SRSP-520 — Technical Requirements for Fixed and/or Mobile Systems, Including Flexible Use Broadband Systems, in the Band 3450-3900 MHz

Standard Radio System Plan SRSP-520, Technical Requirements for Fixed and/or Mobile Systems, Including Flexible Use Broadband Systems, in the Band 3450-3650 MHz, issue 1, dated July 2020 replaced SRSP-303.4, Technical Requirements for Fixed Wireless Access Systems Operating in the Band 3475-3650 MHz, issue 3. However, as indicated in section 5 of SRSP-520, specific provisions of SRSP-303.4, issue 3, continue to apply for fixed spectrum licences issued prior to June 2019, and for fixed spectrum licences issued after June 2019 as a result of the conversion of existing fixed spectrum licences from Tier 4 to Tier 5 licence areas.

SRSP-520, issue 2, dated November 2021 imposed measures to address the protection of radio altimeters operating in the frequency band 4200-4400 MHz from harmful interference.

SRSP-520, issue 3, extends the band range of SRSP-520 to include 3650-3900 MHz and introduces new technical requirements for flexible use licensees to coexist with fixed-satellite services and fixed service stations in the 3700-4200 MHz band to align with policy decisions in SLPB-002-021, Decision on the Technical and Policy Framework for the 3650-4200 MHz Band and Changes to the Frequency Allocation of the 3500-3650 MHz Band.

In addition, issue 3 includes updated technical requirements on flexible use systems to address the protection of radio altimeters operating in the frequency band 4200-4400 MHz from harmful interference to align with policy decisions in the Decision on SRSP-520, issue 3 and RSS-192, issue 5.

Issued under the authority of
the Minister of Innovation, Science and Industry

________________
Martin Proulx
Director General
Engineering, Planning and Standards Branch

1. This Standard Radio System Plan (SRSP-520) replaces SRSP-303.4, Technical Requirements for Fixed Wireless Access Systems Operating in the Band 3475-3650 MHz, issue 3. SRSP-520 sets out the minimum technical requirements for the efficient use of the band 3450-3900 MHz and applies to fixed and mobile systems, including flexible use broadband systems, operating in the band. (“Flexible use” refers to deployment of mobile and/or fixed services.) However, as indicated in section 5, below, specific provisions of SRSP-303.4, issue 3, continue to apply for fixed spectrum licences issued prior to June 2019, and for fixed spectrum licences issued after June 2019 as a result of the conversion of existing fixed spectrum licences from Tier 4 to Tier 5 licence areas.

2. SRSP-520 does not apply to fixed and/or mobile systems operating in the 3650-3700 MHz band and deployed under a wireless broadband services (WBS) spectrum licence. These systems must comply with the provisions in SRSP-303.65, Technical Requirements for Wireless Broadband Services (WBS) in the Band 3650-3700 MHz.

3. SRSP-520 is intended to aid in the design of radio systems and specifies the technical characteristics relating only to efficient spectrum usage; it is not to be regarded as a comprehensive specification for equipment design and/or selection.

4. This SRSP is based on current and planned technologies being considered by service provider(s) for implementing flexible use broadband systems in Canada. Revisions to this SRSP will be made as required.

5. Notwithstanding the fact that a system satisfies the requirements of this SRSP, Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada (ISED) may require adjustments to radio and auxiliary equipment in radio stations whenever harmful interference is caused to other radio stations or systems. “Harmful interference,” as defined in the Radiocommunication Act, means an adverse effect of electromagnetic energy from any emission, radiation or induction that (a) endangers the use or functioning of a safety-related radiocommunication system; or (b) significantly degrades or obstructs, or repeatedly interrupts, the use or functioning of radio apparatus or radio-sensitive equipment.

6. The arrangements for non-standard systems are outlined in Spectrum Utilization Policy SP Gen, General Information Related to Spectrum Utilization and Radio Systems Policies.

7. Airborne operations (e.g. drones) are not permitted in the 3450-3900 MHz band.

8. ISED should be advised when potential conflict between radio systems cannot be resolved by the parties concerned. After consultation with these parties, ISED will determine what modifications need to be made and establish a schedule for these modifications in order to resolve the conflict.

9. ISED may require licensees to use receiver selectivity characteristics that provide improved rejection of harmful interference.

10. Equipment operating under flexible use licences in the 3450-3900 MHz band must be certified in accordance with the latest issue of Radio Standards Specification RSS-192, Flexible Use Broadband Equipment Operating in the Band 3450-3900 MHz. Equipment operating under fixed use spectrum licences may continue to operate, provided that such equipment has been previously certified in accordance with RSS-192, issue 3. Operation under fixed use spectrum licences is subject to the operational conditions defined in section 5 of this SRSP.

11. Licensees are required to make information on certain technical parameters of their radio systems available to ISED upon request.

12. The current issues of the following documents are applicable and are available on the Spectrum management and telecommunications website.

Acronyms

• CPC: Client Procedures Circular
• CTFA: Canadian Table of Frequency Allocations
• DGSO: Canada Gazette Notice
• RSP: Radio Standards Procedure
• RSS: Radio Standards Specification
• SLPB: Canada Gazette Notice
• SMSE: Canada Gazette Notice
• SP: Spectrum Utilization Policy
• SPB: Canada Gazette Notice
• SRSP: Standard Radio System Plan
• TRAA: Terrestrial Radiocom Agreements and Arrangements

13. The following terms are used in this document.

Active antenna system (AAS)
An antenna system where the amplitude and/or phase between antenna elements is dynamically adjusted resulting in an antenna pattern that varies in response to short-term changes in the radio environment. AAS may be integrated in a point-to-multipoint (P-MP) hub station, base station and non-fixed subscriber equipment. Antenna systems used for long-term beam shaping such as fixed electrical down tilt are not considered an AAS.

AAS base station equipment
A base station with an AAS antenna system.

Non-active antenna system (Non-AAS)
An antenna system that does not meet the definition of AAS.

Non-AAS base station equipment
A base station with a non-AAS antenna system.

Adjacent frequency block group
In the context of this SRSP, adjacent frequency block group is defined as a continuous frequency range of multiple block(s) of 10 MHz that contains the equipment’s channel bandwidth. For equipment with channel bandwidth smaller than 10 MHz, the frequency block group is the frequency range of a 10 MHz block.

Antenna height above average terrain (HAAT)
The height of the centre of radiation of the antenna above the average elevation of the terrain between 3 km and 16 km from the antenna, for an individual radial. The final antenna HAAT (also known as the effective height of the antenna above average terrain (EHAAT) is the average of the antenna HAATs for 8 radials spaced every 45 degrees of azimuth starting with true north.

14. Fixed stations operating in the 3475-3650 MHz band under fixed spectrum licences issued prior to June 2019, and those which have since been converted from Tier 4 to Tier 5 area licences, may continue to operate under SRSP-303.4, issue 3. Modifications to these existing fixed stations are allowed as long as the modifications comply with SRSP-303.4, issue 3. Any modified station not in compliance with SRSP-303.4, issue 3, will be considered a new fixed station. New fixed stations in the 3475-3650 MHz band are permitted, provided that they comply with all requirements specified in SRSP-520, with the exception of the band plan in paragraphs 18 and 19; instead, new fixed stations shall be required to comply with the band plan specified in SRSP-303.4, issue 3. Collectively, stations deployed under these fixed spectrum licences are hereafter referred to as “fixed spectrum licence deployments.”

15. Notwithstanding compliance with SRSP-303.4, issue 3, or SRSP-520, all fixed spectrum licence deployments are subject to the transition plan outlined in section 6.9 of SLPB-001-19, Decision on Revisions to the 3500 MHz Band to Accommodate Flexible Use and Preliminary Decisions on Changes to the 3800 MHz Band, the transition process general guidelines outlined in section 15 of SLPB-001-20, Policy and Licensing Framework for Spectrum in the 3500 MHz Band, and the 3500 MHz Transition Manual.

