Source: http://www.fcc.gov/print/node/38577
Timestamp: 2014-04-16 10:58:13
Document Index: 62165837

Matched Legal Cases: ['§ 15', '§ 15', 'art 15', 'art 15', 'art 15', 'art 15', '§ 15', 'art 15', '§ 15', 'art 15', 'art 15']

Word Document [1]PDF Document [2]Text Document [3]	Released: March 27, 2012
4 47 C.F.R. § 15.209. This section allows any type of unlicensed intentional radiator to operate in any frequency band, other than “restricted” bands identified in 47 C.F.R. § 15.205(a) of the rules, as long as it complies with the general radiated emission limit. 5 Over-filling of plant equipment can damage machinery, threaten workers’ safety, and cause environmental damage. Under-filling of equipment such as rock crushers can result in machinery running empty, leading to severe product damage and collateral worker injury. 6 Siemens, Krohne, SAAB Rosemount Tank Radar AB, etc., are FMCW radars manufacturers. Ohmart/VEGA, Endress+Hauser, Inc., Enraf B.V., etc., are pulsed radars manufacturers. See, e.g., Ohmart/VEGA model VEGAPULS 68 operating at 26 GHz, at http://www.ohmartvega.com/bulksolids/31425-US-050617.pdf [4], model VEGAPULS 66 operating at 6.3 GHz at http://www.ohmartvega.com/downloads/PI/EN/31486-EN.pdf [5]; Milltronics 2
5. LPR devices operating at even higher frequencies, i.e., above 30 GHz in the “millimeter wave” spectrum, could be very effective in applications where access is limited because they can employ smaller antennas.8 Smaller antennas can accommodate existing small connection flanges more easily, enabling the radar to be installed in tighter spaces and smaller enclosures than is possible with existing technology. In addition, antennas that operate at higher frequencies would likely employ narrower beamwidths.9 Narrower beams would enable avoidance of extraneous objects located in proximity to the desired target, such as agitators, filling pipes, or adjacent loading machinery, thereby resulting in improved resolution and more precise measurements.10 6. On January 14, 2010, the Commission adopted the Notice and Order in this proceeding in response to: (1) a Petition for Rulemaking from Siemens Milltronics Process Instruments Inc. (Siemens)11requesting that the Commission amend its rules to allow TLPR devices to operate in the “restricted” 77-81 GHz frequency band inside steel or concrete tank enclosures;12 (2) a concurrent request for waiver, also by Siemens, of Section 15.205(a) to allow TLPR operation in the 78-79 GHz frequency band, subject to certain conditions;13 and (3) a similar request for waiver by Ohmart/VEGA Corporation (Ohmart/VEGA)14 to allow TLPR operation in the 77-81 GHz band.15 The Notice and Order proposed to model IQ300 operating at 6.3 GHz at http://www.lesman.com/unleashd/catalog/sensors/sensors_iqradar300.html [6]; Siemens model Sitrans LR400 operating at 24 GHz at https://pia.khe.siemens.com/index4936.htm [7]; Endress+Hauser Micropilot FMR240 operating at 26 GHz at http://www.pci-instruments.com/html/micropilot.html [8].
FCC 12-34 technical standard for LPR devices.28 11. To determine the maximum allowable radiated emission limits for LPR devices operating in each authorized frequency band, the ECC studied the interference potential of an LPR by taking into account reflected emissions within a hemispherical boundary around the LPR device. The ECC assumed a worst-case material reflectivity coefficient and limited these reflected emissions to -41.3 dBm at a distance of 3 meters from the source, which is the same limit as the general emission limit in Section 15.209 of the Commission’s rules.29 Based on previous work within ETSI,30 the ECC determined the main-beam emission level that correlates to a reflected emission level of -41.3 dBm. The ECC also determined that main-beam emissions must be measured with the LPR transmit and measurement (receive) antennas “boresighted” to produce the maximum realizable antenna coupling.31 As compared to the Part 15 rules, the main-beam emission limits derived from this ECC modeling effort would allow an LPR device to operate at higher peak levels than Part 15 currently permits32 but would continue to provide the same level of interference protection to authorized services as any other Part 15 device, provided that the LPR antenna always maintains a downward position and utilizes a relatively narrow beamwidth.33 The ECC determined that because the LPR is always pointing downward, direct emissions from the LPR antenna are focused toward the substance being measured, therefore only residual emissions reflected from this material or from the ground surface would be seen by a potential victim receiver operating within an authorized radio service located above (e.g., a satellite receiver) or horizontally relative to an LPR transmitting source. The ECC also determined that a main-beam emission limit would simplify compliance measurements of LPR emissions, because emissions from the LPR would be measured 28 See ETSI LPR Technical Standard. ETSI permits operation of LPR devices in the bands proposed by the ECC Report. Id., at p. 24.
29 See ECC Report 139 at p. 19-20. The ECC found that the worst-case reflection losses for calm water with a 0 degree angle of incidence are 1.9 dB, and up to 13 dB for solid granular materials such as dry sand, at angles of incidence 0-33 degrees. Id., at Annex 2, p. 63. From test results obtained in practical measurements to verify theoretical considerations, ECC concludes that “the results of lab measurements showed that for …fine dry sand (measured under conditions of its natural surface coarseness, yet formed in a flat bed as opposed to conical shape that would be more suitable for natural conditions), the reflection loss was around 14 dB and is little dependent on the angle of incidence.” Id.
30 See Electromagnetic compatibility and Radio spectrum Matters (ERM); System Reference Document; Short Range Devices (SRD); Equipment for Detecting Movement using Ultra-Wide Band (UWB) Radar Sensing Technology; Level Probing Radar (LPR)-sensor equipment operating in the frequency bands 6 GHz to 8,5 GHz, 24,05 GHz to 26,5 GHz, 57 GHz to 64 GHz, 75 GHz to 85 GHz, European Telecommunications Standards Institute (ETSI) Technical Report (TR) 102 601 V1.1.1 (2007-12), (ETSI LPR Technical Report).
31 Antenna boresight is the axis of maximum gain (maximum radiated power)) of a directional antenna.32 Sections 15.209 and 15.35(b) impose a total peak limit of -21.3 dBm for operation of Part 15 devices above 960 MHz. 47 C.F.R. §§ 15.209 and 15.35(b). Sections 15.250 and 15.252 impose a peak limit of 0 dBm in a 50-megahertz bandwidth for Part 15 devices operating in the 5.925-7.250 GHz, 16.2-17.7 GHz and 23.12-29.00 GHz frequency bands. 47 C.F.R. §§ 15.250 and 15.252. The ECC LPR peak emission limits are +7 dBm for LPR devices operating in the 5.925-7.250 GHz band, +26 dBm for LPR devices operating in the 24.05-29.00 GHz band and +34 dBm for LPR devices operating in the 75-85 GHz band, as measured in a 50-megahertz resolution bandwidth. The limits differ for each frequency band because the modeling took into account the frequency-dependent propagation loss characteristics in each band.
33 The Part 15 rules specify an average emission limit of -41.3 dBm from Part 15 devices operating above 960 MHz, as the minimum protection to authorized services. The ECC modeling provides for an equivalent main-beam average emission limit of -33 dBm in the 5.925-7.250 GHz band, -14 dBm for LPR devices operating in the 24.05-29.00 GHz band, and -3 dBm for LPR devices operating in the 75-85 GHz band, as measured in a 1-megahertz resolution bandwidth. The limits again differ for each frequency band because the modeling took into account the frequency-dependent propagation loss characteristics in each band.
FCC 12-34 directly in the main beam of the antenna where maximum emissions are found, thus avo