers, then one carrier missing, and so on. The BPL signal duty cycle was 

100% for the downstream signal and between 30% - 100% for the upstream. The envelope of an 

upstream signal is shown in Figure D-4 and it shows a duty cycle that is in the upper end of the 

range. 

 

1

 If a measurement is attempted and the BPL signal has an interference to background noise level (I/N) < 5 dB, the 

results reported in Subsections D.3.2 – D.3.6 will be referred to as “Not measurable.” If a particular measurement 

isn’t attempted, it will be reported as “Not measured.” The 100% duty-cycle power levels presented in this report 

were analyzed statistically from APD measurements and therefore did not need to satisfy the requirement of I/N ≥ 5 

dB. 
D-5 

Figure D-3: A portion of the System #2 BPL spectrum. 

Figure D-4: The envelope of an upstream System #2 signal. 
D-6 

To measure System #2 emissions, the procedure involved examining the spectrum of the 

BPL transmission (see Figure D-3) and identifying a group of 3 adjacent carriers (since the 

measurement bandwidth was 3 kHz) that were among the strongest and were clear of 

background signals. If the signal was too weak (<5 dB above the background noise) to clearly 

see the spectrum or if background signals contaminated the BPL spectrum at certain frequencies, 

a measurement was not attempted at those frequencies. The marker in Figure D-3 shows the 

chosen measurement frequency. The resolution bandwidth was then set to 3 kHz and the marker 

(see Figure D-5) indicated the measured value using a peak detector. This value was later used 

to calculate the Received Power at the antenna terminals. 

Figure D-5: The System #2 BPL spectrum in a 3 kHz bandwidth. 

A measurement was performed to see how the received power varied as the receiver 

bandwidth was changed. This is shown in Figure D-6 for a frequency of 22.957 MHz. The 

narrow dips in signal level are due to the signal having a duty cycle of less than 100%. The 

upward spikes are due to noise sources. 
D-7 

Figure D-6: Bandwidth progression at 22.957 MHz. 

System #3

This BPL signal used DSSS modulation over the frequency range of about 1.8 to 21 

MHz. BPL signals were transmitted on the MV and LV lines. The BPL signal duty cycle can be 

up to 90% when transmissions are occurring in both directions and about 87% for one direction. 

The envelope of the BPL signal is shown in Figure D-7. Four different amplitudes from four 

different transmitters are being received. 
D-8 

Figure D-7: Four different BPL transmitters. 

In System #3, two co-frequency BPL sources were observed transmitting at the same time, as 

shown in the third graticule in Figure D-8. Noise sources can be present at levels stronger than 

the BPL signal as shown in the eight and ninth graticules in Figure D-9. 
D-9 

Figure D-8: Two simultaneous BPL transmissions. 

Figure D-9: Three BPL transmitters plus noise. 
D-10 

The measurement procedure for System #3 involved examining the spectrum of a BPL 

device's transmission and identifying a pair of frequencies that were the strongest and were clear 

of background signals. For each frequency, the signal envelope was observed for transmission 

bursts that were of the correct duration and pattern. Initially, the envelope was studied at a 

location where the BPL signals were received well. The durations of many bursts were 

measured to determine the typical range. This observation also yielded clearly identifiable 

transmission patterns that would repeat occasionally. The results of these observations were 

used to qualify the presence of BPL signals for future measurements. For each measurement 

location, the strongest BPL transmission was identified and its peak value was measured. The 

resolution bandwidth was then set to 30 kHz to allow for positive identification since at 3 kHz, 

the shorter BPL bursts would look like impulsive noise. The measured value was later used to 

calculate the received power at the antenna terminals. 

D.3.2 Measurements of BPL Along the Energized Power Line 

Measurements of BPL emissions along the energized power line (Site A, Figure D-10) 

were made using a variety of antennas. The first measurements were taken along a fairly straight 

segment of power line having both a repeater and an extractor. 

Figure D-10: Measurement Site A for measurements along the BPL energized power line. 

Utility pole

R

BPLCarrying Medium Voltage Lines

Repeater

y

Device B

Device C

To Device A
D-11 

Four measurement frequencies were chosen to represent the frequency bands used by this 

system (downstream injector-to-repeater, upstream repeater-to-injector, downstream repeater-toextractor, and upstream extractor-to-repeater). Three mutually orthogonal components of the 

field were measured and plotted as three separate curves per graph for the frequencies 4.303, 

8.125, 22.957 and 28.298 MHz, as shown in Figures D-11 through D-14 respectively. The 

measured peak power levels due to the orthogonal components of the electric field were plotted 

as a function of x, where x is the distance along the power line from the Device C. Note that in 

these and all other figures depicting BPL signal power vs. distance, lines connecting data points 

are connected to show possible trends but should not be interpreted to provide expected, 

interpolated values. 

Measurement Conditions

Measurement Location: Site A 

Antenna Type: Rod 

Antenna Height: 2 meters 

Antenna Polarization: (X) Horizontal Parallel, (Y) Horizontal Perpendicular, 

and (Z) Vertical 

Measured Characteristic: Peak received power due to electric field 

Measurement Variable: Distance along power line (x) 

Comments: Measurements were made at 14 positions (x-distances). At some 

 points, the BPL signal was too weak (I/N < 5 dB), hence, 

 some curves have fewer data points. 
D-12 

Figure D-11: Measured power levels along the power line – Site A, 4.303 MHz, rod antenna*

Figure D-12: Measured power levels along the power line – Site A, 8.125 MHz, rod antenna*

 

* Lines connecting data points illustrate potential trends but not expected interpolated values. 
D-13 

Figure D-13: Measured power levels along the power line – Site A, 22.957 MHz, rod antenna*

Figure D-14: Measured power levels along the power line – Site A, 28.298 MHz, rod antenna* 

 

* Lines connecting data points illustrate potential trends but not expected interpolated values. 
D-14 

These curves indicate that the BPL electric field (relative to noise) along and near the line 

does not measurably decay with distance from the device (Device C) and is possibly impacted by 

the presence of Device B. It is interesting to note that even though the Device C is an injector 

that transmitted at 8.8 MHz, the electric field actually increased with increasing distance from 

the device. This is thought to be due to BPL signal reflection by one or more impedance 

discontinuities (perhaps the coupler of BPL Device B). Device B is a BPL repeater that 

transmitted at 28.8 MHz and 4.3 MHz. The electric field at 28.298 MHz is high closer to Device 

B, but is at comparable levels at other distances away from Device B as well. 

An attempt was made to characterize the received power from the magnetic field at this 

same location (Site A, repeated here as Figure D-15). The results are illustrated in Tables D-1 

thru D-4. These Tables indicate that the magnetic field using a loop antenna at 2 meters was not 

measurable along the power line at most locations. 

Figure D-15: Measurement Site A for measurements along the BPL energized power line. 

Measurement Conditions

Measurement Location: Site A 

Antenna Type: Shielded Loop 

Antenna Height: 2 meters 

Antenna Polarization: (X) Horizontal Parallel, (Y) Horizontal Perpendicular, 

and (Z) Vertical 

Measured Characteristic: Peak received power due to magnetic field 

Utility pole

R

BPLCarrying Medium Voltage Lines

Repeater

y

Device B

Device C

To Device A
D-15 

Measurement Variable: Distance along power line (x) 

Comments: This effort was abandoned after no signal was received for many 

 measurements. 

Table D-1: Measurements along the power line – Site A, 4.303 MHz, loop antenna 

X Distance 

(feet) 

Y Distance 

(feet) 

Received Power 

Z Component(dBm) 

Received Power 

Y Component(dBm) 

Received Power 

X Component(dBm) 

648 107 Not measurable Not measurable Not measurable 

612 126 Not measured Not measured Not measured 

522 96 Not measured Not measured Not measured 

492 93 Not measurable Not measurable Not measurable 

459 87 Not measured Not measured Not measured 

417 123 Not measured Not measured Not measured 

357 120 Not measurable Not measurable Not measurable 

309 120 Not measured Not measured Not measured 

240 120 Not measured Not measured Not measured 

201 120 Not measurable Not measurable Not measurable 

196 120 Not measurable Not measurable Not measurable 

124 120 Not measurable Not measurable Not measurable 

84 135 Not measurable Not measurable Not measurable 

0 120 Not measurable Not measurable Not measurable 

Table D-2: Measurements along the power line – Site A, 8.125 MHz, loop antenna 

X Distance 

(feet) 

Y Distance 

(feet) 

Received Power 

Z Component(dBm) 

Received Power 

Y Component(dBm) 

Received Power 

X Component(dBm) 

648 107 -114.94 Not measurable -114.94 

612 126 Not measured Not measured Not measured 

522 96 Not measured Not measured Not measured 

492 93 Not measurable Not measurable Not measurable 

459 87 Not measured Not measured Not measured 

417 123 Not measured Not measured Not measured 

357 120 Not measurable Not measurable Not measurable 

309 120 Not measured Not measured Not measured 

240 120 Not measured Not measured Not measured 

201 120 Not measurable Not measurable Not measurable 

196 120 Not measurable Not measurable Not measurable 

124 120 Not measurable Not measurable Not measurable 

84 135 Not measurable Not measurable Not measurable 

0 120 -107.94 Not measurable Not measurable 
D-16 

Table D-3: Measurements along the power line – Site A, 22.957 MHz, loop antenna 

X Distance 

(feet) 

Y Distance 

(feet) 

Received Power 

Z Component(dBm) 

Received Power 

Y Component(dBm) 

Received Power 

X Component(dBm) 

648 107 Not measurable Not measurable Not measurable 

612 126 Not measured Not measured Not measured 

522 96 Not measured Not measured Not measured 

492 93 Not measurable Not measurable Not measurable 

459 87 Not measured Not measured Not measured 

417 123 Not measured Not measured Not measured 

357 120 Not measurable Not measurable Not measurable 

309 120 Not measured Not measured Not measured 

240 120 Not measured Not measured Not measured 

201 120 Not measurable Not measurable Not measurable 

196 120 Not measurable Not measurable -114.33 

124 120 Not measurable Not measurable Not measurable 

84 135 Not measurable Not measurable Not measurable 

0 120 -112.48 Not measurable -114.48 

Table D-4: Measurements along the power line – Site A, 28.298 MHz, loop antenna 

X Distance 

(feet) 

Y Distance 

(feet) 

Received Power 

Z Component(dBm) 

Received Power 

Y Component(dBm) 

Received Power 

X Component(dBm) 

648 107 -107.23 -110.23 -110.23 

612 126 Not measured Not measured Not measured 

522 96 Not measured Not measured Not measured 

492 93 Not measurable Not measurable -112.06 

459 87 Not measured Not measured Not measured 

417 123 Not measured Not measured Not measured 

357 120 Not measurable -112.23 Not measurable 

309 120 Not measured Not measured Not measured 

240 120 Not measured Not measured Not measured 

201 120 -104.23 -105.23 -105.23 

196 120 -111.50 Not measurable -111.50 

124 120 Not measurable -112.50 -113.50 

84 135 Not measurable Not measurable Not measurable 

0 120 Not measurable Not measurable Not measurable 
D-17 

The peak received power due to the electric field was measured with the whip antenna 

along the power line (Site A, repeated here as Figure D-16). The measured received power 

levels are plotted in Figure D-17 (“x” referenced to Device C) and Figure D-18 (“x” referenced 

to Device B). The results are similar to those obtained from the electric field measurements 

previously accomplished using the rod antenna. 

