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Importance of Radio Regulation Policies in Wireless Communications Study

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Importance of Radio Regulation Policies in Wireless Communications Study Paper ID #9769 Importance of Radio Regulation Policies in Wireless Communications Study Dr. Reza Kamali, Utah Valley University c American Society for Engineering Education, 2014 Importance of Radio Regulation Policies in Wireless Communications Study Abstract— Wireless communications needs radio frequency links. Radio frequency spectrum is a limited and expensive resource. To improve efficiency of radio frequency spectrum, we propose a new topic in spectrum engineering and radio regulation. Spectrum engineering is the technical skill to solve problems in spectrum management and includes frequency licensing, electromagnetic compatibility, and radio regulation. In this paper, fundamental of spectrum engineering with a focus on radio regulation policies is covered and considered as a topic of study in courses such as Communications Systems and Wireless Communications. I. Introduction Over the years, electromagnetic spectrum has contributed to several applications such as communication, navigation, surveillance and medical. While useful ranges of radio frequency spectrum are already assigned to current services, new applications are rushing for spectrum. However most of the new graduates of universities from the related fields have enough knowledge of radio frequency systems and related techniques, they are not familiar with radio regulation and spectrum engineering requirements. Topics such as frequency assignments, allocation, allotment, licensing and etc. are not completely covered. This paper studies useful frequency engineering policies for educators and students. Spectrum engineering is the technical skill to solve problems in spectrum management, and includes privacy of the channel, licensing, electromagnetic compatibility (EMC), radio regulation, and spectrum planning1. In order to improve Spectrum Engineering, RF hazards of EMC and potential safety hazards due to human exposure to RF energy were addressed in previous publications2,3. However, adding the EMC subject has improved the knowledge of students in the field of radio frequency (RF) safety, but privacy of frequency application and licensing were neglected in wireless communications education. Our study shows that most of wireless communications text books did not talk about regulation and licensing or covered it in less than one page4,5,6,7,8,9. Before using a propagation link the frequency users should learn the fundamentals of radio frequency regulation and spectrum engineering. With the new generation of wireless devices such as cognitive radios and ultra wide band systems, the frequency usage is getting more complex than before. In this paper three major elements are considered for spectrum policy. These three main topics are Licensing and assignment, interference and regulation, technical data and EMC analysis. All students who want to study in the field of wireless communications should end their study by learning these fundamentals. This study provides enough knowledge to make a frequency application plan, which is acceptable for licensing. For example in coverage measurement Okumura and Hata models are described. Some part of current topics can not only be the added to the courses related to radio frequency but they can also be studied with courses such as capstone project and ethics10,11. Unauthorized use of frequency channels not only risks the privacy of licensed users but also endanger the life of other members of the community; an example of this hazard is interference over aeronautical channels during the landing of airplanes in an airport. Therefore fundamentals of radio regulation are necessary for all academic, commercial and military users who want to utilize a frequency band width for wireless application. Furthermore radio frequency spectrum is also an expensive resource, and it needs special attention. By teaching the current topic in wireless communications course, the future graduates of electrical and computer engineering will learn to use the radio spectrum frequency efficiently and free from interferences. This paper starts with background of radio regulation and spectrum efficiency and after those licensing, regulation and technical data requirements is covered. Students who take this lesson should know the fundamentals of wireless communications. II. History of Radio Regulation The first radio regulation started with maritime service. The Wireless Ship Act of 1910 requested the ocean-going ships traveling to, or from the United States to have transmitting equipment if more than 60 passengers were on board the ship12. The first comprehensive regulation was the Radio Act of 1912, which was the first attempt to address emergency services for international treaty obligation. The tragic sinking of Titanic motivated the requirement for licensing not only stations, but also operators. The 1912 Act also required regulations for modulation type, protection of the private messages content, and more important giving priority to distress signals. Soon after the first radio regulation Act, there was an increase of the number of stations especially radio broadcastings, the licensing and regulations were revisited. In late 1920s, a Federal Radio Commission (FRC) was appointed for legislation of radio communication13. Finally, in the Communication Act of 1934 Federal Communication Commission (FCC) was established as a permanent organization to regulate the telecommunications and broadcasting services14. For the international regulation, International Telecommunication Union (ITU) provides the service to all member countries. Wireless Ship Act of 1910 Federal Radio Commission Communication Act of 1934 , 1920 Establishment of FCC Radio Act of 1912 Communication Act of 1927 Figure 1. Time line of radio regulation history. III. Spectrum Efficiency Frequency spectrum is a limited resource and the available spectrum needs efficient usage15. Efficient use is possible through careful allocating frequency bands without any waste of the spectrum. All of the available radio frequency bands have been assigned by the FCC to different applications such as public, commercial, and military services. To help the researches and growth of new wireless technologies, a few frequency bands are assigned as Industrial, Scientific, and Medical (ISM). However the ISM bands helped academic researches and experiments, but these bands are very limited in frequency range and propagation power. For example in the 2.4 GHz band, a point to point service can be fed by a maximum of 250 mW power using a 24 dBi antenna. It has 100 MHz band width with the center frequency of 2.45 GHz. Current ISM-bands helped development different wireless techniques such as Wi-Fi and Bluetooth, but several of the current wireless communication studies still need more band width, power, or dedicated frequency channels. If an application needs parameters out of the current ISM ranges a valid license needs to be requested. Before a license is issued to such application any experiment should be prohibited unless it is done inside a shield chamber. In the following part of this paper frequency assignment and licensing parameters are covered. These parameters should be defined and documented before any license request. Students and current frequency users who may work with an existing license should also learn about the frequency regulation and assignment to become familiar with frequency spectrum restrictions. In this paper we present an overview of the topics required in a Wireless Communications course to meet the educational need for frequency regulation and its related policies. These topics ensure our student’s competency in the application of their knowledge and help a sustainable frequency usage. The course topics are provided bellow and these were gathered through the documents and trainings provided by FCC, ITU, and Asia Pacific Telecommunity (APT). Also an informal survey of the related courses in other institutes was done to exclude those topics that are currently covered in other courses. The suggested study of radio spectrum policy is best done in four major topics of: a) Introduction to radio regulation b) Licensing and assignment c) Spectrum management and interference d) Technical data and EMC analysis IV. Frequency Licensing and assignment Radio communications have become an increasingly vital part of the telecommunications infrastructure and economy of the world. As a result the governments and administration made different measures to control the national spectrum. These measures include frequency range, coverage and occupancy. Based on the economic approach of the administrations, a frequency user may require getting a frequency license or using license free ranges. Therefore licensing is the main method of authorization in radio frequency spectrum. These approaches promote economic, technical, and administrative efficiency. It helps ensure that radio services are able to operate without interference. In order to have effective radio communications, all countries need effective spectrum management and spectrum monitoring system16. Having those, a government can enforce its licensing and make a secure frequency spectrum. However spectrum monitoring is very expensive, and solving the radio frequency attacks and interferences need case by case attention and they are time consuming. In the recent world there is at least one wireless device in every home, but it does not mean that everybody needs to get a frequency license. Only those who want to start new applications in radio frequency
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