§ 25.146   Licensing and operating rules for the non-geostationary orbit
Fixed-Satellite Service in the 10.7 GHz-14.5 GHz bands.

   (a) A comprehensive technical showing shall be submitted for the proposed
   non-geostationary satellite orbit Fixed-Satellite Service (NGSO FSS) system
   in the 10.7-14.5 GHz bands. The technical information shall demonstrate that
   the proposed NGSO FSS system would not exceed the validation equivalent
   power flux-density (EPFD) limits as specified in § 25.208 (g), (k), and (l)
   for  EPFDdown,  and EPFDup. If the technical demonstration exceeds the
   validation EPFD limits at any test points within the U.S. for domestic
   service and at any points outside of the U.S. for international service or
   at any points in the geostationary satellite orbit, as appropriate, the
   application would be unacceptable for filing and will be returned to the
   applicant with a brief statement identifying the non-compliance technical
   demonstration. The technical showing consists of the following:

   (1)  Single-entry  validation  equivalent  power  flux-density, in the
   space-to-Earth direction, (EPFDdown) limits. (i) Provide a set of power
   flux-density  (PFD) masks, on the surface of the Earth, for each space
   station  in  the  NGSO FSS system. The PFD masks shall be generated in
   accordance with the specification stipulated in the most recent version of
   ITU-R  Recommendation  S.1503,  “Functional  Description to be used in
   Developing Software Tools for Determining Conformity of Non-GSO FSS Networks
   with  Limits  Contained  in  Article  22 of the Radio Regulations.” In
   particular, the PFD masks must encompass the power flux-density radiated by
   the space station regardless of the satellite transmitter power resource
   allocation and traffic/beam switching strategy that are used at different
   periods of a NGSO FSS system's life. The PFD masks shall also be in an
   electronic form that can be accessed by the computer program specified in
   paragraph (a)(1)(iii) of this section.

   (ii) Identify and describe in detail the assumptions and conditions used in
   generating the power flux-density masks.

   (iii)  If  a  computer  program  that has been approved by the ITU for
   determining compliance with the single-entry EPFDdown validation limits is
   not yet available, the applicant shall provide a computer program for the
   single-entry EPFDdown validation computation, including both the source code
   and  the  executable file. This computer program shall be developed in
   accordance with the specification stipulated in the most recent version of
   Recommendation  ITU-R  S.1503.  If the applicant uses the ITU approved
   software, the applicant shall indicate the program name and the version
   used.

   (iv) Identify and describe in detail the necessary input parameters for the
   execution of the computer program identified in paragraph (a)(1)(iii) of
   this section.

   (v) Provide the result, the cumulative probability distribution function of
   EPFD,  of the execution of the computer program described in paragraph
   (a)(1)(iii) of this section by using only the input parameters contained in
   paragraphs (a)(1)(i) and (a)(1)(iv) of this section.

   (2) Single-entry additional operational equivalent power flux-density, in
   the space-to-Earth direction, (additional operational EPFDdown) limits. (i)
   Provide a set of NGSO FSS earth station maximum equivalent isotropically
   radiated power (EIRP) masks as a function of the off-axis angle generated by
   an NGSO FSS earth station. The maximum EIRP mask shall be generated in
   accordance with the specification stipulated in the most recent version of
   ITU-R Recommendation S.1503. In particular, the results of calculations
   encompass what would be radiated regardless of the earth station transmitter
   power resource allocation and traffic/beam switching strategy are used at
   different periods of an NGSO FSS system's life. The EIRP masks shall be in
   an electronic form that can be accessed by the computer program specified in
   paragraph (a)(2)(iii) of this section.

   (ii) Identify and describe in detail the assumptions and conditions used in
   generating the maximum earth station e.i.r.p. mask.

   (iii)  If  a  computer  program  that has been approved by the ITU for
   determining compliance with the single-entry EPFDup validation limits is not
   yet  available, the applicant shall provide a computer program for the
   single-entry EPFDup validation computation, including both the source code
   and  the  executable file. This computer program shall be developed in
   accordance with the specification stipulated in the most recent version of
   Recommendation  ITU-R  S.1503.  If the applicant uses the ITU approved
   software, the applicant shall indicate the program name and the version
   used.

   (iv) Identify and describe in detail the necessary input parameters for the
   execution of the computer program identified in paragraph (a)(2)(iii) of
   this section.

   (v) Provide the result of the execution of the computer program described in
   paragraph (a)(2)(iii) of this section by using only the input parameters
   contained in paragraphs (a)(2)(i) and (a)(2)(iv) of this section.