16. The guidelines for coordination to resolve possible interference conflicts between fixed spectrum licence deployments and stations operating under flexible use licences are outlined in the 3500 MHz Transition Manual.

17. The guidelines for coordination to resolve possible interference conflicts between fixed spectrum licence deployments are outlined in SRSP-303.4, issue 3.

18. The block structure for flexible use broadband systems in the 3450-3650 MHz (3500 MHz) and 3650-3900 MHz (3800 MHz) bands are shown in figures 1 and 2.

Figure 1: 3500 MHz band plan

Description of figure 1
This figure shows the 3500 MHz band plan, which includes the frequency range of 3450 to 3650 MHz. The frequency range is divided into 20 unpaired blocks of 10 MHz each, labelled from “A” to “V” except “I” and “O”.

Figure 2: 3800 MHz band plan

Description of figure 2

This figure shows the 3800 MHz band plan, which includes the frequency range of 3650 to 3900 MHz. The frequency range is divided into 25 unpaired blocks of 10 MHz each, labelled from “W” to “Z” and from “AA” to “AW” (except “AI” and “AO”).

19. Frequency blocks available for licensing in the 3450-3900 MHz band are intended for use with time division duplexing (TDD) systems. The band is divided in 45 unpaired blocks of 10 MHz. Frequency blocks can be aggregated to form a frequency block group. A frequency block group is a continuous frequency range of multiple block(s) of 10 MHz.

20. Non-TDD flexible use broadband systems operating in the 3450-3900 MHz band may be deployed. Such systems shall not interfere with, nor claim protection from, TDD flexible use broadband systems. Furthermore, flexible use broadband system licensees using non-TDD technology are required to provide sufficient guard bands or other mitigation measures such as the use of external filters, to reduce equivalent isotropically radiated power (e.i.r.p.) or total radiated power (TRP) to levels that are consistent with the unwanted emission limits set out in RSS-192.

21. Operations of new flexible use broadband systems in the 3450-3650 MHz band according to the above band plan are subject to the transition plan outlined in SLPB-001-19, the transition process general guidelines outlined in section 15 of SLPB-001-20, and the 3500 MHz Transition Manual.

22. Operations of new flexible use broadband systems in the 3650-3900 MHz band according to the above band plan are subject to the transition plan outlined in section 10 of SLPB-002-21, Decision on the Technical and Policy Framework for the 3650-4200 MHz Band and Changes to the Frequency Allocation of the 3500-3650 MHz Band, and the 3800 MHz Transition Manual and Licence Exchange Process for Flexible Use Licensees in the 3500/3800 MHz Bands (the 3800 MHz Transition Manual).

23. This section covers technical criteria in regards to power, antenna height and use of multiple-input-multiple-output (MIMO) antennas.

7.1 E.i.r.p. requirements for fixed and base stations

24. This section outlines the technical criteria for fixed and base stations using non-active antenna systems (non-AAS) or active antenna systems (AAS).

7.1.1 E.i.r.p. for non-AAS correlated transmission

25. In non-AAS correlated transmission, multiple non-AAS antennas are used at a station to transmit the same digital data in a given symbol period (even with different coding or phase shifts) for transmit diversity, or to steer signal energy towards a particular direction for enhanced directional gain (i.e. beamforming), or to devise any other transmission mode where signals from different antennas are correlated. The e.i.r.p. shall be calculated based on the aggregate power conducted across all antennas and resulting directional gain 10log₁₀(N)+G_max dBi. Here, N is the number of antennas and G_max is the highest gain in dBi among all antennas.

7.1.2 E.i.r.p. for non-AAS uncorrelated transmission

26. In non-AAS uncorrelated transmission, multiple non-AAS antennas are used at a station in which each antenna transmits different digital data during any given symbol period (i.e. space-time block codes) or independent parallel data stream over the same frequency bandwidth in order to increase data rates (i.e. spatial multiplexing), or from any other transmission mode where signals from different antennas are completely uncorrelated. The e.i.r.p. shall be calculated based on the aggregate power conducted across all antennas and maximum antenna gain G_max.

7.1.3 E.i.r.p. for AAS transmission

27. For AAS fixed and base stations, e.i.r.p. shall be calculated based on the aggregate power conducted across all antennas and resulting directional gain 10log₁₀(N)+G_e,max dBi. Here, N is the number of radiating antenna elements and G_e,max is the maximum gain of an antenna element.

7.1.4 E.i.r.p. limits and antenna height limits for fixed and base stations using non-AAS or AAS

28. For fixed and base stations transmitting in accordance with section 6 of this SRSP within the 3450-3900 MHz band using non-AAS or AAS, the technical requirements in table 1 apply.

29. In mountainous areas where a licensee can demonstrate that the installation will not cause interference to other licensees in adjacent geographical service areas, e.i.r.p. reduction is not required. In the context of this SRSP, a “mountainous area” is defined as a location, at which the ground level of the site has a HAAT greater than 305 metres and there is a terrain feature within 50 km that rises to an elevation higher than the ground level of the site. However, if an interference case arises involving any stations with HAAT above 305 metres, then the station(s) with HAAT above 305 metres will be required to reduce e.i.r.p. according to the formula in table 1, above.

7.2 Power limits for subscriber equipment

30. A wide array of subscriber equipment (e.g. mobile, nomadic, portable and fixed subscriber equipment) is expected to be supported by flexible use broadband systems. Maximum power limits for subscriber equipment are specified in RSS-192. The equipment should employ automatic transmit power control such that stations operate on the minimum required power.

7.3 Transmitter unwanted emissions

31. Transmitter unwanted emissions are specified in RSS-192.

32. This section deals only with coexistence between flexible use broadband systems. See section 5 of this SRSP for coordination guidelines for resolving possible interference conflicts between fixed spectrum licence deployments, or between fixed spectrum licence deployments and flexible use broadband systems.

33. When several flexible use licensees are authorized to operate systems using the same frequency block in adjacent licensing areas, coordination of any transmitter installations that are close to the licence area boundary shall be required to eliminate any harmful interference that might otherwise exist and ensure continuance of equal access to the frequency block by the affected licensees.

34. Fixed or base stations must not generate a power flux density (pfd) outside the licensed service area that exceeds -114.5 dBW/m² in any 1 MHz, unless agreed otherwise by the affected licensee. The pfd of -114.5 dBW/m²/MHz corresponds to an approximate field strength of 31.3 dBuV/m/MHz and a receiver power of -116.9 dBm/MHz. An example of a calculation for pfd is given in annex B.

35. A pfd of -114.5 dBW/m²/MHz may be exceeded at or beyond a flexible use licensee’s service area boundary on a provisional basis where, within 70 km of its service area boundary, there is no station deployment by the neighbouring licensee (70 km zone). Licensees are encouraged to consult ISED’s Spectrum Management System for the latest deployment data for stations within 70 km of their service area boundary, and shall notify the licensees operating in the adjacent area for which the pfd of -114.5 dBW/m²/MHz is exceeded. However, in the event that new stations are deployed by the neighbouring licensee within the 70 km zone, both licensees will be required to meet the pfd at their respective service area boundary, unless otherwise agreed by both licensees.

36. Any fixed or base station will require further coordination with relevant flexible use licensees where any proposed modifications:

• result in a pfd at or beyond the other service area boundary exceeding a pfd of ‑114.5 dBW/m²/MHz; or
• involve operation on frequencies not previously coordinated; or
• change the polarization.

37. Possible harmful interference conflicts resulting from the operation of two flexible use broadband systems in adjacent geographical service areas may occur. The resolution of these conflicts should be arrived at through mutual arrangements between the affected parties following consultation and coordination. When potential conflicts between systems cannot be resolved in a timely fashion, ISED shall be so advised, whereupon, following consultations with the parties concerned, ISED will determine the necessary course of action.

