FCC Regulation & Standard Bodies

Lecture 3

EMC 165 Computer and Communication Networks

Jan 22, 2004

Last Time/Today

Last time, we briefly discussed several types of networks and some important concepts and terminology e.g. what are bits and bytes, analog to digital conversion.

Today, we discuss the various organizations that determine the standards and regulations for computer/communications networks.

Government agencies/Standard bodies

FCC ITU 3GPP 3GPP2 IETF

FCC

FCC stands for Federal Communications Commission

It has 6 bureaus and multiple offices Consumer & Government Affairs Bureau Enforcement Bureau Wireless Telecommunications Bureau International Bureau Wireline Competition Bureau Media Bureau Office of Engineering and Technology Office of Communications Business Opportunities etc

Missions of different bureaus

Consumer & Government Affairs Bureau Educates and informs consumers about

telecommunication goods and services Engages consumers input to help guide the work

of the Commission Coordinates telecommunication policy efforts with

industry and governmental agencies Enforcement Bureau

Enforces the Communication Acts as well as the Commission’s rules, orders and authorizations

Missions of the Bureaus - contd

International Bureau –represents the Commission in satellite and international matters.

Media Bureau – regulates AM, FM radio and television broadcast stations, as well as Multipoint Distribution (i.e. cable and satellite) and Instructional Television Fixed Services

Missions of the Bureaus - contd

Wireless Telecommunication Bureau oversees cellular and PCS phones, pagers, and two-way

radios. Regulates the use of radio spectrum to fulfill the

communications needs of businesses, local and state governments, public safety service providers, aircraft and ship operators, and individuals.

Wireline Competition Bureau Responsible for rules and policies concerning telephone

companies that provide interstate, and under certain circumstances intrastate, telecommunications services to the public through the use of wire-based transmission facilities (e.g. corded/cordless telephones)

Missions of the Offices Office of Communications Business Opportunities

Provides advice to the Commission on issues and policies concerning opportunities for ownership and contracting by small, minority and women-owned communications businesses.

Office of Engineering and Technology Resolve and advise on complex technical issues objectively Propose policies/rules for efficient use of the radio spectrum Provide insight and advice to the commission concerning

technology trends. Enhance technical competence of commission staff

Office of Legislative Affairs Commission’s main point of contact with Congress

What is Spectrum?

Spectrum is made up of electromagnetic waves. These waves are usually defined by their frequency,

measured in hertz (Hz) or cycles/second. The spectrum ranges from 1 Hz to 1024 Hz with

visible light in the 1015 Hz range. The electromagnetic waves are created by

alternating current in an antenna. These currents create magnetic fields in the air by continually changing the power in the antenna.

What is Spectrum? - contd The magnetic fields then induce a current in a receiving antenna.

The fluctuating current that creates the fields s encoded with information based on its frequency, amplitude, duration etc. The picture below is an example of how the amplitude of a carrier wave might be modulated to carry the information from an input signal.

FCC Spectrum Regulations

90 years of spectrum regulations Regulates what frequencies each type of

devices can operate within e.g. cell phones, police scanners, TV sets, garage door openers. For example: Satellite radio – use 25 MHz (same bandwidth as

4 analog TV channels) Wi-fi initially only has 84 MHz

Spectrum Auctions

5 auctions in 2002 Lower 700 MHz band Cellular Rural Service areas Analog Television Stations AM Broadcast Stations Multi-radio service (200MHz, 800 MHz, LMS)

Raised $112.6 millions

Current US Spectrum Allocation

Current US Spectrum Allocation – contd

3-30KHz: Very Low Frequency Very long-wave radio, navigational beacon signal

30-300KHz: Low Frequency Long-wave radio communications

300KHz-3MHz: Medium Frequency Medium-wave, local and distant radio

3M-30MHz: High Frequency Short-wave radio and communication, amateur and CB radio

30M-300MHz: Very High Frequency FM radio, police

300M-3GHz: Ultra High Frequency TV, aircraft landing systems

3GHz above: Microwave Radar, communication satellites, telephone and TV links.

