HInternet/Regulations

Overview

HSMM, the technology this project is based on, uses radios operating under part 97 of the FCC regulations. These are some relevant regulatory constraints that will will have to operate within.

2.4 GHz (13cm)

FCC allocation (47 CFR §97.301): 2300-2310 MHz, 2390-2450 MHz. 47 CFR §15.247: 2400-2483.5 MHz.

47 CFR §97.303:

(j) In the 13 cm band:
(1) The amateur service is allocated on a secondary basis in all ITU Regions. 
   In ITU Region 1, no amateur station shall cause harmful interference to,
   and shall be not protected from interference due to  the operation of,
   stations authorized by other nations in the fixed and mobile services.
   In ITU Regions 2 and 3, no amateur station shall cause harmful interference
   to, and shall not be protected from interference due to the operation of,
   stations authorized by other nations in the fixed, mobile and radiolocation
   services. 
(2) In the United States: 
   (i) The 2300-2305 MHz segment is allocated to the amateur service on a secondary basis.
       (Currently the 2300-2305 MHz segment is not allocated to any service on a primary basis.); 
   (ii) The 2305-2310 MHz segment is allocated to the amateur service on a secondary basis
       to the fixed, mobile, and radiolocation services; 
   (iii) The 2390-2417 MHz segment is allocated to the amateur service on a primary basis. 
         (A) The 2390-2395 MHz segment is shared with Federal and non-Federal Government
           mobile services on a co-equal basis. See 47 CFR 2.106, footnote US276. 
         (B) Amateur stations operating in the 2400-2417 MHz segment must accept harmful
           interference that may be caused by the proper operation of industrial, scientific and
           medical equipment. 
   (iv) The 2417-2450 MHz segment is allocated to the amateur service on a co-secondary
           basis with the Federal Government radiolocation service. Amateur stations operating
           within the 2417-2450 MHz segment must accept harmful interference that may be
           caused by the proper operation of industrial, scientific, and medical devices operating
           within the band.

5 GHz (5 cm)

FCC allocation (47 CFR §97.301): 5.650-5.925 GHz. 47 CFR §15.247: 5725–5850 MHz.

47 CFR §97.303:

(m) In the 5 cm band:
   (1) In the 5.650-5.725 GHz segment, the amateur service is allocated in all ITU Regions
       on a co-secondary basis with the space research (deep space) service. 
   (2) In the 5.725-5.850 GHz segment, the amateur service is allocated in all ITU Regions
       on a secondary basis. No amateur station shall cause harmful interference to, nor is
       protected from interference due to the operation of, stations authorized by other
       nations in the fixed-satellite service in ITU Region 1. 
   (3) No amateur station transmitting in the 5.725-5.875 GHz segment is protected from
       interference due to the operation of industrial, scientific and medical devices operating
       on 5.8 GHz. 
   (4) In the 5.650-5.850 GHz segment, no amateur station shall cause harmful interference
       to, nor is protected from interference due to the operation of, stations authorized by
       other nations in the radiolocation service. 
   (5) In the 5.850-5.925 GHz segment, the amateur service is allocated in ITU Region 2 on a
       co-secondary basis with the radiolocation service. In the United States, the segment is
       allocated to the amateur service on a secondary basis to the non-Government fixed-satellite
       service. No amateur station shall cause harmful interference to, nor is protected from
       interference due to the operation of, stations authorized by other nations in the fixed,
       fixed-satellite and mobile services. No amateur station shall cause harmful interference
       to, nor is protected from interference due to the operation of, stations in the non-Government
       fixed-satellite service.

TX Power Constraints

• Part 15 (unlicensed consumer gear)
  • Has a 1 watt (30 dBm) maximum TX power output limit (from the transmitter)
  • Has a 4 watt (36 dBm) maximum EIRP limit (gain from the antenna)
• Part 97 (Amateur Radio)
  • Has a 100 watt (50 dBm) maximum TX power limit
  • Has no restriction on antenna gain
  • However, any operation over 1W requires automatic control of TX power