38. System expansion measures, such as addition of cells, cell splitting and sectorization, must not force major changes in the system of the flexible use licensee in the adjacent geographical service area, except by mutual agreement between the affected parties. Changes that could have an impact on the other operator, including cell site locations, cell sectorization and cell splitting, require consultation with the other operator.

39. All results of the analyses concerning the pfd and the arrangements made between the licensees must be retained by the licensees and made available to ISED upon request.

40. This section deals only with coexistence between flexible use broadband systems. See section 5 of this SRSP for coordination guidelines for resolving possible interference conflicts between fixed spectrum licence deployments, or between fixed spectrum licence deployments and flexible use broadband systems.

41. For TDD unsynchronized operations of fixed or base stations by different licensees in adjacent frequency blocks in the same geographic area, licensees are required to coordinate with each other if their emissions exceed the following limits in a particular adjacent frequency block:

1. an e.i.r.p. limit of -34 dBm/5 MHz for non-AAS fixed point-to-point (P-P) stations and flexible use base stations; or
2. a TRP limit of -43 dBm/5 MHz for AAS fixed P-P stations and flexible use base stations.

42. During coordination, licensees may consider techniques including, but not limited to, one or a combination of the following: the use of guard bands, the use of external filters, reducing e.i.r.p. or TRP, and synchronization of TDD operations. “Synchronized TDD operations” means operation of two or more different TDD systems where timeframes of all systems are synchronized in regards to start of the frame and uplink and downlink transmission durations.

43. Possible interference conflicts resulting from the operation of two flexible use broadband systems operating in adjacent block groups may occur even though the technical specifications of both this SRSP and RSS-192 are being met. The resolution of those conflicts should be arrived at through mutual arrangements between the affected parties following consultation and coordination.

44. When potential conflicts between systems cannot be resolved, ISED shall be so advised, whereupon, following consultations with the parties concerned, ISED will determine the necessary modifications and schedule of modifications.

45. Coexistence with other radio service licensees, both in-band and adjacent-band, is required. In this context, specific requirements are provided below, and in some cases, coordination may also be required. Coordination involves consultation between licensees to ensure coexistence with other systems including wireless broadband services (WBS), and fixed-satellite service (FSS).

46. Where an interference conflict occurs, licensees are directed to resolve the conflict through mutual arrangements between the affected parties following consultation and coordination.

47. When potential conflicts between systems cannot be resolved in a timely fashion, ISED shall be so advised, whereupon, following consultations with the parties concerned, ISED will determine the necessary course of action.

10.1 Coexistence between flexible use systems in the 3450-3650 MHz band and radiolocation systems in the 3400-3650 MHz band

48. As indicated in section 6 of SLPB-001-19, existing government users confirmed that removal of the radiolocation allocation in the 3450-3500 MHz band in Canada would not negatively impact the operation of government radiolocation users. However, there is still some maritime radar use in the United States in the 3400-3650 MHz band. As a result, fixed or mobile systems operating in the cities of Halifax, Dartmouth and Vancouver, and nearby coastal areas including those communities that are along the Straits of Georgia and Juan de Fuca, would not be protected from potential interference in the 3450-3650 MHz band due to occasional radar use, particularly in the lower portion of the frequency band.

49. Further, there is the potential for intermittent interference resulting from aeronautical radar use below 3450 MHz in Canada and in the 3400-3650 MHz band in the United States from which fixed or mobile systems would not be protected.

10.2 Coexistence between flexible use systems in the 3450-3900 MHz band and WBS systems in the 3650-3700 MHz band

50. The displacement plan for WBS in the 3650-3700 MHz band is specified in SLPB-002-21. Specifically, the following displacement deadlines apply:

1. March 31, 2025: for WBS operations in all metropolitan and urban Tier 5 service areas as specified in SLPB-002-21
2. March 31, 2027: for WBS operations in rural and remote Tier 5 service areas

51. As per SLPB-002-21, prior to the applicable displacement deadlines, WBS (where permitted to operate) are protected from interference from flexible use operations in the 3650-3900 MHz band. As well, flexible use licensees in the 3450-3650 MHz band are required to coordinate with WBS licensees prior to deployment. The coexistence requirements are specified in the 3800 MHz Transition Manual.

52. After the applicable displacement deadlines, WBS operations will no longer be protected from other services, including flexible use systems.

10.3 Coexistence between flexible use systems in the 3450-3650 MHz band and site-approved FSS earth station operations in the 3500-3650 MHz band

53. As indicated in annex C, a limited number of FSS earth stations operate in the 3500-3650 MHz band. Flexible use spectrum licensees in the 3450-3650 MHz band planning to establish fixed or mobile systems within 80 km of these FSS earth stations (80 km zone) are required to coordinate with earth station licensees. The 80 km zone excludes any area that overlaps with a large or medium population centre. According to Statistics Canada’s Census Dictionary, a large urban population centre has a population of 100,000 or more and a population density of 400 persons or more per km², and a medium population centre has a population between 30,000 and 99,999 and a population density of 400 persons or more per km². MapInfo files describing the boundaries of these population centres are available online. To facilitate coordination, fixed spectrum licensees and flexible use spectrum licensees in the 3450-3650 MHz band shall notify the FSS operator no less than 30 calendar days prior to deployment. If no objection is raised within the 30 days, fixed spectrum licensees or flexible use spectrum licensees may proceed with their deployment.

10.4 Coexistence between flexible use systems in the 3450-3900 MHz range and FSS earth station operations in the 3700-4200 MHz range

54. Further to SMSE-008-22, Decision on Updates to the Licensing and Fee Framework for Earth Stations and Space Stations in Canada, for earth stations in the 3700-4200 MHz range:

• site-specific radio licences will be converted to site-approved earth station spectrum licences
• interim authorizations will be converted to generic earth station spectrum licences

55. Coexistence between flexible use and FSS systems differs depending on the frequency range in which either system operates and whether an FSS earth station is subject to transition. Specific provisions for each relevant band apply.

56. In addition, for the purposes of this SRSP, “non-transitioned” earth stations that may continue to operate in the 3700-4200 MHz band are defined as:

1. site-approved earth stations in satellite-dependent areas that were licensed before the publication of SLPB-002-21 (May 21, 2021) or generic earth stations in satellite-dependent areas that were uploaded to ISED’s Spectrum Management System under an interim authorization before October 22, 2021 (see table F1 of annex F)
2. site-approved earth stations operating at consolidated gateway sites as listed in table F2 of annex F
3. site-approved earth stations operated by Government of Canada at various locations, including in the North Bay area and in certain satellite-dependent areas (see paragraph 58 below)

57. For locations of non-transitioned earth stations, licensees are required to consult the list of licensed FSS earth stations in the 3700-4200 MHz band using ISED’s Spectrum Management System search tool.

58. Further, station information for Government of Canada operations identified above are not available to the public. As such, licensees operating in tiers identified in tables F3 and F4 in annex F shall use ISED’s Protected Microwave Frequency Information Search to obtain operator contact information of these non-transitioned Government of Canada earth stations.

59. An earth station is not considered as non-transitioned if its corresponding satellite operates only in the 4000-4200 MHz band.

60. Technical and operational requirements for earth stations in the 4000-4200 MHz band will be addressed in SRSP-102, Band-Specific Technical Requirements for Earth Stations in the Fixed-Satellite Service.

10.4.1  Coexistence between flexible use systems in the 3450-3700 MHz band and site-approved non-transitioned FSS earth station operations in the 3700-4200 MHz band

61. Prior to March 31, 2025, the coexistence requirements between fixed or mobile systems and existing site-approved non-transitioned FSS earth stations operating in the 3700-4200 MHz band are specified in the 3800 MHz Transition Manual.

