BPR-4 — Application Procedures and Rules for Television Broadcasting Undertakings

Section A: International Agreements

Within 400 km of the Canada-United States border, television broadcasting allotments and assignments in Canada are subject to the terms of the Working Arrangement for Allotment and Assignment of VHF and UHF Television Broadcasting Channels under the Canadian-U.S.A. Television Agreement of 1990.

The Working Arrangement between the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) and Industry Canada (formerly Department of Communications) states the basis upon which both Administrations consider responses to border area allotments and assignments. It also defines technical criteria for the notification of television allotments and assignments. The working arrangement also contains lists of the Canadian and U.S.A. allotments within their respective coordination zones. These lists are updated annually.

Within 370 km of French Territories of Saint-Pierre and Miquelon, the establishment of television undertakings in the band 174-216 MHz (channels 7-13) in Canada is subject to the terms of the Memorandum of Understanding between l'Office de Radiodiffusion-Télévision Française and Industry Canada.

Multipoint Distribution Television Systems (MDS-TV) in the 2596-2686 MHz frequency band, that are within 80 km of the Canada/United States border, shall comply with the domestic criteria and the agreement of understanding between Canada and the U.S.A. The terms of the agreement are contained in the document entitled General FCC/DOC Understanding Concerning the Co-ordination of the 2500-2686 MHz Band within 80 km (50 miles) of the USA/Canada Border, dated March 23, 1989. Due to channel sharing in certain border city locations, the number of channels available for use in Canada will be limited. In these areas, the channels will be shared between the broadcasting and the fixed services in a manner which differs from those set out in Table 1 of the Appendix 11. As an example, undertakings in the Windsor, Ontario area are to use the following polarizations:

• channel groups A, B, C and D and channels G-3 and G-4 vertical polarization,
• channel groups E, F and H and channels G-1 and G-2 horizontal polarization.

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Section B: Preparation of Technical Submissions Supporting Applications for TV Broadcasting Stations Using Primary Assignments¹

B-1. Application Requirements

An application to Industry Canada 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 TV broadcasting from its licensing requirements, the Department, because of spectrum management needs, maintains its requirements for the submission of technical applications.

B-1.1 Requirements

B-1.1.1 This section outlines the documentation that shall be submitted when applying for a primary TV assignment.

B-1.1.2 An application for a broadcasting certificate shall be made on departmental form IC-3050A, Application for a Broadcasting Certificate for a Regular Power Undertaking. An application form for a broadcasting licence is obtainable from the Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission (CRTC).

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.

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 3);
• 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 should be carefully prepared and include all the detailed technical information as outlined in Section B-2;
3. one copy of the departmental Form IC-3052B, Commitment Form (refer to BPR-1, Section 1.2);
4. one reproducible copy of a map showing the pertinent field strength contours (refer to BPR-1, Section 3) and another one showing the "comparative contours" for the change of facilities.

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-2. Engineering Brief Sections

The order of material presented in the engineering brief should 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.

B-2.1 Title Page

The title page should include the submission title, project or reference number, date, name and address of applicant, name of consultant and location of the station. The following parameters of the proposal shall also be listed: frequency (with offset), maximum and average effective radiated power (ERP) and effective antenna height above average terrain (EHAAT).

B-2.2 Table of Contents (Index)

To be prepared as cross-reference to pages and sections of the brief.

B-2.3 Summary Sheet

To be prepared as per Appendix 2 attached.

B-2.4 Main Section of Brief

B-2.4.1 Introduction - A general statement of the purpose of the brief in relation to the application, including the primary centre(s) to be served with the proposed grade of service.

B-2.4.2 Discussion - There should be a discussion on the design considerations necessary to accomplish the applicant's objectives, including the location of site, and choice of frequency (here the consultant should be guided by the requirements set forth in Section C).

B-2.4.3 Interference Analysis - An analysis of interference to related assignments and allotments is required, as detailed in Sections C-1, C-5 and C-6.

B-2.4.4 Assumptions and Sources of Information - List and explain all assumptions and sources of information used in compiling the engineering brief.

B-2.4.5 Transmitter - The intent to use a certified transmitter(s) in accordance with the Broadcasting Equipment Technical Standards 4 (BETS-4) shall be made clear, either by specifying the make, model and certificate number, or by a statement that the transmitter will be certified prior to on-air operation. The rated power of the transmitter shall be specified.

B-2.4.6 Description of Antenna System

The following details are required:

B-2.4.7 Ancillary Equipment - All other equipment shall be listed.

B-2.4.8 Determination of the location of Service Contours - The location of service contours shall be determined by the method as detailed in Section C-3, and Section 3 of BPR-1. The contours to be determined are the Grade A and Grade B contours.

In cases where proposed TV stations are located in areas of mountainous terrain or in the proximity of other natural obstacles, an additional analysis will be necessary to establish more realistic location for the service contours. In preparing contour maps for these cases, the contours as determined from the standard method (refer to Section C-3) above should also be shown on the map in broken lines.

