§ 15.703   Definitions.

   (a) Available channel. A six-megahertz television channel, as specified
   in § 73.603 of this chapter, which is not being used by an authorized
   service at or near the same geographic location as the TVBD and is
   acceptable for use by an unlicensed device under the provisions of this
   subpart.

   (b) Contact verification signal. An encoded signal broadcast by a fixed
   or Mode II device for reception by Mode I devices to which the fixed or
   Mode II device has provided a list of available channels for operation.
   Such signal is for the purpose of establishing that the Mode I device
   is still within the reception range of the fixed or Mode II device for
   purposes of validating the list of available channels used by the Mode
   I device and shall be encoded to ensure that the signal originates from
   the device that provided the list of available channels. A Mode I
   device may respond only to a contact verification signal from the fixed
   or Mode II device that provided the list of available channels on which
   it operates. A fixed or Mode II device shall provide the information
   needed by a Mode I device to decode the contact verification signal at
   the same time it provides the list of available channels.

   (c) Fixed device. A TVBD that transmits and/or receives
   radiocommunication signals at a specified fixed location. A fixed TVBD
   may select channels for operation itself from a list of available
   channels provided by a TV bands database, initiate and operate a
   network by sending enabling signals to one or more fixed TVBDs and/or
   personal/portable TVBDs. Fixed devices may provide to a Mode I
   personal/portable device a list of available channels on which the Mode
   I device may operate under the rules, including available channels
   above 512 MHz (above TV channel 20) on which the fixed TVBD also may
   operate and a supplemental list of available channels above 512 MHz
   (above TV channel 20) that are adjacent to occupied TV channels on
   which the Mode I device, but not the fixed device, may operate.

   (d) Geo-location capability. The capability of a TVBD to determine its
   geographic coordinates within the level of accuracy specified in
   § 15.711(b)(1), i.e. 50 meters. This capability is used with a TV bands
   database approved by the FCC to determine the availability of TV
   channels at a TVBD's location.

   (e) Mode I personal/portable device. A personal/portable TVBD that does
   not use an internal geo-location capability and access to a TV bands
   database to obtain a list of available channels. A Mode I device must
   obtain a list of available channels on which it may operate from either
   a fixed TVBD or Mode II personal/portable TVBD. A Mode I device may not
   initiate a network of fixed and/or personal/portable TVBDs nor may it
   provide a list of available channels to another Mode I device for
   operation by such device.

   (f) Mode II personal/portable device. A personal/portable TVBD that
   uses an internal geo-location capability and access to a TV bands
   database, either through a direct connection to the Internet or through
   an indirect connection to the Internet by way of fixed TVBD or another
   Mode II TVBD, to obtain a list of available channels. A Mode II device
   may select a channel itself and initiate and operate as part of a
   network of TVBDs, transmitting to and receiving from one or more fixed
   TVBDs or personal/portable TVBDs. A Mode II personal/portable device
   may provide its list of available channels to a Mode I
   personal/portable device for operation on by the Mode I device.

   (g) Network initiation. The process by which a fixed or Mode II TVBD
   sends control signals to one or more fixed TVBDs or personal/portable
   TVBDs and allows them to begin communications.

   (h) Operating channel. An available channel used by a TVBD for
   transmission and/or reception.

   (i) Personal/portable device. A TVBD that transmits and/or receives
   radiocommunication signals at unspecified locations that may change.
   Personal/portable devices may only transmit on available channels in
   the frequency bands 512-608 MHz (TV channels 21-36) and 614-698 MHz (TV
   channels 38-51).

   (j) Receive site. The location where the signal of a full service
   television station is received for rebroadcast by a television
   translator or low power TV station, including a Class A TV station, or
   for distribution by a Multiple Video Program Distributor (MVPD) as
   defined in 47 U.S.C. 602(13).

   (k) Sensing only device. A personal/portable TVBD that uses spectrum
   sensing to determine a list of available channels. Sensing only devices
   may transmit on any available channels in the frequency bands 512-608
   MHz (TV channels 21-36) and 614-698 MHz (TV channels 38-51).

   (l) Spectrum sensing. A process whereby a TVBD monitors a television
   channel to detect whether the channel is occupied by a radio signal or
   signals from authorized services.

   (m) Television band device (TVBD). Intentional radiators that operate
   on an unlicensed basis on available channels in the broadcast
   television frequency bands at 54-60 MHz (TV channel 2), 76-88 MHz (TV
   channels 5 and 6), 174-216 MHz (TV channels 7-13), 470-608 MHz (TV
   channels 14-36) and 614-698 MHz (TV channels 38-51).

   (n) TV bands database. A database system that maintains records of all
   authorized services in the TV frequency bands, is capable of
   determining the available channels as a specific geographic location
   and provides lists of available channels to TVBDs that have been
   certified under the Commission's equipment authorization procedures. TV
   bands databases that provide lists of available channels to TVBDs must
   receive approval by the Commission.

   [ 75 FR 75835 , Dec. 6, 2010]

   return arrow Back to Top