NIST and Advanced Communications

VCAT June 2013

Jason Boehm

Director, Program Coordination Office

National Institute of Standards and Technology
Outline

• Why the focus on Advanced Communications? – Drivers

• PCAST

• Public Safety Communications/FirstNet

• LightSquared

• NIST/NTIA Center for Advanced Communications

• National Advanced Spectrum and Communications Test-range 

Network
Why the focus on advanced communications?

Technology advances in communications have 

revolutionized how we work, entertain, govern, 

and defend ourselves.

Multiple near and long-term challenges must 

be addressed

• Spectrum scarcity;

• Broadband access driving needs for 

ever-higher bandwidth;

• The vulnerability of all Internet-capable 

devices to a variety of security threats; 

and

• The threat of natural disasters and 

terrorism on communications 

infrastructure.
Policy Drivers for a DOC Role

PCAST Spectrum Report

• “...provide test services to support the 

development of the policies, underlying 

technologies, and system capabilities 

required to support dynamic spectrum 

sharing.”

Public Safety and FirstNet

• FirstNet – establishes a nationwide public 

safety broadband network (PSBN) based on a 

single, national network architecture

• Through auction of spectrum NIST will 

receive $100M to support R&D on next 

generation Public Safety Communications

LightSquared

• Concerns over GPS interference clearly 

illustrates need for clearly defined testing 

and evaluation capabilities
Response – The Center for Advanced Communication

NIST and NTIA will work together to establish the Center for Advanced 

Communications

• MOU between NIST and NTIA to establish the Center signed on May 24th, 2013

Planned Center Objectives:

• Enhancing mission effectiveness of both agencies by better coordinating research 

and testing functions of NIST and NTIA

• Promoting interdisciplinary research, development, and testing in advanced 

communication-related areas (radiofrequency technology, digital information 

processing, cybersecurity, etc.)

• Providing a single focal point for engaging both industry and other government 

agencies
Center for Advanced Communications – Proposed 

Structure

NIST and NTIA have established a transition team to develop the initial plans for the 

Center organization. Nominally the Center will:

• Function as an independent laboratory Operating Unit, reporting to NIST ADLP

• Be governed by a NIST appointed Director and an NTIA appointed Associate 

Director

• Act as an umbrella organization with responsibilities for program management, 

coordination with other agencies, and outreach and engagement to the private 

sector

Center for Advanced 

Communications 

Technology

R&D Management Standards Engagement Testbed Operations PSCR

National Advanced 

Spectrum and 

Communications Test 

Network Office

Industry

Academia

Other Govt

Agencies
Next Steps

• Establish transition team to begin finalizing organizational plans for the 

Center and complete the necessary approval steps with DOC and OMB.

• Initiate recruitment of the Center leadership.

• Begin coordinated industry and stakeholder outreach.

• Finalize agreement with DOD on NASCTN.
National Advanced Spectrum and Communications Test 

Network (NASCTN)

• PCAST calls out the need for better coordination of testing capabilities to 

promote spectrum sharing.

• E.O. tasks NIST and NTIA with developing a coordinated approach to 

identifying and addressing Federal testing needs in the area of advanced 

communications.

• To address these needs, and in parallel to the development of the Center 

NIST, NTIA, and DOD have been working on the development of the 

National Advanced Spectrum and Communications Test Network.

• The NASCTN will be housed in the Center for Advanced Communications 

and will be staffed by detailees from NIST, DOD, NTIA and other agencies.

• The NASCTN will organize a national network of federal, academic, and 

commercial test facilities, as well as modeling and simulation and 

laboratory research capabilities to facilitate and coordinate the testing and 

evaluation of spectrum sharing capabilities.
NASCTN Services

The NASCTN Organization shall provide the following services: 

• Coordinate availability and access to participating M&S, 

laboratory, and testing capabilities.

• Provide a single access point to facilitate engagement, 

contracting, and planning between federal and non-federal 

stakeholders and participating modeling and simulation, 

laboratory and testing facilities.

• Provide a secure repository of test data and analysis. 
NASCTN Mission Functions

In order to provide those services and achieve the NASCTN 

Organization mission, the following functions shall be performed: 

a. Lead outreach and engagement activities in order to identify spectrum-related 

testing and evaluation needs. 

b. Disseminate information about participating M&S, laboratory, and testing 

capabilities availability and access requirements.

c. Facilitate collaboration among industry, academic and government stakeholders 

and subject matter experts by providing NASCTN participants model agreements, 

test plans, report templates and other resources.

d. Provide prospective and active NASCTN participants a centralized and up-to-date 

directory of available and participating facilities and subject matter experts.

e. Facilitate access to appropriate participating M&S, laboratory, and testing facilities 

to meet high-priority research, testing and evaluation needs. 

f. Facilitate access to test data, analysis and reports to NTIA, DoD, FCC and other 

industry, academic and government organizations to assist in policy making, 

technology assessments and other research efforts while adequately protecting 

proprietary, classified or other sensitive information pursuant to applicable 

agreements, regulations and statutes.
Questions