62. After March 31, 2025, operators of a fixed or base station in the 3450‑3700 MHz band (this does not include fixed or base stations with an authorized bandwidth that extends into the frequency range 3700-3900 MHz for which section 10.4.2 would apply) planning to exceed the notification trigger levels set out in a) or b) below at a site-approved non-transitioned earth station’s antenna in the 3700-4200 MHz band are required to notify the affected operator prior to deployment at least a year in advance, if the fixed or base station:

1. exceeds a pfd notification trigger level set out in table 2 at a site-approved non-transitioned earth station’s antenna, where ɵ is the elevation angle of the earth station antenna (the pfd notification trigger level applies to all emissions within an earth station’s authorized band of operation, 3700-4200 MHz); or
2. exceeds a pfd notification trigger level of -87.72 dBW/m²/MHz at a site-approved non-transitioned earth station antenna, regardless of proximity to such earth station (this pfd notification trigger level applies to all emissions within the fixed or base station’s authorized bandwidth).

10.4.2 Coexistence between flexible use systems in the 3700-3900 MHz band and non-transitioned FSS earth station operations in the 3700-4200 MHz band

63. Prior to March 31, 2025, the coexistence requirements between fixed or mobile systems with non-transitioned FSS earth stations operating in the 3700-4200 MHz band are specified in the 3800 MHz Transition Manual.

64. After March 31, 2025:

1. Licensees planning to establish fixed or mobile systems in the 3700-3900 MHz band are required to protect non-transitioned FSS earth station operations in the 3700-4200 MHz band.
2. Fixed or base stations planning to exceed the applicable pfd coordination trigger levels set out in table 2, above, at a non-transitioned earth station’s antenna, where ɵ is the elevation angle of the earth station antenna, are required to coordinate with an affected earth station operator prior to deployment (these pfd coordination trigger levels apply to all emissions within the earth station’s authorized band of operation, 3700‑4200 MHz.)
3. During coordination, it is expected that the coexistence assessment consider actual deployment parameters and equipment specifications for the successful sharing of these frequency bands.  Moreover, both parties are expected to cooperate and jointly resolve any issues in a timely manner to ensure equitable access and use of the spectrum.
4. In the absence of a coordination agreement and in the event of interference (irrespective of fixed or base stations meeting the above technical rules), it is the responsibility of the flexible use licensee to mitigate the interference (e.g. reduce power, adjust antennas, etc.) to any non-transitioned FSS earth station.

10.4.3 Coexistence between flexible use systems in the 3700-3900 MHz band and site-approved or generic FSS earth stations licensed only in 4000-4200 MHz

65. This section is with regards to existing site-approved or generic FSS earth stations licensed to only operate in the 4000-4200 MHz band in all areas. Earth station operations in 4000-4200 MHz do not include non-transitioned earth stations (for which section 10.4.2 would apply). Fixed or base station operators planning to exceed the coordination trigger levels set out in a) or b) below at an existing site-approved or generic FSS earth station’s antenna in the 4000-4200 MHz band are required to coordinate with an affected operator prior to deployment, if the planned fixed or base station:

1. exceeds a pfd coordination trigger level set out in table 2, above, at an existing site-approved or generic FSS earth station’s antenna, where ɵ is the elevation angle of the earth station antenna (the pfd coordination trigger levels apply to all emissions within an earth station’s authorized band of operation, 4000‑4200 MHz); or
2. exceeds a pfd coordination trigger level of -6.2 dBW/m²/MHz at an existing site-approved or generic FSS earth station antenna (this pfd coordination trigger level applies to all emissions within the fixed or base station’s authorized bandwidth).

66. During coordination, it is expected that the coexistence assessment consider actual deployment parameters and equipment specifications for the successful sharing of these frequency bands.  Moreover, both parties are expected to cooperate and jointly resolve any issues in a timely manner to ensure equitable access and use of the spectrum.

67. Licensees planning to establish fixed or mobile systems in the 3700-3900 MHz band are required to protect existing site-approved or generic FSS earth stations licensed to only operate in the 4000-4200 MHz band in all areas, as long as these earth stations meet the receiver filter parameters provided in annex G.

68. Station information for Government of Canada operations identified above are not available to the public. As such, licensees planning to establish fixed or mobile systems in the 3700-3900 MHz band must also consult table F4 of annex F to determine if the planned fixed or base station is located in one of the Tier 4 service areas that may potentially impact an aforementioned earth station and belongs to Government of Canada. Before deploying any planned fixed or base station, licensees must coordinate with the Government of Canada earth station operator to ensure the conditions in paragraph 65 are met.

69. Section 10.4.3 provides protection to site-approved or generic FSS earth stations that have already been authorized (i.e. existing stations) prior to the establishment of a fixed or base station. Thus, in the absence of a coordination agreement and in the event of interference (irrespective of fixed or base stations meeting the above technical rules), it is the responsibility of the flexible use licensee to mitigate the interference (e.g. reduce power, adjust antennas, etc.) to the existing licensed FSS earth stations if the FSS earth stations meet the receiver filter parameters in annex G. Site-approved or generic FSS earth stations authorized after the establishment of fixed or base stations may not claim protection from such fixed or mobile stations.

10.5 Coexistence between flexible use systems in the 3450-3900 MHz band and radio altimeters in the radionavigation service

70. Radio altimeters operate in the radionavigation service in the 4200-4400 MHz band. For coexistence between licensees in the 3450-3900 MHz band and radio altimeters in the 4200-4400 MHz band, all outdoor stations shall meet the requirements described below. The provisions in this section do not apply to indoor stations.

71. The antenna uptilt angle is calculated as the sum of the digital and mechanical tilt angles (relative to the horizon) for each fixed and base station antenna.

72. Fixed and base stations shall not operate with an antenna uptilt angle greater than 19 degrees (relative to the horizon).

73. Fixed and base stations operating with a positive antenna uptilt angle (relative to the horizon) shall not exceed the maximum e.i.r.p. limits that are defined in table 3 below.

74. No licensee shall operate a station within the runway exclusion zones defined in annex D.

75. Licensees of existing stations already in operation prior to the publication of SRSP-520, issue 3, and any licensee planning to operate a new station or modify an existing station within a protection zone around a runway as defined in section E.1 of annex E shall ensure that they are in compliance with all of the technical and operational requirements defined in section E.2 of annex E. Licensees shall submit an attestation to ISED as described in section E.3 of annex E at least 15 days prior to operation of any new station or to implementing any modification to an existing station. Licensees of existing stations shall submit an attestation within 15 days of the publication of SRSP-520, issue 3.

76. Licensees of existing 3500 MHz stations already in operation prior to the publication of SRSP-520, issue 3, and not meeting the protection zone e.i.r.p. and height restrictions could be allowed to continue operation with their existing deployment parameters on a case-by-case basis. Licensees may contact ISED for guidance.

77. Notwithstanding the above mitigation measures, telecommunication and aviation operators may enter into agreements that may differ from the mitigation measures specified in section 10.5 of this SRSP. These agreements must be submitted to ISED and Transport Canada for approval prior to their implementation.

78. The national antenna uptilt and power limits in table 3, above, including the exclusion and protections zones for the 3500 MHz and 3800 MHz bands (see annexes D and E) will remain in force until January 1, 2026. Between January 2, 2026 and December 31, 2027, only the e.i.r.p. elevation mask in figure E3 in annex E for 3800 MHz outdoor fixed and base stations will continue to apply in the areas covered by the former 3800 MHz exclusion zones and the protection zones.

10.6 Coexistence between flexible use systems in the 3700-3900 MHz band and fixed services in the 3700-4200 MHz band

79. There are currently two fixed systems in operation located in two different Tier 4 areas listed in annex H. Flexible use licensees may not claim protection from, nor cause interference to, these existing fixed systems.

80. One of these fixed systems is operated by the Government of Canada — Department of National Defence (DND). Although flexible use licensees planning to deploy stations in this tier are required to protect DND’s system, due to the nature of its operation, only limited technical information may be available. Thus, DND will be responsible for contacting the flexible use licensees that may impact its operations and disclose the necessary information to ensure its fixed system is protected.