Current US Spectrum Allocation – contd

3KHz: Maritime Mobile, Radio Navigation, Aeronautical Mobile etc 300KHz: Maritime Mobile, AM broadcasting, Land Mobile etc 3MHz: Amateur, Maritime Mobile, Broadcasting etc (very

congested) 30MHz: Land Mobile, Broadcasting (TV Channels, FM Radio),

Aeronautical Radionavigation, Mobile Satellite etc 300MHz: Radio Location, Mobile, Fixed Satellite (very congested) 3GHz: Mobile, Fixed Satellite, Broadcasting Satellite etc (very

congested) 30GHz: Mobile, Fixed Satellite etc (very congested)

New Spectrum recently made availableAssigned Service Frequency Band Usable MHzMobile Communications3G-Advanced Wireless Service 1.7-2.1GHz 120

698-794 MHz 84MVDDS/ITFS 2.5-2.7GHz 132Satellite 1.6-2.0GHz 98

Video/Broadband InternetTerrestrial MVDDS 12.2-12.7GHz 500Broadband digital TV 54-72 MHz, 76-88 MHz 294

174-216MHz, 470-698MHz

Satellite 17.2-20.2GHz 550027.5-30.0GHz (Ku Band)

Direct broadcast satellite 12.2-12.7GHz 240

MiscellaneousUnlicensed Nat. Info Infrastructure 5.5-5.7GHz (proposed) 255New V-band 38.6-40.0GHz 5600

47.2-48.2GHz

Millimeter wave bands 71-76GHz, 81-86GHz 13,00092-95GHz (proposed)

MVDDS – multichannel video distribution and data services

Spectrum Scarcity?

A spectrum policy task force is formed in year 2002 to study spectrum scarcity issue.

Their findings: Much of the spectrum already licensed is not in short supply. Most

bands are quiet most of the time. Only 4 of 18 UHF TV channels are used in Washington DC. New radio transmission and networking technologies can squeeze

more and more capacity out of the same spectrum. UWB operates at such low power that it can underlie existing

licensed services. Smart antennas – can locate a user and direct the radiation

accordingly, reducing effective interference with other transmitters. Software radios – receive/transmit across a broad range of

frequencies Should allow multiple systems to share spectrum.

Some recent changes

Spectrum reallocation Reallocation of bandwidth from government to new

services such as mobile communications, broadband internet access, and video distribution

Spectrum leases Relaxation of technical and commercial limitations on

existing spectrum licenses e.g. allow existing licensees to lease to 3rd parties

Spectrum sharing Allocation of an unprecedented amount of spectrum for

unlicensed or shared services

Spectrum Reallocation

Reallocate 120 MHz spectrum for 3G mobile services

Authorize high-powered satellite systems to use 500-1000MHz spectrum for broadband video and data services (MVDDS) in the 26.5-40 GHz

Spectrum Leases

Economists urged FCC to make spectrum licenses more flexible

UHF operators and other broadcasters are not covered by new rules even though most licensed UHF TV channels are not used.

Spectrum Sharing

Growth of WiFi market (from $2 billions in 2002 to $5 billions in 2005).

Addition of 255 MHz in the 5-GHz range Same band will also be used by new MAN

which offers wireless last mile.

Policy Issues

Homeland Security E911 Implementations Unintentional 911 calls 800 MHz Public Safety NPRM Priority Access Service

Portability Issues for cellphones

Wireline Competition Bureau Improves internet access penetration at public

schools Improves communication technology used in rural

hospitals Promotes competitions in wireline business Helps to take steps that promote telecom sector

recovery Facilitates new revenue through new services Reform foundations Protect service continuity

Promotes VoIP but needs to ensure that taxes are levied appropriately to allow for fair competitions.

Power Line Carrier Technology

Possible new option for broadband to the home.

Potential rule changes must be made to facilitate deployment

Protect incumbent spectrum users from spurious emissions

Establish rules and test procedures.

Cognitive Radios

Functions previously performed in hardware, such as, generation of transmitted radio signal, are performed in software

Can be programmed to operate on or with any frequency, any bandwidth, any modulation or transmission format

May require additional rule changes to facilitate deployment

ITU

ITU stands for International Telecommunications Union.

