Spectrum Management and Telecommunications

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BPR-2 - Application Procedures and Rules for AM Broadcasting Undertakings

Section B: Preparation of Technical Submissions Required with the Applications for AM Broadcasting Stations in the 525-1705 kHz Band

B-1. Application Requirements and Definitions

An application to the Department for a broadcasting certificate shall be accompanied by an application to the Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission (CRTC) for a broadcasting licence, unless the application is exempted from CRTC licensing requirements. The two applications shall be filed simultaneously.

Although the CRTC has established criteria to exempt certain categories of AM broadcasting from its licensing requirements, Industry Canada, because of spectrum management needs, maintains its requirements for the submission of technical applications.

B-1.1 Requirements

B-1.1.1 This section describes the submissions that are required in support of applications for AM broadcasting stations operating with powers of 100 W or greater in the frequency band 525-1705 kHz. For powers of less than 100 W, refer to Section B-8.

B-1.1.2 Applications for a broadcasting certificate and for changes to an existing station shall be made on departmental Form IC-3050A, Application for a Broadcasting Certificate for a Regular Power Undertaking.

All necessary forms may be obtained from the departmental website at http://www.ic.gc.ca/eic/site/smt-gst.nsf/eng/h_sf01700.html#broadcasting.

When submitting an application to the Department electronically, the applicant shall use the following e-mail address: DBCE-APPS@ic.gc.ca.

The documentation to include is the following:

  • the appropriate application form;
  • the electronic brief (PDF format), including any required maps prepared in accordance with BPR-1;
  • contours (MapInfo format: *.DAT/*.ID/*.MAP/*.TAB or GIS format: *.MIF,*.MID) (see section B-2.9); and
  • form (in PDF format) IC-3052B entitled Commitment Form.

It is the responsibility of the applicant submitting the application to ensure that all electronic documents submitted have the necessary signatures.

The Department reserves the right to request a signed attestation to verify the authenticity of an application and may hold the processing of the application until a satisfactory attestation has been received.

When submitting an application on paper, the following documentation shall be included:

  1. two copies of the appropriate Form IC-3050A;
  2. one copy of an engineering brief in suitable loose-leaf binders with identifying labels. The brief shall be carefully prepared and include all the detailed technical information as outlined in Section B-2;
  3. completed forms listed in Annex 1, Parts I to V of the Canada/USA Agreement, 1984 (as part of the engineering brief only);
  4. one reproducible copy of each map showing the pertinent field strength contours (BPR-1, Section 3);

B-1.1.3 All proposed antenna structures whether new or modified, low or full power, must comply with the requirements of CPC-2-0-03 and Section 2 of BPR-1. In addition to meeting the requirements on site sharing, land-use consultation and public consultation, applicants must also fulfill other important obligations, including: compliance with Health Canada's Safety Code 6 guideline for the protection of the general public, compliance with radio frequency immunity criteria, notification of nearby broadcasting stations, environmental considerations and Transport Canada/NAV CANADA aeronautical safety responsibilities.

B-1.2 Definitions

B-1.2.1 AM Broadcasting Channel

A part of the frequency spectrum, equal to the necessary bandwidth of AM sound broadcasting stations, and characterized by the nominal value of the carrier frequency located at its centre.

B-1.2.2 Primary Service Area (525-1605 kHz)

Service area delimited by the contour within which the calculated level of the groundwave field strength is protected from objectionable interference in accordance with the provisions of Chapter 4 of Annex 2, Canada/USA Agreement, 1984.

B-1.2.3 Secondary Service Area (Applies to Class A Stations Only)

Service area delimited by the contour within which the calculated level of the field strength due to the skywave field strength 50% of the time is protected from objectionable interference in accordance with the provisions of Chapter 4 of Annex 2, Canada/USA Agreement, 1984.

B-1.2.4 Protected Contour

Continuous line that delimits the area of primary or secondary service which is protected from objectionable interference.

B-1.2.5 Allotment Area

Specifically defined geographical area within a country, to which one or more channels are allocated, as indicated in the Allotment Plan of Rio 1988 (Annex 4)3.

B-1.2.6 Objectionable Interference

Interference caused by a signal exceeding the maximum permissible field strength within the protected contour or the allotment area.

B-1.2.7 Nominal Usable Field Strength (Enom)

Agreed minimum value of the field strength required to provide satisfactory reception, under specified conditions, in the presence of atmospheric noise, man-made noise and interference from other transmitters. Enom has been employed as the reference for planning (see Annex 2, Chapter 4 of Canada/USA Agreement, 1984 and Annex 1, Chapter 3 of the draft Canada/USA Agreement, 1990).