Figure D-16: Measurement Site A for measurements along the BPL energized power line. 

Measurement Conditions

Measurement Location: Site A 

Antenna Type: Whip 

Antenna Height: 1.5 meters 

Antenna Polarization: Vertical 

Measured Characteristic: Peak received power due to electric field 

Measurement Variable: Distance along power line (x) referenced to (1) Device C, or 

(2) Device B 

Comments: Note that though the measurements were initially made at a 

 frequency of 7.241 MHz, the frequency was changed to 7.25 MHz 

 due to background signals covering up the BPL signal. 

Utility pole

R

BPLCarrying Medium Voltage Lines

Repeater

y

Device B

Device C

To Device A
D-18 

Figure D-17: Measured power levels along power line – Site A, “x” referenced to Device C, whip antenna*

Figure D-18: Measured power levels along power line – Site A, “x” referenced to Device B, whip antenna*

 

* Lines connecting data points illustrate potential trends but not expected interpolated values. 
D-19 

Measurements were taken along the BPL energized power line (Site B, Figure D-19) 

using a discone antenna. Figure D-20 shows a picture of the utility lines located at the 

intersection as viewed from the approximate location of the measurement vehicle at point C. 

Results are shown in Table D-5 through D-8. 

Figure D-19: Measurement Site B for BPL measurements along the power line using the discone antenna.

Utility pole

Backhaul

BPL carrying

medium

voltage lines

Utility pole

Point A

Point C

x

y

Coupler

d

Medium

voltage lines
D-20 

Figure D-20: Site B power lines as viewed from the measurement vehicle located at Point C 
D-21 

Measurement Conditions

Measurement Location: Site B 

Antenna Type: Discone (Model SAS-210/C) 

Antenna Height: 2 and 10 meters 

Antenna Polarization: Vertical 

Measured Characteristic: 100% duty cycle power (from APDs) and pulse power due to 

 electric field 

Measurement Variable: Distance along power line (x) referenced to Point A, (y = 7.9 m) 

Comments: Measurement frequencies – 32.699 MHz and 42.465 MHz 

 Resolution bandwidths – 30 kHz and 10 kHz 

 Pulse power measurements – zero span, peak power detection, 

2 ms sweep time (601 pts per sweep) 

Power lines approximately 8.5 meters above the ground 

Table D-5: Measured 100%-duty-cycle power and pulse power, x = 4.9 meters (16 ft) 

 Ant. Ht. Frequency RBW 100%-duty-cycle Power Pulse Power 

Case 1 10 m 32.699 MHz 30 kHz -96.3 dBm -97.6 dBm 

Case 2 10 m 42.465 MHz 30 kHz Not measured -104.4 dBm 

Case 3 2 m 32.699 MHz 30 kHz -101.1 dBm -111.4 dBm 

Case 4 2 m 42.465 MHz 30 kHz Not measured -116.1 dBm 

Case 5 10 m 32.699 MHz 10 kHz -100.7 dBm -102.4 dBm 

Case 6 10 m 42.465 MHz 10 kHz Not measured -112.0 dBm 

Case 7 2 m 32.699 MHz 10 kHz -111.4 dBm -117.5 dBm 

Case 8 2 m 42.465 MHz 10 kHz Not measured -120.2 dBm 

Table D-6: Measured 100%-duty-cycle power and pulse power, x = 18.3 meters (60 ft) 

 Ant. Ht. Frequency RBW 100%-duty-cycle Power Pulse Power 

Case 1 10 m 32.699 MHz 30 kHz Not measured -112.4 dBm 

Case 2 10 m 42.465 MHz 30 kHz Not measured Not measurable 

Case 5 10 m 32.699 MHz 10 kHz -110.1 dBm -115.2 dBm 

Case 6 10 m 42.465 MHz 10 kHz Not measured Not measurable 

Table D-7: Measured 100%-duty-cycle power and pulse power, x = 23.2 meters (76 ft) 

 Ant. Ht. Frequency RBW 100%-duty-cycle Power Pulse Power 

Case 1 10 m 32.699 MHz 30 kHz -110.5 dBm -108.6 dBm 

Case 2 10 m 42.465 MHz 30 kHz Not measured -107.7 dBm 

Case 3 2 m 32.699 MHz 30 kHz Not measurable Not measurable 

Case 4 2 m 42.465 MHz 30 kHz Not measurable Not measurable 

Case 5 10 m 32.699 MHz 10 kHz -110.5 dBm -114.9 dBm 

Case 6 10 m 42.465 MHz 10 kHz Not measured -119.3 dBm 

Case 7 2 m 32.699 MHz 10 kHz Not measurable Not measurable 

Case 8 2 m 42.465 MHz 10 kHz Not measurable Not measurable 
D-22 

Table D-8: Measured 100%-duty-cycle power and pulse power, x = 103.6 meters (340 ft) 

 Ant. Ht. Frequency RBW 100%-duty-cycle Power Pulse Power 

Case 1 10 m 32.699 MHz 30 kHz Not measured -110.1 dBm 

Case 2 10 m 42.465 MHz 30 kHz -106.9 dBm -105.4 dBm 

Case 3 2 m 32.699 MHz 30 kHz Not measurable Not measurable 

Case 4 2 m 42.465 MHz 30 kHz Not measurable Not measurable 

Case 5 10 m 32.699 MHz 10 kHz Not measured -114.4 dBm 

Case 6 10 m 42.465 MHz 10 kHz -111.0 dBm -110.9 dBm 

Case 7 2 m 32.699 MHz 10 kHz Not measurable Not measurable 

Case 8 2 m 42.465 MHz 10 kHz Not measurable Not measurable 

Figure D-21 summarizes the measured received power along the power lines using data 

from Table D-5 through Table D-8 for a frequency of 32.699 MHz and for a vertically polarized 

Discone antenna at a height of 10 meters. This figure indicates that after an initial decrease of 

received power, the power remains at about the same level along the power line away from a 

Backhaul point. 

Figure D-21: Measured power levels along power line – Site B, discone antenna, antenna height = 10 m, 

frequency = 32.699 MHz, data from Table D.3.2-5 through Table D.3.2-8* 

 

* Lines connecting data points illustrate potential trends but not expected interpolated values. 
D-23 

D.3.3 Measurements of BPL Away From the Energized Power Line 

A number of measurements of BPL emissions were made with varying distance away 

from the power line. In general, the measurements started out close to a pole mounted BPL 

device and moved away until the signal level was too low to make a confident measurement. 

For the first measurements away from the power line, Site C’s physical layout of power lines and 

BPL devices is illustrated in Figure D-22 and the measured power away from the power lines is 

plotted in Figure D-23. With a loop antenna directly under the power line at a height of 2 

meters, a small signal power was measured on all four frequencies (4.419 MHz, 8.777 MHz, 

23.836 MHz and 28.777 MHz). At a distance of 148 feet from the power line, the signal was 

received only at 28.777 MHz as shown in Figure D-23. 

Figure D-22: Measurement Site C for BPL measurements away from the power line at Device B

Measurement Conditions

Measurement Location: Site C 

Antenna Type: Shielded Loop 

Antenna Height: 2 meters 

Antenna Polarization: Horizontal Parallel 

Measured Characteristic: Peak received power due to magnetic field 

Measurement Variable: Distance away from power line (x) 

Comments: Device A is an Extractor transmitting an upstream signal at 23.8 

 MHz. Device B is a repeater transmitting on 28.8 MHz 

 downstream and 4.4 MHz upstream. Device C is an injector 

 transmitting on 8.8 MHz downstream. When the antenna was 

 moved 45.1 meters (148 ft) away from the power line the signal 

 was not received on 3 of the 4 frequencies. 

Utility pole

R

BPLCarrying Medium Voltage Lines

Repeater

Device B

Device C

To Device A
D-24 

Figure D-23: Measured power levels away from the power line, Site C, loop antenna*

 

* Lines connecting data points illustrate potential trends but not expected interpolated values. 
D-25 

The peak received power due to the electric field was measured with the whip antenna 

away from the power line (Site C, repeated here as Figure D-24) at 4.255 MHz, 7.304 MHz and 

28.777 MHz with the results shown in Figure D-25. The results indicate that there was a 

decrease in received power with increase in distance from the BPL device and power line, but 

the decrease was not monotonic at 28.777 MHz. The received power and the manner in which it 

decreased with increasing distance varied substantially at different frequencies. 

Figure D-24: Measurement Site C for BPL measurements away from the power line at Device B 

Measurement Conditions

Measurement Location: Site C 

Antenna Type: Whip 

Antenna Height: 1.5 meters 

Antenna Polarization: Vertical 

Measured Characteristic: Peak received power due to electric field 

Measurement Variable: Distance away from power line (x) 

Comments: At 7.304 MHz, the measurement was terminated when background 

 signals appeared and covered up the BPL signal. The frequency 

 change to 4.241 MHz was due to background signals covering up 

 the BPL signal. 

Utility pole

R

BPLCarrying Medium Voltage Lines

Repeater

Device B

Device C

To Device A
D-26 

Figure D-25: Measured power levels away from power line at Device B – Site C, whip antenna* 

 

* Lines connecting data points illustrate potential trends but not expected interpolated values. 
D-27 

The peak received power due to the electric field was measured with the whip antenna on 

a different path (measurement trend line) as a function of distance from the power line as shown 

in Figure D-26. The results, plotted in Figure D-27, show that even though the received power 

generally decreased with distance from Device C, the peak power level at 28.809 MHz exhibited 

significant oscillations as a function of increasing distance. 

Figure D-26: Measurement Site C for BPL measurements away from the power line at Device C

Measurement Conditions

Measurement Location: Site C 

Antenna Type: Whip 

Antenna Height: 1.5 meters 

Antenna Polarization: Vertical 

Measured Characteristic: Peak received power due to electric field 

Measurement Variable: Distance away from power line (x) 

Comments: At 7.241 MHz, the measurement was terminated when background 

 signals appeared and covered up the BPL signal. 

Utility pole

R

BPLCarrying Medium Voltage Lines

Repeater

Device B

Device C

To Device A
D-28 

Figure D-27: Measured power levels away from power line at Device B – Site C, whip antenna*

 

* Lines connecting data points illustrate potential trends but not expected interpolated values. 
D-29 

Another set of measurements were made of the peak received power due to vertical 

electric field while moving the whip antenna away from the power line as shown in Figure D-28 

(Site D). The received power has been plotted versus distance from the power lines in Figure D29. In Figure D-29, the signal decreases to an immeasurable level within 600 ft. 

Figure D-28: Measurement Site D for BPL measurements away from power line at a pole mounted repeater

Measurement Conditions

Measurement Location: Site D 

Antenna Type: Whip 

Antenna Height: 1.5 meters 

Antenna Polarization: Vertical 

Measured Characteristic: Peak received power due to electric field 

Measurement Variable: Distance away from power line (x) 

Comments: None 

Utility pole

R

BPLCarrying Medium Voltage Lines

Repeater
D-30 

Figure D-29: Measured power levels away from power line – Site D, whip antenna*

 

* Lines connecting data points illustrate potential trends but not expected interpolated values. 
D-31 

The next measurements were made away from the power lines at Site E. The physical layout 

(Figure D-30) shows several repeaters and one concentrator (injector) and a network of MV lines 

all transmitting at various times over the same frequency range. In Figure D-31, the received 

power at 8.1 MHz and 14.8 MHz are plotted versus distance from the power lines, out to a 

distance exceeding 1500 ft, where the BPL signal diminished to within 5 dB of the noise floor. 