It is an international organization within the United Nation System where governments and the private sector coordinate global telecom networks and services.

It is divided into ITU-R – Radio communication ITU-T – Telecom Standardization ITU-D – Telecom Development.

ITU-R

Plays a vital role in the management of radio frequency spectrum and satellite orbits, finite natural resources e.g. fixed mobile, broadcasting, amateur, space research, meteorology, global positioning systems, environmental monitoring

Some of the recommendations they publish Broadcasting service (TV, radio) Satellite delivery Spectrum management

ITU-T Ensure an efficient and on-time production of high quality

standards covering all fields of telecommunications. Have different study groups

Study Group 2 deals with operational aspects of service provision, networks, and performance

Study Group 3 deals with tarriff and accounting principles including related telecommunication economic and policy issues.

Study Group 4 deals with telecommunication management Study Group 13 is for next generation networks, Study Group 15 is for optical and other transport network

infrastructures. Study Group 16 is for multimedia terminals, systems, and

applications

ITU-D

Facilitate connectivity and access Foster policy, regulatory and network

readiness, Expand human capacity through training

programs Formulate financing strategies and enable

enterprises in developing countries.

Examples of ITU Standards

Video Conferencing related standards e.g. H.323, H.320

ITU-T1.120 - Integrated Services Digital Networks standards

Frame Relay ITU Standards Modem related standards e.g. V.92

3GPP 3rd Generation Partnership Project (3GPP) was created by ARIB (Japan), ETSI

(Europe), TTA (Korea), TTC (Japan), T1P1(USA) in 1998. The partners agreed on joint efforts for the standardization of Universal Terrestrial Radio Access (UTRA).

China Wireless Telecommunication Standard Group (CWTS) joined in 1999. Members are mostly vendors/service providers Within 3GPP, there are 4 different technical specification groups (TSG)

Radio Access Network TSG Core Network TSG Service and System Aspects (SA) TSG Terminals TSG

RAN TSG is further divided into 5 working groups, namely WG1 – Radio Layer 1 WG2 – Radio Layer 2/3 WG3 – Architecture & Interfaces WG4 – Radio Performance & RF Parameters ITU Ad-Hoc – ITU activity coordination

3GPP CN TSG is further divided into

WG1 – Mobility Management/Call Control/Session Management WG3 – Interworking with external networks WG4 – Mobile Application Part (MAP)/GTP/BCH WG5 – Open Service Access

SA TSG is further divided into WG1 – Services WG2 – Architecture WG3 – Security WG4 – Codec WG5 – Telecom Management

Web Site: www.3gpp.org

3GPP

Plenary meeting for each TS every 3 months Each WG will have their own additional meetings. Usually each WG meets as frequent as 5-6

additional times besides plenary Each vendor/service provider submits contributions

before the meetings. The contributions will be discussed during the

meetings. Consensus are summarized as “specifications” in

standard documents.

3GPP2 CDMA2000 air interface is the result of work in TR45.5. This

proposal is similar to the Global CDMA 1 ITU proposal from TTA Korea.

So, work done in TR45.5 and TTA was merged to form 3GPP2. 3GPP2 focused on the development of CDMA2000 direct-

sequence (DS) and Multicarrier (MC) mode for the cdma2000 third generation component.

It is divided into 4 Technical Specification Group TSG-A – Access Network Interface TSG-C – CDMA2000 TSG-S – Service and System Aspects TSG-X – Core Networks

Members are mostly vendors/service providers

Relationship between different bodies ITU develops IMT-2000 recommendations for third generation

mobile communication systems. IMT-2000 incorporates 3GPP and 3GPP2 outputs. In IMT-2000,

two technologies are included, namely TDMA and CDMA. For CDMA, UTRA FDD (WCDMA) (3GPP standard) and cdma2000 (3GPP2 standard) are both adopted.

ITU-R TG8/1 worked on the radio-dependent aspects while ITU-T SG11 works on the radio independent aspects.

ANSI

American National Standards Institute (ANSI) is a private, non-profit organization that administers and coordinates the US voluntary standardization and conformity assessment system.