   (b) Ninety days prior to the initiation of service to the public, the NGSO
   FSS system licensee shall submit a comprehensive technical showing for the
   non-geostationary satellite orbit Fixed-Satellite Service (NGSO FSS) system
   in the 10.7-14.5 GHz bands. The technical information shall demonstrate that
   the NGSO FSS system is expected not to operate in excess of the additional
   operational EPFDdown limits and the operational EPFDdown limits as specified
   in § 25.208(i) and (j), and notes 2 and 3 to Table 1L in § 25.208(l). If the
   technical demonstration exceeds the additional operational EPFDdown limits
   or the operational EPFDdown limits at any test points within the United
   States for domestic service and at any test points outside of the United
   States for international service, the NGSO FSS system licensee shall not
   initiate service to the public until the deficiency has been rectified by
   reducing satellite transmission power or other adjustments. This must be
   substantiated by subsequent technical showings. The technical showings
   consist of the following:

   (1) Single-entry additional operational equivalent power flux-density, in
   the space-to-Earth direction, (additional operational EPFDdown) limits. (i)
   Provide a set of anticipated operational power flux density (PFD) masks, on
   the surface of the Earth, for each space station in the NGSO FSS system. The
   anticipated operational PFD masks could be generated by using the method
   specified in the most recent version of ITU-R Recommendation S.1503. In
   particular, the anticipated operational PFD mask shall take into account the
   expected maximum traffic loading distributions and geographic specific
   scheduling  of the actual measured space station antenna patterns (see
   § 25.210(k)). The anticipated operational PFD masks shall also be in an
   electronic form that can be accessed by the computer program contained in
   paragraph (b)(1)(iii) of this section.

   (ii) Identify and describe in detail the assumptions and conditions used in
   generating the anticipated operational power flux-density masks.

   (iii) Provide a computer program for the single-entry additional operational
   EPFDdown verification computation, including both the source code and the
   executable file. This computer program could be developed by using the
   method specified in the most recent version of ITU-R Recommendation S.1503.

   (iv) Identify and describe in detail the necessary input parameters for the
   execution of the additional operational EPFDdown verification computer
   program identified in paragraph (b)(1)(iii) of this section.

   (v) Provide the result, the cumulative probability distribution function of
   EPFD, of the execution of the verification computer program described in
   paragraph (b)(1)(iii) of this section by using only the input parameters
   contained in paragraphs (b)(1)(i) and (iv) of this section for each of the
   submitted test points provided by the Commission. These test points are
   based  on information from U.S.-licensed geostationary satellite orbit
   Fixed-Satellite Service and Broadcasting-Satellite Service operators in the
   10.7-14.5  GHz bands. Each U.S.-licensed geostationary satellite orbit
   Fixed-Satellite Service and Broadcasting-Satellite Service operator in the
   10.7-14.5  GHz  bands may submit up to 10 test points for this section
   containing the latitude, longitude, altitude, azimuth, elevation angle,
   antenna size, efficiency to be used by non-geostationary satellite orbit
   Fixed-Satellite Service licensees in the 10.7-14.5 GHz bands during the
   upcoming year.

   (2) Operational equivalent power flux-density, space-to-Earth direction,
   (operational EPFDdown) limits. Using the information contained in (b)(1) of
   this section plus the measured space station antenna patterns, provide the
   result of the execution of the computer simulation for the anticipated
   in-line operational EPFDdown levels for each of the submitted test points
   provided by the Commission. Submitted test points are based on inputs from
   U.S.-licensed geostationary satellite orbit Fixed-Satellite Service and
   Broadcasting-Satellite Service operators in the 10.7- 14.5 GHz bands. Each
   U.S.-licensed geostationary satellite orbit Fixed-Satellite Service and
   Broadcasting-Satellite Service operator in the 10.7-14.5 GHz bands may
   submit  up to 10 test points for this section containing the latitude,
   longitude, altitude, azimuth, elevation angle, antenna size, efficiency to
   be  used  by non-geostationary satellite orbit Fixed-Satellite Service
   licensees in the 10.7-14.5 GHz bands during the upcoming year.

   (c) [Reserved]

   (d) The Commission may request at any time additional information from the
   NGSO FSS system applicant or licensee concerning the EPFD levels and the
   related technical showings.

   (e) An NGSO FSS system licensee operating a system in compliance with the
   limits  specified  in § 25.208(g), (i), (j), (k), (l), and (m) shall be
   considered as having fulfilled its obligations under ITU Radio Regulations
   Article 22.2 with respect to any GSO network. However, such NGSO FSS system
   shall  not claim protection from GSO FSS and BSS networks operating in
   accordance with part 25 of this chapter and the ITU Radio Regulations.