Figure D-30: Measurement Site E for BPL measurements away from power line at a repeater

Measurement Conditions

Measurement Location: Site E 

Antenna Type: Whip 

Antenna Height: 1.5 meters 

Antenna Polarization: Vertical 

Measured Characteristic: Peak received power due to electric field 

Measurement Variable: Distance away from power line (x) 

Comments: None 

Utility pole

x

R

R

R R

R

R

R

R

R

R

R

R

C

C

BPL 1-Phase MV Lines

BPL 3-Phase MV Lines

Concentrator

Repeater
D-32 

Figure D-31: Measured power levels away from power line – Site E, whip antenna*

 

* Lines connecting data points illustrate potential trends but not expected interpolated values. 
D-33 

The peak received power was measured using both whip and loop antennas at heights of 

1.5 and 2 meters, respectively, near a transformer with underground power lines (Site F) carrying 

BPL signals. The measurements show that at 6.4 meters (21 ft) from the transformer, the BPL 

signal power was measurable at one of the three BPL frequencies as shown in Table D-9. At 

29.3 meters (96 ft) from the transformer, no signal could be detected. 

Measurement Conditions

Measurement Location: Site F 

Antenna Type: Whip, Shielded Loop 

Antenna Height: 1.5 meters (whip) and 2 meters (loop) 

Antenna Polarization: Whip - Vertical, Loop - Vertical Parallel, Vertical Perpendicular 

and Horizontal 

Measured Characteristic: Peak received power due to electric and magnetic fields 

Measurement Variable: Distance away from power line (x) 

Comments: None 

Table D-9: Measure power levels away from power line – Site F, whip & loop antennas 

Measurement 

Distance 

Frequency 

(MHz) 

Whip 

(Vertical) 

Loop 

(Vertical, 

parallel to 

the power 

line) 

Loop 

(Vertical, 

perpendicular 

to the power 

line) 

Loop 

(Horizontal) 

6.4 m (21 ft) 3.99 Not 

measurable 

Not 

measurable 

Not 

measurable 

Not 

measurable 

6.4 m (21 ft) 7.502 Not 

measurable 

Not 

measurable 

Not 

measurable 

Not 

measurable 

6.4 m (21 ft) 15.285 -80 dBm -114 dBm Not 

measurable -114 dBm 

29.3 m (96 ft) 3.99 Not 

measurable 

Not 

measurable 

Not 

measurable 

Not 

measurable 

29.3 m (96 ft) 7.502 Not 

measurable 

Not 

measurable 

Not 

measurable 

Not 

measurable 

29.3 m (96 ft) 15.285 Not 

measurable 

Not 

measurable 

Not 

measurable 

Not 

measurable 
D-34 

Measurements were performed using a discone antenna with the power line configuration 

as shown in Figure D-32 for Site G. Manual pulse power measurements are plotted for three 

frequencies, 35.04992 MHz, 39.92954 MHz and 45.40195 MHz, as shown in Figure D-33. Also 

included are theoretical plots for loss proportional to 1/R, 1/R2

, and 1/R4, where “R” is distance 

from the power line (i.e., “R” is depicted as the parameter “x” in Figure D-32). The results 

indicate that the received power decreases as distance from the power line increases at a rate 

lower than would be predicted by 1/R2

 (space wave loss). 

Figure D-32: Measurement Site G for BPL measurements away from power line using the discone antenna 

Measurement Conditions

Measurement Location: Site G 

Antenna Type: Discone (Model SAS-210/C) 

Antenna Height: 3.4 meters (11.2 ft) 

Antenna Polarization: Vertical 

Measured Characteristic: Peak received power due to electric field 

Measurement Variable: Distance away from power line (x) 

Comments: Measurement frequencies – 35.04492 MHz, 39.92954 MHz, and 

 45.40195 MHz 

 Resolution bandwidths – 200 kHz 

 Pulse power measurements – zero span, peak power detection, 

2 ms sweep time (601 pts per sweep) 

Power lines approximately 8.5 meters above the ground 

Utility pole

Street B

x

Backhaul

BPL carrying

medium

voltage lines

y
D-35 

Figure D-33: Received pulse power measured away from power line – Site G, discone antenna* 

 

* Lines connecting data points illustrate potential trends but not expected interpolated values. 
D-36 

Manual pulse power levels were measured at 32.699 MHz and 42.465 MHz with the 

same discone antenna at points B and C as shown in Figure D-34. Both points B and C are at 

about the same distance from the power line; however, the measured pulse power at point C is 

consistently higher than at point B as shown in Tables D-10 and D-11. 

Figure D-34: Measurement Site B for BPL measurements away from power line 

Measurement Conditions

Measurement Location: Site B 

Antenna Type: Discone (Model SAS-210/C) 

Antenna Height: 10 meters 

Antenna Polarization: Vertical 

Measured Characteristic: Pulse power measurements at two different radials; 100% duty 

cycle power determined from APDs measured at one of the radials 

Measurement Variable: Point B and Point C, radials away from the utility pole at the end 

of a BPL carrying segment of MV power line. 

Comments: Measurement frequencies – 32.699 MHz and 42.465 MHz 

 Resolution bandwidths – 10 kHz and 30 kHz 

 Pulse power measurements – zero span, peak power detection, 

2 ms sweep time (601 pts per sweep) 

Utility pole

Backhaul

BPL carrying

medium

voltage lines

Utility pole

Point A

Point C

x

y

Coupler

d

Medium

voltage lines
D-37 

Table D-10: Measured pulse power – Site B, Point B, discone antenna, radial 20.7 meters from utility pole. 

 Frequency RBW Pulse Power 

Case 1 32.699 MHz 30 kHz Not measurable 

Case 2 42.465 MHz 30 kHz -112.2 dBm 

Case 3 32.699 MHz 10 kHz Not measurable 

Case 4 42.465 MHz 10 kHz Not measurable 

Table D-11: Measured 100%-duty-cycle power and pulse power – Site B, Point C, discone antenna, radial 

20.4 meters from utility pole. 

 Frequency RBW 100%-duty-cycle 

Power 

Pulse Power 

Case 1 32.699 MHz 30 kHz -104.1 dBm -106.4 dBm 

Case 2 42.465 MHz 30 kHz Not measured -110.2 dBm 

Case 3 32.699 MHz 10 kHz -109.7 dBm -109.7 dBm 

Case 4 42.465 MHz 10 kHz Not measured Not measurable 

D.3.4 Measurements of BPL Using Various Detectors 

Measurements were made using three different spectrum analyzer detectors (peak, 

average and quasi-peak.) at Site A, as shown in Figure D-35. Table D-12 and D-13 show the 

detector levels for the two measurement frequencies. The data shown in these tables indicate 

that the measured quasi-peak power levels for this BPL signal are 0 to 5 dB greater than the 

average power levels. 
D-38 

Figure D-35: Measurement Site A for BPL measurements using various detectors 

Measurement Conditions

Measurement Location: Site A 

Antenna Type: Whip 

Antenna Height: 1.5 meters 

Antenna Polarization: Vertical 

Measured Characteristic: Peak, average, and quasi-peak power due to electric field 

Measurement Variable: Distance away from power line (x, y) 

Comments: Resolution bandwidths – 9.1 kHz (peak & average), 

9 kHz quasi-peak 

 Signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) at 22.957 MHz was 8 dB 

 SNR at 28.298 MHz was 38 dB. 

Table D-12: Measured peak, average and quasi-peak levels, x = 150 m, y = 28.3 m 

Detector Peak Average Quasi-Peak 

Value at f = 22.957 MHz -74 dBm -81 dBm -76 dBm 

Utility pole

R

BPLCarrying Medium Voltage Lines

Repeater

y

Device B

Device C

To Device A
D-39 

Table D-13: Measured peak, average and quasi-peak levels, x = 58.2 m, y = 39.3 m 

Detector Peak Average Quasi-Peak 

Value at f = 28.298 MHz -60 dBm -65 dBm -65 dBm 

The measurements using the various detectors were made in a residential neighborhood 

environment. There were noise sources present, some of them appear impulsive on a spectrum 

analyzer and some appear bursty. Figure D-36 shows both kinds of noise sources at levels 

higher than the BPL signal. While it is possible to read the BPL level in between these noise 

sources with a peak and average (due to the 100% BPL duty cycle and if the symbol period is 

short enough) detector, the quasi-peak detector, with its longer time constant, will include the 

noise power in its measurement. When the BPL signal has a duty cycle less than 100% with a 

period greater than the period of the noise sources, the average detector will include the noise 

power in its measurement. An example of this signal is shown in Figure D-37. The period of the 

noise sources is much shorter than the period of the BPL signal. The off periods are large 

enough to cause the quasi-peak detector level to decay, Figure D-38, so to obtain a single value 

the operator chose a value when the BPL signal was on and ignored the noise induced spike near 

the center of the trace. 

Figure D-36: BPL signal at 28.298 MHz. 
D-40 

Figure D-37: BPL signal at 22.957 MHz. 

Figure D-38: BPL signal at 22.957 MHz. 
D-41 

Another measurement was made to compare detectors at a different location at Site A and 

on a different day. The results are in Table D-14. 

Measurement Conditions

Measurement Location: Site A 

Antenna Type: Whip 

Antenna Height: 1.5 meters 

Antenna Polarization: Vertical 

Measured Characteristic: Peak, average, and quasi-peak power due to electric field 

Measurement Variable: Distance away from power line (x, y) 

Comments: Resolution bandwidths – 3 kHz , corresponding to a typical 

land-mobile signal bandwidth in the HF spectrum 

Table D-14: Measured detector levels, x – directly in front of Device B, y = 12.2 m 

Frequency 

Detector 4.255 MHz 7.304 MHz 28.777 MHz 

Peak -72 dBm -60.4 dBm -54.8 dBm 

Average -74.8 dBm -63.5 dBm -56.6 dBm 

Quasi-Peak -71.3 dBm -59.3 dBm -55.3 dBm 

D.3.5 Measurements of BPL Varying Antenna Height 

Measurements were performed using two different antenna heights at Site B, Figure D39. Results are shown in Table D-15. The results show that in general, the measured power 

levels were higher at the greater antenna height. For example, the 100% duty cycle power 

measured at a frequency of 32.699 MHz and at a 10 meter antenna height was 4.8 to 10.7 dB 

greater than at 2 meters. The pulse power at a 10 meter antenna height for this same frequency 

was 8.2 to 15.1 dB higher than at 2 meters. 
D-42 

Figure D-39: Measurement Site B for BPL measurements with varying antenna height

Measurement Conditions

Measurement Location: Site B 

Antenna Type: Discone (Model SAS-210/C) 

Antenna Height: 2 and 10 meters 

Antenna Polarization: Vertical 

Measured Characteristic: 100% duty cycle power (from APDs) and pulse power due to 

 electric field 

Measurement Variable: Distance along power line (x = 4.9 m) referenced to Point A, (y = 

7.9 m) 

Comments: Measurement frequencies – 32.699 MHz and 42.465 MHz 

Utility pole

Backhaul

BPL carrying

medium

voltage lines

Utility pole

Point A

Point C

x

y

Coupler

d

Medium

voltage lines
D-43 

 Resolution bandwidths – 30 kHz and 10 kHz 

 Pulse power measurements – zero span, peak power detection, 

2 ms sweep time (601 pts per sweep) 

Power lines approximately 8.5 meters above the ground 

Table D-15: Measured 100%-duty-cycle power and pulse power – Site B, discone antenna, two antenna 

heights 

 Ant. Ht. Frequency RBW 100%-duty-cycle Power Pulse Power 

Case 1 10 m 32.699 MHz 30 kHz -96.3 dBm -97.6 dBm 

Case 2 10 m 42.465 MHz 30 kHz Not measured -104.4 dBm 

Case 3 2 m 32.699 MHz 30 kHz -101.1 dBm -111.4 dBm 

Case 4 2 m 42.465 MHz 30 kHz Not measured -116.1 dBm 

Case 5 10 m 32.699 MHz 10 kHz -100.7 dBm -102.4 dBm 

Case 6 10 m 42.465 MHz 10 kHz Not measured -112.0 dBm 

Case 7 2 m 32.699 MHz 10 kHz -111.4 dBm -117.5 dBm 

Case 8 2 m 42.465 MHz 10 kHz Not measured -120.2 dBm 

Measurements were conducted at Site H as shown in Figure D-40. Figure D-41 shows a 

picture of the utility lines located immediately in front of the house as viewed from across the 

street parallel to the approximate location of the measurement vehicle. 

