SRSP-515 — Technical Requirements for Air-Ground Services in the Bands 849-851 MHz and 894-896 MHz

Issue 1
August 2009

Preface

Issue 1 of SRSP-515 is hereby released.

This SRSP supersedes the technical requirements document TRC-81 (February 1993).

Issued under the authority of
the Minister of Industry

space to insert signature
Marc Dupuis
Director General
Engineering, Planning and Standards Branch

Contents

1. Intent

1.1 This Standard Radio System Plan (SRSP) sets out the minimum technical requirements for the efficient utilization of the bands 849-851 MHz and 894-896 MHz for air-ground services.

1.2 This SRSP specifies the technical characteristics relating to efficient spectrum usage only and is not to be regarded as a comprehensive specification for equipment design and/or selection.

2. General

2.1 This SRSP is based on the current or planned modulation schemes of technologies considered by the service providers of air-ground services in Canada.

2.2 Even though a system satisfies the requirements of this SRSP, the Department shall require adjustment to radio and auxiliary equipment in radio stations whenever harmful interference1 is caused to any licensed radio station.

2.3 Radio systems that conform to these technical requirements will be given licensing priority over non-standard radio systems operating in these bands. The arrangements for non-standard systems are outlined in the document entitled General Information Related to Spectrum Utilization and Radio Systems Policies (SP-Gen).

2.4 Revisions to this SRSP will be made as required.

3. Related Documents

3.1 The following documents, as amended from time to time, outline the policy framework and radio licence application requirements for air-ground services.

3.1.1 Radiocommunication Regulations (RR)
http://www.ic.gc.ca/eic/site/smt-gst.nsf/eng/sf01265.html

3.1.2 SP-Gen - General Information Related to Spectrum Utilization and Radio Systems Policies
http://www.ic.gc.ca/eic/site/smt-gst.nsf/eng/sf01049.html

3.1.3 Sharing Arrangement Between the Department of Industry of Canada and the Federal Communications Commission of the United States of America Terrestrial Radiocommunication Agreements and Arrangements (TRAA), Arrangement N.
http://www.ic.gc.ca/eic/site/smt-gst.nsf/eng/sf01238.html

3.1.4 Canadian Table of Frequency Allocations
http://www.ic.gc.ca/eic/site/smt-gst.nsf/eng/h_sf01678.html

3.1.5 Client Procedures Circular, Radiocommunication and Broadcasting Antenna Systems (CPC-2-0-03)
http://www.ic.gc.ca/eic/site/smt-gst.nsf/eng/sf08777.html

3.1.6 Client Procedures Circular, Licensing Procedure for Spectrum Licences for Terrestrial Services (CPC-2-1-23) (supersedes CPC 2-0-16)
http://www.ic.gc.ca/eic/site/smt-gst.nsf/eng/sf01875.html

3.1.7 Safety Code 6, Limits of Human Exposure to Radiofrequency Electromagnetic Fields in the Frequency Range from 3 kHz to 300 GHz
http://www.hc-sc.gc.ca/ewh-semt/pubs/radiation/radio_guide-lignes_direct-eng.php

3.1.8 Canada Gazette Notice DGTP-011-06, Consultation on Air-to-Ground Services in the Bands 849-851 MHz and 894-896 MHz
http://www.ic.gc.ca/eic/site/smt-gst.nsf/eng/sf08707.html

3.1.9 Canada Gazette Notice DGRB-004-08, Spectrum Utilization Policy and Consultation on a Framework to Auction Spectrum in the 849-851 MHz and 894-896 MHz Band for Air-Ground Services
http://www.ic.gc.ca/eic/site/smt-gst.nsf/eng/h_sf08869.html

3.1.10 Radio Standards Specification, Air-Ground Equipment Operating in the Bands 849-851 MHz and 894-896 MHz (RSS-127)
http://www.ic.gc.ca/eic/site/smt-gst.nsf/eng/sf09582.html

3.1.11 Canadian Aviation Regulations(CARs), sections 602.08, 703.38, 704.33, 705.40
http://www.tc.gc.ca/eng/civilaviation/menu.htm

4. Band Plan

The band plan, described below in Figure 1, is based on two block pairs: 849-850.5/894-895.5 MHz and 850.5-851/895.5-896 MHz. The band 849-851 MHz is limited to transmissions from ground stations and the use of the band 894-896 MHz is limited to transmissions from airborne stations.

Figure 1: Band Plan
Figure 1: Band Plan

[Description of Figure]

Figure 1: Band Plan

Usage of the bands 849-851/894-896 MHz within the Canada-United States border area is subject to the provisions of a sharing arrangement between the Department of Industry of Canada and the Federal Communications Commission of the United States of America. For details, refer to Terrestrial Radiocommunication Agreements and Arrangements (TRAA), Arrangement N.

5. Technical Criteria

5.1 Effective Radiated Power (ERP)

The maximum ERP limits for ground stations and airborne stations are as follows:

Ground Station: 500 W ERP
Airborne Station: 12 W ERP

5.2 Emissions Outside of the Bands 849-851 MHz and 894-896 MHz

The emissions of the systems outside of the bands 849-851 MHz and 894-896 MHz shall comply with the spectral mask defined in RSS-127.

