5 FCC Red No. 14 Federal Communications Commission Record FCC 90-235
(Comsat) to provide international aeronautical satellite Before the services offered by the International Maritime Satellite Federal Communications Commission Organization (Inmarsat).9 Washington, D.C. 20554 3. In its Second Report and Order in Gen. Docket Nos. 84-1231, 84-1233 84-1234, 51 Fed. Reg. 37389 (1986) the Commission allocated 9 megahertz to AMSS(R) on a pri mary basis with MSS secondary. An additional 18 PR Docket No. 90-315 megahertz was allocated to AMSS(R) and MSS on a co primary basis, with a condition giving AMSS(R) priority In the Matter of and real-time preemptive access to the full spectrum.10 The Commission stated that efficient use of spectrum Amendment of Part 87 of the supported sharing of spectrum between services rather Commission's Rules to than dividing the spectrum into separate blocks as called for by the 1987 Mobile WARC. 11 The Commission con Establish Technical Standards cluded that the sharing arrangement reflected in these and Licensing Procedures for allocations struck a proper balance between AMSS(R) and Aircraft Earth Stations MSS requirements because it was spectrally efficient and would encourage rapid and economical development of both services. 12 NOTICE OF PROPOSED RULE MAKING 4. The Commission also upheld its previously estab lished domestic MSS licensing policies and procedures for Adopted: June 14, 1990; Released: July 3, 1990 the 1545-1558.5 MHz and 1646.5-1660 MHz bands and directed MSS applicants to amend their applications to By the Commission: comply with those policies. 13 The effect of these actions was to affirm the Commission's authority to direct the applicants to establish a consortium that would be li I. INTRODUCTION censed to construct and operate the MSS system. 1. In this Notice of Proposed Rule Making (NPRM), we 5. In the third of its actions in Docket 84-1234, the propose to amend Part 87 of our rules pertaining to Commission authorized the consortium. American Mobile aircraft earth station equipment technical standards and Satellite Corporation (AMSC),14 to construct. launch, and licensing procedures. 47 C.F.R. Part 87. These amend operate the first generation domestic MSS system. 15 The ments will provide for the development of aircraft earth Commission authorized AMSC to develop a combined station (AES) equipment for aeronautical use in mobile MSS-AMSS(R) system in accordance with the domestic satellite operations. This NPRM is initiated sua sponte to allocation16 upheld in a concomitant .Hemorandum Opin 1 implement decisions made in several previous Commis ion and Order - and required the consortium to incor 1 sion actions ( "L-Band proceedings") whereby spectrum porate reasonable and necessary AMSS( R) technical was allocated and initial licensing parameters were estab requirements and system specifications_!>' 2 lished to provide for the Mobile Satellite Service (MSS). 6. Two overarching issues in the L-band MSS-AMSS(R) Specifically. we propose to adopt technical standards for proceedings were interoperability and priority and pre aircraft mobile terminals used for both MSS and emptive access for AMSS(R) communications in accor 3 AMSS(R) communications and corollary licensing pro dance with US footnote 308. In authorizing AMSC and cedures. Comsat to provide AMSS(R). the Commission required each party's orerations to satisfy these special allocation requirements.' These issues arise in part from a satellite II. BACKGROUND system design which incorporates several mobile satellite 2. The Commission recently released five orders that services relaying a variety of voice/data and safe collectively resolve many of the issues regarding use of a ty/non-safety communications into a generic MSS that portion the "L-band"4 for a generic mobile satellite ser includes AMSS(R).20 Implementation of interoperability vice. Specifically, the Commission issued {1) a .\femoran and priority and preemptive access capability is a matter dum Opinion and Order 5 that reaffirmed its allocation of satellite system design. For example. in authorizing scheme for the MSS; (2) a Memorandum Opinion and AMSC to design, construct. and operate the combined Order 6 that upheld the Second Report and Order. Gen. domestic MSS-AMSS(R) system, the Commission iden Docket No. 84-1234. 2 FCC Red 485 (1987), by which it tified these matters as issues related to network architec established technical and regulatory policies and promul ture and design21 and required AMSC to provide a gated licensing policies and procedures for the MSS: and supplementary report within ten months of the release of (3) a .\femorandum Opinion, Order and Authorization 7 by the Authorization Order identifying "issues or problems which the Commission authorized the American Mobile concerning reasonable and necessary AMSS(R) technical Satellite Corporation (AMSC) to construct, launch. and requirements and system specifications." 22 The Commis operate the first generation domestic MSS and to operate sion. however, found AMSC's overall system design pro as both the MSS and AMSS(R) licensee in the L-band at posal,23 whereby a Network Operation Center (NOC) 1545-1559 MHz and 1646.5-1660.5 MHz. In companion would control all access to and operation of the network orders. the Commission upheld its 1987 order dismissing using a Priority Demand Assignment Multiple Access the application of Aeronautical Radio, Inc. (Arinc) to (PDAMA) component. reasonable. 2 ~ 8 construct a global aeronautical mobile satellite system 7. Nevertheless, the Commission recognized that further and allowed the Communications Satellite Corporation design details regarding, e.g., the NOC. PDAMA, earth stations and mobile terminals and the operational
