BPR-1 — Part I: General Rules

5. Requirements for the Technical Operation of Broadcasting Transmitter Facilities

5.1 These operational requirements apply to broadcasting undertakings that have received their broadcasting certificates.

5.1.1 The holder of a broadcasting certificate for a transmitter facility is responsible for maintaining frequency, modulation, antenna radiation patterns (directional and omnidirectional), and total power within permitted tolerances at all times. Minimum requirements for controlling, measuring and monitoring a broadcast transmitter facilities are specified in Section 5.3.

5.2 Compliance with the minimum requirements may be achieved either by operating the plant under local control (attended) or under remote control (unattended). If the facility is normally operated unattended via a remote control system and that system fails, the facility shall be operated under local control until the remote control system is again operative.

5.3 The minimum requirements for controlling, measuring and monitoring of transmitter facilities are as follows:

5.3.1 Controls:

1. Carrier ON-OFF.
2. For AM stations, selection of day and night power and/or radiation pattern selection where applicable.
3. Overload reset, if applicable.

5.3.2 Accurate Measurements:

1. Frequency: The carrier frequency shall be measured.
2. Modulation: For analog transmitters, peak modulation under normal program conditions shall be measured.
3. Power: The power output of the transmitter shall be measured by either a permanently installed calibrated power meter¹ or by connecting a calibrated external power measuring device to a transmitter port. For AM transmitters, measurements shall be made of the RF current at the transmitter output or at the common point. For an AM transmitter with directional antenna(s), measurements shall also be made of the tower currents (or ratios) and phases for each radiation pattern certified.

5.3.3 Additional Aspects Associated with Accurate Measurements

Normally, the accurate measurements in 5.3.2 shall be made monthly except for FM modulation where the measurements shall be carried out weekly.¹ However, if the broadcaster requests that accurate measurements be taken less frequently and can demonstrate to the satisfaction of the Department that frequency, modulation and power remain stable, the Department may permit measurements to be made and logged less frequently.

Measurements in 5.3.2 shall be logged and the logs retained for inspection by the Department for a minimum period of six years for AM undertakings and two years for others. Also, any significant plant abnormalities and corrective action taken shall be logged.

Furthermore, as it is the responsibility of the holder of the broadcasting certificate to maintain the plant within permitted tolerances at all times, if any parameter is out of tolerance at the time of accurate measurements, then corrective action shall be taken and more frequent measurements shall be made until the parameter is reset within tolerance.

5.3.4 Monitoring

During periods between accurate measurements, undertakings shall be monitored either locally at the transmitter or remotely.

Rebroadcasting undertakings from which the off-air signals are not available at the control point shall be monitored by a person designated by the holder of the broadcasting certificate. Communication between monitoring and control points shall be available.

Monitoring of RF power (visual transmitter power for TV undertakings) may be accomplished from either a direct monitoring method, or RF field strength. The minimum requirement is an indication from an "S" meter incorporated into a suitable monitor receiver at the control point, or an indication from a fixed-tuned receiver of the signal strength during the synchronizing peak for TV signals.

Undertakings shall be capable of being monitored continuously as follows:

5.3.4.1 AM Undertakings

AM transmitters may be monitored with a fixed-tuned receiver. At the control point, there shall be available a means for monitoring modulation, such as:

• an audio level meter connected to the output of the receiver,
• an oscilloscope displaying the modulated RF signal,
• any other audible or visible signalling device which will indicate the level of modulation.

In all cases, the off-air program audio shall be available at the control point for monitoring subjective quality and modulation.

For directional arrays, indication of additional antenna parameters may be required at the control point.

5.3.4.2 FM Undertakings

For monitoring modulation, an audio level meter driven by the receiver shall be visible at the control point, or an alternative audible or visible signalling device which will indicate the level of modulation that may be used. The off-air program audio shall be available at the control point for monitoring subjective quality and modulation; if applicable, facilities shall also be provided for aural monitoring of stereophonic and other signals.