Figure D-40: Measurement Site H for BPL measurements with varying antenna height

Utility pole

Backhaul

BPL carrying

low voltage

lines

x

Street E

House
D-44 

Measurement Conditions

Measurement Location: Site H 

Antenna Type: Shielded Loop 

Antenna Height: 2 meters and 10 meters 

Antenna Polarization: Vertical, plane of antenna perpendicular to power line 

Measured Characteristic: Pulse power measurements and 100% duty cycle power (from 

APDs) of the magnetic field 

Measurement Variable: Distance away from low voltage power line (x = 8.7 meters) 

Comments: Measurement frequencies – 5.00 MHz, 6.43 MHz, 10.74 MHz 

and 18.38 MHz 

 Resolution bandwidths – 3 kHz and 10 kHz 

 Pulse power measurements – zero span, peak power detection, 

5 ms sweep time (601 pts per sweep) 

Power line height ranging approximately 3 – 4.3 meters 

The pulse-power and the 100%-duty-cycle power (both referenced to the antenna output) 

are shown for each case in Table D-16. The results shown indicate that measured power at a 10 

meter height was always larger than the power measured at 2 meter height (by 3-10 dBm). 
D-45 

Backhaul

Low voltage

line to house

Coupler 

Figure D-41: Measurement Site H utility lines located immediately in front of house as viewed from 

 across the street parallel to the approximate location of the measurement vehicle. 
D-46 

Table D-16: Measured 100%-duty-cycle power and pulse power – Site H, loop antenna, two antenna heights 

 Ant. 

Ht. 

Frequency RBW 100%-duty-cycle 

Power 

Pulse Power 

Case 1 10 m 5.00 MHz 10 kHz Not measurable Not measurable

Case 2 10 m 5.00 MHz 3 kHz Not measurable Not measurable

Case 3 10 m 6.43 MHz 10 kHz -106.4 dBm -112.3 dBm

Case 4 10 m 6.43 MHz 3 kHz -108.7 dBm -114.0 dBm

Case 5 10 m 10.74 MHz 10 kHz Not measured -110.3 dBm

Case 6 10 m 10.74 MHz 3 kHz -114.8 dBm Not measurable

Case 7 10 m 18.38 MHz 10 kHz Not measured -101.4 dBm

Case 8 10 m 18.38 MHz 3 kHz -106.6 dBm -110.8 dBm

Case 9 2 m 5.00 MHz 10 kHz Not measurable Not measurable

Case 10 2 m 5.00 MHz 3 kHz Not measurable Not measurable

Case 11 2 m 6.43 MHz 10 kHz -109.1 dBm Not measurable

Case 12 2 m 6.43 MHz 3 kHz -113.3 dBm -112.6 dBm

Case 13 2 m 10.74 MHz 10 kHz Not measurable Not measurable

Case 14 2 m 10.74 MHz 3 kHz Not measurable Not measurable

Case 15 2 m 18.38 MHz 10 kHz -111.2 dBm -113.3 dBm

Case 16 2 m 18.38 MHz 3 kHz -115.3 dBm -117.3 dBm
D-47 

D.3.6 Measurements of BPL APDs 

APD measurements of the BPL signal were taken at Site I, as shown in Figure D-42. 

Results of these measurements, shown as 100% duty cycle power and / or pulse power levels are 

shown in Table D-17. This table shows that 100% duty cycle power is higher for higher 

resolution bandwidth at a given frequency and the power levels are proportional to bandwidth 

(confirming that 100% equivalent power was accurately estimated from APDs). 

Figure D-42: Measurement Site I for BPL APD measurements

Measurement Conditions

Measurement Location: Site I 

Antenna Type: Discone (Model SAS-210/C) 

Antenna Height: 10 meters 

Antenna Polarization: Vertical 

Measured Characteristic: 100% duty cycle power (from APDs) of the electric field 

Measurement Variable: Distance away from low voltage power line (x = 11.6 meters) 

Comments: Measurement frequencies – 32.699 MHz and 42.465 MHz 

 Resolution bandwidths – 10 kHz, 30 kHz and 200 kHz 

Utility pole

Street B

x

Backhaul

BPL carrying

medium

voltage lines

y
D-48 

Table D-17: Measured 100%-duty-cycle power from APDs – Site I, discone antenna, x = 11.6 meters. 

 Frequency RBW 100%-duty-cycle Power 

Case 1 32.699 MHz 200 kHz -93.6 dBm 

Case 2 32.699 MHz 30 kHz -98.9 dBm 

Case 3 32.699 MHz 10 kHz -103.5 dBm 

Case 4 42.465 MHz 200 kHz -95.3 dBm 

Case 5 42.465 MHz 30 kHz -101.8 dBm 

Case 6 42.465 MHz 10 kHz -107.4 dBm 

Another set of pulse-power measurements and APDs were performed at Site I at 32.699 

MHz with two different resolution bandwidths (30 kHz, and 10 kHz) and three different antenna 

orientations. These results are shown in Table D-18. Figure D-43 shows APD plots for cases 7, 

8, and 9 as described in the Table D-18. Both Table D-18 and Figure D-43 indicate that the 

measured power for all four cases is at similar levels for the same location. 

. 

Measurement Conditions

Measurement Location: Site I 

Antenna Type: Discone (Model SAS-210/C) 

Antenna Height: 2 meters 

Antenna Polarization: Varies, see Table D.3.6-2 

Measured Characteristic: Pulse power measurements and 100% duty cycle power (from 

APDs) of the electric field 

Measurement Variable: Distance away from low voltage power line (x) and backhaul pt (y) 

Comments: Measurement frequency – 32.699 MHz 

 Resolution bandwidths – 10 kHz and 30 kHz 

 Pulse power measurements – zero span, peak power detection, 

2 ms sweep time (601 pts per sweep) 

Table D-18: Measured 100%-duty-cycle power from APDs and 

Pulse Power – Site I, discone antenna, various x-y distances 

 Direct 

Distances 

Antenna orientation RBW 100%-dutycycle Power Pulse power 

Case 1 x = 11.7 m 30 kHz -107.5 dBm -114.6 dBm 

y = 15.2 m 

Vert. Polarization 

10 kHz -112.6 dBm -115.6 dBm 

Case 2 x = 17.1 m 30 kHz -107.4 dBm -112.3 dBm 

y = 19.5 m 

Vert. Polarization 

10 kHz -112.2 dBm -117.2 dBm 

Case 3 x = 23.0 m 30 kHz Not measurable Not measurable 

y = 25.0 m 

Vert. Polarization 

10 kHz Not measurable Not measurable 

Case 4 x = 23.0 m 30 kHz Not measurable Not measurable 

y = 25.0 m 

Horz. Polarization 

parallel to lines 10 kHz Not measurable Not measurable 

Case 5 x = 17.1 m 30 kHz Not measurable Not measurable 

y = 19.5 m 

Horz. Polarization 

parallel to lines 10 kHz Not measurable Not measurable 

Case 6 x = 17.1 m Horz. Polarization 30 kHz Not measurable Not measurable 
D-49 

 y = 19.5 m perpendicular to lines 10 kHz Not measurable Not measurable 

Case 7 x = 11.7 m 30 kHz -107.9 dBm -110.1 dBm 

y = 15.2 m 

Horz. Polarization 

perpendicular to lines 10 kHz -113.1 dBm -115.8 dBm 

Case 8 x = 11.7 m 30 kHz -106.2 dBm -110.3 dBm 

y = 15.2 m 

Horz. Polarization 

parallel to lines 10 kHz -113.3 dBm -118.1 dBm 

Case 9 x = 11.7 m 30 kHz -107.8 dBm -111.1 dBm 

y = 15.2 m 

Horz. Polarization 

pointed to pole 10 kHz -109.0 dBm -116.8 dBm 

The 100% duty-cycle power and manual pulse power levels were observed to be nearly the same 

for measurements performed at the same location with the antenna pointed in different directions 

(Case 7 – Case 9). 

Figure D-43: APD measurements in a 30 kHz RBW for three different antenna 

orientations – Site I, located with a 11.7 m direct distance from power lines 
D-50 

D.4 BACKGROUND ON AMPLITUDE PROBABILITY 

 DISTRIBUTIONS 

Because of the random nature of the system noise, background noise, and the BPL signal 

itself, signal power data were, at times, collected and analyzed statistically using amplitude 

probability distributions (APDs).2 

The reason for using APDs was to differentiate the BPL signal from the background (and 

system) noise and to extract mean power. While the APD can be used to characterize the 

background noise, doing so requires a sufficiently large ensemble and adequate sensitivity. It 

was not the original intention to use these measurements for the purpose of characterizing the 

background noise; therefore, the extent of sampling and the system configuration limit the use of 

these APDs for that purpose. 

Data for these measurements were acquired by repeatedly collecting power traces from a 

spectrum analyzer and placing the power values in corresponding 0.1-dB bins of a histogram 

(later to be used for creating APDs). The spectrum analyzer was set in sample detection mode 

with a zero span and centered on specified frequencies of interest. So as to assure uncorrelated 

sampling, the trace sweep-time was set so that adjacent data points were no closer in time than 

2/RBW, where RBW is the resolution bandwidth. To provide sufficient probability resolution, a 

minimum of 500,000 samples were collected for each APD - enough to give a probability of a 

single occurrence equal to 0.0002% . 

By repeatedly collecting power data when the transmission lines are loaded with BPL 

and when the BPL is turned off, it is possible to identify the power contribution by BPL, 

assuming that the background noise does not change significantly. For example, Figure D-44 

shows the APDs for the two scenarios - BPL on and BPL off. The “system noise” plot is 

emulated by calculating the curve from the system noise figure. Though the data from the two 

scenarios were not collected simultaneously, the characteristics of the noise environment, in this 

case, were changed only by inclusion or exclusion of the BPL signal. The features noted 

between points B and D are due predominantly to the BPL signal, whereas the features between 

points A and B for the “BPL-loaded” case and points A and C for the “BPL-off” case are due 

predominantly to extraneous environmental impulsive noise. The linear regions of the curves are 

due to system noise. 