3933 FCC 90·235 Federal Communications Commission Record 5 FCC Red No. 14 interrelationships between these components would have of life aspects (e. g., air traffic control communications). to be developed.25 Although the Commission recognized the shared environment of the L-band, and the potential that AMSC, as a licensee, is responsible for the overall number of different users (i.e., world wide system). We design of it own satellite system, it also recognized the believe that standards are needed for (1) RF output pow role of various groups in the aviation user community, er, (2) modulation, (3) authorized bandwidth, (4) emis both domestic and international in developing technical sion limits, and (5) frequency stability. Although we are standards and system operation guidelines for AMSS(R) only proposing standards in these five areas·, we ·request communications.26 Thus, interoperability and priority and comments on other standards that may be needed. preemptive access for AMSS(R) are issues that concern 12. Our specific proposals are outlined below. While we both satellite system operators and the aviation user com considered information from a number of different munity. sources,33 the proposed technical standards are based, in 8. This Notice proposes technical standards for the air general, upon the work of Special Committee 165 (SC- craft earth station component of the MSS-AMSS(R) 165) of the Radio Technical Commission for Aeronautics ,;ystem. The intent of these proposed standards is to re (RTCA). Special Committee 165 is a public committee luce interference potential. We are not now proposing sponsored by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA). ·,tandards for the aircraft· earth stations to accomplish The FAA has a special interest in the technical require interoperability and priority and preemptive access for ments of AMSS(R) radio equipment because of its effect AMSS(R). We invite comments, however, from the space on the safety and regularity of flight. For this reason, we segment providers, such as AMSC and Comsat, and from intend to work closely with the FAA in developing tech the aviation community on whether the Commission nical standards for aircraft earth stations. 34 should prescribe standards for inter-operability and prior 13. We are proposing modifications to Section 87.131 of ity and preemptive access for aircraft earth stations. In our Rules, 47 C.F.R. § 87.131, which addresses power and particular, we seek comments identifying specific char emissions. The proposed maximum power is 60 watts per acteristics that could be prescribed in the Commission carrier, with a maximum Equivalent Isotropic Radiated rules for aircraft earth station design to achieve the stated Power ( EIRP) of 2000 watts per carrier. The EIRP is 27 objectives. For example. IC~\0 and SC 165 of RTCA based upon use of an antenna with a maximum gain of have identified the following characteristics for aircraft approximately 15 dB. We have specified the maximum terminals: (1) the ability to tune to any channel as com limit in order to minimize the possibility of interference manded by the NOC. (2) the ability to control the level of due to overload of the satellite transponder. transmitter power, and (3) the ability to turn the transmit 14. In the proposed amendment to Section 87.133, 4 7 ter on and off as commanded by the NOC. These and C.F.R. § 87.133. pertaining to frequency tolerance. we other characteristics should be addressed by the have specified a value of 0.2 parts per million. This value commenters. is more stringent than the international requirements for 9. The basis for this Notice was laid in the foregoing aircraft earth station equipment operating in these bands. L-band MSS-AMSS(R) proceedings. Specifically. in para This limit would. however, encourage spectrum efficiency graph 102 of the Authorization Order in Gen. Docket and be compatible with the channel spacing being estab 84-1234. the Commission stated that, "Mobile terminals to lished by RTCA for aeronautical use of these bands. be located on aircraft, which may be used for both 15. We propose to add three emission types, viz .. G1D, AMSS(R) and MSS (e.g .. APC [aircraft public correspon G1E and GlW. to Section 87.137(a). 47 C.F.R. § dence]) traffic. will be type accepted under Part 87 of the 28 87.137(a). These are in accordance with the emission Commission's rules. see, e.g., 47 C.F.R. § 87.147." The designator descriptions set forth in Part 2 of our Rules. 