CPC-2-5-01 — Licensing Procedure for Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) Active Repeater Stations

Pursuant to the Department of Industry Act, the Radiocommunication Act and the Radiocommunication Regulations, and with due regard to the objectives of the Telecommunications Act, the Minister of Innovation, Science and Industry Canada (the Minister) is responsible for spectrum management in Canada. As such, the Minister is responsible for developing national policies and goals for the effective use and management of the radio frequency spectrum.

The intent of this circular is to describe the way Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) active repeater stations are licensed by the Department of Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada (ISED). Unlike passive repeaters that do not amplify received radio signals and therefore do not require licensing, GNSS active repeater stations meet the definition of “radio apparatus” and therefore must be licensed.

Paragraph 5(1)(a) of the Radiocommunication Act states that the Minister may issue radio licences with respect to radio apparatus. The Minister may also fix terms and conditions of any such licence.

A GNSS active repeater station is a zone enhancer specifically designed for retransmitting GNSS signals in areas of poor reception. Such repeaters usually consist of a receiver antenna, bandpass filter, preamplifier, unidirectional amplifier, and a transmitting antenna. The receiver antenna and preamplifier are installed outdoors where the GNSS signal is available, whereas the unidirectional amplifier and transmitting antenna are installed within a building where the GNSS signal cannot naturally penetrate. A typical configuration is shown in figure 1.

Figure 1: Typical Configuration of a GNSS Active Repeater

Radio apparatus is defined in the Radiocommunication Act as a “device or combination of devices intended for, or capable of being used for, radiocommunication.”

Zone enhancers are also known as “booster amplifiers,” used for improving signal quality in areas of poor reception.

Given that GNSS serves a variety of important purposes (for example, aeronautical radionavigation, ground based positioning information, and timing system synchronization), it is crucial that harmful interference is not caused. As such, ISED is not in favour of widespread deployment of GNSS active repeaters due to their potential (however limited) to interfere with the GNSS service.

Licences for GNSS active repeater stations will normally only be issued to public safety entities such as police, ambulance, fire departments, and the Department of National Defence and Canadian Armed Forces. GNSS active repeaters will be authorized as fixed radiodetermination service stations, as defined in the Radiocommunication Regulations, on a non-standard, no protection, no interference basis.

Regardless, all applicants must clearly demonstrate their rationale for establishing GNSS active repeater stations. Examples of rationale that may be acceptable to ISED are:

• to eliminate satellite signal acquisition delays for GNSS equipment installed in vehicles located indoors (and out of direct GNSS satellite coverage areas) when such delays may have a critical impact on service operations. Public safety vehicles that are required to provide real-time vehicle location information upon leaving indoor parking locations would meet this criterion. Conversely, this rationale cannot be invoked by private businesses solely because their vehicles are parked indoors.
• to provide an indoor signal for GNSS equipment trials and demonstrations

For systems installed within 3 km of an aerodrome's perimeter, the applicant will be required to conduct pre-licensing tests for ISED’s approval. After submitting an application, the applicant must contact ISED for guidance. If required, an interim authority will be issued to conduct such tests.

In all cases, the amplified signal must only be transmitted within a building where the GNSS signal would not otherwise normally be received. Furthermore, all requirements noted in Client Procedures Circular CPC-2-0-03, Radiocommunication and Broadcasting Antenna Systems must be respected by GNSS active repeater licensees.

6.1 Licence fees

Licence fees for GNSS active repeaters will be the same as those for fixed stations in the radiodetermination service, as outlined in subparagraph 62(1)(a)(iv) of the Radiocommunication Regulations and periodically adjusted as per the requirements of the Service Fees Act. Updated fees, including those currently in effect, are published online annually on the Spectrum and Telecommunications Fees page.

6.2 Licence term

Radio licences for GNSS active repeater stations will be issued for a term expiring on March 31 of each year. Licences may be reissued for the next annual term upon payment of annual licence fees in advance of March 31.

GNSS active repeater station licences shall be issued with licence appendix L4 – Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) Active Repeater Stations, which can be found online under Conditions of licence / Appendices.