6. Guidelines for Coexistence of Systems

6.1 Air-Ground Systems Operating in Adjacent Blocks

In the cases where two air-ground systems operate on adjacent channels in the same area, licensees are encouraged to enter into mutually beneficial arrangements to foster efficient spectrum use.

Possible interference conflicts resulting from the operation of two air-ground systems may occur even though the technical specifications of this SRSP are met. The resolution of these conflicts should be arrived at through mutual arrangements between the affected parties, following consultation and coordination. Licensees will be expected to take full advantage of interference mitigation techniques, such as antenna discrimination, polarization, frequency offset, shielding, site selection and power control, to facilitate coexistence with systems of other operators, at both design and implementation stages, and taking into consideration ground and airborne stations.

When potential conflicts between systems cannot be resolved, Industry Canada shall be so advised and, following consultations with the parties concerned, the Department will determine the necessary modifications and/or schedule of modifications.

6.2 Air-Ground Systems and Other Terrestrial Systems in Adjacent Bands

The band 849-851 MHz, utilized by the air-ground (ground transmit stations), is adjacent to the cellular radiotelephone band (mobile transmit) at 824-849 MHz2 and adjacent to the fixed and land mobile band (base transmit) at 851-866 MHz.3 The arrangement of these adjacent band services is shown in Figure 2 below.

Figure 2
Figure 2

[Description of Figure]

Figure 2

The band 894-896 MHz, utilized by the air-ground (airborne transmit stations), is adjacent to the cellular radiotelephone band (base transmit) at band 869-894 MHz4 and fixed and land mobile band (mobile transmit) at 896-901 MHz.5 The arrangement of these adjacent band services is shown in Figure 3 below.

Figure 3
Figure 3

[Description of Figure]

Figure 3

Coordination may be required with licensees in adjacent bands operating in accordance with SRSP-502, SRSP-503 and SRSP-506. In this context, coordination involves consultation between operators to ensure the coexistence between systems in adjacent bands. Licensees should consult Industry Canada for the most up-to-date list of operators in the area.

Possible interference conflicts between air-ground and adjacent terrestrial operations may occur even when the technical specifications of this SRSP are met.

Due to the reverse duplexing of the cellular and air-ground band plans, particular attention should be paid to potential interference between ground transmit stations of the air-ground service and adjacent band cellular base stations. Air-ground and cellular operators are required to contact each other if the proposed new installation is within 40 km of the adjacent band operator’s base or ground station to assess the need for coordination. Proposed site installations are required to be coordinated with existing site installations.

The resolution of any conflicts should be arrived at through mutual arrangements between the affected parties, following consultation and coordination. When potential conflicts between systems cannot be resolved, Industry Canada shall be so advised and, following consultations with the parties concerned, the Department will determine the necessary modifications and/or schedule of modifications.

Footnotes

1 For the purpose of this SRSP, harmful interference means interference that endangers the functioning of a radionavigation service or other safety services, or seriously degrades, obstructs, or repeatedly interrupts a radiocommunication service operating in accordance with regulations and technical requirements laid down by Industry Canada under the Radiocommunication Act.

2 SRSP-503 - Technical Requirements for Cellular Radiotelephone Systems Operating in the Bands 824-849 MHz and 869-894 MHz

3 SRSP-502 - Technical Requirements for Land Mobile and Fixed Radio Services Operating in the Bands 806-821/851-866 MHz and 821-824/866-869 MHz

4 SRSP-503 - Technical Requirements for Cellular Radiotelephone Systems Operating in the Bands 824-849 MHz and 869-894 MHz

5 SRSP-506 - Technical Requirements for Land Mobile and Fixed Radio Services Operating in the Bands 896-901 MHz and 935-940 MHz

Description of Images

Figure 1: Band Plan

This figure illustrates the band plan for air-ground services in the bands 849 to 851 MHz and 894 to 896 MHz. Frequencies from 849-851 MHz are for ground to air communications, whereas frequencies from 894 to 896 MHz are for air to ground communications. Block A is from 849 to 850.5 MHz and is paired with 894 to 895.5 MHz (providing 1.5 MHz + 1.5 MHz of spectrum). Block B is from 850.5 to 851 MHz and is paired with 895.5 to 896 MHz (providing 0.5 MHz + 0.5 MHz of spectrum).

Back to Figure 1

Figure 2

This figure shows the services adjacent to the air-ground services band (ground transmit stations) in the band 849 to 851 MHz. Mobile station transmissions in the cellular radiotelephone band are just below the air-ground block A, which begins at 849 MHz. Fixed and land mobile base station transmissions are above the air-ground block B, which ends at 851 MHz.

Back to Figure 2

Figure 3

This figure shows the services adjacent to the air-ground services band (airborne transmit stations) in the band 894 to 896 MHz. Base station transmissions in the cellular radiotelephone band are just below the air-ground block A, which begins at 894MHz. Fixed stations and land mobile station transmissions are above the air-ground block B, which ends at 896 MHz.

Back to Figure 3

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