47 Commission acknowledged the need to establish technical C.F.R. § 2.201. The designation G lD indicates a data standards and licensing procedures for aircraft earth sta signal in digital form phase modulates the radio frequency· tions. zq carrier. Emission designator G IE indicates a phase modu lated digitized voice signal, while G 1W describes emis sions composed of combined digitized voice and data. We III. PROPOSALS think that these designators are sufficient to describe the 10. We are aware that the matter of aircraft earth signals used by aircraft earth stations. but we have in station technical standards is currently being studied in a dicated that additional emissions may be permitted upon number of technical advisory groups and that these a showing of need. We request comments on our pro 30 groups have not completed all aspects of their work. posal. Through the Commission's participation in these tech 16. The authorized bandwidth proposed is 25 kilohertz, nical advisory groups. however, we have been informed which would accommodate the maximum anticipated bit that development of standards has progressed to the point rate of 21 kilobits per second. Our goal is to permit these where equipment is currently being tested. In addition, systems to operate in the most spectrum efficient manner. other countries are moving ahead with plans for aeronau Therefore, we do not intend to impose use restrictions tical satellite servicesY We are committed to allowing 32 that could inhibit such efficiency. Accordingly. although U.S. industry to remain competitive. Taking the initial we have proposed a maximum bandwidth. system oper step to establish standards now would further our goal of ators should consider spectrum efficiency and employ allowing the U.S. to achieve timely and effective entry lesser bandwidths when practicable. We seek comment on into the aeronautical and mobile satellite arena. the authorized bandwidth proposed. 11. Our primary objectives in proposing technical stan 17. The proposed emission limitations are specified in dards are to reduce interference potential among system Section 87.139, of the attached Appendix. We are propos users and to ·develop a basic framework for an ing separate emission limits for Binary Phase Shift Keying interoperable aeronautical mobile satellite service. Stan (BPSK) and Quarternary Phase Shift Keying (QPSK) dards are especially important here because of the safety modulation, in order to address the differences in interfer-
3934 5 FCC Red No. 14 Federal Communications Commission Record FCC 90-235 ence that could result from these two modulation tech craft mobile earth stations or licensees seeking to upgrade niques. Comments are invited concerning the their communications capability by implementing satellite appropriateness of these limits. technology. 18. We propose to add a new paragraph to Section 23. In light of the above, we solicit public comment on 87.141 pertaining to the modulation requirements for air these proposals. Commenters are requested to address craft earth station transmitters. The techniques specified their comments to the specific criteria and provide sup are BPSK and QPSK. These reflect the requirements de porting data for their assertions. We have limited this tailed in the aforementioned MOPS and SARPS. In addi NPRM to those technical and regulatory issues deriving tion. we have indicated that other modulation techniques · from establishing technical standards and licensing proce may be permitted upon a showing of need. In this regard, dures for aircraft earth station terminals. We note that we note that AMSC. the corporation licensed by this operation of aircraft earth stations within the jurisdiction Commission to operate the domestic MSS-AMSS(R) sys of the United States must be consistent with other ap tem. has proposed in its supplemental filing the use of plicable Commission rules and policies not the subject of phase shift keying using eight phases.35 The specific re this rule making proceeding. quests made in AMSC's supplemental filing3 are cur rently pending before the CommissionY Accordingly, we will not address the merits of those proposals in this V. INITIAL REGULATORY FLEXIBILITY ANALYSIS proceeding. Nevertheless. we invite AMSC and others to comment on the advisability of specifying in our rules A. Reason for Action emission limits and other modulation techniques in addi 24. In this proceeding, we seek public comment on tion to BPSK and QPSK for aircraft earth stations. various aspects of the Commission's proposals to amend 19. In addition to transmitter technical standards. we Part 87 of the Rules governing technical standards ap also propose certain changes to our rules concerning li plicable to aircraft earth stations to establish standards for 38 censing of aircraft earth stations. Although the rules equipment capable of using satellite technology. governing the aviation services were recently reorganized 39 and revised. amendments relating to satellite provision B. Objective ing were deferred40 until the complerion of the L-band proceedings (Gen. Docket 84-1234). 