By taking multiple APDs of these two scenarios, it is possible to identify APD features 

that are characteristic of the BPL signal. For instance, after examining multiple APDs, it was 

possible to conclude that, for this example data, the BPL signal is present approximately 10% of 

the time when loaded. Figure D-45 shows data collected in a slightly different location within 

the site. However, in this example, changes in the noise environment between “loaded” and 

“off” cases are due not only to the BPL being turned off, but also due to some additional 

impulsive noise as noted in the region between points B and D of the “BPL-off” plot. Despite 

 

2

 “Measurements to determine potential interference to GPS receivers from ultrawideband transmission systems,” 

J.R. Hoffman, M.G. Cotton, R.J. Achatz, R.N. Statz, and R.A. Dalke, NTIA Report 01-384, Feb. 2001. 
D-51 

this added complexity, it is still possible to identify the power contribution by BPL because the 

region between points C and E on the “BPL-loaded” plot has the characteristic feature of 10% 

presence, and this feature of the curve is absent for the “BPL-off” case. 

Figure D-44: Example APD plots for two different measurement scenarios - BPL loaded and BPL off.

Figure D-45: Example APD plots for two different measurement scenarios - BPL loaded and BPL off. 
D-52 

For each of the APD plots, the powers on the ordinate are referenced to the output of the 

antenna terminals. Mean powers are calculated from the associated histograms by: 

where xi is power in the ith bin, ni is the number of samples in the ith bin, and N is the total 

number of samples. In cases where the system noise or environmental noise may contribute 

significantly to the overall signal power, the mean signal power of the BPL is determined by 

subtracting the mean system noise power and/or environmental noise from the overall mean 

signal power. In some cases, the background noise is low enough in power or infrequent enough 

(for impulsive noise) that their contribution to the overall power can be disregarded. 

For data shown in Figure D.46, the BPL signal is pulse-like in nature, and between the 

pulses, the signal power is dominated by the system (and environmental) noise. The calculated 

mean 100%-duty-cycle power (i.e., the power when the pulses are present 100% of the time) is 

determined from the measured percentage of time the BPL pulses are present using the following 

equation: 

where Mp is the mean 100%-duty-cycle power in decibels, Ms is the mean measured signal 

power in decibels, and P is the percentage of time the measured BPL pulses are present. Ms is 

determined by subtracting mean power of the system noise from the mean power for the BPL-on 

data. Though there appears to be some impulsive environmental noise (far left side of the plot) 

contributing to the mean power of the BPL-on case, the probability (in combination with the 

magnitude) of this impulsive environmental noise is low enough that it contributes little to the 

overall mean power. To estimate P, it is assumed that the point at which the curve deviates from 

the system noise curve by 1.8 dB represents the point at which BPL pulses are starting to 

significantly contribute additional power above that of the system noise, and therefore, this 

represents the percent of the time for which the BPL pulses are present.3 For Figure D-46, this 

point occurs at 11%, and therefore, because the mean signal power is calculated to be 

-111.7 dBm, the mean pulse power is -103.3 dBm. It should be emphasized, however, that P and 

Ms are estimates and dependent upon an understanding of the background noise. Because the 

system noise power is Rayleigh distributed, the mean power occurs at the 37th percentile (true for 

any Rayleigh distributed power that is predominantly system noise); therefore for Figure D-46, 

the BPL pulse power is 18 dB above the mean system noise. 

 

3

 1.8 dB was felt to be the first consistently perceptible deviation from the system noise curve. 
D-53 

Figure D-46: Mean power for pulse-like BPL signal, dominated by system noise between pulses. 

This measurement technique was verified by simulating a pulsed signal of known power 

and performing the same measurement and processing procedure. The simulated signal was 

centered at 30 MHz with a 10% duty cycle. Figures D-47 and D-48 shows the signal as 

measured on a spectrum analyzer with a span of zero. Figure D-47 shows the signal with a peak 

pulse power well above the system noise. Figure D-48 shows the signal with a peak pulse power 

approximately 6 dB above the system noise (–105 dBm at the input to the preselector). Because 

the peak pulse power could not be readily measured for the case where the power is less than 10 

dB above the system noise, the peak pulse power was measured when it was well above the 

system noise and then attenuated prior to the preselector. APDs were performed for two 

different peak pulse power at the input to the preselector: -83 dBm and –105 dBm. The data 

were acquired and processed for mean signal power, mean 100%-duty-cycle power, and the 

measured duty cycle. Results are shown in Figures D-49 and D-50. In both cases, the mean 

100%-duty-cycle power coincides well with the actual measured peak pulse power. 
D-54 

Figure D-47: Simulated signal with a peak pulse power well above the system noise. 
D-55 

Figure D-48: Simulated signal with a peak pulse power 6 dB above the system noise. 
D-56 

Figure D-49: APD of simulated signal with a peak pulse power of -83 dBm at the input to the preselector. 

Figure D-50: APD of simulated signal with a peak pulse power of -105 dBm at the input to the preselector. 
D-57 

Figure D-51 shows APDs for data acquired for two conditions: when the BPL was 

loaded and when the BPL was turned off. In this case, there appears to be some impulsive noise 

that is present during both acquisitions. And though the contribution to the mean power by this 

impulsive noise is probably insignificant, it is possible to remove the effects of both 

environmental impulsive noise and the system noise by finding the difference in mean powers 

between the two data sets. Therefore, the mean measured signal power (Ms), in this case, is 

determined by subtracting the mean power for the BPL-off case from the mean power for the 

BPL-on case. The 100%-duty-cycle power is determined as described in the preceding 

paragraph. 

Figure D-51: Mean power for pulse-like BPL signal, dominated by system noise and impulsive noise between 

pulses.

Figure D-52 shows a BPL signal that (the mean power being less than 5 dB above mean 

system noise power) appears Gaussian noise-like and is present at least 90% of the time. Since 

the system noise may contribute significantly to the measured power, the mean measured signal 

power (Ms) is determined by subtracting the mean system noise power from the mean power for 

the BPL-on data. 
D-58 

Figure D-52: Gaussian noise-like BPL signal data, the mean of which is less than 5 dB above the mean system 

noise. 

Figure D-53 shows a BPL signal where the power appears randomly distributed with a 

variance less than system noise. Because the mean power of the signal is greater than 10 db 

above the mean system noise power, the system noise contributes little to the measured power, 

and therefore, the mean measured signal power (Ms) is determined only from the measured 

powers of the BPL-on case. 
D-59 

Figure D-53: Randomly distributed BPL signal power, the mean of which is greater than 10 dB above the 

mean system noise. 

D.5 GAIN AND NOISE FIGURE CALIBRATION USING A NOISE 

 DIODE

The RF paths to the E4440 Spectrum analyzers (see Figure D-1) were calibrated by 

injecting noise with a known excess noise ratio at the antenna input, collecting power data across 

the frequency range of interest, then terminating the input with a 50Ω terminator, and collecting 

the power data once again across the same frequency range. Power data were collected by 

putting the spectrum analyzer in zero span with average power detection and a sweep time long 

enough to produce a flat trace. Using an automated stepped frequency measurement routine, 

power levels were measured at approximately 200 kHz intervals across the band of interest. 

Using the Y-Factor method of calculation (as described below), both the gain through the system 

and noise figure at the input were determined. All power levels were referenced back to the 

antenna input by subtracting the gain. 

Measurement system calibration should be performed prior to acquisitions where absolute values 

are required. As measurements are performed, gain corrections may be added automatically to 

every data point. For measurement system noise figures of 20 dB or less, noise diode Y-factor 

calibration may be used. The theory and procedure for such calibration are described herein. 
D-60 

Figure D-54: Lumped component diagram of noise diode calibration 

The noise diode calibration of a receiver tuned to a particular frequency may be 

represented in lumped-component terms as shown in Figure D-54. In this diagram, the symbol 

“Σ” represents a power-summing function that linearly adds any power at the measurement 

system input to the inherent noise power of the system. The symbol “g” represents the total gain 

of the measurement system. The measurement system noise factor is denoted by “nf,” and the 

noise diode has an excess noise ratio denoted as “enr.” (All algebraic quantities denoted by 

lower-case letters, such as “g,” represent linear units. All algebraic quantities denoted by upper 

case letters, such as “G,” represent decibel units). 

Noise factor is the ratio of noise power from a device, ndevice(W), and thermal noise, 

 kTB

ndevice

where k is Boltzmann’s constant (1.38·10−23J/K), T is system temperature in Kelvin, and B is 

bandwidth in hertz. The excess noise ratio is equal to the noise factor minus one, making it the 

fraction of power in excess of kTB. The noise figure of a system is defined as 10 log (noise 

factor). As many noise sources are specified in terms of excess noise ratio, that quantity may be 

used. 

In noise diode calibration, the primary concern is the difference in output signal when the noise 

diode is switched on and off. For the noise diode = on condition, the power, Pon(W), is given by: 

 pon = nfs + enr ( d )× gkTB

where nfs is system noise factor and enrd is the noise diode enr. 

When the noise diode is off, the power, Poff(W), is given by: 

 poff = nf ( s)× gkTB
D-61 

The ratio between Pon and Poff is the Y factor: 

 y = pon

poff



 

  



 

  = nfs + enr ( d )

nfs

 Y =10log(y) =10log pon

poff



 

  



 

  = Pon − Poff

Hence the measurement system noise factor can be solved as: 

 −1 = y

enr nf d

s

The measurement system noise figure is: 

 NFs =10log enrd

y −1



    = ENRd −10log( ) y −1 = ENRd −10log 10Y /10 ( −1)

Hence: 

 g = pon − poff

enrd × kTB

 G =10log pon − p ( off)−10log enr ( d × kTB)

or 

 G =10log 10Pon /10 −10Poff /10 ( )− ENRd −10log(kTB)

In noise diode calibrations, the preceding equation is used to calculate measurement 

system gain from measured noise diode values. 

Although the equation for NFs may be used to calculate the measurement system noise figure, 

software may implement an equivalent equation: 

 gkTB

p nf off

s =

 NF (p ) (gkTB) P G (kTB) s off off =10log −10log = − −10log

Substituting the expression for gain into the preceding equation yields: 

 NFs = Poff + ENRd −10log 10Pon /10 −10Poff /10 ( )

The gain and noise figure values determined with these equations may be stored in look-up 

tables. The gain values are used to correct the measured data points on a frequency-byfrequency basis. 
D-62 

Excluding the receive antenna, the entire signal path is calibrated with a noise diode 

source prior to a BPL measurement. A noise diode is connected to the input of the first RF line 

in place of the receiving antenna. The connection may be accomplished manually or via an 

automated relay, depending upon the measurement scenario. The noise level in the system is 

measured at a series of points across the frequency range of the system with the noise diode 

turned on. The noise diode is then turned off and the system noise is measured as before, at the 

same frequencies. The measurement system computer thus collects a set of Pon and Poff values at 

a series of frequencies across the band to be measured. The values of Pon and Poff are used to 

solve for the gain and noise figure of the measurement system in the equations above. 
E-1 

APPENDIX E 

BPL MODELING OUTPUT 

E.1 INTRODUCTION 

Extensive work was done at NTIA’s Institute for Telecommunication Sciences 

(ITS) on a typical arrangement of medium voltage power lines. The modeled power lines 

consist of three horizontal parallel copper wires 8.5 meters (27.9 feet) above average 

ground. Each wire has a diameter of 0.01 meter and the wires are separated in the 

horizontal plane by 0.60 meter. The feed is at the center of one of the wires which runs 

along the x axis (y = 0). The equivalent of a coupler in series with the center segment of 

the wire is used with a voltage source of 1 volt. The other two wires run parallel to the x 

axis at y = 0.6 and y = 1.2 meters. 

