§ 25.264   Requirements to facilitate reverse-band operation in the 17.3-17.8
GHz band of 17/24 GHz Broadcasting-satellite Service and Direct Broadcast
Satellite Service space stations.

   (a)  Each  applicant  for  a  space  station  license in the 17/24 GHz
   broadcasting-satellite service (BSS) must provide a series of tables or
   graphs with its application, that contain the predicted transmitting antenna
   off-axis gain information for each transmitting antenna in the 17.3-17.8 GHz
   frequency band. Using a Cartesian coordinate system wherein the X axis is
   tangent  to  the geostationary orbital arc with the positive direction
   pointing east, i.e., in the direction of travel of the satellite; the Y axis
   is parallel to a line passing through the geographic north and south poles
   of the Earth, with the positive direction pointing south; and the Z axis
   passes through the satellite and the center of the Earth, with the positive
   direction  pointing  toward  the Earth, the applicant must provide the
   predicted transmitting antenna off-axis antenna gain information:

   (1) In the X-Z plane, i.e., the plane of the geostationary orbit, over a
   range of ±30 degrees from the positive and negative X axes in increments of
   5 degrees or less.

   (2) In planes rotated from the X-Z plane about the Z axis, over a range of
   ±60 degrees relative to the equatorial plane, in increments of 10 degrees or
   less.

   (3) In both polarizations.

   (4) At a minimum of three measurement frequencies determined with respect to
   the entire portion of the 17.3-17.8 GHz frequency band over which the space
   station is designed to transmit: 5 MHz above the lower edge of the band; at
   the band center frequency; and 5 MHz below the upper edge of the band.

   (5) Over a greater angular measurement range, if necessary, to account for
   any planned spacecraft orientation bias or change in operating orientation
   relative to the reference coordinate system. The applicant must also explain
   its reasons for doing so.

   (b) Each applicant for a space station license in the 17/24 GHz BSS must
   provide power flux density (pfd) calculations with its application that are
   based upon the predicted off-axis transmitting antenna gain information
   submitted in accordance with paragraph (a) of this section, as follows:

   (1) The pfd calculations must be provided at the location of all prior-filed
   U.S.  DBS  space  stations where the applicant's pfd level exceeds the
   coordination trigger of −117 dBW/m2/100 kHz in the 17.3-17.8 GHz band. In
   this rule, the term prior-filed U.S. DBS space station refers to any Direct
   Broadcast Satellite service space station application that was filed with
   the Commission (or authorization granted by the Commission) prior to the
   filing of the 17/24 GHz BSS application containing the predicted off-axis
   transmitting antenna gain information. The term prior-filed U.S. DBS space
   station does not include any applications (or authorizations) that have been
   denied, dismissed, or are otherwise no longer valid. Prior-filed U.S. DBS
   space stations may include foreign-licensed DBS space stations seeking
   authority  to  serve  the  United  States  market,  but do not include
   foreign-licensed DBS space stations that have not filed applications with
   the Commission for market access in the United States.

   (2)  The pfd calculations must take into account the maximum permitted
   longitudinal station-keeping tolerance, orbital inclination and orbital
   eccentricity of both the 17/24 GHz BSS and DBS space stations, and must:

   (i) Identify each prior-filed U.S. DBS space station at whose location the
   coordination threshold pfd level of −117 dBW/m2/100 kHz is exceeded; and

   (ii) Demonstrate the extent to which the applicant's transmissions in the
   17.3-17.8 GHz band exceed the threshold pfd level of −117 dBW/m2/100 kHz at
   those prior-filed U.S. DBS space station locations.

   (3) If the calculated pfd level is in excess of the threshold level of −117
   dBW/m2/100 kHz at the location of any prior-filed U.S. DBS space station,
   the applicant must also provide with its application certification that all
   affected DBS operators acknowledge and do not object to the applicants
   higher off-axis pfd levels. No such certification is required in cases where
   the DBS and 17/24 GHz BSS assigned operating frequencies do not overlap.

   (c) No later than 9 months prior to launch, each 17/24 GHz BSS space station
   applicant or authorization holder must confirm the predicted transmitting
   antenna   off-axis   gain  information  provided  in  accordance  with
   § 25.114(d)(15)(iv) by submitting measured transmitting antenna off-axis gain
   information  over  the  angular  ranges,  measurement  frequencies and
   polarizations described in paragraphs (a)(1) through (5) of this section.
   The transmitting antenna off-axis gain information should be measured under
   conditions as close to flight configuration as possible.

   (d) No later than 9 months prior to launch, each 17/24 GHz BSS space station
   applicant or authorization holder must provide pfd calculations based upon
   the  measured  transmitting  antenna off-axis gain information that is
   submitted in accordance with paragraph (c) of this section as follows:

   (1) The pfd calculations must be provided:

   (i) At the location of all prior-filed U.S. DBS space stations as defined in
   paragraph (b)(1) of this section, where the applicant's pfd level in the
   17.3-17.8 GHz band exceeds the coordination trigger of −117 dBW/m2/100 kHz;
   and

   (ii) At the location of any subsequently-filed U.S. DBS space station where
   the applicant's pfd level in the 17.3-17.8 GHz band exceeds the coordination
   trigger of −117 dBW/m2/100 kHz. In this rule, the term subsequently-filed
   U.S. DBS space station refers to any Direct Broadcast Satellite service
   space  station  application  that  was  filed  with the Commission (or
   authorization granted by the Commission) after the 17/24 GHz BSS operator
   submitted the predicted data required by paragraphs (a) through (b) of this
   section, but prior to the time the 17/24 GHz BSS operator submitted the
   measured data required in this paragraph. Subsequently-filed U.S. DBS space
   stations may include foreign-licensed DBS space stations seeking authority
   to  serve  the  United  States  market.  The term does not include any
   applications (or authorizations) that have been denied, dismissed, or are
   otherwise no longer valid, nor does it include foreign-licensed DBS space
   stations that have not filed applications with the Commission for market
   access in the United States.