25. The purpose of the proposed amendments is to ensure. to the extent possible, compatibility of equipment 20. The foregoing proposed· standards concern the tech among the various users of shared L-band spectrum in an nical characteristics of transmitters. Another possibility effort to mitigate potential radio interference. for contributing to the efficient use of the spectrum by all mobile satellite services and further minimizing the po tential for interference is to establish receiver standards. C. Legal Basis Special Committee 165 recommends several receiver stan 26. The proposed action is authorized under Sections dards:H Nevertheless, the information now before us does 4(i). 303(e). 303(f), 303(r) and 332(a) of the Communica not justify proposing receiver standards at this time. tions Act of 1934, as amended. 47 U.S.C. §§ 154(i). 21. Historically, the Commission has been hesitant to 303(e), 303(f), 303(r) and 332(a). respectively. adopt receiver standards because of the associated in creased costs in equipment and the fact that substandard D. Regulatory Flexibility Act Certification receivers do not cause system interference to others as do 27. In accordance with Section 605 of the Regulatory substandard transmitters. Because of our continuing con Flexibility Act of 1980. 5 U.S.C. § 605. the Commission cern for protecting safety communications. the potential certifies that these rules would not have a significant large number of system users, and the fact that the FAA impact upon a substantial number of small entities be may require compliance with the standards adopted by cause these entities generally are not involved in the SC-165. including receiver standards. we request com operation of aircraft earth stations. The heavy capital in ments regarding which. if any. receiver standards should vestment required to develop. manufacture, launch. in be specified in our rules. In addition to a discussion of stall. and maintain an aeronautical mobile satellite the overall impact that receiver standards could have on communications system generally precludes small busi spectrum efficiency and safety communications in particu ness entities from participating in this industry. lar. such comments should include a discussion of what parameters are necessary to ensure proper functioning of the system and the benefits that would accrue from in VI. PAPERWORK REDUCTION ACT STATEMENT cluding receiver standards in the rules. The comments 28. The proposals contained herein have been analyzed should also propose the measurement procedures which with respect to the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1980, 44 would he used to show compliance with any receiver U.S.C. § 3501 et seq., and found to increase the informa standards which may be adopted. tion collection burden upon the public. This proposed increase is subject to approval by the Office of Manage ment and Budget as prescribed by the Act. The affected IV. CONCLUSION members of the public. however, are limited because the 22. We believe that the foregoing proposed standards number of satellite equipment manufacturers, system op will foster the rapid introduction of mobile aircraft earth erators and aircraft licensees likely to utilize this equip station terminals for use in the newly approved satellite ment is proportionately small. communications system provided for at L-band. These proposed standards should mitigate intra- and inter-system interference without burdening the manufacturers of air-
3935 FCC 90-235 Federal Communications Commission Record 5 FCC Red No. 14
VII. PROCEDURAL MATTERS Dockets Reference Room (Room 239) of the Federal 29. For purposes of this non-restricted notice and Communications Commission. 1919 M Street N.W., comment rule making proceeding, members of the public Washington, D.C. 20554. are advised that ex parte presentations are permitted ex cept during the Sunshine Agenda period. See generally 4 7 FEDERAL COMMUNICATIONS COMMISSION C.F.R. § 1.1206(a). The Sunshine Agenda period is the period of time which commences with the release of a public notice that a matter has been placed on the Sun shine Agenda and terminates when the Commission (1) releases the text of a decision or order in the matter; (2) Donna R. Searcy issues a public notice stating that the matter has been Secretary deleted from the Sunshine Agenda: or (3) issues a public notice stating that the matter has been returned to the staff for further consideration, whichever occurs first. See APPENDIX 4 7 C.F.R. § 1.1202(£). During the Sunshine Agenda pe riod, no presentations. ex parte or otherwise, are permitted unless specifically requested by Commission or Part 87 of Chapter I of Title 4 7 of the Code of Federal staff for the clarification or adduction of evidence or the 'Regulations is proposed to be amended as follows: resolution of issues in the proceeding. See 4 7 C.F.R. § 1.1203. 