B-2.4.9 When a television rebroadcasting station feed using off-air reception (or a combination of off-air reception and microwave links) from an existing station is proposed, the engineering brief should specify the type of feed and give a description of the system.

B-2.4.10 Special Analyses and Undertakings Relative to Interference to other Broadcast Services - Analyses shall be submitted with appropriate undertakings made in regard to all potential interference situations with other broadcasting stations as a result of the operation of the proposed TV facility. The following are some examples of interference possibilities with other broadcasting services which should be explored for each proposal:

1. "Ghost" reflections of television signals from nearby structures (Section C-7);
2. distortion of AM radiation patterns by the new TV tower when located in the vicinity of an AM antenna array;
3. isolation of AM, FM and TV transmissions, where such services are co-located;
4. assessment and control of maximum field strengths for TV broadcasting stations: the 105 dBu contour (channels 2 to 6) or the 115 dBu contour (channels 7 to 69) shall be determined and shown on a suitable map (Section C-5);
5. interference to TV channel 6 from broadcasting stations on FM channels 201 to 220 (Section C-6.2, BPR-3);
6. interference to low-power and very low power TV assignments. Although these are unprotected assignments, they should be notified of potential interference to their service. Such notification shall be made by letter to the affected broadcaster with a copy forwarded to Industry Canada.

Note: To assess the potential interference under (a), the engineering brief shall list all structures in excess of 30 metres that are located within a distance of 500 metres of the proposed TV station.

B-2.5 Diagrams

An elevation diagram of structure and transmitting antenna as per Appendix 3 and a block diagram of major units of the transmitting system are to be included in the engineering brief.

B-2.6 Vertical Radiation Pattern

The vertical radiation pattern of the antenna (relative field versus degrees below the horizontal) shall be plotted from 0 to 90° below the horizontal.

B-2.7 Horizontal Radiation Pattern

If a directional antenna is employed, the horizontal radiation pattern is required. True north and r.m.s. field shall also be clearly indicated on polar plots of the horizontal radiation pattern. When a directional pattern is proposed, the brief should contain a letter from the manufacturer stating that the proposed pattern can be achieved.

Note: Title blocks shall be placed on radiation patterns for directional antenna systems since in some instances, for areas along the Canada-United States border, it may be necessary to submit this material separately when notifying the assignment to the U.S. FCC. The title block shall include the identification of the station, frequency, maximum ERP and date.

B-2.8 Profiles of Ground Elevation

For the preparation of profile radials, refer to Contour Determination in Section C-3.

B-2.9 Maps

B-2.9.1 A map (scale 1:50,000) shall be provided with the proposed antenna site marked thereon and its geographical coordinates (latitude and longitude) shown.

B-2.9.2 A map showing the Grade A and Grade B service contours as required in Section B-2.4.8 shall be provided. For further details concerning the preparation of maps for engineering briefs, refer to Section 3, Preparation of Field Strength Contour Maps, in BPR-1.

B-3. Technical Operation of Broadcast Transmitter Plants

A description of the technical equipment in compliance with the minimum requirements specified in Section 5.3 of BPR-1 shall be submitted at the latest prior to on-air tests for the approved facility. If unattended operation is proposed, a statement that the unattended operation meets the minimum requirements of Section 5.3 of BPR-1 is required.

B-4. Requirements for the Establishment of Ancillary Signals

B-4.1 Ancillary Signals in the Vertical Blanking Interval

Stations proposing to insert signals into the vertical blanking interval (VBI) should refer to Section 4 in Broadcast Transmission Standard 3 (BTS-3). If only Ghost Cancelling Reference (GCR) signals are planned, approval to transmit these signals is not required. If other signals and services are planned, a description of the type, location and signal or data format should be provided. The analysis should also show that no harmful interference is caused to the reception of regular television service. If a service within the VBI is intended for the reception by the general public, notification to the CRTC is required prior to the transmission of the signal.

B-4.2 Stereophonic and Multiplex Subcarriers in the Aural Baseband

B-4.2.1 Purpose

This section outlines the technical requirements for stereophonic and multiplex operation in the aural baseband of the television transmitter. TV broadcasting stations proposing stereophonic and/or multiplex subcarriers shall meet the requirements of this section and Broadcast Transmission Standard 3 (BTS-3), when the station operates the aural transmitter in a stereophonic or multiplex mode.

B-4.2.2 Use of Aural Baseband Subcarriers

TV broadcast stations may transmit subcarriers and signal within the composite baseband of the aural transmitter for the following purposes:

• stereophonic, biphonic, quadraphonic, etc., sound programs;
• transmission of signals relating to the operation of the station such as relaying broadcast material, remote cueing, order messages and telemetry signals from the transmitting plant;
• transmission of pilot or control signals to enhance the station's program service such as activation of noise reduction decoders in receivers, for any other receiver control purpose, or for program alerting and program identification;
• subsidiary communications services;
• any other services authorized.