All three components of electric and magnetic fields Ex, Ey, Ez, Hx, Hy and Hz in 

dBμV/m were plotted in a plane 2 meters above the ground at frequencies 2, 5, 10, 20 

and 40 MHz. Three different line lengths of 100m, 200m and 340m were used with four 

different impedance conditions for the source and loads. The near field data have been 

plotted for four different scales of x and y coordinates i.e., 0 to 20 m (65.6 ft), 200 m (656 

ft), 1,000 m (3,280 ft) and 1,800 m (59,040 ft). The far field radiation patterns were also 

plotted at several azimuth angles. The complete dataset of the radiation patterns and 

near-field plots are available at NTIA. A few representative radiation patterns and near 

field plots are given in this Appendix. 

The trends observed from the near field plots of the three components of the 

electric fields are summarized in Tables E-1, E-2 and E-3 for Ez, Ex and Ey respectively. 

E.2 TABLES AND NEC PLOTS 

Table E-1 summarizes the characteristics of the vertical electric field Ez at various 

ranges of x and y and at z = 2m as deduced from the near field plots. Similarly Table E-2 

and E-3 summarize the characteristics of the horizontal electric field parallel to the wire 

Ex and horizontal electric field perpendicular to the wire Ey respectively. 

Figures E-1 thru E-12 show elevation power patterns for azimuth (Φ) = 0o and 90o 

for source impedance of 150 Ω, load impedance of 575 Ω and several combinations of 

line lengths 100m, 200m and 340 m and frequencies 2 MHz, 5 MHz, 10 MHz, 20 MHz 

and 40 MHz. Figures E-13 thru E-30 show near field plots for Ex, Ey and Ez for a line 

length of 200 m, source impedance of 150 Ω, load impedance of 575 Ω, frequencies 40 

MHz, 10 MHz and 2 MHz, z = 2 m for two different scales of x and y, 0 to 20 m (65.6 ft) 

and 200 m (656 ft). Figures E-31 thru E-34 illustrate the effect a neutral wire has on the 

radiation pattern. 
E-2 

Table E-1: Summary of Electric Fields Seen by an Antenna Having 

Vertical Polarization 

Source & Load BPL 

Frequency 

Length 

of Line

Peak 

Field 

Number 

of Peaks1

Minimum Distance 

Between Peak Field 

and BPL Device 

Impedance (Ω) (MHz) (m) (dBμV/m) (feet) 

150 & 575 2 100 83-85 2 59-85 

575 & 50 2 100 83-85 2 90 

150 & 50 2 100 86 2 58-120 

575 & 575 2 100 81 2 100 

150 & 575 10 100 75-79 4 33 

575 & 50 10 100 74-77 4 38 

150 & 50 10 100 74-79 3 33 

575 & 575 10 100 71-75 3 36 

150 & 50 40 100 69-76 8 7 

575 & 50 40 100 69-73 8 7 

575 & 575 40 100 70-75 7 6 

150 & 575 40 100 72-77 6 7 

150 & 50 2 200 84-86 2 58-120 

575 & 50 2 200 82-85 2 95 

575 & 575 2 200 79-81 2 100 

150 & 575 2 200 85 1 58-100 

150 & 50 10 200 75-80 4 33 

575 & 50 10 200 75-78 4 32 

150 & 575 10 200 74-79 4 32 

575 & 575 10 200 71-75 4 35 

150 & 50 40 200 71-74 8 7 

575 & 575 40 200 68-74 7 6 

575 & 50 40 200 72-74 6 6 

150 & 575 40 200 71-76 5 7 

150 & 50 2 340 80-83 3 80 

575 & 575 2 340 76-79 3 95 

150 & 575 2 340 82 3 85 

575 & 50 2 340 81 3 70 

575 & 575 10 340 68-74 8 21 

575 & 50 10 340 73-77 7 20 

150 & 50 10 340 76-79 6 50 

150 & 575 10 340 72-78 2 21 

150 & 575 40 340 71-77 10 13 

575 & 575 40 340 67-73 10 16 

575 & 50 40 340 70-76 9 15 

150 & 50 40 340 73 2 53 

 

1

 All peak levels of vertically polarized electric field strength occurred near and under the power lines, and 

all local peaks had approximately the same level. The statistics are presented for one-half the overall 

length of the power line, which is center fed. Thus, the numbers of peaks for the entire power line are 

twice the values shown in the table. 
E-3 

Table E-2: Summary of Electric Fields Seen by an Antenna Having 

Horizontal-Parallel Polarization 

Source & Load 

Impedance 

BPL 

Frequency 

Length of 

Line 

Field at 

Source2

Number of 

Secondary Peaks3

(Ω) (MHz) (m) (dBμV/m) 

150 & 50 2 100 68 2 

150 & 575 2 100 67 2 

575 & 50 2 100 67 2 

575 & 575 2 100 63 2 

150 & 50 2 200 68 2 

150 & 575 2 200 67 2 

575 & 50 2 200 67 2 

575 & 575 2 200 63 2 

150 & 50 2 340 69 3 

150 & 575 2 340 68 3 

575 & 50 2 340 67 3 

575 & 575 2 340 65 3 

150 & 50 10 100 76 5 

150 & 575 10 100 75 3 

575 & 50 10 100 74 3 

575 & 575 10 100 72 0 

150 & 50 10 200 77 5 

150 & 575 10 200 76 3 

575 & 50 10 200 75 3 

575 & 575 10 200 72 3 

150 & 50 10 340 75 5 

150 & 575 10 340 74 5 

575 & 50 10 340 74 5 

575 & 575 10 340 70 5 

150 & 50 40 100 82 1 

150 & 575 40 100 81 1 

575 & 50 40 100 79 0 

575 & 575 40 100 78 0 

150 & 50 40 200 82 1 

150 & 575 40 200 81 1 

575 & 50 40 200 78 0 

575 & 575 40 200 78 1 

150 & 50 40 340 76 1 

150 & 575 40 340 81 1 

575 & 50 40 340 80 1 

575 & 575 40 340 76 0 

 

2

 Peak horizontal-parallel electric field strength always occurred near the BPL device. 

3

 Secondary peaks levels were recorded if they were within 5 dB of the overall peak level near the BPL 

device. The statistics are presented for one-half the overall length of the power line, which is center fed. 

Thus, the numbers of peaks for the entire power line are twice the values shown in the table. 
E-4 

Table E-3: Summary of Electric Fields Seen by an Antenna Having 

Horizontal-Perpendicular Polarization 

Source & Load 

BPL 

Frequency 

Length 

of Line 

Peak 

Field 

Distance 

of Peak 

from the 

Number 

of 

Peaks4

Minimum 

Distance 

From 

BPL 

Device 

Impedance (Ω) (MHz) (m) (dBμV/m) Line (ft) (feet) 

150 & 50 2 100 70 +/-10-20 1 60-100 

150 & 575 2 100 64-69 +/-15-21 2 60-90 

575 & 50 2 100 69 +/-10-20 1 65-100 

575 & 575 2 100 58-65 +/-13-25 2 90 

150 & 50 2 200 70 10-20 1 58-110 

150 & 575 2 200 64-69 +/-15-25 2 90 

575 & 50 2 200 69 +/-17 2 65-120 

575 & 575 2 200 58-65 +/-15-25 2 95 

150 & 50 2 340 60-67 0 4 50 

150 & 575 2 340 61-66 +/-10-22 3 42-80 

575 & 50 2 340 60-65 +/-10-22 2 90 

575 & 575 2 340 57-63 +/-15-20 3 85 

150 & 50 10 100 60-67 +/-10-25 2 32 

150 & 575 10 100 63-67 +/-18 2 32 

575 & 50 10 100 58-65 +/-12-23 2 32 

575 & 575 10 100 57-63 +/-13-23 3 50 

150 & 50 10 200 62-67 +/-10-25 3 32 

150 & 575 10 200 61-67 +/-17-21 3 31 

575 & 50 10 200 60-65 +/-10-25 3 17 

575 & 575 10 200 57-63 +/-15-26 3 31 

150 & 50 10 340 62-65 +/-10-25 12 50 

150 & 575 10 340 60-65 16-21 2 21 

575 & 50 10 340 60-63 +/-10-22 6 21 

575 & 575 10 340 52-61 +/-12-23 7 22 

150 & 50 40 100 71-73 +/-10-25 4 20 

150 & 575 40 100 65-73 +/-15-38 4 32 

575 & 50 40 100 69-71 +/-18-30 5 20 

575 & 575 40 100 63-69 +/-15-35 6 19 

150 & 50 40 200 68-73 +/-10-33 5 18 

150 & 575 40 200 66-73 +/-10-30 5 33 

575 & 50 40 200 62-72 +/-12-34 5 20 

575 & 575 40 200 69 +/-18-30 5 19 

150 & 50 40 340 64 +/-10-30 4 23 

150 & 575 40 340 69-72 +/-18-23 6 10 

575 & 50 40 340 64-70 +/-10-30 6 10 

575 & 575 40 340 64-66 +/-17-23 5 10 

 

 

4

 The statistics are presented for one-half the overall length of the power line, which is center fed. Thus, 

the numbers of peaks for the entire power line are twice the values shown in the table. 
E-5 

Figure E-1: Elevation pattern at azimuth (phi) = 0, line length = 340 m, frequency = 10 MHz, source 

impedance = 150 Ω, load impedance = 575 Ω [flc0.png]

Figure E-2: Elevation pattern at azimuth (phi) = 90, line length = 340 m, frequency = 10 MHz, source 

impedance = 150 Ω, load impedance = 575 Ω [flc90.png] 
E-6 

Figure E-3: Elevation pattern at azimuth (phi) = 0, line length = 200 m, frequency = 40 MHz, source 

impedance = 150 Ω, load impedance = 575 Ω [flf0.png] 

Figure E-4: Elevation pattern at azimuth (phi) =90, line length = 200 m, frequency = 40 MHz, source 

impedance = 150 Ω, load impedance = 575 Ω [flf90.png] 
E-7 

Figure E-5: Elevation pattern at azimuth (phi) = 0, line length = 200 m, frequency = 20 MHz, source 

impedance = 150 Ω, load impedance = 575 Ω [flg0.png] 

Figure E-6: Elevation pattern at azimuth (phi) = 90, line length = 200 m, frequency = 20 MHz, source 

impedance = 150 Ω, load impedance = 575 Ω [flg90.png] 
E-8 

Figure E-7: Elevation pattern at azimuth (phi) = 0, line length = 200 m, frequency = 5 MHz, source 

impedance = 150 Ω, load impedance = 575 Ω [fli0.png] 

Figure E-8: Elevation pattern at azimuth (phi) =90, line length = 200 m, frequency = 5 MHz, source 

impedance = 150 Ω, load impedance = 575 Ω [fli90.png] 
E-9 

Figure E-9: Elevation pattern at azimuth (phi) = 0, line length = 200 m, frequency = 2 MHz, source 

impedance = 150 Ω, load impedance = 575 Ω [flj0.png] 