1. The authority citation for Part 87 continues to read: 30. In general, an ex parte presentation is any presenta tion directed to the merits or outcome of the proceeding Authority: 48 Stat. 1066, 1082, as amended; 47 U.S.C. made to decision-making personnel which (1) if written, 154, 303, unless otherwise noted. Interpret or apply 48 is not served on the parties to the proceeding, or (2) if Stat. 1064-1068, 1081-1105, as amended; 47 U.S.C. oral, is made without advance notice to the parties to the 151-156, 301-609. proceeding and without opportunity for them to be present. See 47 C.F.R. § 1.1202(b). Any person who 2. In Section 87.5, the following definitions for "Aero makes or submits a written ex parte presentation shall nautical Mobile-Satellite Service" and "Aircraft Earth Sta provide on the same day it is submitted two copies of tion" are proposed to be added, in alphabetical order, to same under separate cover to the Commission's Secretary read as follows: for inclusion in the public record. The presentation (as well as any transmittal letter) must clearly indicate on its § 87.5 Definitions. face the docket number of the particular proceeding(s) to which it relates and the fact that two copies of it have been submitted to the Secretary, and must be labeled or captioned as an ex parte presentation. Aeronautical mobile-satellite service. A mobile-satellite 31. Any person who is making an oral ex parte pre service in which mobile earth stations are located on sentation that presents data or arguments not already re board aircraft: survival craft stations and emergency posi flected in that person's written comments. memoranda. or tion indicating radiobeacon stations may also participate other previous filings in that proceeding shall provide on in this service. the clay of the oral presentation an original and one copy of a written memorandum to the Secretary (with a copy to the Commissioner or staff member involved) which summarizes the data and arguments. The memorandum (as well as any transmittal letter) must clearly indicate on Aircraft earth station. A mobile earth station in the its face the docket number of the particular proceeding aeronautical mobile-satellite service located on board an and the fact than an original and one copy of it have been aircraft. submitted to the Secretary, and must be labeled or cap tioned as an ex parte presentation. See 4 7 C.F .R. § 1.1206. 32. Pursuant to applicable procedures set forth in Sec tions 1.415 and 1.419 of the Commission's Rules, 4 7 C.F.R. §§ 1.415 and 1.419. interested parties may file 3. A new Section 87.51 is proposed to be added to read comments on or before September 12, 1990 and reply as follows: comments on or before October 29, 1990. All relevant and timely comments will be considered by the Commission § 87.51 Aircraft earth station commissioning. before taking final action in this proceeding. To file for mally in this proceeding, participants must file an original (a) In cases where an aircraft earth station is required to and four copies of all comments. reply comments and be commissioned to use a privately owned satellite system, supporting comments. If participants want each Commis FCC Form 404 must be submitted to the Commission sioner to receive a personal copy of their comments. an prior to transmission on any of the satellite frequency original and nine copies must be filed. Comments and bands allocated for aeronautical mobile-satellite commu reply comments should be sent to Office of the Secretary, nications. Federal Communications Commission. Washington. D.C. (b) An aircraft earth station authorized to operate in the 20554. Comments and reply comments will be available INMARSAT space segment must display the Commission for public inspection during regular business hours in the license in conjunction with the commissioning certificate issue by the INMARSAT Organization. Notwithstanding
3936 5 FCC Red No. 14 Federal Communications Commission Record FCC 90-235 the requirements of this paragraph, aircraft earth stations Frequency band Tolerance I Tolerance 2 can operate in the INMARSAT space segment without an (lower limit exclusive, upper limit inclusive), INMARSAT issued commissioning certificate provided an and categories of stations appropriate written approval is obtained from the INMARSAT Organization in addition to the license from ... • • * • * * the Commission. (7) Band-·HO to 2450 MHz: 4. In Section 87.131, the table is proposed to be revised •• * * * * by removing the word after the word "Aircraft" under the Aircraft stations * * * * * * heading "Class of station", and adding a new entry "Air Aircraft earth craft Earth" under the heading "Class of station" at the station----···-...... 0.2 tO end of the "Aeronautical Frequencies" category, and by Radionavigation adding new footnotes 8 and 9 to read as follows: stations: * * * * * * • * * * * * * * * •• * § 87.131 Power and emissions. * * * * * * * *.
* * * * * *****
Class of station Frequency Authorized Maximum 10 This tolerance is the maximum error. exclusive of band/ emission(s) power I Doppler effect, that the aircraft earth station (AES) is frequency permitted to contribute to the transmitted signal. For purposes of type acceptance, a tolerance of 0.1 shall apply * * * * * * * * * * * * to the reference oscillator of the AES transmitter. Aircraft Aeronautical freq. 6. In Section 87.137(a), the table is proposed to be UHF------ amended by adding new entries, "GlD, GlE. and GlW * * * * * * 6 VHF------* * * * * * between the existing entries "F9D" and "G3E ". and by HF ------ * * * * * * adding a new Footnote 16 to read as follows: HF ------* * * * * * Airctaft earth UHF------GlD,GlE, § 87.137(a) Types of emission. Radionavigation G I W8 ------60 wattsY * * *
