Spectrum Management and Telecommunications

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BPR-6 - Application Procedures and Rules for Multipoint Distribution Television Broadcasting Undertakings (MDS-TV)

Part 6: Application Procedures and Rules for Multipoint Distribution Television Broadcasting Undertakings (MDS-TV)
(PDF, 143 KB, 25 pages)

Provisional
September 1999

Spectrum Management and Telecommunications
Broadcasting Procedures and Rules

Contains the following Amendments:

Section  Page
C-1.1.3: New section with reference to Transport Canada Form 26-0427 added 5
Appendix 2: Spectral mask modified to include resolution bandwidth 21

Table of Contents

Section A International Agreements

Multipoint Distribution Television Systems (MDS-TV) in the 2596 - 2686 MHz frequency band, that are within 80 km of the Canada/USA border, shall comply with the domestic criteria and the agreement of understanding between Canada and the USA. The terms of the agreement are contained in the document entitled "General FCC/Industry Canada Understanding Concerning the Coordination of the 2500 - 2686 MHz Band within 80 km (50 miles) of the USA/Canada Border", dated 1997. In certain border city locations, the number of channels available for use in Canada may be limited. In these areas, assignments may use parameters which differs from those set out in the General FCC/Industry Canada Understanding and will have to be coordinated.

Section B Multipoint Distribution Television Broadcasting Undertakings (MDS-TV) in the 2596 - 2686 MHz Band

B-1 General

This procedure specifies the requirements for the certification of Digital and Analogue MDS-TV services.

The standard television channel is 6 MHz (refer to Table 1 in Appendix 1). Applications may be submitted for multiple channels to transmit analogue NTSC/M signals (one analogue program channel per 6 MHz) or a large number of digital program channels.

The licensing and the certification procedure are the same as that presently followed for other broadcasting undertakings, i.e., a license will be required from the CRTC and a broadcasting certificate from the Department (refer BPR-1, Section 1).

Conditions for the use of the band are contained in the Spectrum Utilization Policy SP 2500 MHz "Spectrum Utilization Policy for the Fixed and Broadcasting Services in the Band 2500 - 2686 MHz".

The 2596 - 2686 MHz band is allocated to several terrestrial and space services. The broadcasting service in this band has similar technical characteristics to that of the fixed services operating in the band 2500 - 2596 MHz (see document SRSP 302.5 "Technical Requirements for Stations in the Fixed Services Operating in the 2500 to 2686 MHz Band"). The allocation and designation of channels for the broadcasting service is shown in Table 1 of Appendix 1.

The assignment of undertakings near the Canada/USA border is subject to the terms of the understanding with the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) in the USA (refer to Section A).

The Department will soon be issuing a document entitled "2500 MHz Multipoint Communications Systems, Policy and Licensing Procedures" to provide guidelines for the assignment of Multipoint Communication Systems (MCS).

B-2 Definitions

B-2.1 Power

The Effective Isotropic Radiated Power (EIRP) is equal to the transmitter power (in dBW) plus the gain (relative to isotropic) of the antenna minus any line losses due to the transmission line. The maximum effective isotropic radiated power (EIRP) at the beam tilt in any direction and for either vertical or horizontal polarization shall not exceed 32 dBW for each 6 MHz channel (–35.8 dBW/Hz).

B-2.2 Effective Antenna Height (EHAAT)

The effective antenna height above average terrain (EHAAT) is the height of the radiation centre of the antenna above the average terrain as averaged for eight radials. The average terrain is the average level of the ground elevation between 3 and 16 km from the transmitter as averaged for eight evenly spaced radials starting from true north.

B-2.3 Centre of Radiation above Ground Level (RCagl)

The Centre of Radiation of an antenna above ground level is the height of the antenna's radiation centre above the actual ground level on which the antenna structure is built.