B-1.2.8 Usable Field Strength (Eu)

Minimum value of the field strength required to provide satisfactory reception under specified conditions in the presence of atmospheric noise, man-made noise, and interference in a real situation (or resulting from a frequency assignment plan).

B-1.2.9 Daytime Operation

Operation between the times of local sunrise and local sunset.

B-1.2.10 Nighttime Operation

Operation between the times of local sunset and local sunrise.

B-1.2.11 Groundwave

Electromagnetic wave which is propagated along the surface of the earth or near it and which has not been reflected by the ionosphere.

B-1.2.12 Skywave

Electromagnetic wave which has been reflected by the ionosphere.

B-1.3 Classification

B-1.3.1 Class A Station4

A Class A station is intended to provide coverage over extensive primary and secondary service areas, and is protected against interference accordingly.

The maximum power of a Class A station shall be 50 kW.
The minimum power of a Class A station shall be 10 kW.

B-1.3.2 Class B Station4

A Class B station is intended to provide coverage over one or more population centres and the contiguous rural areas located in their primary service area, and which is protected against interference accordingly.

The maximum power of a Class B station shall be 50 kW.
The minimum power of a Class B station shall be 250 W.

B-1.3.3 Class C Station4

A Class C station is intended to provide coverage over a city or town and the contiguous suburban areas located in its primary service area, and which is protected against interference accordingly.

The maximum power of a Class C station shall be 1 kW.
The minimum power of a Class C station shall be 100 W.

B-1.3.4 Low-Power Station

A low-power station is intended to provide coverage over a town or village and the immediate contiguous area. It is not protected against interference from Class A, B or C stations and shall take remedial action if it causes interference to such stations.

The power of a low-power station shall be less than 100 W.

B-1.3.5 Carrier Current Station

A carrier current station is intended to provide service within a given property, normally by feeding the RF signal into a power line or leaky cable. It is not protected against interference from Class A, B, C or low-power stations and shall take remedial action if it causes interference to such stations.

B-1.3.6 Stations in the 1605-1705 kHz Band

Classes are not designated for stations in this band, although the coverage is expected to be comparable to that of a Class C station.

The maximum power is 10 kW.

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B-2. Outline of Sections and Details Required in Each Section of the Engineering Brief

The engineering brief should include the following list of sections and subsections with required details. The order should be maintained to facilitate processing by the Department.

B-2.1 Title Page

The title page should include submission title, project or reference number, date, name of applicant, name of consultant and location of station. It shall also list the following parameters of the proposal - frequency, power, class and mode of operation.

B-2.2 Table of Contents

B-2.3 Main Section of the Brief

B-2.3.1 Introduction - A general statement of the purpose for the brief in relation to the application.

B-2.3.2 Discussion

On the design considerations to accomplish the applicant's objectives, including the choice of frequency and location of site, with particular reference to interference limitations which may be received and caused by the proposed operation. Statements shall also be included with reference to the following:

  1. minimum field strength for metropolitan areas (in compliance with Section C-3);
  2. maximum field strength and broadcaster's responsibilities (in compliance with Section C-10);
  3. daytime rural service (a minimum of 0.5 mV/m to be provided);
  4. nighttime service (Eu).

B-2.3.3 Assumptions and Sources of Information - List and explain all assumptions which are made regarding conductivity, existing limitations, and combination of interference signals, etc. Also, list the sources of information, any equation not listed or referred to in the Canada/USA Agreement, 1984, maps, directional antenna patterns of other stations, etc.

B-2.3.4 Groundwave Interference Analysis - A general analysis and a summary of the detailed study to be made in a later section of the brief. The sample sheet of Appendix 1 shows the information required for the detailed study.

B-2.3.5 Skywave Interference Analysis - A general analysis and a summary of the detailed study to be made in a later section of the brief. The sample sheet of Appendix 2 shows the information required for the detailed study.

B-2.3.6 Image Interference - (Refer to Section C-9) - If it is not possible to meet the criteria of Section C-9, the following additional information is required in support of an exception:

  1. a justification for selection of the frequency proposed;
  2. a map showing the area of overlap of the pertinent contours of both stations;
  3. an estimate of the number of broadcast receivers within the area of overlap;
  4. a commitment that the applicant will investigate complaints of image interference and assume full financial responsibility for appropriate remedial measures.

B-2.3.7 Intermodulation/Cross-modulation Interference - (Refer to Section C-11) - Statements shall be included regarding the possibility of interference due to intermodulation/cross-modulation between broadcasting stations in the area and the remedial measures to be taken should such interference result.