* * * * * Authorized bandwidth (kilohertz) Class of Emission Fre- 8 Other emissions will be considered upon a showing of emission designator Below 50 Above 50 quency need. MHz MHz deviation 9 Power shall not exceed 60 watts per carrier. The maximum EIRP shall not exceed 2000 watts per carrier. * * * * * Maximum rated power of the transmitter in excess of 60 watts, and the corresponding increase in EIRP, will be F 7. In Section 87.139. a new paragraph (h) is proposed to be added to read as follows: § 87.139 Emission limitations. 3937 FCC 90~235 · Federal Communications Commission Record 5 FCC Red No. 14 * * * * * Frequency Offset (Hz) Equal Attenuation to or Greater Than: (dB Relative to the Maximum (h) When using G 1D, G 1E, or G 1W emissions in the Level of the Emission 1646.5-1660.5 MHz frequency band with a maximum au ± 0.375 X BR 0 thorized bandwidth of 25 kHz, the emissions must be ± 0.70 X BR -20 attenuated as shown below. ± 1.40 X BR -40 (1) At full output power, while transmitting an ± Fm * ** unmodulated single carrier, the composite spurious and noise output shall be attenuated below the mean power of * - For bit rates below 10,000 bps, Fm = 35,000 Hz. the transmitter, pY, by at least: For bit rates of 10,000 bps and above, Fm = 4 x bit rate. ** - Emissions are measured in a 4 kHz band and shall Frequency (MHz) Attenuation (dB) * be at least 55 dB below the level of the unmodulated carrier. 0- 1559 67 + 10 loglO pY 1559 - 18,000 39 + 10 loglO pY (7) Emission limits for other types of modulation will * - These values are expressed in dB below the carrier be considered upon a showing of need. measured in a 4 kHz bandwidth. 8. In Section 87.141, a new paragraph (j) is proposed to (2) For transmitters rated at 60 watts or less: be added to read as follows: § 87.141 Modulation requirements. When tra-nsmitting two carriers, each 3 dB below the rated power, the mean power of any intermodulation products must be at least 25 dB below the mean power of either carrier. * * * * * (j) Transmitters used at Aircraft Earth Stations shall (3) For transmitters rated at greater than 60 watts: employ BPSK for low rate data (up to and including 2400 bits per second) and QPSK for higher rate data. Other When transmitting two carriers, each 3 dB below types of modulation will be considered upon a showing of the rated power, the mean power of any need. intermodulation products must be at least 10.3 + 10 loglO pY below the mean power of either car 9. In Section 87.145, paragraph (b) is proposed to be rier. revised to read as follows: ( 4) The transmitter emission limit is a function of the modulation type and bit rate (BR). BR is in bits § 87.145 Acceptability of transmitters for licensing. per second (bps). (5) Binary Phase Shift Keying (BPSK) shall be em ployed when using a bit rate of 2400 or less. Emis * * * * * sions shall be in accordance with the following table: (b) Each transmitter must be type accepted for use in these services, except as listed in paragraph (d) of this Frequency Offset (Hz) Equal Attenuation section. Aircraft stations which transmit on maritime mo to or Greater Than: (dB Relative to the Maximum bile frequencies must use transmitters authorized for use Level of the Emission) in ship stations in accordance with Part 80 of this chapter. ± 0.625 X BR 0 ± 1.40 X BR -20 ± 2.80 X BR -40 * * * * * ± 35,000 * 10. In Section 87.147, paragraph (c)(3) is proposed to· * - Emissions are measured in a 4 kHz band and shall be revised to read as follows: be at least 55 dB below the level of the unmodulated carrier. § 87.147 Type acceptance of equipment. (6) Quarternary Phase Shift Keying (QPSK) shall be employed when using a bit rate greater than 2400. Emis * * * * * sions shall be in accordance with the following table: (c) * * * (3) The frequency bands are as follows: 74.8 MHz to 75.2 MHz; 108.000 MHz to 136.000 MHz; 328.600 MHz to 335.400 MHz; 960.000 MHz to 1215.000 MHz; 1559.000 to 1626.5 MHz; 1646.5 to 1660.500 MHz; 5000.000 MHz to 3938 5 FCC Red No. 14 Federal Communications Commission Record FCC 90-235 5250.000 MHz; 14.000 GHz to 14.400 GHz; 15.400 GHz licensed to use maritime mobile-satellite frequencies, and to 15.700 GHz; 24.250 GHz to 25.250 GHz; and 31.800 must follow the rules for public correspondence in this GHz to 33.400 GHz. Part. 14. Section 87.187 is proposed to be amended by * * * * * redesignating paragraphs (p) through (z) as p~ragraphs (q) through (aa), and adding a new paragraph (p) to ·read as 11. In Section 87.171. the following symbol and·class of follows: station are proposed to be added, in alphabetical order, "TJ--Aircraft earth station in the aeronautical mobile § 87.187 Frequencies. satellite service". 