B-2.4 Maximum Parameters

The maximum parameters of MDS-TV undertakings are an EIRP of 32 dBW and a EHAAT of 200 metres. A 200 m antenna will produce a radio horizon distance of about 70 km over smooth earth, when K = 4/3 and the receiving antenna height above ground is 9 metres using:

D = 4.12[√Ht + √Hr]

Where:

D is the distance to the radio horizon in km
Ht is the height of the transmitter in metres
Hr is the height of the receiver in metres.

EHAATs above 200 metres will be considered as special cases.

B-2.5 Service Area

The service area is defined as the geographic area where an applicant intends to provide MDS-TV programming services to potential customers.

B-2.6 Coverage Area

The coverage area is the area where an MDS-TV undertaking provides actual MDS-TV services. The coverage area is limited by the estimated minimum field strength contour that provides an adequate MDS-TV service.

B-2.7 Gap Fillers

Gap fillers are secondary low power stations that provide local service to areas not adequately served by the main transmitter of the MDS-TV service. These areas can be between the coverage areas of two main stations or within the coverage area of a main station. Gap fillers can use horizontal or vertical polarization.

B-2.8 Coverage Extenders

Coverage extenders are secondary low power stations that extend the service of a main transmitter. Coverage extenders are located outside the coverage area of a main station. Coverage extenders can use horizontal or vertical polarization.

Section C Preparation of Technical Submissions Supporting Applications for Multipoint Distribution Television Broadcasting Undertakings (MDS-TV) in the 2596 - 2686 MHz Band

C-1 Application Requirements

C-1.1 Forms and Documents

All necessary information may be obtained from any of the Department's Regional Offices (Vancouver, Winnipeg, Toronto, Montreal or Moncton) or from the Departmental headquarters in Ottawa. All applications and related forms listed in Section C-1.1.2 below, unless otherwise specified, shall be submitted to the Director, Broadcast Applications, Radiocommunications and Broadcasting Regulatory Branch, Industry Canada, 300 Slater Street, Ottawa, Ontario, K1A 0C8.

C-1.1.2 A complete technical submission shall include the following:

  1. two copies of completed Form IC-2374 "Notice of Retention of Broadcasting Engineering Consultant" advising the Department of the retention of a broadcasting engineering consultant in respect to technical design and brief preparation, should be submitted by the applicant prior to or with the filing of an application, (refer to BPR-1, Section 1.2),
  2. two copies of completed application Form IC-2671 "Application For a Broadcasting Certificate Multipoint Distribution Television (MDS-TV) New Undertaking" should be submitted when applying for new undertaking(s) and IC-2672 "Application for a Broadcasting Certificate Multipoint Distribution Television (MDS-TV) Change of Facilities" for change of technical facilities for existing undertaking(s),
  3. one copy of the Form IC-2586 "Preliminary Environmental Information, Municipal/Land-Use Consultation and Aeronautical Site Clearance Attestation" reproduced in BPR-1, Appendix 3.
  4. five copies of an engineering brief in suitable loose-leaf binders with identifying labels. The brief shall include all the detailed technical information as outlined in Section C-2.
  5. one reproducible copy of a map showing the proposed coverage area (refer to Section C-2.6 and BPR-1, Section 3) and another one showing the comparative coverage area for the change of facilities.

C-1.1.3 Three copies of Transport Canada (TC) Form 26-0427 entitled "Aeronautical Obstruction Clearance Form" shall be completed. Topographic maps showing the elevation contours and the exact location of the antenna site as set forth in section 2 or BPR-1 shall be attached. All shall be submitted directly to the Regional Office of TC for clearance. A copy of TC's letter of aeronautical approval shall be sent to Industry Canada.

Form 26-0427 is obtainable from the Regional Office of Transport Canada or Industry Canada.

C-2 Engineering Brief

The order of material presented in the engineering brief shall be maintained as listed below to simplify processing in the Department. The metric system known as SI (Système International) shall be used throughout the engineering brief.