B-2.3.8 Other Significant Information - Other technical information pertinent to the proposal should be included in this section. For example, there shall be a statement that the transmitter has been or will be type-approved. General comments should also be made respecting audio feed, rebroadcasting operations, etc.

B-2.3.9 Qualification of Engineers - This section shall contain a listing of names and signatures of those responsible for the preparation of engineering brief. It is important to note that one signature at least, shall be that of an engineer with considerable experience in the AM broadcasting field, whose engineering stamp and signature should also appear in this section and on all coverage maps.

B-2.4 Description of Antenna System and Array

Forms listed in the Canada/USA Agreement, 1984, Annex 1, Parts I to V shall be completed as applicable. The format used is not important, but the data should be provided clearly and in the order shown in the Agreement to minimize the risk of data error. Additional information shall be given on the type of each element of the array (i.e. guyed or self-supporting, triangular or square, uniform cross-section or tapered, etc.).

B-2.5 Horizontal Field Strength Patterns

B-2.5.1 The methods to be used in calculating the directional antenna pattern, the expanded pattern and the modified pattern are detailed in Annex 2, Appendix 3, of the Canada/USA Agreement, 1984. The Annex 2 also includes criteria for reduced design tolerance. The plot of the horizontal field strength pattern for each power or pattern involved should show:

  1. the unattenuated directional field strength at one kilometre of the expanded or modified pattern as applicable and the equivalent unattenuated non-directional root-mean-square (r.m.s.) field strength of the theoretical pattern at one kilometre;
  2. the true north at zero azimuth;
  3. the direction to each existing station, with which interference may be involved.

B-2.5.2 Information concerning any variations from the normal practice, used in computing the above patterns shall be included such as:

  1. formulae used for calculating both horizontal and vertical patterns and sample calculations and their derivation;
  2. assumptions made (with justification), including electrical height, current distribution and efficiency of each element and ground conductivities.

B-2.5.3 The following guidelines shall be used in plotting field strength patterns:

  1. the expanded or modified patterns as defined in the Canada/USA Agreement, 1984, Annex 2, Appendix 3 shall be plotted on standard letter size polar coordinate paper with adequate margin;
  2. all patterns shall be plotted to the largest scale possible on the paper specified in (a);
  3. all values of field strength less than 10% of the r.m.s. field strength of the pattern shall be shown on an enlarged scale.

B-2.6 Plot Plan of Station Property Showing Location of Tower(s) and Ground System

Information is required as follows on one standard letter size sheet in the brief:

  1. a plot plan of suitable scale showing the location of the antenna tower(s) and the limits of ground system; also, the location of other nearby metallic structures (refer to BPR-1, Section 2.1);
  2. a map of scale 1:50 000 on which the antenna site is shown with the latitude and longitude of the centre of the antenna system to the nearest second (refer to BPR-1, Section 3.1.1).

If a site has not been selected at the time the application is made, a tentative site may be submitted to fill the requirements of this application procedure, with the understanding that applications for departmental approval of the final site, when selected, shall be made in a separate submission at a later date.

When the proposed site is submitted for approval, applicants are cautioned that an option should be obtained on the selected piece of property before submitting the information thereon to the Department.

B-2.7 Discussion of any Factors which Could Distort the Intended Antenna Patterns

If for any reason the calculated horizontal radiation pattern or characteristic vertical patterns are unlikely to be realized, unless extraordinary measures are taken, a detailed analysis of the abnormality shall be included in the engineering brief with a statement relative to any corrective measures which might be undertaken to attempt to achieve the intended shape of the pattern.

B-2.8 Interference Analyses

B-2.8.1 Groundwave Interference Analyses (Day and Night)

Groundwave interference analyses are to be prepared according to sample sheet of Appendix 1. Details such as protection rules, ground conductivity curves and methods of calculation may be found in Section C-2 and also in Annex 2, Chapter 2 of Canada/USA Agreement, 1984.

Analysis of nighttime interference to the groundwave service area from adjacent channel stations are to be prepared in accordance with Section C-5.

In groundwave analyses, where radiation in a particular sector is approaching the value required to protect another assignment, the clearance shall be confirmed over an arc. This necessitates a groundwave study on a number of bearings from the stations involved. For each of these cases, the protected points should be identified by geographical coordinates or in a separate map segment. On this map, the protected and interfering contours should be drawn to demonstrate the expected clearance.

Note: The Department will make available assignment information, including the location of protected field strength contours of Canadian stations from proofs of performance in departmental records.