5.3.4.3 TV Undertakings

Undertakings that have manned control facilities within reach of off-air signals shall have at their disposal:

• a demodulated off-air TV signal together with picture and waveform monitors;
• a means of indicating the depth of the modulation of the visual carrier; and
• a means of monitoring aural program level and quality.

Monitoring of RF power of the aural transmitter may be interpreted from transmission line power, voltage or current, plate current, or RF field strength. Remote monitoring of aural RF power is not mandatory.

5.3.4.4 Analog MDS transmission facilities

Monitoring of the RF power of the individual channels shall be performed when requested by the Department.

5.3.4.5 Other digital transmission facilities (Digital MDS, DRB, DTV, S-DARS)

Monitoring of the RF power shall be performed when requested by the Department.

5.3.4.6 Continuous Monitoring

Broadcasting undertakings that utilize remote control calibrated monitoring systems

• to monitor the critical operating parameters listed in Sections 5.3.2 and 5.3.4,
• to immediately report out-of-tolerance conditions to the control point(s),
• to log out-of-tolerance conditions,

shall be considered as meeting the monitoring requirements of Section 5 provided that corrective measures are initiated as soon as out-of-tolerance conditions are detected (see Section 5.3.3 on accurate measurements).

Where the broadcasting undertakings utilize such remote control and monitoring systems, the measurements referenced in 5.3.2, and any appropriate recalibration of the monitoring system, shall be conducted and logged during regular maintenance visits.

5.4 The holder of a broadcasting certificate is responsible for ensuring that the painting and lighting of antenna support structures are maintained in accordance with current Transport Canada requirements.

5.5 Description of Technical Facilities

The applicant for a broadcasting certificate shall submit to the Director, Broadcasting Applications, prior to "on-air" operation, a description of the technical facilities at his/her disposal enabling them to comply with the minimum requirements specified in Section 5.3 above. The submission shall include:

5.5.1 Transmitter manufacturer, model and departmental technical acceptance certificate (TAC) number. The requirement for a TAC does not apply to digital transmitters.

5.5.2 A description of the monitoring and the out-of-tolerance reporting system where the facilities are monitored on a continuous basis as described in 5.3.4.6 above.

5.5.3 A list of equipment available for the accurate measurements required in 5.3.2. If the measuring equipment does not normally remain at the transmitter plant, its normal location and availability shall be specified.

5.5.4 A list of equipment available for monitoring as in 5.3.4.

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6. Requirements for the Establishment of Auxiliary Transmitting Systems

6.1 Introduction

6.1.1 Many broadcasting undertakings find it expedient to provide auxiliary transmitting systems to ensure continuity of service in the event of failure of the main transmitting system or for periods of maintenance. This action is in the public interest and every encouragement is given to licensees to equip their undertakings in this manner.

6.1.2 In order to comply with the provisions of the Radiocommunication Act and international agreements, and to maintain an appropriate engineering standard of equipment and installation, the requirements as outlined in this section have been put into place.

6.1.3 Authority is required for the installation and use of any auxiliary transmitting system. Applications for authority to establish alternate or standby facilities shall be made to the Director, Broadcasting Applications Engineering using departmental form IC-3051A, Application for LP or VLP Undertaking or for Auxiliary Transmitter, which can be found on the Department's website at http://www.ic.gc.ca/eic/site/smt-gst.nsf/eng/sf08993.html.

Authority to establish an emergency transmitting system shall be obtained from the responsible local Industry Canada office.

6.1.4 Nothing contained herein relieves the licensee of his/her responsibilities under the Radiocommunication Regulations relating to the control of undertakings in a national emergency.

6.2 Definitions and Usage

6.2.1 Main Transmitter:

A broadcasting transmitter in respect of which a TAC has been issued with rated power output as authorized, and which is primarily used to provide the service for which the undertaking is licensed.

6.2.2 Auxiliary Transmitters

(a) Alternate Transmitter:

A broadcasting transmitter in respect of which a TAC has been issued with the same rated power and electrical characteristics as the main transmitter and which is used alternately with the main transmitter to provide the service for which the undertaking is licensed.