81. In the event of interference, it is the responsibility of the flexible use licensee to mitigate the interference (e.g. reduce power, adjust antennas, etc.) to these fixed systems (at their grandfathered operating parameters).

10.7 Coexistence between flexible use systems in the 3700-3900 MHz band and non-competitive local licensed systems in the 3900 MHz band

82. Non-competitive local (NCL) licensed operations that include block A1 (3900-3910 MHz) are on a no-protection, no-interference basis with respect to flexible use services in the 3700-3900 MHz band. Flexible use licensees planning to establish a fixed or base station in the 3700-3900 MHz band do not need to protect these NCL licensed operations. In the event of interference conflicts to/from these NCL licensed operations, it is the responsibility of the NCL licensee to mitigate the interference (e.g. TDD synchronization, lowering of transmitting power, etc.).

83. For NCL licensed operations that do not include block A1, interference between flexible use and NCL licensed services is not expected. However, in the event of interference conflicts to/from these NCL licensed operations, the resolution of these conflicts should be arrived at through mutual arrangements between the affected parties following consultation and coordination. ISED expects that interference can be managed between licensees. As such, ISED will not be involved in coordinating station assignments or resolving interference problems between flexible use licensees and these adjacent band NCL licensees. The resolution of potential interference conflicts should be achieved through good faith discussions and mutual arrangement between the affected parties.

84. Through their conditions of licence, flexible use licensees will be required to abide by certain technical requirements and to coordinate with US licensees in accordance with the conditions of any international arrangements or agreements into which Canada enters for the 3450-3550 MHz, 3550-3700 MHz and 3700-3900 MHz bands.

85. Specific coordination rules and procedures for the sharing of the band 3450-3550 MHz, 3550-3700 MHz and 3700-3900 MHz between Canadian and US licensees are under negotiation between ISED and the Federal Communications Commission (FCC).

86. Until the negotiation is finalized, the coordination process outlined in annex A shall be used.

87. Canadian licensees are encouraged to enter into agreements with US licensees (Agreements) to facilitate coordination, which should:

1. allow reasonable and timely development of the respective systems of the licensees
2. allow for the provision of services by licensees within their service areas on either side of the border to the maximum extent possible
3. utilize all available interference mitigation techniques, including antenna directivity, polarization, frequency offset, shielding, site selection and/or power control
4. continue to apply to any subordinate licensees or transferees

88. Licensees must retain all data and calculations related to coordination of stations and/or Agreements and must provide ISED with such data and calculations, along with other supporting documentation, upon request.

89. If a licence is transferred, assigned or reissued, ISED requires any existing agreement forming the basis for coordination to continue to apply to the new licensee unless a new agreement is reached.

11.1 Flexible use to flexible use coordination

90. Until the international agreements are finalized, flexible use licensees planning to establish or modify a fixed or base station within 70 km of the Canada-US border shall coordinate with the US flexible use licensees if the ground level pfd exceeds -114.5 dBW/m²/MHz in the other country’s territory.

91. The maximum pfd limit in paragraph 90 can only be exceeded upon successful coordination between licensees.

92. These requirements are subject to change from time to time in accordance with international agreements.

11.2 Flexible use (3650-3700 MHz) and FSS (3650-3700 MHz) coordination

93. Until the international agreements are finalized, a new fixed or base station must not cause harmful interference to the US FSS licensed earth stations operating in the 3650-3700 MHz band at the locations specified in table 4.

11.3 Flexible use (3700-3900 MHz) and FSS (4000-4200 MHz) coordination

94. Until the international agreements are finalized, a new fixed or base station in 3700-3900 MHz must not cause harmful interference to the US FSS registered earth stations operating in the 4000-4200 MHz band.

When coordination with US licensees is required, Canadian licensees must complete the process outlined below.

The licensee seeking coordination shall determine the maximum power flux density (pfd) at and beyond the border that could be produced by any single transmitting station. In making this determination (calculation), the licensee shall use sound engineering practices and generally accepted terrain-sensitive propagation models.

The licensee must communicate with any affected US licensee and either enter into an Agreement as defined in this SRSP or provide the US licensee with a Coordination Request.

A Coordination Request shall set out information and parameters including, but not limited to, the following:

• licensee information (corporate name, mailing address, telephone number, email address)
• licensed service areas
• point of contact
• location of transmitter (community, province/territory)
• geographic coordinates of transmitting antenna
• equivalent isotropically radiated power (e.i.r.p.) or total radiated power (TRP) (dBW)
• ground elevation and antenna height above ground (m)
• centre frequency (MHz)
• antenna polarization
• antenna pattern/tabulation of the pattern
• azimuth of the maximum antenna gain
• bandwidth and emission designation

The Coordination Request shall be sent by registered mail (or mutually acceptable method) and shall provide notification that the recipient may respond by registered mail (or mutually acceptable method) within 30 days of its receipt to state any objection to deployment of the proposed facilities. It should be noted that the date of postmark shall be taken as the date of response. If no objection is raised by the US licensee within this time period, then the coordination process may be considered complete.

If a recipient of a Coordination Request raises an objection within 30 days of receipt of that request, licensees shall collaborate to develop a mutually acceptable solution to the potential interference problem (an Agreement).

In the event that the Canadian licensee and the US licensee cannot reach an Agreement within 30 days of receipt of an objection, the Canadian licensee may request that ISED facilitate resolution of the case with the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) in the United States.

A station that requires coordination shall not be placed in operation until an Agreement has been reached between the relevant licensees or until ISED and the FCC have agreed on sharing terms.

The following example illustrates how the power flux density (pfd) at the service area boundary may be determined. Note that the calculation in the example assumes line‑of‑sight conditions. Where line-of-sight does not exist, an appropriate propagation model that takes the non-line-of-sight situation into account should be used.

Example station parameters are provided in table B1.

An example deployment scenario is depicted in figure B1.

Figure B1: Example deployment scenario

Description of figure B1

This figure shows the geometry for the sample pfd calculation. A transmitting flexible use base station is located within Service Area X. It is recommended that one find the pfd resulting from this transmitter at the boundary of a nearby Service Area Y. The distance, D_km, to be used in this calculation is from the base station transmitter location to the boundary of Service Area Y, i.e. not from boundary to boundary. This base station transmitter has an associated power, P_T, and gain in the direction of the boundary of Service Area Y, G_T.

The spectral power density in dB(W/MHz) at the boundary of service area Y (P_boundary) may be calculated using free‑space propagation, taking into account such factors as atmospheric losses, as follows:

P_boundary
= P_T' + G_T – Path Loss
= P_T' + G_T − 20 log F_MHz − 20 log D_km − 32.4
= (10 + 17 − 20 log (3515) − 20 log (50) − 32.4) dB(W/MHz)
= (10 + 17 – 70.92 – 33.98 − 32.4) dB(W/MHz)
= -110.3 dB(W/ MHz)

where: P_T'
= P_T − 10 log B_MHz
= 20 − 10 log (10)
= 10 dB(W/MHz)

Then, the power flux density in dB(W/m²) in 1 MHz (pfd) may be calculated as follows:

pfd
= P_boundary − 10 log A_r
= (-110.3 − 10 log (579.9 x 10^-6)) dB(W/m²) in 1 MHz
= (-110.3 − (-32.36)) dB(W/m²) in 1 MHz
= -77.94 dB(W/m²) in 1 MHz

where: A_r
= λ² / (4π)
= c² / ((4π) x (F_Hz )²)
= (3 x 10⁸)² / ((4π) x (3515 x 10⁶ )²)
= 579.9 x 10^-6 m²

Note that the above calculation is presented in this form to illustrate the ease by which an alternative Path Loss calculation method can be substituted for the free-space formulation used here. This example is provided for information only and the use of other generally accepted calculation methods is permitted.