B-2.8.2 Skywave Interference Analyses

Skywave interference analyses are to be prepared according to the sample sheet of Appendix 2. Details such as protection rules, skywave curves and method of calculating may be found in Annex 2, Chapter 4, of Canada/USA Agreement, 1984, for stations in the 535-1605 kHz band and in Annex 1, Chapter 2 of the draft Canada/USA Agreement, 1990 for stations in the 1605-1705 kHz band (also note Section C-4).

B-2.8.3 Calculation of Distance and Azimuth

All calculations of distance and azimuth are to be based on the short great-circle path assuming a spherical earth of radius 6370 km (one degree on the surface of the earth equals 111.18 km).

B-2.9 Maps Showing Pertinent Field Strength Contours

The following field strength contours shall be plotted for each radiation pattern proposed (i.e., if powers or patterns are different day and night), on up-to-date maps (refer to Section 3 of BPR-1):

1000, 250, 25, 15, 5, 0.5 mV/m, Eu and if within 0.5 mV/m contour, the contour which is 20% of Eu.

For stations in the 1605-1705 kHz band, the night Eu should be assumed to be Enom unless the effect of existing or proposed stations would make it higher.

Maps are required for the following proposed service coverage contours:

  1. for daytime: one map showing the 25 mV/m, 15 mV/m, 5 mV/m and 0.5 mV/m contours;
  2. for nighttime: one map showing the usable field strength (Eu) contour, and if enclosed within the Eu, the 25 mV/m and the 5 mV/m nighttime contour(s);
  3. for daytime: one map showing the 1000 mV/m and 250 mV/m contours.

Each map should be clearly labelled as to whether it applies to day or night operation.

For changes of facilities, a map shall be provided showing both the authorized and the proposed 0.5 mV/m and Eu contours.

If satisfactory precision cannot be obtained on a single map, separate maps should be used.

B-2.10 Additional Requirements

When the proposal involves the acceptance of objectionable interference as defined in both agreements, such areas shall be shown by cross-hatched areas on coverage maps.

B-2.11 Commitments

The commitments relating to the resolution of any potential interference problems as required in the above sections, shall be included:

  1. image interference (Section B-2.3.6 and Section C-9.2);
  2. intermodulation and cross-modulation (Section C-11.2);
  3. maintenance of reduced tolerance directional patterns (Section B-2.5.1 and Annex 2, Appendix 3, Attachment B of Canada/USA Agreement, 1984);
  4. any commitment which may have been made in reaching agreement with another station, particularly in relation to "lock-in" (Section C-8.2) and departures from normal protection requirements (Section C-12).

The above commitments are related to specific potential problems and complement the general commitment in the application forms.

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B-3. Final Proof of Performance for Directional Antennas

An installation is deemed to be incomplete until the Final Proof of Performance of the directional antenna system has been submitted to the Director, Broadcast Applications Engineering, and approved by Industry Canada.

B-3.1 Documentation

When a station proposes to operate with a directional antenna either full- or part-time, it is necessary that proof be submitted that the pattern produced by the antenna array agrees with the pattern predicted and approved for that station, both as to shape and size within an acceptable tolerance. It is also necessary that proof be submitted as to the actual performance of the radiating elements, including impedance characteristics and radiation efficiency.

Field strength contours are required to show the actual coverage of the station, although the contour protected against interference from other stations is that calculated, in accordance with Annex 2, Chapter 2 of Canada/USA Agreement, 1984 and for stations in the 1605-1705 kHz band, with Section C-6, unless there is specific agreement between the stations involved.

The data outlined in Sections B-3.3, B-3.4 and B-3.5 shall be submitted in the proof of performance, together with a description of the procedure to be followed in obtaining these data.

B-3.2 Tolerance

The normal upper limit is the expanded pattern and the normal lower limit is 5% below the theoretical pattern. Any deviation beyond these limits should be justified. Also, if the upper limit is exceeded but this would not lead to interference, the pattern may be modified in accordance with Annex 2, Appendix 3 of Canada/USA Agreement, 1984. The upper limit may not be exceeded if interference would result.

B-3.3 Field Strength Measurements to Establish Effective Field Strength at One Kilometre

Beginning as near to the antenna as possible without including the induction field and to provide for the fact that a broadcast antenna is not a point source of radiation, measurements shall be made on eight or more radials, at intervals of approximately:

  • 200 metres up to 3 kilometres from the antenna;
  • one kilometre from 3 to 10 km from the antenna;
  • and 3 kilometres beyond 10 km, as required.

