NTIA seeks comments on dynamic spectrum access tests
Comments regarding the kind of testing that should be conducted on dynamic-spectrum-access devices are the subject of a month-long proceeding initiated this week by the National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA).
Testing is designed to determine whether dynamic-spectrum-access devices can operate on LMR spectrum in the 410-420 MHz federal band and the 470-512 MHz nonfederal band — also known as the T-Band — without interfering with incumbent systems. Phase I testing was conducted in 2009.
“We’re getting comments on our Phase II testing; our Phase I testing was all in the laboratory,” said Ed Drocella, an official in NTIA’s office of spectrum management. “Phase II/III will be in a more realistic environment — the next step of a test-lab environment.
“It’s been a little bit challenging to test some of the devices, because of the way the devices work and the dynamic-access techniques they employ. It’s sometimes hard to figure out exactly how to test them, so we’re kind of in a learning mode.”
Only the companies that participated in the Phase I testing will be allowed to participate in the Phase II and Phase III tests, Drocella said.
Comments should be sent by April 27 to the attention of Ed Drocella, Office of Spectrum Management, 1401 Constitution Avenue NW., Room 6725, Washington D.C., 20230; by fax to (202) 482–4595; or by e-mail to [email protected].
Drocella said he believes the Phase II and Phase III testing will begin in June.