ULTRA-WIDEBAND RADIO ― THE NEW PART 15

摘要

After years of debate, the FCC re-cently adopted a new set of rules to allow the operation of UWB devices. Within the next few months, it is anticipated that UWB products will be approved under the new rules and appear on the market to address several different applications. Through the course of the rulemaking proceeding, the majority of the debate on UWB centered around the question of whether interference into conventional receivers will become a problem. Even with the adoption of new rules, the debate on interference and other regulatory issues surrounding UWB will continue. Already, several companies and industry groups have made filings with the FCC asking for reconsideration of the new rules. As with all radio transmitters, the potential for interference depends on many things, including when and where the device is used, transmit power level, number of devices transmitting, pulse repetition frequency, and direction of the emitted signal. Although the Part 15 rules now allow for operation of UWB devices, testing on the interactions of UWB with other wireless systems will continue. According to the FCC's Office of Engineering and Technology, a testing program will begin this year to assess the effects of UWB and to also understand the existing noise/interference levels in today's radio environment. As described, there is a potential for interference into existing TDMA and GSM receivers. Future testing should certainly include the effects of UWB on these technologies as well as other 2G and 3G wireless systems.