(b) Standby Transmitter:

A broadcasting transmitter in respect of which a TAC has been issued which is used to maintain some continuity of service in the event of failure of the main or alternate transmitter. This transmitter may also be used during specified periods when maintenance is being carried out on the main transmitter. The power or the coverage required of a standby transmitter is specified in Section 6.3.2.

(c) Emergency Transmitter:

An unplanned broadcasting transmitter installation used to provide continuity of service necessitated by unforeseen circumstances beyond the control of the undertaking licensee. The operation of such systems shall be limited to a duration of two weeks. Authority may be obtained from the responsible departmental local office. Otherwise, the provisions of Section 6.5 hereunder apply.

The maximum powers for these emergency operations for the various broadcasting services are as follows:

AM Broadcasting - 250 watts

FM Broadcasting - 1 kW e.r.p.

Television - 1 kW e.r.p.

Emergency transmitters, if not issued a TAC, shall comply with technical requirements dealing with frequency tolerance, spurious, harmonic radiation and safety. It is strongly recommended that these emergency transmitters comply with as many as possible of the other requirements as well.

6.3 Location of Main and Auxiliary Transmitters

6.3.1 Main and Alternate Transmitters

Main and alternate transmitters shall be located at the main transmitter site as shown on the broadcasting certificate and shall operate into the antenna system which has been approved for the undertaking's power and frequency. In all respects, the two transmitters shall be completely interchangeable without measurable effect on the signal in any direction.

6.3.2 Standby Transmitters

Standby transmitters may be located at either the main transmitter site, or some other approved site and shall operate into either the main or some other approved antenna system.

The location and parameters of the standby operation shall be such that the local service contour would enclose the principal population centre which the undertaking is licensed to serve. The power of AM standby transmitter located in a metropolitan area shall not exceed 250 watts.

6.3.3 Emergency Transmitters

Emergency transmitting systems are unplanned installations, and their necessity results from unforeseen circumstances beyond the control of the undertaking licensee. The operation of such systems shall be limited to a duration of two weeks. Authority may be obtained from the departmental District Office. Otherwise, the provisions of Section 6.5 hereunder apply.

6.4 Maintenance and Operation

The requirements of Section 5 shall apply to alternate and standby facilities. When alternate, standby or emergency transmitters are used, a log shall be kept covering each operation with an explanation of the circumstances and the necessity for such an operation.

6.4.1 Identification of Undertakings During Standby or Emergency Operation

6.4.1.1 Undertakings shall identify hourly during times of standby or emergency operation and shall include an indication that the undertaking is operating with reduced power and with a different antenna location where applicable.

6.4.1.2 Since AM broadcasting undertakings are used extensively as aids to aeronautical navigation, it is very important that the exact transmitter site be known. Therefore, when circumstances make it necessary to operate an AM standby or emergency transmitter at a location different from the main transmitter, the following information shall be given in an announcement made every 15 minutes: the call sign and nominal location of the undertaking; a statement to the effect that a standby or emergency transmitter is being used; and a sufficiently clear descriptive name for the actual transmitter location to identify it as distinct from the main transmitter site. Example: "CALL Podunk, broadcasting from our standby transmitter located at our main studio in the Forum Building in downtown Podunk."

6.5 Special Case Operations

There may be exceptional circumstances requiring the operation of auxiliary facilities other than those described herein. Such requirements shall be submitted to the Director, Broadcasting Applications Engineering, and will be dealt with on a case-by-case basis.

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7. Assignment and Identification Requirements for Broadcasting Undertakings

7.1 Introduction

7.1.1 Article 19 of the ITU Radio Regulations requires that the identification of broadcasting stations be done through the use of call signs. In Canada, this requirement is reflected in the Radiocommunication Regulations section 18, in these Broadcasting Procedures and Rules and in Broadcasting Equipment Technical Standard 11, Technical Requirements Respecting the Identification of Broadcasting Stations (BETS-11). Call signs do not apply to MDS and S-DARS broadcasting stations.