Founded on Oct 19, 1918 HQ at Washington DC Example of ANSI standard: T1 standard, DS1

standard

ANSI Structure Comprised of nearly 1000 businesses, professional societies and

trade associations, standards developers, government agencies, and consumer and labor organizations.

Different Member Forum Company Member Forum Government Member Forum Organizational Member Forum Consumer Interest Forum

Standard Bodies and Planning Panels Healthcare Informatics standards Board Medical Devices Standards board Homeland Security Standards Panel Information Systems Conference Committee

IETF Internet Engineering Task Force (IETF) is a large open

international community of network designers, operators, vendors and researchers concerned with the evolution of the Internet architecture and the smooth operation of the Internet.

Consists of working groups organized by topic into several areas (e.g. routing, transport, security etc).

Each area is managed by an Area Director. The Ads are members of the Internet Engineering Steering Group (IESG). Providing architectural oversight is the Internet Architecture Board (IAB).

IAB also adjudicates appeals when someone complains that IESG fails.

Much technical work is handled via mailing lists maintained by each working group. The IETF holds meetings 3 times per year

IETF – contd Each working group has working group chair(s). Everyone can submit internet drafts proposing ways to

solve problems related to the topics of interests to that particular working group.

The internet drafts are discussed in the mailing list. The authors can also present ideas expressed in their internet drafts at IETF meetings.

Once there is a consensus that the topic and/or the solution proposed is of interests to the community, more in-depth discussions will take place.

After some revisions of the internet drafts, the working group members can vote to have the draft published as an RFC (Request for Comment)

IETF RFCs/Internet Drafts RFCs

Each distinct version of an Internet standards-related specification is published as part of the “Request for Comments” (RFC) document series

This archival series is the official publication channel for Internet standard documents.

RFCs can be obtained from a number of Internet hosts using anonymous FTP, WWW and other Internet document-retrieval systems.

Internet Drafts During the development of a specification, draft versions of the document are

made available for informal review and comment by placing them in the IETF’s “Internet-Drafts” (ID) directory, which is replicated on a number of Internet hosts.

An Internet-draft that has remained unchanged in the ID directory for more than 6 months is simply removed from the ID directory.

At any time, an Internet-Draft may be replaced by a more recent version of the same specification, restarting the six-month timeout period.

Internet Standard Specification Specifications subject to the Internet Standards Process fall into one of two

categories, namely Technical Specification (TS) and Applicability Statement (AS)

TS Any description of a protocol, service, procedure, convention or format. May completely describe all of the relevant aspects of its subject or may leave

one or more parameters or options unspecifed. A TS may be completely self-contained or it may incorporate material from other

specifications by reference to other documents. A TS shall include a statement of its scope and general intent for its use.

AS Specifies how, and under what circumstances, one or more TSs may be applied

to support a particular Internet capability. An AS identifies the relevant TSs and the specific way in which they are to be

combined, and may also specify particular values or ranges of TS parameters or subfuctions of a TS protocol that must be implemented.

An example of a Working Group

Go to www.ietf.org website Click on IETF Working Groups

It shows a list of working groups organized under different areas Different areas are

Applications Area General Area Internet Area Operations and Management Area Routing Area Security Area Sub-IP Area Transport Area

An example of a Working Group Let us take a look at Transport Area by clicking on the Transport Area button It shows different working groups under this category e.g.

AVT Audio/Video Transport IPTEL IP Telephony RMT Reliable Multicast Transport Etc

Let us click on IPTEL It shows the IPTEL working group web page

Names & emails of working group chairs Names & emails of Transport Area Directors How to join working group mailing list Archives of working group email discussions. Descriptions of working group Goals and Milestones of the working group Active Internet-Drafts for that working group Recent RFCs published by this working group e.g.

Telephony Routing over IP (TRIP) RFC3219.

References

The End of Spectrum Scarcity, IEEE Spectrum, March, 2004

FCC Open Commission Meeting Presentations, Jan 15, 2003

FCC Frequency Chart US Spectrum, 2003 www.3gpp.org www.ietf.org