12. In Section 87.173, the frequency table in paragraph * * * * * (b) is proposed to be amended by adding the following ·frequency band: "1646.5-1660.5 MHz" to read as follows: (p) The frequencies in the band 1545.000-1559.000 MHz and 1646.500-1660.500 MHz are authorized for use § 87.173 Frequencies by the aeronautical mobile-satellite (R) service. The use of the bands 1544-1545 MHz (space-to-Earth) and 1645.5- 1646.5 MHz (Earth-to-space) by the mobile-satellite ser * * * * * vice is limited to distress and safety operations. In the frequency bands 1549.5-1558.5 MHz and 1651-1660 MHz, (b) Frequency table: the Aeronautical Mobile-Satellite (R) requirements that cannot be accommodated in the 1545-1549.5 MHz, Frequency or Subpart Class of Remarks 1558.5-1559 MHz, 1646.5-1651 MHz and 1660-1660.5 frequency band Station MHz bands shall have priority access with real-time pre emptive capability for communications in the mobile * * * * * * * * * * * * satellite service. Systems not interoperable with the aeronautical mobile-satellite (R) service shall operate on a 1559-1626.5 secondary basis. Account shall be taken of the priority of F,Q MHz .... MA,RL Aeronautical safety-related communications in the mobile-satellite ser Radionavigation 1646.5-1660.5 vice. MHz .... J TJ Aeronautical Mobile Satellite (R) * * * * * 15. Section 87.189 is proposed to be amended by revis * * * * * ing paragraph (a). redesignating paragraphs (b) through (d) as paragraphs (c) through (e), adding a new paragraph 13. In Section 87.185, paragraphs (b) and (c) are pro (b) and revising redesignated paragraph (d) to read as posed to be revised and new paragraph (d) is proposed to follows: be added to read as follows: § 87.189 Requirements ·for public correspondence equip- § 87.185 Scope of service. ment and operations. · (a) Transmitters used for public correspondence by air * * l>!! * * craft stations in the maritime mobile frequency bands must be authorized by the Commission in conformity (b) Aircraft public correspondence must make service with Part 80 of this chapter. available to all persons without discrimination and on ·(b) Transmitters used for public correspondence by air reasonable demand, and must communicate without dis craft earth stations in aeronautical mobile-satellite (R) or crimination with any public coast station or mobile-sat maritime-mobile satellite frequencies must be type ac ellite earth station authorized to provide aircraft public cepted by the Commission in conformity with this Part. correspondence service. Aircraft earth stations that are required to be commis (c) Aircraft public correspondence service on maritime sioned to use a privately owned satellite system also must mobile frequencies may be carried on only by aircraft meet the provisions in § 87 .51. stations licensed to use maritime mobile frequencies, and must follow the rules for public correspondence in Part 80. * * * * * (d) Aircraft public correspondence service on aeronau tical mobile-satellite (R) frequencies may be carried on (d) All communications of stations in the aeronautical only aircraft earth stations licensed to use aeronautical mobile or aeronautical mobile-satellite (R) service have mobile-satellite (R) frequencies and must follow the rules priority over public correspondence. for public correspondence in this Part. Aircraft public correspondence service on maritime-mobile satellite fre quencies may be carried on only aircraft earth stations * * * * * 3939 FCC 90-235 Federal Communications Commission Record 5 FCC Red No. 14 FOOTNOTES Satellite Corp.; North American Mobile Satellite, Inc.; Satellite 1 See infra, notes 4-8. Mobile Telephone Co.; Skylink Corp.; and Transit Communica tions, Inc. 2 The Mobile Satellite Service refers to a generic satellite 15 service consisting of land mobile satellite service (LMSS), aero 4 FCC Red 6041. nautical mobile satellite service (AMSS) including aeronautical 16 AMSC is authorized to offer, on a common carrier basis, a safety and regularity of flight communications (AMSS(R)), and full range of land, aeronautical, and maritime sateJlite services maritime mobile satellite service (MMSS). 4 FCC Red 6016 n.3. including 1. mobile telephone service (interconnected voice See 47 C.F.R. § 2.1 (A mobile satellite service is a radio commu . communications): 2. mobile radio service (two-way dispatch); 3. nications service between mobile earth stations and one or more mobile data service (two-way data communications): 4. aeronau space stations). tical service (voice and data) including air traffic control (ATC), 3 AMSS(R) is an aeronautical mobile-satellite service reserved aircraft operational communications (AOC), airline administra for communications relating to safety and regularity of flight, tive communications (AAC), and airline passenger communica primarily along national or international civil air routes. See tions (APC): 5. transportable service (telephone and two-way Final Acts of the World Administrative Radio Conference for data in sparsely populated areas): and 6. paging service (one-way the Mobile Services No. 35A (Geneva, 1987). on a non-interference basis in the 1558.5-1559 MHz band). 17 4 The Commission circumscribed the term 'L-band' as limited Memorandum Opinion and Order, Gen. Docket No. for the purposes of the L-band proceedings to the frequencies at 84-1234, 4 FCC Red 6016. 1545-1559 MHz and 1646.5-1660.5 MHz. See, e.g., 4 FCC Red 18 4 FCC Red at 6048; see id. at 6054-55. 6016 n.4. 19 See 4 FCC Red 6041 (AMSC provision of domestic 5 Memorandum Opinion and Order, In the Matter of Amend AMSS(R); 4 FCC Red 6072 (Comsat provision of international ment of Parts 2, 22, and 25 of the Commission's Rules to AMSS(R). Allocate Spectrum for, and to Establish Other Rules and Poli 20 See supra note 2. cies Pertaining to the Use of Radio Frequencies in a Mobile 21 See 4 FCC Red at 6053-56. Satellite Service for the Provision of Various Common Carrier 22 Services, Gen. Docket No. 84-1234, 4 FCC Red 6016 (1989) (FCC /d. at 6055. 