Applicants shall use sound engineering practices to ensure minimal radiation of amplified signals outside of the building at the specified station location. Such practices could consist of, but are not limited to:

• locating the indoor antenna as far as possible from windows, doors, or other openings
• placing the indoor antenna as close as possible to the GNSS receiver being served
• using a high gain transmitting indoor antenna directed at the GNSS receiver being served
• reducing amplifier gains and/or use external attenuators to reduce the output power to the minimum level required for detection by the GNSS receiver being served
• placing the outdoor antenna in such a way as to shield it as much as possible from undesired signals
• any other appropriate solution. For example, installations within a 3 km radius from the perimeter of an aerodrome or major port, may be required to install transmitter interlock mechanisms to automatically disable GNSS active repeater transmissions when building entrances/exits are open and allow interference-causing signal leakage to the outside

Applicants shall consult the department’s licensing database at Spectrum Management System Data (Data Search) to identify stations with non-GNSS frequencies that may be within, and adjacent to, the operational frequency range of the proposed active repeater. Appropriate measures shall be taken to limit retransmission of non-GNSS frequencies and overloading of the active repeater.

In addition, applicants should consider the use of alternative methods, such as:

• a GNSS signal generator (licensing required)
• a passive repeater consisting of an outdoor antenna connected to an indoor antenna with no active element between the two (no licensing required)

Licence applications for GNSS active repeater stations can be submitted to ISED online via the Spectrum Management System (SMS), by using the Radiodetermination application form. Data entry guidelines are provided in Annex A of this CPC.

All enquiries related to licence applications and SMS data entry for GNSS active repeater stations should be directed to the local ISED office. RIC-66 — Addresses and Telephone Numbers of District Offices has a complete listing of all departmental district offices.

There are no Radio Standards Specifications (RSS) for the certification of GNSS active repeater equipment. As such, no certification is applicable.

GNSS active repeaters are not currently subject to international coordination.

If deemed necessary, ISED will identify Canadian radio communication users and organizations with which on-air coordination tests must be carried out.

Radiocommunication Act

Radiocommunication Regulations

Client Procedures Circular CPC-2-0-03, Radiocommunication and Broadcasting Antenna Systems

Spectrum Utilization Policy SP Gen, General Information Related to Spectrum Utilization and Radio Systems Policies

Applicants should use the following data entry guidelines when submitting licence information for GNSS active repeater stations via the SMS (Radiocommunication Licensing Services - Apply for a Licence - Land Mobile Services – Radiodetermination - New):

• Covering Letter

1. In the System description field, indicate that the application is for an “xyz active repeater station,” replacing “xyz” with the name of the concerned GNSS. For example, "GPS active repeater stations."
   • Station
2. Set the Type of station to “Fixed radar station.”
3. The Station name must correspond to the address of the building where the GNSS active repeater will be operated.
4. Leave the Call Sign blank.
5. The Latitude and Longitude of the indoor transmitting antenna.
6. The Antenna structure height above ground height shall correspond to the height of the structure upon which the highest antenna (usually the receiving antenna) is installed.
7. The Radius of coverage corresponds to the maximum distance to be served by the indoor transmitting antenna.
   • Emission Specifications
8. Prefix the Model number with “(AR)” to indicate that this is an active repeater.
9. Set the Radio type to “Continuous” to indicate continuous operation.
10. Set the Lower operating frequency to the lowest frequency the active repeater is designed for.
11. Set the Upper operating frequency to the highest frequency the active repeater is designed for.
12. Set the Occupied bandwidth equal to the difference between the Upper and Lower operating frequencies. This field is repurposed to capture the overall operating range of the active repeater and not the true occupied bandwidth of the individual GNSS emissions.
13. Set the Designation of emission equal to the repurposed occupied bandwidth field plus “G7WBT.” For example, “400MG7WBT.”
14. The RF output power corresponds to the output power of the amplifier feeding the indoor transmitting antenna.
    • Antenna Specifications
15. Set the Antenna pattern to “Omnidirectional.”
16. The Antenna gain must correspond to the gain of the transmitting antenna.
17. Set the Polarization to “Circular, right.”
18. Set the Antenna scan type to “None.”
19. The Antenna height above ground shall correspond to the height of the transmitting antenna.
20. Ignore the Maximum flight level field.
21. The Total losses must correspond to the losses between the transmitting antenna and the amplifier it is connected to.
    • Channel Assignment
22. Set the Communication type to “Simplex”
23. Set the Channel to be selected during application analysis to “No.”
24. Set the Standard channel to “Non-standard.”
25. The Frequency shall correspond to the centre of the Lower and Upper operating frequencies that the active repeater is designed for (not the frequencies of the individual GNSS carriers).
    • Attachments
26. Provide a copy of the GNSS active repeater technical specifications.