Where unobstructed measurements can be made, there should be 18 or more on each radial. However, where unobstructed measurements are difficult to make, these shall be made on each radial at as many unobstructed locations as possible, even though the intervals are considerably less than stated above, particularly within five kilometres of the antenna. In cases where it is not possible to obtain accurate measurements at the closer distances (even out to 8 or 10 kilometres due to the character of the intervening terrain), measurements at greater distances should be made at closer intervals.

The measurement data shall be plotted for each radial using log-log coordinate paper, with field strength as ordinate and distance as abscissa.

The proper curve to be drawn through the points plotted shall be determined by comparison with theoretical curves as follows:

  • plot theoretical curves (refer to Appendix 2 to Annex 2 of the Canada/USA Agreement, 1984 and Annex 1, Chapter 2 of Rio 1988 Agreement) for several values of conductivities approximating the conductivity indicated by the measurements on another sheet of the same coordinate paper;
  • place this sheet under the sheet on which the actual points have been plotted and adjust until the curve most closely matching the points is found;
  • draw this curve on the sheet on which the points were plotted, together with the inverse distance curve corresponding to that curve.

The field at one kilometre for the radial concerned shall be the ordinate on the inverse distance curve at one kilometre.

When all radials have been analyzed in this manner, a curve shall be plotted on polar coordinate paper from the inverse distance field strengths obtained, which give the inverse distance field pattern at one kilometre. The radius of a circle, the area of which is equal to the area bounded by this pattern, is the effective field.

While making the field strength measurement, the output power of the station should be maintained at the licensed power as determined by the direct method. If a lower power is used, the results of the measurements should be adjusted appropriately. Therefore, it is necessary to determine the antenna impedances as accurately as practical and to measure the antenna current by means of an ammeter of known accuracy.

Complete data taken in conjunction with the field strength measurements shall be submitted, including the following:

  1. tabulation by number of each point of measurement, the field strength and the distance from the antenna;
  2. map(s) showing each point of measurement numbered to agree with the tabulation required in (a) above;
  3. curves drawn for each radial showing the field strength as a function of distance;
  4. antenna self impedances (Z = R + jX) for each tower measured at carrier frequency and in 10 kHz steps over the range ±30 kHz, and the results presented in tabular as well as graphical forms;
  5. antenna operating impedances (Z = R + jX) for each tower and for the day and/or night pattern at carrier frequency;
  6. antenna current or currents maintained during field strength measurements;
  7. any other pertinent information.

B-3.4 Field Strength Measurements to Establish Performance of Directional Antennas

To establish this performance, measurements shall be made in accordance with the preceding Section B-3.3 along a sufficient number of radials to establish the effective field from the antenna system. In the case of a relatively simple directional antenna pattern, approximately eight radials in addition to the radials in the directions of limitation are sufficient. However, when more complicated patterns are involved, that is, patterns having several sharp lobes or nulls, measurements shall be taken along as many additional radials as necessary to establish the pattern. It may be necessary to make ratio measurements, as described in Section B-4.1(a), to better define the pattern between radials.

The following information shall be submitted:

B-3.4.1 A description of the antenna array which shall outline:

  1. number of elements;
  2. type of each element (i.e., guyed or self-supporting, triangular or square, uniform cross-section or tapered, etc.);
  3. if top-loaded, pertinent details;
  4. overall height (in metres) of each element above ground level;
  5. orientation of each element with respect to true north from a reference point in the array;
  6. space phasing of elements (space phasing should be given in metres as well as in degrees);
  7. details of ground system for each element (length and number of radials, dimensions of ground screen if used, and depth buried);
  8. current in each element (at point where antenna ammeter is located) and current and impedance at point of common input to the antenna system;
  9. phase readings (specifying whether leading or lagging) and the relative current readings for each element.

B-3.4.2 Horizontal field strength patterns for each power involved showing:

  1. directional field strength at one kilometre and effective field strength from the antenna determined from the field strength calculations. These points should be shown on the expanded (or modified if applicable) pattern;
  2. true north shall be shown at zero azimuth.

B-3.4.3 Any other pertinent information.

B-3.4.4 Plotting of field strength patterns (refer to Section B-2.5.3).

B-3.4.5 Presentation of contour maps which shall include:

  • the measured field strength contour maps in the same format as in Section B-2.9.
  • the tabulation of all data used in plotting the above contours.

B-3.5 Test Equipment and Qualifications

The following information shall be submitted on the equipment used for the measurements and on the qualifications of the person responsible for the measurements:

  1. description, accuracy, date and by whom each instrument was last calibrated;
  2. name, stamp and signature of the engineer responsible for the measurements.
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