The licence and location information of the fixed-satellite service (FSS) earth stations operating in the frequency band 3500‑3650 MHz is provided in table C1.

This section defines the exclusion zones around airport runways for the 3500 MHz and 3800 MHz bands. For both the 3500 MHz and 3800 MHz bands, exclusion zones have been developed for two types of runways: runways with a typical glide slope (i.e. glide slope greater than or equal to 3 degrees) and runways with a lower glide slope (i.e. glide slope less than 3 degrees). Two airport runways (Iqualuit, Nunavut (CYFB) and Deer Lake, Newfoundland and Labrador (CYDF)) have exclusion zones for lower glide slopes, and all other airport runway exclusion zones are based on typical glide slopes. The list of exclusion zones and maps depicting these zones is available for download on the Map of Exclusion Zones and Protection Zones (SRSP-520) web page.

All exclusion zones are composed of two shapes: a rectangle and an isosceles trapezoid. The rectangle has the same length as the runway and is centred on the centreline of the runway. The isosceles trapezoid is centred on the centreline of the runway and starts at the runway threshold. The dimensions of the rectangle and isosceles trapezoid for each band and glide slope type are specified in table D1. Figures D1 and D2 illustrate the exclusion zones for the 3500 MHz and 3800 MHz bands for airport runways with typical and lower glide slopes, respectively.

Figure D1: Illustration of the exclusion zone geometry for the 3500 MHz and 3800 MHz bands for airport runways with a typical glide slope

Description of figure D1
Figure D1 illustrates exclusion zones for the 3500 MHz and 3800 MHz bands around airport runways with a typical glide slope. The exclusion zones are red polygons composed of two shapes. The first shape is the same for both the 3500 MHz and 3800 MHz bands. It is composed of a rectangle having the same length as the runway and a width of 1354 metres centred on the centreline of the runway. For both the 3500 MHz and 3800 MHz bands, the second shape is an isosceles trapezoid centred on the centreline of the runway, extending from the runway threshold. For the 3500 MHz band, the trapezoid has a length of 1590 metres, an initial base width of 1354 metres beginning at the runway threshold and the ending base width is 1292 metres. For the 3800 MHz band, the trapezoid has a length of 1590 metres, an initial base width of 1354 metres beginning at the runway threshold and the ending base width of 1512 metres.

Figure D2: Illustration of the exclusion zone geometry for the 3500 MHz and 3800 MHz bands for airport runways with a lower glide slope

Description of figure D2
Figure D2 illustrates exclusion zones for the 3500 MHz and 3800 MHz bands around airport runways with a lower glide slope. The exclusion zones are red polygons composed of two shapes. The first shape is the same for both the 3500 MHz and 3800 MHz bands. It is composed of a rectangle having the same length as the runway and a width of 1440 metres centred on the centreline of the runway. For both the 3500 MHz and 3800 MHz bands, the second shape is an isosceles trapezoid centred on the centreline of the runway, extending from the runway threshold. For the 3500 MHz band, the trapezoid has a length of 1842 metres, an initial base width of 1440 metres beginning at the runway threshold and the ending base width of 1370 metres. For the 3800 MHz band, the trapezoid has a length of 1842 metres, an initial base width of 1440 metres beginning at the runway threshold and the ending base width of 1590 metres.

This section defines the provisions that are applicable to the operation of fixed and base stations within the protection zones around airport runways for the 3500 MHz and 3800 MHz bands.

E.1 Definition of protection zones around airport runways

This section defines the protection zones around airport runways for the 3500 MHz and 3800 MHz bands. For the 3500 MHz and 3800 MHz bands, protection zones have been developed for two types of runways: runways with a typical glide slope (i.e. glide slope greater than or equal to 3 degrees) and runways with a lower glide slope (i.e. glide slope less than 3 degrees). Two airport runways (Iqualuit, Nunavut (CYFB) and Deer Lake, Newfoundland and Labrador (CYDF)) have protection zones with lower glide slopes, and all other airport runway protection zones are based on typical glide slopes. The list of protection zones and maps depicting these zones is available for download on the Map of Exclusion Zones and Protection Zones (SRSP-520) web page.

The protection zones for typical and lower glide slopes for both the 3500 MHz and 3800 MHz bands are composed of three sub-zones within which different e.i.r.p. and height limits apply: a low-power protection zone; a mid-power protection zone; and a higher-power protection zone.

In cases of overlap between the exclusion zone and the protection zone, fixed and base stations are considered to be within an exclusion zone. In cases where the mid-power and higher-power protection zones overlap with a low-power protection zone, fixed and base stations are considered to be within a low-power protection zone. In cases where the mid-power protection zone overlaps with a higher-power protection zone, fixed and base stations are considered to be within a mid-power protection zone.

In cases where a base station operates in both the 3500 MHz and 3800 MHz bands, the 3800 MHz protection zone shall apply.

Low-power protection zones around airport runways

For all glide slopes and bands combinations, the low-power protection zones are composed of an isosceles trapezoid and two right triangles.

The isosceles trapezoid is aligned with the runway centreline. The trapezoid starts where the exclusion zone ends and extends to the start of the mid-power protection zone. The length, initial base width and ending base width of the trapezoid are specified in table E1.

The two right triangles are placed on either side of the rectangular segments of exclusion zones with a lateral distance from runway centreline specified in table E2. The right triangles start at the runway threshold and are drawn with a heading parallel with the heading of the runway (i.e. in the direction that the aircraft lands) and have a length and ending height specified in table E2.

Mid-power protection zones around airport runways

For both the 3500 MHz and 3800 MHz bands, the mid-power protection zones are composed of an isosceles trapezoid that is aligned with the runway centreline. The isosceles trapezoid starts at the end of the low-power protection zone and ends at the distance specified in table E3. The starting base width and ending base width of the trapezoid are defined in table E3.

Higher-power protection zones around airport runways

For both the 3500 MHz and 3800 MHz bands, the higher-power protection zones are composed of an isosceles trapezoid that is aligned with the runway centreline and surround the low-power and mid-power trapezoid protection zones. The trapezoid starts at the end of the exclusion zone. The ending distance (referenced to runway threshold), starting base width and ending base width of the trapezoid are defined in table E4.

Figures E1 and E2 illustrate the exclusion zone and low-, mid- and higher-power protection zones for the 3500 MHz and 3800 MHz bands for airport runways with typical and lower glide slopes, respectively.

Figure E1: Exclusion zone and protection zones for runways with a typical glide slope for the 3500 MHz and 3800 MHz bands

Description of figure E1
Figure E1 illustrates the protection zones around airport runways with a typical glide slope. It illustrates two figures: one for the 3500 MHz frequency band (above) and one for the 3800 MHz frequency band (below). Both figures illustrate a runway surrounded by an exclusion zone. The exclusion zones are red unfilled polygons composed of two shapes. The first shape is the same for both the 3500 MHz and 3800 MHz bands. It is composed of a rectangle having the same length as the runway and a width of 1354 metres centred on the centreline of the runway. For both the 3500 MHz and 3800 MHz bands, the second shape is an isosceles trapezoid centred on the centreline of the runway, extending from the runway threshold. For the 3500 MHz band, the trapezoid has a length of 1590 metres, an initial base width of 1354 metres beginning at the runway threshold and the ending base width is 1292 metres. For the 3800 MHz band, the trapezoid has a length of 1590 metres, an initial base width of 1354 metres beginning at the runway threshold and the ending base width is 1512 metres. The protection zones for both the 3500 MHz and 3800 MHz bands are composed of three sub-zones within which different e.i.r.p. and height limits apply: a low-power protection zone (illustrated as three yellow polygons); a mid-power protection zone (illustrated as one blue polygon); and a higher-power protection zone (illustrated as a green polygon).