7.2 Assignment of Call Signs

7.2.1 The call sign shall be used for the identification of the broadcasting station by the main program and optionally by ancillary programs. Special call signs will not be issued for ancillary channels (e.g. SCMO) and for DRB ancillary services.

7.2.2 The call signs in the list developed by the Department begin with one of the letter groupings CF, CH, CI, CJ or CK, which constitute a subset of the letters that have been assigned to Canada under the ITU (see ITU Radio Regulations, Article 19 and Appendix 42). By special arrangement, broadcasting undertakings owned and operated by the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation can be assigned call signs beginning with CB. The use of CB does not apply to HF broadcasting.

7.2.3 The basic call signs are made up of four letters, the first two taken from the list given in Section 7.2.2 above. In special cases, three-letter call signs will be used for national network undertakings. Suffixes FM, TV, DR and DT will identify FM, TV, DRB and DTV undertakings respectively. Numerical suffixes will be appended to identify rebroadcasting undertakings, where the same basic call sign is assigned to the originating as well as to the rebroadcasting undertaking (rebroadcasting undertakings are those that broadcast simultaneously the programs of another undertaking for at least half of the broadcasting schedule).

If a specific call sign is not required by the applicant, special call signs consisting of two letters and four digits will be used for satellite-fed low-power FM² and TV undertakings which have no local programming i.e. VF2000 to VF9999 for FM and CH2000 to CH9999 for TV.

7.2.4 The call sign shall be selected by the applicant at the time of submitting an application for a broadcasting certificate and a broadcasting licence.³ It shall be selected from the list of available call signs which Industry Canada has posted at its website (see Section 1.4.3). The selected call sign will be reserved for the period that the application is considered active. Information concerning the call sign may be obtained by examining the application for the broadcasting certificate which is on file at the Department, after the CRTC has published its public notice relative to the related licence application.

7.3 Identification of Broadcasting Undertakings

7.3.1 Pursuant to the Radiocommunication Regulations, section 18 and to BETS-11, the holder of a broadcasting certificate shall identify the broadcasting station by a voice announcement in English or French, giving the call sign - by articulating each letter and number in the call sign, and by giving the principal city or community that is served by the undertaking. For TV undertakings, the voice announcement may be replaced by a visual announcement of not less than three seconds in duration that identifies the call sign and the principal city or community that is served by the undertaking. The announcement is to be made every hour, on the hour. Where a program is of more than one hour in duration, the announcement shall be made within 10 minutes of the hour, except where it is necessary to retain the continuity of a program in its entirety without interruption, in which case the announcement may be made at the beginning and at the end of the program.

7.3.2 If a broadcasting undertaking is associated with a rebroadcasting undertaking that is unable to originate its own identification, the holder of the broadcasting certificate in respect to that rebroadcasting undertaking may comply with the requirements of Section 7.3.1 by having an arrangement between the rebroadcasting undertaking and the broadcasting undertaking wherein the broadcasting undertaking identifies the rebroadcasting undertaking at least once a day.

7.3.3 Sections 7.3.1 and 7.3.2 do not apply to a rebroadcasting undertaking that is unable to originate its own identification, if the broadcasting certificate issued in respect of that rebroadcasting undertaking specifies that the rebroadcasting undertaking:

1. has been assigned a radio frequency without protection from interference by another broadcasting undertaking;
2. shall not cause interference to the operation of any broadcasting undertaking; and
3. is located outside any zone within Canada that, by virtue of any agreement between Canada and any other country, requires Canada to obtain the concurrence of that other country for the establishment of that rebroadcasting undertaking.

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8. Assessment of Exposure to RF Energy

8.1 Introduction

Health Canada has issued Limits of Human Exposure to Radiofrequency Electromagnetic Fields in the Frequency Range from 3 kHz to 300 GHz - Safety Code 6, which sets out safety requirements for the installation and use of stationary radiofrequency apparatus that operate in the frequency range 3 kHz to 300 GHz. Broadcasters are to ensure that their facilities are designed, installed and operated to meet Safety Code 6 requirements concerning the protection of the general public. To this end, the engineering brief submitted in support of an application for a broadcasting certificate shall contain an analysis of RF exposure levels.