   (2)  The pfd calculations must take into account the maximum permitted
   longitudinal station-keeping tolerance, orbital inclination and orbital
   eccentricity of both the 17/24 GHz BSS and DBS space stations, and must:

   (i) Identify each prior-filed U.S. DBS space station at whose location the
   coordination threshold pfd level of −117 dBW/m2/100 kHz is exceeded; and

   (ii)  Demonstrate  the  extent  to which the applicant's or licensee's
   transmissions in the 17.3-17.8 GHz band exceed the threshold pfd level of
   −117 dBW/m2/100 kHz at those prior-filed U.S. DBS space station locations.

   (e)  If  the  pfd level calculated from the measured data submitted in
   accordance with paragraph (d) of this section is in excess of the threshold
   pfd level of −117 dBW/m2/100 kHz:

   (1) At the location of any prior-filed U.S. DBS space station as defined in
   paragraph (b)(1) of this section, then the 17/24 GHz broadcasting-satellite
   operator must either:

   (i) Coordinate its operations that are in excess of the threshold pfd level
   of −117 dBW/m2/100 kHz with the affected prior-filed U.S. DBS space station
   operator, or

   (ii)  Adjust  its  operating parameters so that at the location of the
   prior-filed U.S. DBS space station, the pfd level of −117 dBW/m2/100 kHz is
   not exceeded.

   (2) At the location of any subsequently-filed U.S. DBS space station as
   defined in paragraph (d)(1) of this section, where the pfd level submitted
   in accordance with paragraph (d) of this section, is also in excess of the
   pfd  level  calculated on the basis of the predicted data submitted in
   accordance with paragraph (a) of this section that were on file with the
   Commission at the time the DBS space station application was filed, then the
   17/24 GHz broadcasting-satellite operator must either:

   (i) Coordinate with the affected subsequently-filed U.S. DBS space station
   operator all of its operations that are either in excess of the pfd level
   calculated on the basis of the predicted antenna off-axis gain data, or are
   in excess of the threshold pfd level of −117 dBW/m2/100 kHz, whichever is
   greater, or

   (ii)  Adjust  its  operating parameters so that at the location of the
   subsequently-filed U.S. DBS space station, either the pfd level calculated
   on the basis of the predicted off-axis transmitting antenna gain data, or
   the threshold pfd level of −117 dBW/m2/100 kHz, whichever is greater, is not
   exceeded.

   (3) No coordination or adjustment of operating parameters is required in
   cases where the DBS and 17/24 GHz BSS operating frequencies do not overlap.

   (f) The 17/24 GHz BSS applicant or licensee must modify its license, or
   amend its application, as appropriate, based upon new information:

   (1) If the pfd levels submitted in accordance with paragraph (d) of this
   section, are in excess of those submitted in accordance with paragraph (b)
   of this section at the location of any prior-filed or subsequently-filed
   U.S. DBS space station as defined in paragraphs (b)(1) and (d)(1)of this
   section, or

   (2)  If the 17/24 GHz BSS operator adjusts its operating parameters in
   accordance with paragraphs (e)(1)(ii) or (e)(2)(ii) or this section.

   (g) Absent an explicit agreement between operators to permit more closely
   spaced operations, U.S. authorized 17/24 GHz BSS space stations and U.S.
   authorized DBS space stations with co-frequency assignments may not be
   licensed to operate at locations separated by less than 0.2 degrees in
   orbital longitude.

   (h) All operational 17/24 GHz BSS space stations must be maintained in
   geostationary orbits that:

   (1) Do not exceed 0.075° of inclination.

   (2) Operate with an apogee less than or equal to 35,806 km above the surface
   of the Earth, and with a perigee greater than or equal to 35,766 km above
   the surface of the Earth (i.e., an eccentricity of less than 4.7 × 10−4).

   (i)  U.S. authorized DBS networks may claim protection from space path
   interference arising from the reverse-band operations of U.S. authorized
   17/24 GHz BSS networks to the extent that the DBS space station operates
   within the bounds of inclination and eccentricity listed below. When the
   geostationary  orbit  of the DBS space station exceeds these bounds on
   inclination  and  eccentricity,  it  may not claim protection from any
   additional space path interference arising as a result of its inclined or
   eccentric operations and may only claim protection as if it were operating
   within the bounds listed below:

   (1) The DBS space station's orbit does not exceed 0.075° of inclination, and

   (2) The DBS space station's orbit maintains an apogee less than or equal to
   35,806 km above the surface of the Earth, and a perigee greater than or
   equal to 35,766 km above the surface of the Earth (i.e., an eccentricity of
   less than 4.7 × 10−4).

   [ 76 FR 50431 , Aug. 15, 2011]

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