C-2.1 Title Page

This will show the submission title, type of undertaking proposed, name and address of applicant, name of broadcasting consultant, location of proposed broadcasting undertaking and submission date. In addition, the title page should indicate:

  • The frequency(ies) (channels)
  • The maximum and average effective isotropic radiated power (EIRP) at the beam tilt and the effective antenna height above average terrain (EHAAT)
  • The radiation centre above ground level (RCagl) and the radiation centre above sea level (RCasl) for every transmitting antenna within the service area1 (Section B-2.5)
  • Geographical co-ordinates of every transmitting antenna within the service area1 (Section B-2.5)
  • Polarization of every transmitting antenna within the service area1 (Section B-2.5)
  • Offset information for analogue systems
  • Bandwidth and Emission designation (refer to Engineering Brief) for every channel used.

Note: The maximum or the average EIRP for the analogue systems refer to the envelope power at the peak of the synchronizing pulses of the television video signal. For digital systems, they refer to the average power in a 6 MHz digital channel.

C-2.2 Introduction and/or Purpose

This will consist of a general statement of the purpose of the brief relative to the application.

C-2.3 Transmitting Channel(s)

A brief description of the coordination to be conducted with other MDS-TV and MCS users (refer to Section C-2.7) of the area. The description should include any interference analysis undertaken for the coordination of the proposed service with other services.

For analogue systems, channels may be assigned with a frequency offset of 0, –10 or +10 kHz with respect to the nominal visual carrier frequency. Various densities of QAM and VSB modulation can be used for digital signals.

C-2.4 System-Description and Design

A description of the major components of the system, including a block diagram shall be provided.

For certain applications, the Department may require changes to the design to improve spectrum utilization.

C-2.5 Equipment

(a) Transmitting Antenna(s)

Non-directional or directional transmitting antennas may be used. The antenna(s) shall employ linear polarization. Either horizontal or vertical polarization may be used subject to any co-ordination restraints in the border zone with the USA (refer to Section A). Non-directional antennas are to have a horizontal radiation pattern with variations of less than ± 2 dB from a circular reference.

The planned coverage area may require one or more transmitting sites. For every transmitting site, the antenna specification shall include the type, manufacturer, polarization, average and maximum gains (relative to an isotropic antenna) and the radiation pattern in the horizontal and vertical planes.

To improve the spectrum utilization, the Department may require the use of directional antennas.

(b) Transmitting Equipment

The transmitter used shall be such that the resulting emissions have the following characteristics:

  1. Analogue MDS-TV Services (NTSC Standard)

    The harmonics of the emitted visual and aural carriers shall be attenuated at least 60 dB below the level of the visual peak power output. All other emissions appearing on frequencies outside its channel bandwidth, shall be attenuated at least 40 dB at the edges of the band falling linearly to 50 dB at frequency separation of 0.5 MHz and 1.0 MHz beyond upper and lower band edges respectively and 50 dB thereafter, with the exception that intermodulation products at ± 920 kHz and + 2.66 MHz, with respect to the visual carrier shall be attenuated at least 46 dB below the visual peak output emitted power.

    The visual carrier frequency shall be maintained to ± 500 Hz of its assigned frequency.

    The Department may consider an application for analogue service, proposing the use of a transmitter which has a reduced frequency tolerance, providing the rated visual power of the transmitter does not exceed 5 W per 6 MHz channel. However, in case of interference to other undertakings, or when a better channel utilization is needed, the equipment shall be upgraded to meet the ± 500 Hz standard frequency tolerance. In the case of analogue NTSC transmissions within 80 km of the Canada/USA border, the transmitter(s) shall meet the standard frequency stability (within ± 500 Hz) to permit offset frequency assignments.

  2. Digital MDS-TV Services

    For digital MDS-TV services, the Department requires that out-of-band emissions of the highest and lowest channels used in the multichannel system comply with the spectral mask of Figure 1 of Appendix 2. In addition, to achieve a uniform spectrum across the channel, the digital signal input must be suitably randomized before being modulated. Energy dispersal shall ensure that substantially uniform power spectral density across the occupied bandwidth (within 3 dB from the average) of the signal.