Figure E-10: Elevation pattern at azimuth (phi) = 90, line length = 200 m, frequency = 2 MHz, source 

impedance = 150 Ω, load impedance = 575 Ω [flj90.png] 
E-10 

Figure E-11: Elevation pattern at azimuth (phi) = 0, line length = 100 m, frequency = 10 MHz, source 

impedance = 150 Ω, load impedance = 575 Ω [flm0.png] 

Figure E-12: Elevation pattern at azimuth (phi) =90, line length = 100 m, frequency = 10 MHz, 

source impedance = 150 Ω, load impedance = 575 Ω [flm90.png] 
E-11 

Figure E-13: Electric field strength (Ex) in dBμV/m from 0 to 65.6 feet, line length = 200 m, 

frequency = 40 MHz, source impedance = 150 Ω, load impedance = 575 Ω [nlfex1.png] 
E-12 

Figure E-14: Electric field strength (Ex) in dBμV/m from 65.6 to 656 feet, line length = 200 m, 

frequency = 40 MHz, source impedance = 150 Ω, load impedance = 575 Ω [nlfex2.png] 
E-13 

Figure E-15: Electric field strength (Ey) in dBμV/m from 0 to 65.6 feet, line length = 200 m, 

frequency = 40 MHz, source impedance = 150 Ω, load impedance = 575 Ω [nlfey1.png] 
E-14 

Figure E-16: Electric field strength (Ey) in dBμV/m from 65.6 to 656 feet, line length = 200 m, 

frequency = 40 MHz, source impedance = 150 Ω, load impedance = 575 Ω [nlfey2.png] 
E-15 

Figure E-17: Electric field strength (Ez) in dBμV/m from 0 to 65.6 feet, line length = 200 m, frequency 

= 40 MHz, source impedance = 150 Ω, load impedance = 575 Ω [nlfez1.png] 
E-16 

Figure E-18: Electric field strength (Ez) in dBμV/m from 65.6 to 656 feet, line length = 200 m, 

frequency = 40 MHz, source impedance = 150 Ω, load impedance = 575 Ω [nlfez2.png] 
E-17 

Figure E-19: Electric field strength (Ex) in dBμV/m from 0 to 65.6 feet, line length = 200 m, 

frequency = 10 MHz, source impedance = 150 Ω, load impedance = 575 Ω [nlhex1.png] 
E-18 

Figure E-20: Electric field strength (Ex) in dBμV/m from 65.6 to 656 feet, line length = 200 m, 

frequency = 10 MHz, source impedance = 150 Ω, load impedance = 575 Ω [nlhex2.png] 
E-19 

Figure E-21: Electric field strength (Ey) in dBμV/m from 0 to 65.6 feet, line length = 200 m, 

frequency = 10 MHz, source impedance = 150 Ω, load impedance = 575 Ω [nlhey1.png] 
E-20 

Figure E-22: Electric field strength (Ey) in dBμV/m from 65.6 to 656 feet, line length = 200 m, 

frequency = 10 MHz, source impedance = 150 Ω, load impedance = 575 Ω [nlhey2.png] 
E-21 

Figure E-23: Electric field strength (Ez) in dBμV/m from 0 to 65.6 feet, line length = 200 m, frequency 

= 10 MHz, source impedance = 150 Ω, load impedance = 575 Ω [nlhez1.png] 
E-22 

Figure E-24: Electric field strength (Ez) in dBμV/m from 65.6 to 656 feet, line length = 200 m, 

frequency = 10 MHz, source impedance = 150 Ω, load impedance = 575 Ω [nlhez2.png] 
E-23 

Figure E-25: Electric field strength (Ex) in dBμV/m from 0 to 65.6 feet, line length = 200 m, 

frequency = 2 MHz, source impedance = 150 Ω, load impedance = 575 Ω [nljex1.png] 
E-24 

Figure E-26: Electric field strength (Ex) in dBμV/m from 65.6 to 656 feet, line length = 200 m, 

frequency = 2 MHz, source impedance = 150 Ω, load impedance = 575 Ω [nljex2.png] 
E-25 

Figure E-27: Electric field strength (Ey) in dBμV/m from 0 to 65.6 feet, line length = 200 m, 

frequency = 2 MHz, source impedance = 150 Ω, load impedance = 575 Ω [nljey1.png] 
E-26 

Figure E-28: Electric field strength (Ey) in dBμV/m from 65.6 to 656 feet, line length = 200 m, 

frequency = 2 MHz, source impedance = 150 Ω, load impedance = 575 Ω [nljey2.png] 
E-27 

Figure E-29: Electric field strength (Ez) in dBμV/m from 0 to 65.6 feet, line length = 200 m, frequency 

= 2 MHz, source impedance = 150 Ω, load impedance = 575 Ω [nljez1.png] 
E-28 

Figure E-30: Electric field strength (Ez) in dBμV/m from 65.6 to 656 feet, line length = 200 m, 

frequency = 2 MHz, source impedance = 150 Ω, load impedance = 575 Ω [nljez2.png] 
E-29 

Figure E-31: Comparison of NEC model with and without a parasitic multi-grounded neutral. Red 

curve is with neutral, blue curve is without a neutral (4 MHz). 

Figure E-32: Comparison of NEC model with and without a parasitic multi-grounded neutral. Red 

curve is with neutral, blue curve is without a neutral (15 MHz).
E-30 

Figure E-33: Comparison of NEC model with and without a parasitic multi-grounded neutral. Red 

curve is with neutral, blue curve is without a neutral (25 MHz). 

Figure E-34: Comparison of NEC model with and without a parasitic multi-grounded neutral. Red 

curve is with neutral, blue curve is without a neutral (40 MHz).
F-1 

APPENDIX F 

NTIA PHASE 2 STUDY BPL DEPLOYMENT MODELS 

F.1 INTRODUCTION 

The potential interference from mature large-scale deployments of BPL networks 

due to signal aggregation and propagation will be addressed in NTIA’s Phase 2 study. 

NTIA’s BPL deployment models1

 encompass three scenarios where the effects of 

aggregated BPL emissions are of interest. Differing mainly in geographic size and the 

potential interference impact to licensed radio service receivers, these three deployment 

models are: 

• the neighborhood deployment model, in which the radio receiver antennas are at 

heights lower than the power lines (e.g., a land mobile vehicle antenna); 

• the antenna coverage area deployment model where radio receiver antennas are 

located above power lines (e.g., atop buildings and masts and on aircraft) having a 

view of one or more neighborhoods; and 

• the more expansive regional deployment model, from which BPL signals could 

arrive at a receiver via ionospheric ("skywave") propagation. 

The objective for NTIA's family of BPL deployment models is to define potential 

physical layouts of BPL systems having various architectures that, when coupled with 

realistic cross-sections of radiation, propagation and signal aggregation, will aid in 

predicting the total levels of co-frequency BPL signals at various radio receiver antenna 

locations. Each model is parametric (i.e., several factors will be varied), recognizing that 

many factors are variables that may greatly influence the predictions. For example, the 

geographic densities of emitting elements within the successively larger neighborhood, 

coverage area and regional geographic domains are expected to be highly influential, and 

the degree of influence will be determined in sensitivity analyses. At one extreme, we 

have the present limited deployment of experimental systems. Once BPL services are 

commercially available, there could be a rapid ramp up in deployment densities in all 

three geographic domains. In the long term, but at different times in the neighborhood, 

coverage area and regional domains, the deployment densities will converge on 

maximum levels. The interference risks in each geographic domain will concurrently 

increase over time. Variants of the BPL deployment parameters will be based on 

information filed in response to the BPL NOI as well as NTIA's research. 

F.2 NEIGHBORHOOD DEPLOYMENT MODEL 

The neighborhood deployment model addresses the case of a land mobile radio 

operating inside a BPL service area. The land mobile radio may be within 10 meters of 

the nearest active BPL device and one block away from another simultaneously active, 

 

1

 The deployment models presented herein are preliminary. Comments from BPL proponents and 

opponents will be considered as the models are finalized and applied in NTIA’s Phase 2 study. 
F-2 

co-channel BPL device.2

 An initial analysis is presented in Section 6, assuming the case 

of a single co-channel BPL device operating under existing Part 15 rules. The worst case 

which will be considered for the neighborhood deployment model would consist of a land 

mobile receiver operating in the presence of three co-channel BPL systems, two 

operating over power lines in close proximity to the receiver and one operating on a 

power line located one block away from the receiver. Considering the manner in which 

separate MV power lines are deployed and the coupling between adjacent power lines, it 

is unlikely that co-channel emissions from more than 3 BPL devices will aggregate 

significantly at any given land mobile receiver location. 

The characteristics for this model are depicted in Figure F.1 and are as follows: 

• Victim HF receiver with whip antenna located 2 meters above the ground; 

• Two BPL injectors mounted on the same power pole, located no closer than 3 

meters lateral to the victim receiver and 10 meters above the ground (location of 

receiver will be varied); 

• A co-channel BPL extractor at 10 meters above the ground, located 100 meters 

away from the above injectors at a 45° angle. This is consistent with a power line 

feeding an adjacent street. 

(a) Horizontal View 

Figure F-1: Assumed Aggregate Neighborhood Deployment Scenario 

 

2 NTIA personnel have observed and measured signals from two DSSS BPL injectors co-located on a 

single power pole, isolated by using two different phases of the same run of three phase power lines. 

Located one block away was a DSSS BPL repeater (extractor) on the third phase line. Even though all 

three of these devices may be coupled to different, adjacent phase lines of the same MV distribution 

network serving a community, they would be operating co-channel and may be transmitting at the same 

time. Later NTIA measured two independent co-channel signals for this case and the composite emission 

had about twice the power of the individual emissions.

10 m 10 m

2 m 

3 m 100 m 

Victim 

Receiver 

BPL 

Injectors 

(2) 

BPL 

Extractor 
F-3 

(b) Overhead View 

Figure F-1 continued: Assumed Aggregate Neighborhood Deployment Scenario 

The transmit duty cycle for the two BPL injectors, Ti, and for the extractor, Te, are 

parameters for the model. 

The output of the neighborhood deployment model is a probability that three cochannel BPL devices, having the assumed physical orientation relative to the victim 

receiver as noted above, will be transmitting simultaneously. Using this result along with 

an emissions model for BPL devices attached to power lines, an analysis will be 

performed to estimate the percentage of local land mobile vehicle locations where 

harmful, co-channel interference may occur. 

F.3 ANTENNA COVERAGE AREA DEPLOYMENT MODEL 

Another case of interest is the mobile-service, aircraft or fixed-service base station 

receiver operating in close proximity to a fully deployed BPL service area. Receiving 

antennas for these stations typically can have unobstructed or lightly obstructed views of 

many more co-channel BPL devices that might affect a land mobile receiver in the 

neighborhood environment. HF base stations are frequently located in rural areas where 

the level of man-made noise is expected to be low; however, power lines are present in 

this environment. Over the years, a number of these remote locations have seen 

residential areas develop nearby, potentially resulting in an increase in the noise floor 

100 m

Victim

Receiver

BPL

Injectors

(2)

BPL

Extractor

3 m
F-4 

seen by the receiver. In some cases, HF stations are located in or near residential 

communities.3 Aircraft and fixed stations generally are variously located anywhere. 

The coverage area deployment model assumes that the radio station is located 

within or adjacent to a BPL service area and that the radio antenna has variously 

obstructed and unobstructed views of the BPL service area. The characteristics of the 

BPL deployment are described in the following section on the regional deployment 

model, the main difference being the size of the BPL deployment area being considered. 