23 89-181), appeal docketed sub nom., Aeronautical Radio, Inc. v. /d. at 6054. FCC. No. 88-1009 (D.C. Cir. Jan. 7, 1988) (Gen. Docket No. 24 /d. at 6054 ~ 90. 84-1234 [including FCC Nos. 89-181, 89-182, 89-183] consolidated 25 In particular, the Commission required AMSC to provide on appeal with AvSat, File No. CSS-87-015(7) [FCC No. 89-184] additional information on the specific functions performed by and. other previously filed appeals. See infra notes 6-8. the NOC and the PDAMA. /d. at 6055 ~ 91. 6 Memorandum Opinion and Order, In the Matter of Amend 26 4 FCC Red at 6041 ~ 92. ment of Parts 2. 22, and 25 of the Commission's Rules to 27 See infra note 30. Allocate Spectrum for and to Establish Other Rules and Policies 28 Pertaining to the Use of Radio Frequencies in a Land Mobile Authorization Order, Gen. Docket No. 84-1234, 4 FCC Red Satellite Service for the Provision of Various Common Carrier at 6056. 29 Services. Gen. Docket No. 84-1234, 4 FCC Red 6029 (1989) (FCC /d. at 4 FCC Red 6056. 89-182), appeal docketed, see supra note 5. 30 In the U.S., Special Committee 165 (SC 165) of the Radio Memorandum Opinion, Order and Authorization. In the Technical Commission for Aeronautics (RTCA), a public com Matter of Amendment of Parts 2, 22.and 25 of the Commission's mittee sponsored by the FAA, is developing a MOPS (Minimum Rules to Allocate Spectrum for and Establish other Rules and Operational Performance Standards) for domestic AMSS(R) sys Policies Pertaining to the Use of Radio Frequencies in a Land tems. In 1988, the International Civil Aviation Organization Mobile Satellite Service for the Provision of Various Common (ICAO) established the Aeronautical Mobile-Satellite Service Carrier Services. Gen. Docket No. 84-1234, 4 FCC Red 6041 Panel (AMSSP) to develop a SARPS (Standards and Recom (released August 4, 1989) (FCC 89-183), appeal docketed, see mended Practic.es) to further the specific technical work neces supra note 5, (Authorization Order). sary to develop the framework for a worldwide interoperable 8 Memorandum Opinion and Order, In the Matter of Aero aeronautical mobile satellite service for safety communications. nautical Radio, Inc. For authority to construct an aviation sat The Commission expects the U.S. domestic standards to be ellite system (AvSat), File No. CSS-87-015(7), 4 FCC Red 6067 compatible with those eventually adopted by ICAO. See 4 FCC ( 1989) (FCC 89-184 ), appeal docketed, see supra note 5. Red 6054 n.l51 (and accompanying text). 31 9 Report and Order, In the Matter of Provision of Aeronau See 4 FCC Red at 6048 n.lOO. 32 tical Services via the lnmarsat System and Application for Au In this regard, we continue to believe that, "It is essential thority to Participate in an lnmarsat Program to Provide for that the aviation community act expeditiously to finalize rea Aeronautical Bandwidth on Second Generation Satellites [File sonable and necessary technical requirements and system speci No. CSS 86-005-M(2)]. CC Docket No. 87-75, 4 FCC Red 6072 fications for AMSS(R) communications in order not to delay ( 1989) (FCC 89-185). the construction of satellites and the offering of mobile satellite 10 Memorandum Opinion and Order, 4 FCC Red at 6023 services to the public." 4 FCC Red at 6055. (allocation reaffirmed). 33 In addition to SC-165 draft Minimum Operational Perfor mance Standards (MOPS), we reviewed the following: (I) Inter tt 4 FCC Red at 6018-19. national Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) draft Standards 12 See 4 FCC Red at 6018-19,6023 (FCC 89-181). And Recommended Practices, (2) Arinc characteristic 741 and 13 4 FCC Red 6029, 6033: see Second Report and Order. Gen. (3) Inmarsat Aeronautical System Definition Manual (SDM). Docket No. 84-1234, 2 FCC Red 485 (1987). 34 Our Rules recognize FAA's interest and responsibility by 14 The eight applicants who comprise AMSC are: Hughes explicitly providing for FAA comment on aviation radio equip Communications Mobile Satellite, Inc.; MCCA American Sat ment type acceptance. See 47 C.F.R. § 87.147(c). ellite Service Corp.; McCaw Space Technologies, Inc.: Mobile 3940 5 FCC Red No. 14 Federal Communications Commission Record FCC 90·235 35 Request for Modification and Supplemental Information of American Mobile Satellite Corporation, File Nos. 7-/8-/9-DSS MP/ML-90 (filed Dec. 4, 1989), Attachment 7 (Mobile Earth Terminal and Feeder Link Earth Station Design). 36 As ordered, AMSC filed a supplemental pleading containing further technical details of its proposed system. See Authoriza tion Order, 4 FCC Red at 6055-56 ,, 91-101, 133. 37 See supra note 35. 38 See infra at Appendix §§ 87.5, 87.51, 87.131, 87.171, 87.187 and 87.189 (proposed revisions). 39 Memorandum Opinion and Order, In the Matter of Reorga nization and Revision of Part 87 Governing Aviation Services, 4 FCC Red 2271 (1989). 40 ld. at 2272-74. 41 Receiver standards specified in the RTCA MOPS include the following: (I) sensitivity, (2) IF response, (3) image and spurious response rejection, (4) rejection of signals outside the receive band, (5) receiver desensitization and (6) adjacent chan nel rejection. 3941