8.2 Purpose

The purpose of this RF exposure procedure is:

1. to describe the departmental process with respect to the analysis and the technical acceptability of applications;
2. to recommend prediction methods to determine compliance with Safety Code 6;
3. to specify the responsibility with respect to the protection of the general public from exposure to RF energy.

8.3 Method of Analysis

For most broadcasting transmitting facilities, the contribution of non-broadcasting sources is minimal. These contributions need not be calculated except for certain RF exposure situations where broadcasting and non-broadcasting facilities have similar powers. Industry Canada will normally accept analyses of non-broadcasting contributions based on the HIFIELD method. In all cases, the Department reserves the right to ask for detailed calculations taking into account all contributing sources at the site. The Department will also accept actual measurements for existing facilities as part of the analysis.

Exposure limits specified in Safety Code 6 vary as a function of frequency. Where exposure to radiofrequency energy is caused by more than one source, compliance with exposure limits may be verified by the summing of the contribution of individual sources expressed as a fraction of the exposure limit for all radiocommunication and broadcasting systems in the area under consideration.

The fractional contribution is expressed as a fraction of the exposure limit at the pertinent frequency:

(1)

Where:

F_i = the fractional contribution of each source.
P_i = the power density produced by each source.
S_i = exposure limit at the pertinent frequency.

In the case of broadcasting, each fractional contribution for FM, DRB, TV, DTV, MDS and S-DARS undertakings is calculated using either of the following:

(2)

Where:

k = 1 for single polarization FM, DTV, DRB, MDS and S-DARS terrestrial transmitters
   = 2 for dual or circularly polarized FM and DTV undertakings
   = 0.7 for horizontally polarized NTSC TV undertakings
   = 1.4 for dual or circularly polarized NTSC TV undertakings
ERP = Maximum ERP for the individual station, in watts
d = shortest unobstructed distance from ground or any location accessible to the public to the centre of radiation of the transmitting antenna, in metres
P_si = Exposure limit expressed as power density in W/m² at the pertinent frequency
E_si = Exposure limit expressed as electric field in V/m at the pertinent frequency
H_si = Exposure limit expressed as magnetic field in A/m at the pertinent frequency

The total exposure level for a given radio environment is then given by:

(3)

Where:

F = total fractional contribution of all sources
N = number of radio frequency sources under consideration

For compliance with Safety Code 6, the value of F must be less than unity.

Out-of-band emissions from a given source have been considered in estimating the exposure situation in a given radio environment taking into consideration filtering and antenna discrimination that takes place.

The exposure analysis for DRB should be based on the ERP of the RF channel regardless of how many program channels are carried by a DRB facility.

For AM broadcasting undertakings, the Department recommends the use of Table 1 of Appendix 2 as a method to evaluate the distance from individual towers of the antenna array where exposure to radio frequency energy is predicted to exceed the safety limit.

8.4 Conditions for Technical Acceptability

(1) Standalone low-power and very low-power FM, TV, S-DARS, and DTV undertakings may be exempted from any analysis if the applicant can demonstrate that the general public will not have access to the area within the distance given in Table 2, Appendix 2, provided that the overall contribution from other radio apparatus in the vicinity is considered non significant.

(2) For all other FM, DRB, TV, S-DARS and DTV undertakings, calculate F_i for the proposed application alone, assuming an isotropic source using the maximum value of the proposed ERP_i (equation  2 of Section 8.3), or use the HIFIELD program (Estimation of the Power Densities Near VHF and UHF Broadcasting Transmitting Sites), as developed jointly by the Department and the industry. For AM undertakings, use Table 1 of Appendix 2 to predict F_i at distance d as defined in Section 8.3.

If F_i ≤ 0.01 (i.e. 1% of the exposure limit), then compliance is presumed. The Department may however, at its discretion, require further analysis if needed.

(3) If the 1 % limit in step 2 is exceeded, the analysis should be repeated taking into account the contribution of the proposed facility, as well as those of all radio frequency apparatus in the vicinity.