• The low-power protection zone for both the 3500 MHz and 3800 MHz bands is composed of an isosceles trapezoid and two right triangles.
  • For both the 3500 MHz and 3800 MHz bands, the isosceles trapezoid is aligned with the runway centreline starting where the exclusion zone ends and extending to the start of the mid-power protection zone. For the 3500 MHz band, the trapezoid starts at 1590 metres from the runway threshold with a starting base width of 560 metres and ends at 2464 metres from the runway threshold with an ending base width of 620 metres. For the 3800 MHz band, the trapezoid starts at 1590 metres from the runway threshold with a starting base width of 780 metres and ends at 2464 metres from the runway threshold with an ending base width of 840 metres.
  • For both the 3500 MHz and 3800 MHz bands, the two right triangles are placed on either side of the rectangular segments of the exclusion zones. The right triangles start at the runway threshold with a lateral distance of 677 metres from the runway centreline, and extend with a heading parallel with the heading of the runway (i.e. in the direction that the aircraft lands). For the 3500 MHz band, the right triangles have a length of 2234 metres and ending height of 350 metres. For the 3800 MHz band, the right triangles have a length of 2344 metres and ending height of 460 metres.
• The mid-power protection zone for both the 3500 MHz and 3800 MHz bands is composed of an isosceles trapezoid that is aligned with the runway centreline. The trapezoid for both the 3500 MHz and 3800 MHz bands starts at the end of the low-power protection zone, i.e. at 2464 metres from the runway threshold and ends at 3170 metres from the runway threshold. For the 3500 MHz band, the trapezoid has a starting base width of 620 metres and an ending base width of 674 metres. For the 3800 MHz band, the trapezoid has a starting base width of 840 metres and an ending base width of 894 metres.
• The higher-power protection zone for both the 3500 MHz and 3800 MHz bands is composed of an isosceles trapezoid that is aligned with the runway centreline and surrounds the low-power and mid-power trapezoid protection zones. The trapezoid for both the 3500 MHz and 3800 MHz bands starts at the end of the exclusion zone, i.e. at 1590 metres from the runway threshold and ends at 3740 metres from the runway threshold. For the 3500 MHz band, the trapezoid has a starting base width of 1292 metres and an ending base width of 1944 metres. For the 3800 MHz band, the trapezoid has a starting base width of 1512 metres and an ending base width of 2164 metres.

Figure E2: Exclusion zone and protection zones for runways with a lower glide slope for the 3500 MHz and 3800 MHz bands

Description of figure E2
Figure E2 illustrates the protection zones around airport runways with a lower glide slope. It illustrates two figures: one for the 3500 MHz frequency band (above) and one for the 3800 MHz frequency band (below). Both figures illustrate a runway surrounded by an exclusion zone. The exclusion zones are red unfilled polygons composed of two shapes. The first shape is the same for both the 3500 MHz and 3800 MHz bands. It is composed of a rectangle having the same length as the runway and a width of 1440 metres centred on the centreline of the runway. For both the 3500 MHz and 3800 MHz bands, the second shape is an isosceles trapezoid centred on the centreline of the runway, extending from the runway threshold. For the 3500 MHz band, the trapezoid has a length of 1842 metres, an initial base width of 1440 metres beginning at the runway threshold and the ending base width is 1370 metres. For the 3800 MHz band, the trapezoid has a length of 1842 metres, an initial base width of 1440 metres beginning at the runway threshold and the ending base width is 1590 metres. The protection zones for both the 3500 MHz and 3800 MHz bands are composed of three sub-zones within which different e.i.r.p. and height limits apply: a low-power protection zone (illustrated as three yellow polygons); a mid-power protection zone (illustrated as one blue polygon); and a higher-power protection zone (illustrated as one green polygon).

• The low-power protection zone for both the 3500 MHz and 3800 MHz bands is composed of an isosceles trapezoid and two right triangles.
  • For both the 3500 MHz and 3800 MHz bands, the isosceles trapezoid is aligned with the runway centreline starting where the exclusion zone ends and extending to the start of the mid-power protection zone. For the 3500 MHz band, the trapezoid starts at 1842 metres from the runway threshold with a starting base width of 578 metres and ends at 2986 metres from the runway threshold with an ending base width of 656 metres. For the 3800 MHz band, the trapezoid starts at 1842 metres from the runway threshold with a starting base width of 798 metres and ends at 2986 metres from the runway threshold with an ending base width of 876 metres.
  • For both the 3500 MHz and 3800 MHz bands, the two right triangles are placed on either side of the rectangular segments of the exclusion zones. The right triangles start at the runway threshold with a lateral distance of 720 metres from the runway centreline, and extend with a heading parallel with the heading of the runway (i.e. in the direction that the aircraft lands). For the 3500 MHz band, the right triangles have a length of 1988 metres and ending height of 306 metres. For the 3800 MHz band, the right triangles have a length of 2100 metres and ending height of 416 metres.
• The mid-power protection zone for both the 3500 MHz and 3800 MHz bands is composed of an isosceles trapezoid that is aligned with the runway centreline. The trapezoid for both the 3500 MHz and 3800 MHz bands starts at the end of the low-power protection zone, i.e. at 2986 metres from the runway threshold and ends at 3806 metres from the runway threshold. For the 3500 MHz band, the trapezoid has a starting base width of 656 metres and an ending base width of 714 metres. For the 3800 MHz band, the trapezoid has a starting base width of 876 metres and an ending base width of 934 metres.
• The higher-power protection zone for both the 3500 MHz and 3800 MHz bands is composed of an isosceles trapezoid that is aligned with the runway centreline and surrounds the low-power and mid-power trapezoid protection zones. The trapezoid for both the 3500 MHz and 3800 MHz bands starts at the end of the exclusion zone, i.e. at 1842 metres from the runway threshold and ends at 4500 metres from the runway threshold. For the 3500 MHz band, the trapezoid has a starting base width of 1370 metres and an ending base width of 2176 metres. For the 3800 MHz band, the trapezoid has a starting base width of 1590 metres and an ending base width of 2396 metres.

E.2 Technical and operational requirements in protection zones

This section describes the technical and operational requirements for operating in the low-, mid- and higher-power protection zones. These requirements must be met at all times. Despite compliance with the requirements specified above, ISED may require a licensee to implement additional measures to further enable coexistence.

E.2.1 Outdoor fixed and base station e.i.r.p. and height limits

All outdoor fixed and base stations that are deployed inside the protection zones (low-power, mid-power, higher-power) described in section E.1 shall comply with the height and e.i.r.p. limits of tables E5 and E6 for the 3500 MHz and 3800 MHz bands, respectively.

Within the low-power protection zones, fixed and base stations must remain below 30 metres in height, as measured from the runway threshold. Within the mid-power protection zones, fixed and base stations must remain below 55 metres in height, as measured from the runway threshold. In the higher-power protection zones, fixed and base stations must remain below 55 metres and 60 metres in height, as measured from the runway threshold in the 3500 MHz and 3800 MHz bands, respectively.

The heights of the fixed and base stations are determined with respect to the height of the runway threshold. Where protection zones of the same type overlap (e.g. two low-power protection zones), the height of the runway threshold is taken to be the minimum height within the overlapping protection zones.

The following formula describes how to calculate the fixed or base station height above the height of the runway threshold:

H_ART = H_station,AMSL – H_{threshold,AMSL}

Where H_ART is the height of the fixed or base station above the height of the runway threshold, H_station,AMSL is the height of the fixed or base station above mean sea level, and H_{threshold,AMSL} is the height of the runway threshold above mean sea level.