   (f) Coordination will be required between NGSO FSS systems and GSO FSS earth
   stations in the frequency band 10.7-12.75 GHz when all of the following
   threshold conditions are met:

   (1) Bandwidth overlap; and

   (2) The satellite network using the GSO has specific receive earth stations
   which meet all of the following conditions: earth station antenna maximum
   isotropic gain greater than or equal to 64 dBi; G/T of 44 dB/K or higher;
   and  emission  bandwidth  of 250 MHz; and the EPFDdown radiated by the
   satellite system using the NGSO into the GSO specific receive earth station,
   either within the U.S. for domestic service or any points outside the U.S.
   for  international  service,  as calculated using the ITU software for
   examining compliance with EPFD limits set forth in Article 22 of the ITU
   Radio Regulations exceeds −174.5 dB(W/(m2/40kHz)) for any percentage of time
   for NGSO systems with all satellites only operating at or below 2500 km
   altitude, or −202 dB(W/(m2/40kHz)) for any percentage of time for NGSO
   systems with any satellites operating above 2500 km altitude.

   (3) If there is no ITU software for examining compliance with EPFD limits
   set forth in Article 22 of the ITU Radio Regulations, then the EPFDdown
   coordination trigger is suspended and the requirement for coordination will
   be based on bandwidth overlap and the satellite network using the GSO has
   specific receive earth stations which meet all of the following conditions:
   earth station antenna maximum isotropic gain greater than or equal to 64
   dBi; G/T of 44 dB/K or higher; and emission bandwidth of 250 MHz.

   (g) Operational power flux density, space-to-Earth direction, limits. Ninety
   days prior to the initiation of service to the public, the NGSO FSS system
   licensee shall submit a technical showing for the NGSO FSS system in the
   band 12.2-12.7 GHz. The technical information shall demonstrate that the
   NGSO FSS system is capable of meeting the limits as specified in § 25.208(o).
   Licensees may not provide service to the public if they fail to demonstrate
   compliance with the PFD limits.

   (h) System License. Applicants authorized to construct and launch a system
   of technically identical non-geostationary satellite orbit Fixed-Satellite
   Service satellites will be awarded a single “blanket” license covering a
   specified number of space stations to operate in a specified number of
   orbital planes.

   (i) In addition to providing the information specified in § 25.114, each NGSO
   FSS applicant shall provide the following:

   (1)  A  demonstration that the proposed system is capable of providing
   fixed-satellite services on a continuous basis throughout the fifty states,
   Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands, U.S.; and

   (2)  A  demonstration that the proposed system is capable of providing
   Fixed-Satellite Services to all locations as far north as 70�° North Latitude
   and as far south as 55�° South Latitude for at least 75 percent of every
   24-hour period; and

   (3)  Sufficient  information on the NGSO FSS system characteristics to
   properly model the system in computer sharing simulations, including, at a
   minimum, NGSO hand-over and satellite switching strategies, NGSO satellite
   antenna gain patterns, and NGSO earth station antenna gain patterns. In
   particular, each NGSO FSS applicant must explain the switching protocols it
   uses to avoid transmitting while passing through the geostationary satellite
   orbit arc, or provide an explanation as to how the PFD limits in § 25.208 are
   met without using geostationary satellite orbit arc avoidance. In addition,
   each NGSO FSS applicant must provide the orbital parameters contained in
   Section A.4 of Annex 2A to Appendix 4 of the ITU Radio Regulations (2008).
   Further, each NGSO FSS applicant must provide a sufficient technical showing
   to demonstrate that the proposed non-geostationary satellite orbit system
   meets the PFD limits contained in § 25.208, as applicable, and

   (4) [Reserved]

   (j)-(l) [Reserved]

   (m) Replacement of Space Stations within the System License Term. Licensees
   of NGSO FSS systems in the 10.7-12.7 GHz, 12.75-13.25 GHz and 13.75-14.5 GHz
   frequency bands authorized through a blanket license pursuant to paragraph
   (g)  of this section need not file separate applications to launch and
   operate technically identical replacement satellites within the term of the
   system authorization. However, the licensee shall certify to the Commission,
   at least thirty days prior to launch of such replacement(s) that:

   (1)   The  licensee  intends  to  launch  a  space  station  into  the
   previously-authorized  orbit  that  is  technically identical to those
   authorized in its system authorization and

   (2) Launch of this space station will not cause the licensee to exceed the
   total number of operating space stations authorized by the Commission.

   [ 66 FR 10619 , Feb. 16, 2001, as amended at  67 FR 53510 , Aug. 16, 2002;  68 FR 16447 , Apr. 4, 2003;  68 FR 43946 , July 25, 2003;  68 FR 51505 , Aug. 27, 2003;
    69 FR 31302 , June 3, 2004;  70 FR 59277 , Oct. 12, 2005;  78 FR 8423 , Feb. 6,
   2013;  79 FR 8320 , Feb. 12, 2014]

   return arrow Back to Top