(a) Evaluated Total Exposure < Exposure Limit - 3 dB

If the evaluated total exposure is at least 3 dB below the exposure limit, compliance is presumed and no further analysis is needed.

(b) Exposure Limit - 3 dB < Evaluated Total Exposure < Exposure Limit

If the evaluated total exposure is within 3 dB of the exposure limit without exceeding the limit, technical acceptability could be granted under the condition that the applicant undertakes measurements once the proposed facility is built and turned on for testing. Alternatively, the applicant may propose and install mitigation measures. In all cases, the applicant must demonstrate compliance with Safety Code 6 before the Department issues the broadcasting certificate. Refer to GL-01, Guidelines for the Measurement for Radio Frequency Fields at Frequencies from 3 kHz to 300 GHz, for recommended measurement procedures and determination of compliance and GL-02, Guidelines for the Protection of the General Public in Compliance with Safety Code 6, for the description of recommended mitigation measures. These guidelines are available on the Department's website at http://www.ic.gc.ca/eic/site/smt-gst.nsf/eng/h_sf06009.html.

(c) Exposure Limit < Evaluated Total Exposure

If the evaluated total exposure is predicted to exceed the exposure limit, the proposal shall include the necessary measures to assure compliance with Safety Code 6. Otherwise, it will be considered technically unacceptable.

Note: Evaluated Total Exposure is the predicted exposure from the facilities, or the sum of the measured levels of the existing exposure and the predicted levels from the proposed facilities.

8.5 Contact Currents

It is to be noted that undertakings operating in the frequency range up to 30 MHz (e.g. AM and HF broadcasting undertakings) may induce an alternating electric potential on ungrounded or poorly grounded metallic objects in the vicinity of antenna(s). If a person touches such objects, RF currents will flow through the person to the ground and the current levels will depend on a number of factors. Taking measurements is the only reliable way to ensure compliance with Safety Code 6 for such undertakings. Section 2.2.3 of the Code specifies the exposure limits and Appendix V, Section C1 provides the appropriate technical references for the suitable test circuit to be used in conducting these measurements.

8.6 Operational Considerations

8.6.1 Under the conditional technical acceptability (Section 8.4(3)(b)), if measurements uncover areas that exceed the exposure limit, then immediate action must be taken by the applicant to remedy the situation.

1. Mitigating measures recommended in Safety Code 6 can be found on Industry Canada's website in the Guidelines for the Protection of the General Public in Compliance with Safety Code 6 (see 8.4(3)(b) above).
2. Where mitigating measures cannot be applied, the applicant shall reduce transmitter power and/or adjust the antenna system or take other measures even to the extent of closing down the broadcasting facility to comply with Safety Code 6.

8.6.2 In all cases, the Department reserves the right to request the measurement of the exposure at a site, before or after the construction of the undertaking.

8.6.3 Compliance to Safety Code 6 is an ongoing responsibility for the operator of a radio apparatus to assure protection of the general public at all times.

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9. Requirements for the Selection of Transmitting Equipment

The applicant or holder of a broadcasting certificate for a broadcasting transmitting undertaking is required to use transmitting equipment that meets the following criteria for all regular-power and low-power undertakings:

1. the equipment has been issued a TAC under the applicable Broadcasting Equipment Technical Standard as a single unit, or
2. the equipment has been constructed of sub-assemblies from certified transmitters (e.g. an exciter from one transmitter and a final amplifier from another transmitter).
3. the foregoing notwithstanding, the Department reserves the right to require that measurements be taken and that a report be submitted to show compatibility with the applicable Broadcasting Equipment Technical Standard with regard to spurious and harmonic emissions.
4. emissions from digital broadcasting facilities must conform with technical requirements specified in the service-specific Broadcast Procedure and Rules.

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Footnotes

¹ If a modulation limiter is properly set and calibrated, then the FM modulation measurement can be carried out on a monthly basis.

² Also for other low-power FM undertakings that are CRTC licence-exempt, undertakings operating in museums, churches, etc., that are serving a specific audience.

³ Broadcasting licences are obtained from the CRTC.