On November 3, 2022, the Office of Engineering and Technology (“OET”) released a Public Notice announcing that it had conditionally approved thirteen entities’ automated frequency coordination (“AFC”) systems to manage standard-power unlicensed device access to the 6 GHz band. OET found that the proposals submitted from Broadcom, Google, Comsearch, Sony Group, Kyrio, Key Bridge Wireless, Nokia Innovations, Federated Wireless, Wireless Broadband Alliance, Wi-Fi Alliance, Qualcomm, Plume Design, and RED Technologies demonstrated that these entities have the technical capacity and knowledge to operate AFC systems and that they may take steps to move to the testing phase. The entities are required to comply with several conditions, including attending workshops and meetings, submitting its AFC system to lab testing and demonstration projects, and ensuring compliance with all FCC rules, among other things.
OET addressed, and ultimately rejected, challenges from wireless stakeholders related to: 1) the sufficiency of applications; 2) the responsibility for standard-power device operations; 3) testing methodology; 4) security related to system-device connectivity; 5) interference mitigation and enforcement; 6) propagation models (though OET did impose a 50% minimum for the reliability and confidence levels for the models); and 7) indoor operation of standard-power devices. OET did note that it was encouraging the applicants and industry groups to work together to develop a streamlined process for acting on reports of potential harmful interference, such as leveraging web-based interfaces or other systems to enable swift FCC and AFC enforcement operations.
OET also provided information on the testing process, noting that WFA has created a test plan and test vectors, but that they are not specifying the requirements at this time. Instead OET notes that the FCC-recognized accredited laboratories will be permitted to perform AFC system lab tests once the procedures are approved by the Commission. After testing, applicants will be required to make a public demonstration, including making a website available that will permit the tester to specify information provided to the system, and the system will then calculate the 6 GHz band channels and maximum permissible power for each location. Testers will be able to report specific concerns. OET is considering mandating an integration test, which would involve deploying standard-power devices in the field and ensuring they operate on the appropriate channels and specified power levels. No timeline for testing was specified at this time.
Please Contact Us if you have any questions.