The following provides an example of how to calculate the height above runway threshold of the fixed or base station. In this example, the height of the runway threshold above mean sea level, H_{threshold,AMSL}, is 32 metres. The height of the station above ground level is 15 metres and the height of the terrain at the station location is 30 metres; therefore, the height of the station above mean sea level, H_station,AMSL, is 45 metres. The height of the station above the height of the runway threshold, H_ART:

H_ART = 45 m – 32 m
= 13 m

The Map of Exclusion Zones and Protection Zones (SRSP-520) web page provides the height of the runway threshold for each protection zone in tabular format. The heights of the runway thresholds are also included in the mapping layers and can be downloaded from the aforementioned web page.

E.2.2 Fixed and base station e.i.r.p. elevation mask within protection zones

All outdoor fixed and base stations deployed inside the protection zones shall attenuate their skyward emissions such that their e.i.r.p. above the horizon respects the e.i.r.p. elevation mask described by the following equation:

Required e.i.r.p. attenuation (α) = min [0, -14 + 20 * log₁₀ (1/sin(α+11.5))] dB

Where α is the elevation angle in degrees, referenced to the horizon. The e.i.r.p. elevation mask is depicted in figure E3, below.

The e.i.r.p. elevation mask must be met 100% of the time (including all possible vertical scanning angles implemented by the operator) and for all elevation angles, α, above the horizon. An operator shall calculate the e.i.r.p. attenuation of the fixed or base station above the horizon utilizing the following formula:

e.i.r.p. attenuation (α) = (e.i.r.p.)_max,station - (e.i.r.p.)_max,SRSP + G(α)

Where (e.i.r.p.)_max,station is the maximum e.i.r.p. produced by the fixed or base station, (e.i.r.p.)_max,SRSP is the appropriate maximum allowable e.i.r.p. from table E5 or E6, above, based on fixed or base station height above the height of the runway threshold and the type of protection zone it is located in, and G(α) is the normalized gain envelope of the station at the elevation angle, α, relative to the horizon. The normalized gain envelope shall be calculated by determining the maximum gain of that the antenna that could produce at angle of α relative to the horizon and subtracting the maximum gain of the antenna. Where a fixed or base station is operating at the maximum allowable power from tables E5 and E6, above, the required e.i.r.p. attenuation is the normalized gain envelope of the fixed or base station antenna.

Figure E3: E.i.r.p. elevation mask for outdoor fixed and base stations deployed within the protection zones

Description of figure E3
This figure illustrates the e.i.r.p. elevation mask of the base and mobile stations that operate within the protection zones. The graph is a depiction of the required e.i.r.p. attenuation formula of section E.2.2, which is the minimum of 0 dB and -14 + 20 * log₁₀ (1/sin(α+11.5)) dB, where α is the attenuation angle above the horizon. The horizontal axis represents the elevation angle with respect to the horizon and the vertical axis represents the required attenuation that needs to be applied to fixed and base station emissions at any given elevation angle.

E.3 Attestation requirements

At least 15 days prior to the operation of a fixed or base station or the modification of an existing fixed or base station within a protection zone, licensees are required to submit an attestation provided by a senior executive responsible for the installation of radio equipment (e.g. chief technical officer, VP engineering or equivalent).

Each licensee is required to submit a single attestation for all stations located within any protection zones described in section E.1. The attestation shall include a list of all stations in the protection zone(s) and identify each station’s coordinates, corresponding protection zone identifier, height above mean sea level and operational date. The protection zone identifier is outlined in the first column of the table provided on the Map of Exclusion Zones and Protection Zones (SRSP-520) web page. The attestation will also include a statement affirming that the licensee’s fixed and based stations are in compliance with the e.i.r.p. and height limits, and the e.i.r.p. elevation mask described in section E.2. When a new station or modifications to an existing station is planned, the licensee should conduct any necessary analyses to ensure technical compliance with the requirements in section E.2 and submit an updated attestation to ISED at least 15 days prior to the operation of the new or modified station(s). When updating the attestation to include new stations or to modify existing stations, the licensee shall indicate whether such entry is for a new station or a modification to an existing station.

An example of an attestation is provided below.

The attestation should be filed in an electronic format and sent to:

Spectrum Management Operations Branch
spectrumoperations-operationsduspectre@ised-isde.gc.ca

Transport Canada Civil Aviation
TC.CivAv5G-5GAvCiv.TC@tc.gc.ca 

E.4 Sample calculations for determining compliance with e.i.r.p. elevation mask

This section provides two sample calculations to show how to determine compliance with the e.i.r.p. elevation mask: one sample calculation where the station is in compliance and one sample calculation where the station is not in compliance.

Example 1: Station in compliance with e.i.r.p. elevation mask
In this example, the station is operating in a mid-power protection zone with the parameters listed in table E7. From table E7, the maximum allowable e.i.r.p. is 58 dBm/MHz.

The licensee would calculate compliance with the e.i.r.p. elevation mask as follows:

e.i.r.p. attenuation (α) = (e.i.r.p.)_max,station - (e.i.r.p.)_max,SRSP + G(α)
= 57 - 58+ G(α)
= -1 + G(α)

Figure E4 shows the comparison of the station’s e.i.r.p. attenuation compared with the e.i.r.p. elevation mask. In this example, the station would be compliant with the e.i.r.p. elevation mask defined in section E.2.2 because the station’s e.i.r.p. attenuation is less than the antenna e.i.r.p. mask for all elevation angles above the horizon, α.

Figure E4: Sample calculation of e.i.r.p. elevation attenuation for compliant station

Description of figure E4
Figure E4 shows a dual-axis graph comparing two 2-D lines, namely the “station e.i.r.p attenuation” in blue and the “required e.i.r.p attenuation (mask)” in red. The x-axis of the graph represents the antenna elevation relative to horizon, in degrees, while the y-axis of the graph represents the attenuation in dB. Figure E4 shows that the station is in compliance with the e.i.r.p. elevation mask defined in section E.2.2. The “station e.i.r.p attenuation” line is below the “required e.i.r.p. attenuation (mask)” line for all elevation angles relative to horizon.

Example 2: Station not in compliance with e.i.r.p. elevation mask
In this example, the station is operating in a low-power protection zone with the parameters listed in table E8. From table E8, the maximum allowable e.i.r.p. is 55 dBm/MHz.

The licensee would calculate compliance with the antenna mask as follows:

e.i.r.p. attenuation (α) = (e.i.r.p.)_max,station - (e.i.r.p.)_max,SRSP + G(α) - G_max
= 55 - 55 + G(α)
= G(α)

Figure E5 shows the comparison of the station’s antenna attenuation compared with the elevation antenna mask. In this example, the station would not be compliant with the e.i.r.p. elevation mask defined in section E.2.2 because the station’s antenna attenuation is greater than the e.i.r.p. elevation mask for some elevation angles above the horizon, α. To become compliant, the station could be operated at lower e.i.r.p., or modify its operational parameters (e.g. mechanical tilt, digital tilt or vertical scanning angles).

Figure E5: Sample calculation of e.i.r.p. elevation attenuation for non-compliant station

Description of figure E5
Figure E5 shows a dual-axis graph comparing two 2-D lines, namely the “station e.i.r.p attenuation” in blue and the “required e.i.r.p attenuation (mask)” in red. The x-axis of the graph represents the antenna elevation relative to horizon, in degrees, while the y-axis of the graph represents the attenuation in dB. Figure E5 shows that the station is not in compliance with the e.i.r.p. elevation mask defined in section E.2.2. The “station e.i.r.p attenuation” line is above the “required e.i.r.p. attenuation (mask)” line for elevation angles between 45 and 58 degrees and is below the “required e.i.r.p. attenuation (mask)” line otherwise.

The pfd limit in section 10.4.3 is based on the assumption that fixed-satellite service (FSS) earth station licensees operating in the 4000-4200 MHz band have installed filters on all earth stations to reduce their susceptibility to blocking.

Flexible use licensees planning to establish fixed or mobile systems in the 3700-3900 MHz band are only required to protect existing site-approved or generic FSS earth stations licensed to only operate in the 4000-4200 MHz band and which meet the receiver filter parameters shown in table G1.