A single county with a predominately suburban population density will be used to arrive 

at the density of BPL devices in the coverage area deployment model. In addition, the 

coverage area model assumes that the entire county is covered by the BPL service. This 

is a reasonable assumption since the housing density will be sufficiently high to provide 

good incentive for the electrical utility to make this service widely available to all its 

electricity customers. 

The output of the coverage area deployment model will be a density of BPL 

devices and their locations relative to the radio station. As will be further described in 

the regional deployment model, the BPL service area will be composed of cells operating 

on the same or different frequency bands with variable frequency reuse patterns. This 

will be used to develop a model of aggregated emissions from the BPL service area as 

seen by the radio receiver. 

F.4 REGIONAL DEPLOYMENT MODEL 

In order to assess the aggregated electrical field strength arising from future, 

wide-scale deployments of BPL systems, a regional deployment model for BPL networks 

is proposed herein. The model characterizes the number and distribution of active BPL 

devices across the entire United States. Among other things, the results of this model 

will be used to characterize the effect BPL systems have on distant federal 

communication systems due to any increase in background noise level as a result of 

ionospheric propagation of unintentional BPL radiated emissions. This will also help 

address concerns that other countries may have with deployment of BPL systems in the 

United States. 

The approach taken in developing the regional BPL deployment model is to: 

• characterize the number and distribution of households served by the nation’s 

electrical power distribution network based on U.S. Census Bureau data; 

• estimate the number of BPL devices based on the density of households and the 

BPL device capacities and range, as provided by the BPL proponents in their NOI 

comments and reply comments; 

• factor in the characteristics of the various BPL signals such as frequency ranges 

used, bandwidths, network access mechanisms, and frequency reuse; and 

 

3 Comments of the Federal Emergency Management Agency on Broadband Over Power Line 

Implementation, BPL Inquiry, December 4, 2003 at ¶10.
F-5 

• estimate the percentage of these households that will end up being served by BPL 

service providers (i.e., market penetration), based on subscriber growth rates of 

competing technologies, such as cable and DSL. 

F.4.1 Regional Deployment Model Description 

As of 2000, there were 105.5 million occupied households in the United States,4

and over the past 10 years, the number of households has been growing at an annual rate 

of approximately 1.4%.5 The U.S. Census data provides the number of households (Hcty) 

and the area (Acty) for each of the 3,142 counties and independent cities in the United 

States, with a breakdown by urban and rural classifications. The housing density within 

individual counties may vary widely, with a mix of urban, suburban, and rural areas. An 

individual county may also have large, unpopulated areas where no MV lines are present. 

In Phase 1 of the NTIA study, development of the regional deployment model 

focuses initially on urban area deployment of BPL. Here, the housing densities are 

sufficient to support a large number of MV power lines in a given area, and access to the 

Internet backbone is widely available. Closely spaced BPL network cells, and cells 

sharing the same geographic location but separated by power line phase, will be 

considered in estimating the extent of frequency reuse in urban areas. The regional 

deployment model will be expanded in NTIA’s Phase 2 studies to include the rural BPL 

environment, where the wide variability of rural housing density, MV power line density, 

and the availability of access to the Internet backbone will be considered. 

The regional deployment model makes some simplifying assumptions to reduce 

data base and computational complexities and a number of the model’s characteristics 

have been parameterized to enable sensitivity analysis of those characteristics. 

F.4.2 Density and Distribution of Households 

The average housing density (ρH) for each county is then given by 

ρHcty,u = Hcty,u / Acty,u urban households / sq. km. (F.1) 

To account for the growth in the number of households over “y” years, the urban housing 

densities will be scaled by a factor of (1+ rate)y

. 

 

4

 County and City Data Book: 2000, U.S. Census Bureau, Table B-3. 

5

 Meyers Group Report on Household Growth, by Bryan Glasshagel, 

http://www.meyersgroup.com/analysisobjects/householdgrowth.asp?ProductCategory=NHMR. 
F-6 

F.4.3 Density and Distribution of BPL Devices 

The regional deployment model estimates the number of BPL devices for the 

urban areas of each county. 

F.4.3.1 Injectors 

Within urban areas, where there are a substantial number of power line branches 

and distribution transformers, the range of BPL injectors without requiring repeaters, 

“ru”, is expected to be up to 1⁄2 to 1 kilometer (1⁄4 to 1⁄2 mi).6

 Thus, the number of injectors 

is given by 

Icty,u = Acty,u / ru

2

 urban injectors (F.2) 

F.4.3.2 Repeaters 

The transmission ranges of BPL repeaters are expected to be the same as those for 

injectors. Like injectors in adjacent BPL cells, repeaters are generally expected to 

transmit using different frequencies to minimize the levels of co-channel interference. In 

addition, repeaters have two BPL transmitters, whereas injectors have only one BPL 

transmitter. BPL service providers may vary the size of each cell to account for the 

availability of fiber or T1 access to the Internet backbone. 

From the standpoint of maximizing the utilization of the available bandwidth, it is 

more advantageous for BPL service providers to deploy injectors instead of repeaters 

wherever possible. In urban areas where there is ready access to the Internet backbone, 

the number of repeaters in a given area is assumed to be negligible as compared to the 

injector quantity for the area under consideration. 

F.4.3.3 Extractors 

BPL extractors (also referred to as repeaters in System #3) are typically located at 

each LV transformer. The parameter “x” defines the number of households per 

distribution transformer and ranges from 3 – 8 households per LV distribution 

transformer.7

 The resulting quantity of extractors is 

EXcty,u = Hcty,u / x urban extractors (F.3) 

For System #2, a WiFiTM (or other non-BPL) interface to the subscribers’ homes 

is used instead of the wired BPL interface implemented in the other system architectures. 

 

6

 Reply Comments of PowerComm Systems, Inc., BPL Inquiry, August 20, 2003, (“PowerComm Reply 

Comments”) at 16; Comments of Ambient Corporation, BPL Inquiry, July 7, 2003 at 5. 

7

 Comments of Current Technologies, LLC, BPL Inquiry, July 7, 2003, (“Current Technologies 

Comments”) at 4, 6. 
F-7 

Therefore, the extractors for System #2 have only one BPL transmitter associated with 

them. 

F.4.4 Other Factors 

F.4.4.1 Frequency Range 

In comments responding to the NOI, the BPL vendors and service providers 

stated widely varied frequency ranges that they propose using for BPL service.8

 The 

frequency range assumed for the regional deployment model is 1.7 – 80 MHz, although 

BPL devices will not be uniformly distributed in frequency (another variable in the 

models). 

F.4.4.2 Frequency Reuse 

In order to minimize signal degradation associated with co-channel interference, 

System #2 uses different frequency bands for upstream and downstream communications, 

and for adjacent BPL devices. Communication with the subscribers’ homes is not 

accomplished using BPL. System #1 uses one frequency band for all access BPL devices 

and in-house BPL devices use another band. System #3 uses the same frequency band 

for all devices. Assuming that an injector serves one BPL cell, the number of frequency 

bands used in a cell is shown in Table F.1. 

 

8 Comments of Ameren Energy Communications, Inc., BPL Inquiry, July 7, 2003 at 12; Comments of 

Amperion, Inc., BPL Inquiry, July 7, 2003 at 4; Current Technologies Comments at 17; Comments of 

Electric Broadband, BPL Inquiry, July 7, 2003 at 4; Comments of Main.net Communications, Ltd., BPL 

Inquiry, July 7, 2003 at 4; PowerComm Reply Comments at 4; Comments of PowerWAN, Inc., BPL 

Inquiry, July 3, 2003 at 1; Comments of Progress Energy, Inc., BPL Inquiry, July 7, 2003 at 2. 
F-8 

Table F-1: BPL Frequency Bands per Cell 

Architecture Number of Bands 

System #1 2 

(1 Access + 1 In-House) 

System #2 2 

(Access) 

System #3 1 

(Access & In-House) 

In the regional deployment model, System #1 is assumed to reuse the same two 

frequency bands for each injector and its associated extractors. The model will scale the 

number of simultaneously active System #1 BPL devices in an area by a factor of 1⁄2. 

In an urban environment, System #2 is expected to utilize separate frequencies for 

the injectors in adjacent cells. A minimum of 3 cells is required to implement frequency 

reuse in a cellular transmission architecture.9

 Assuming that the frequency range used for 

BPL services is 1.7 – 80 MHz, an urban deployment of System #2 devices (2 

simultaneous Access transmissions per cell) would result in a maximum duplex 

bandwidth of approximately 26 MHz per cell (i.e., 78 MHz ÷ 3 cells). The regional 

deployment model will scale the number of simultaneously active System #2 BPL 

devices by a factor of 1/(2*3) = 1/6. 

System #3 is assumed to reuse the same frequency band for every cell; therefore, 

the regional deployment model will assume simultaneously active System #3 BPL 

devices with no scaling. 

A final point about frequency reuse is that with 3-phase MV power lines, three 

co-channel cells could share the same geographic location, assuming they can tolerate 

any coupling that occurs between the conductors of each phase. 

F.4.4.3 Media Access 

Based on BPL vendor comments, the media access protocols for their systems 

permit transmission by only one device at a time per cell in a given frequency band.10 

For System #1, one access BPL device and one in-house BPL device are active at a time. 

For System #2, one BPL injector and one BPL extractor may be transmitting at a time 

within a cell, with each transmission using separate frequency bands. For System #3, one 

BPL device (injector or extractor) will normally be transmitting at a time; however, it 

 

9

 Mobile Cellular Communication Systems, William C. Y. Lee, McGraw-Hill Book Company, 1989 at 52 – 

53. 

10 Reply Comments of Ameren Energy Communications Inc., BPL Inquiry, Aug 20, 2003 at 13; Current 

Technologies Comments at 15; Reply Comments of Current Technologies, LLC, BPL Inquiry, Aug 20, 

2003 at 12; Reply Comments of Main.net Communications LTD., BPL Inquiry, August 20, 2003 at 3. 
F-9 

appears that the media access mechanism is CSMA-CD and there is potential for multiple 

simultaneous co-channel transmissions in the same cell, especially during peak use 

periods. 

F.4.4.4 BPL Market Penetration 

There are currently almost 20 million households in the United States with a 

broadband connection to the Internet. Of these, approximately 6.5 million are xDSL 

customers and 12 million are cable customers. The growth rate for these services this 

past year is approximately 2.5 million customers per year for xDSL and 4 million 

customers per year for cable.11

The regional deployment model assumes an insignificant number of BPL 

customers in 2003, and an initially linear growth rate parameter that has a range of 2 to 4 

million households per year. In addition to the growth of the overall BPL market, the 

model assumes an equal market share for each of the three types of BPL systems 

described above. The percentage of market share for each type of BPL system will be 

used to scale the number of BPL devices (injectors, repeaters, extractors) simultaneously 

using individual frequency bands throughout the United States. 

F.4.5 Regional Model Output 

The output of the regional deployment model is the expected number and 

distribution of BPL transmission sources, and the number of simultaneous frequencies in 

use, based on the expected overall BPL market share over a specified number of years. 

In NTIA’s Phase 2 studies, these results will be used in conjunction with a HF skywave 

propagation model to determine the increase in noise floor resulting from wide-scale 

deployment of BPL systems. 

 

11 FCC News, Federal Communications Commission Releases Data On High-Speed Services For Internet 

Access, June 10, 2003, http://hraunfoss.fcc.gov/edocs_public/attachmatch/DOC-235274A1.doc.