The Department requires a commitment from the applicant that the proposed equipment will be in compliance with the relevant requirements above relating to the spectrum of the emitted field and the frequency tolerance. Furthermore, following the implementation of the MDS-TV service, the operator shall perform the necessary measurements to verify compliance with the above provisions. The operator should keep the measurement data for future reference.

(c) Transmission Lines - Antenna line specifications shall be supplied including manufacturer, type, length and loss in dB. When combiners/filters are used, any loss resulting from the use of these components shall be included.

(d) Down Converters - Emissions in the aeronautical frequency bands 108 - 137 MHz and 332.6 - 335.4 MHz should be avoided. However, if the above bands are used by the down converter, emissions in these bands should be controlled. The use of these bands is regulated by the provision of Section 17 of Radiocommunication Regulations. Section 17 stipulates that explicit authorization is required from Industry Canada before these frequencies are used, and that they must be used subject to and in accordance with all conditions specified in the system's broadcasting certificate. The purpose of these conditions is to protect aeronautical radionavigation and radiocommunication signals. The conditions for authorization and use of these frequencies are under development at Industry Canada.

(e) Modulation - For digital systems, a description of the type of modulation (QAM, VSB, etc) shall be provided. Emission designators are 6M00D7W for QAM and 6M00C7W for VSB

(f) MDS Receivers - The technical standards and requirements for radio apparatus capable of receiving MDS-TV broadcasting are in Section 3.6 (Supplementary Television Broadcasting Receiving Apparatus) of Broadcasting Equipment Technical Standard no. 7 (BETS-7).

C-2.6 Coverage Area Map

A map showing the estimated coverage area (as per Section B-2.6) shall be submitted.

C-2.7 Interference Analysis

The EIRP and the antenna height should be selected such that the power flux density produced at the edge of the service area does not exceed –80 dBW/m2 (66 dBμV/m) using the free-space propagation model.

equation

Where:

EIRP is the power relative to an isotropic radiator in Watts at the azimuth of interest.

ERP is the power relative to a dipole in Watts at the azimuth of interest.

The EIRP and ERP for analog systems refers to the envelope power at the peak of the synchronizing pulses of the television video signal. In the case of digital systems, the ERP or EIRP values refer to the average power in a 6 MHz digital channel.

D is the distance in metres.

For the purpose of this analysis, the expression "services in the same and adjacent areas" means all existing MDS-TV/MCS services and, holders of CRTC licences who are in the process of implementing services. Services in the same area refers to MCS services. Whereas services in the adjacent area refers to MDS-TV and MCS services.

Applicants of MDS-TV services shall coordinate their proposal with the services in the same and adjacent areas. The Department is prepared to accept applications for MDS-TV undertakings provided that there is an agreement between the parties involved.

The Department recognizes that the power flux density limit at the border of the service area does not always provide interference free service when coverage is considered near the border between adjacent service areas. When service implementation near the border of the service area is contemplated, it is required that MDS-TV operators/applicants coordinate coverage objectives among themselves.

MDS-TV undertakings that intend to make service implementations based on a change of facilities (increase of antenna height or EIRP) or higher densities of modulation should coordinate with the services in the same and adjacent areas. Such implementations shall provide the new parameters and a map outlining the new coverage.

For QAM or VSB modulation, an increase in density will result in an increase in program capacity but a reduction of coverage for the same emitted power. Also, higher densities require higher C/I ratios for protection. Proposals to increase the density of an existing undertaking will be approved provided that the undertaking continues to protect services in the same and adjacent areas, and conversely, services in the same and adjacent area will not be required to take measures to protect the new coverage.

Where MDS-TV coverage is hampered by natural obstructions such as hills, wooded areas, etc, coverage extender and gap fillers transmitters may be used to meet coverage objectives. The applicant shall coordinate the addition of these transmitters with the services in the same and adjacent areas if the proposal does not meet the conditions of Section C-2.9.

All existing MDS-TV undertakings in the adjacent areas to the proposed MDS-TV service and all Multipoint Communication Services (MCS) on channel D4 in the same and adjacent areas shall be considered for coordination. Co-sited MCS operations on channel D4 with similar operating parameters to those of MDS-TV do not need coordination.

