WASHINGTON — A key stakeholder in the regulatory debate over approval of ultra-wideband (UWB) services said Friday (Jan. 25) that it backs the U.S. Department of Defense's position on how to prevent interference by emerging wireless technologies.
The compromise clears away one obstacle to the Federal Communications Commission's approval of UWB services next month.
XtremeSpectrum Inc. (Vienna, Va.) said it now supports the Pentagon's position on UWB emissions. The DOD, concerned that the emissions would cause interference with its Global Positioning System, has argued in interagency deliberations that no intentional emissions should be permitted below 4.2 GHz, except for imaging systems like ground-penetrating radar.
The PCS wireless industry has also expressed concerns about potential UWB interference.
XtremeSpectrum said it agreed with the restrictions and has endorsed the ban on intentional emissions below 4.2 GHz.
For UWB applications, the FCC proposes to define "no intentional emissions" as 10 dB below its Part 15 rules governing interference by consumer devices like cordless phones or other transmitters that intentionally emit RF energy.
Along with the 10 dB requirement between 4.2 GHz and 3.1 GHz, the company said it has endorsed intentional emission limits at 16 dB between 3.1 GHz and 1.61 GHz and 34 dB between 1.61 GHz and lower.
"We have met repeatedly with the Department of Defense and understand that our most recent proposal more than meets all the Department's concerns regarding intentional emissions below 4.2 GHz," said Martin Rofheart, XtremeSpectrum's president and chief executive.
As part of the political maneuvering to gain FCC approval of UWB, XtremeSpectrum said it has enlisted the support of Sen. John Warner, R-Va., the ranking member of the Senate Armed Services Committee.