B-4.2.3 Stereophonic Aural and Multiplex Subcarrier Operation

A broadcasting station may transmit multichannel aural programs upon installation of multichannel sound equipment. Prior to the commencement of multichannel broadcasting, the equipment and transmission system shall be measured to ensure compliance with the requirements of this section and Broadcast Transmission Standard 3 (BTS-3).

Multiplex subcarriers may be transmitted on a non-interference basis to broadcast programming. Transmissions shall comply with the requirements of this section and Broadcast Transmission Standard 3 (BTS-3).

Subsidiary communications services are those transmitted within the TV aural baseband signal but do not necessarily include services relating to the main program broadcast.

The holder of the broadcasting certificate should retain control over all transmitted material with the right to reject any material deemed inappropriate or undesirable.

B-4.2.4 Definitions

The definitions applicable to multichannel television sound transmission appear in Broadcast Transmission Standard 3 (BTS-3).

B-4.2.5 Changes in Equipment

The addition of stereophonic or subcarrier generators to a type-approved transmitter is acceptable.

Mechanical or electrical alterations and adjustments to existing approved transmitters to accommodate stereophonic sound or subcarrier operation will be permitted provided that the following conditions are met:

1. the stereophonic or subcarrier generator is designed for interfacing with the transmitter;
2. alterations and adjustments to the transmitter are based on the recommendations of the transmitter manufacturer and are implemented by qualified persons;
3. performance measurements shall be made to ensure that the system satisfies the applicable requirements of Broadcast Transmission Standard 3 (BTS-3);
4. the transmitter, after alteration shall be certified by a professional engineer to be capable of equaling or bettering the performance requirements of the original approval specification.

B-4.3 Digital Data in the Active Video Portion

Undertakings proposing to insert digital data in the active video portion of the television signal should refer to Section 5 in Broadcast Transmission Standard 3 (BTS-3). The stations may only use data insertion methods that have been approved in advance by Industry Canada. The technical criteria for advance approval of methods are as follows:

1. the insertion of the data shall not cause objectionable degradation to any portion of the image, to the sound or to the program-related data (close captioning) components of the TV transmission.
2. emissions outside the authorized 6 MHz television channel shall continue to comply with the limits as outlined in Broadcasting Equipment Technical Standards 4 (BETS-4). Also, interference to the reception of co-channel and adjacent channel stations should not increase as a result of the insertion of the data.

B-4.4 Application Requirements

Licensees of TV broadcasting undertakings wishing to initiate vertical blanking interval signals, digital data services in the active video portion of the TV signal or multiplex subcarrier operations for broadcast purposes shall notify the intended use to the CRTC prior to the transmission of the signal. The Department requires a letter indicating the intended use. The letter to the Department shall include details of the use of the vertical blanking interval signal, the method of data insertion in the active video portion or on the multiplex subcarrier system and a statement that the proposed facilities will meet the requirements set out in this section and Broadcast Transmission Standard 3 (BTS-3).

B-4.5 On-Air Testing and Broadcasting Certificate Amendment for VBI and Multiplex Subcarrier Operations

Prior to scheduled on-air testing of vertical blanking interval signals, multiplex subcarriers or stereophonic operation, the licensee shall test and certify that the installation meets the requirements of this Section.

On-air operation may commence following satisfactory testing. The Department will accordingly amend the broadcasting certificate upon notification.

In the event that the quality of the main or the stereophonic transmissions is impaired by the vertical blanking interval signal(s) or the multiplex subcarrier(s), the licensee is required to take corrective measures to eliminate the impairment. Use of any vertical blanking interval signal or multiplex subcarrier shall not interfere with main channel nor with stereophonic operation.

B-5. On-Air Testing Procedure

When the construction of the authorized facilities is complete, notice of on-air testing shall be given to the District Manager at least three weeks (unless otherwise specified in the letter of authority) prior to transmission tests. Departmental permission from the District Office is required for testing.

During on-air tests, identification of the station shall be made preferably at 15-minute intervals, giving as a minimum the call sign, channel and location of the station. In the case of rebroadcasting stations without capability to originate the aforementioned information, the broadcaster will be responsible for making the public aware that the new station is being tested. As an example, a notice could be placed in the local press which would explain that the broadcaster should be contacted in the event of interference difficulties that might develop. The broadcaster shall implement any instruction given by departmental representatives at the district, regional or headquarter level.

The required scope and duration of such on-air emission tests will depend to a large extent on the potential for interference that might be caused to existing broadcasting stations or other radio services. Such details of the testing shall be agreed upon with the local District Manager soon after the issuance of the letter of authority.

Following successful on-air rests, the applicant's consultant shall certify to the Department that the station is ready to commence operation in accordance with the approved technical submission and request permission to commence normal broadcasting schedule.