In all case, the technical details of any agreement shall be submitted to the Department for consideration and approval.

In case of disagreement among the parties involved, the Department may use the criteria in Appendix 2 to resolve the problem. It is to be noted that the technical assumptions in Appendix 2 are made to facilitate coordination among various services. These assumptions do not guarantee interference free reception within any coverage area.

The criteria for interference analyses relative to US assignments near the Canada/USA border are described in the Canada/US Understanding (refer to Section A). Where the protected contour crosses the Canada/USA border, or extends over a domestic body of water, that portion of the border or the shore line lying within the contour shall be treated as the protected contour.

C-2.8 Special Analysis and Commitments

C-2.8.1 Relative to Interference to Other Broadcasting Undertakings

Analysis shall be submitted with appropriate commitments made in regard to all potential interference situations with other broadcasting undertakings as a result of the operation of the proposed MDS-TV facility. The following are some examples of interference possibilities with other broadcasting services that shall be explored:

  1. Ghost reflections of television signals from the new MDS-TV antenna structure(s) (refer to Section C-7, BPR-4);
  2. Distortion of AM radiation patterns by the new MDS-TV tower(s) located in the vicinity of an AM antenna array.

C-2.8.2 RF Exposure Analysis

The applicant shall provide an RF exposure analysis (refer to BPR-1, Section 8.2).

C-2.8.3 Environmental Assessment

The applicant shall comply with the requirements of the environmental assessment procedure of BPR-1, Section 8.1.

C-2.8.4 Notification to Municipalities/Land-Use Authorities

The applicant shall notify the municipalities/land-use authorities. The applicant shall submit a completed copy of the "Preliminary Environmental Information, Municipal/Land-Use Consultation and Aeronautical Site Clearance Attestation" reproduced in BPR-1, Appendix 3.

An applicant for a new MDS-TV undertaking or for changes to an existing undertaking shall submit a notice to the local municipality(ies) where transmitters are located stating his or her intention to operate an MDS-TV undertaking in the area. The purpose of this notice is to provide the municipal authority with an opportunity to consider the implication of the proposed antenna structure(s) and site. The municipal authority may file a written objection to the proposed facilities with the appropriate Departmental District Office. The applicant and the municipal authority shall resolve all municipal problems and objections. Failing this, the Department will consider all factors pertaining to the application, as well as the municipal comments, and render a final decision.

C-2.8.5 Notification to the CRTC

The applicant shall submit a map showing the coverage (refer to Section B-2.6) of all individual transmitters within the service area. The coverage may be calculated using the values of protected contours and the field strength prediction method described in Appendix 2.

C-2.9 Gap Fillers and Coverage Extenders

A detailed engineering brief (as per Section C-1.1.2 d) is not required for gap fillers and coverage extenders that produce less a than –115 dBW/m2 (31 dBμV/m) at the edge of the service area using the free-space propagation model. However, the applicant shall notify to the Department the operating parameters of the low power station that conforms to the above condition and provide a map showing the estimated coverage. The required parameters for notification are listed in Section C-2.1. In addition, for coverage extenders, a copy of this notification shall also be sent to the service providers in the adjacent service areas. Gap fillers and coverage extenders are subject to all applicable analyses and commitments under Section C-2.8 above.

All gap fillers and coverage extenders within 80 km from the Canada/US border are subject to the provisions of the Canada/US Understanding.

C-3 Data Using Excess Capacity

MDS-TV broadcasting undertakings wishing to transmit data using the excess capacity of the individual digital channels shall submit a description of the data to the Department for an amendment to the broadcasting certificate. If the data service is intended for the reception of the general public, an approval is required by the CRTC.

In addition to broadcast related applications, the excess data capacity may be used for communication services. Data communication using excess capacity is authorized under the Radiocommunication Act and Radiocommunication Regulations and is subject to the applicable authorization fee and to any requirements under the Telecommunications Act.

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