Qualcomm plans for extended tests in 12.2-12.7 GHz range

Qualcomm is seeking an extension for a Special Temporary Authority (STA) so that it can continue to conduct tests in the 12.2-12.7 GHz range. The current STA expires on Dec. 31.

The original application discussed testing a short-range, low-power satellite antenna using a continuous wave (CW) signal at a Qualcomm facility in San Diego. At the time, Qualcomm was required to get consent from Broadcasting Satellite Service (BSS) operators including Dish TV, DirecTV and Echostar.

In its latest request, Qualcomm said it can confirm that the interference “EPFD” levels will remain below the limit that was requested: < -171dBW/M²/4KHz.

RELATED: Qualcomm files STA to conduct satellite antenna tests at 12.2-12.7 GHz

Qualcomm explained that testing is temporary and expected to occur infrequently while the test measurements are completed. Test periods typically last 10-30 minutes when the testing is active. It’s not clear exactly what the ultimate use case is for the prototype.

The 12.2-12.7 GHz band has been the subject of debate among companies seeking access to it via the FCC.

Last year, a group of companies dubbed the MVDDS 5G Coalition, led by Dish Network, argued that any OneWeb rollout in the 12.2-12.7 GHz band would prevent MVDDS 5G Coalition members from offering their own services in the band. Qualcomm also is an investor in OneWeb, whose founder and chairman, Greg Wyler, just won a nail-biting race as FierceWireless’ “Most Powerful Person In Telecom.”

OneWeb is building a constellation of satellites to serve the underserved and unconnected in the U.S. and around the world and was granted FCC authority this past summer to use the Ka (20/30 GHz) and Ku (11/14 GHz) bands. Wyler told FierceWirelessTech earlier this year that the satellite company has worked closely with Qualcomm engineers in terms of a revolutionary chipset that will make the whole OneWeb system work affordably.

The MVDDS 5G Coalition as recently as October (PDF) urged the commission to remove unnecessary regulatory constraints on the 12.2-12.7 GHz band that prevent its use for 5G wireless broadband services. It says the 12 GHz band possesses favorable technical and other characteristics that make the band ideally suited for the rapid deployment of 5G services. The 500 MHz of available contiguous spectrum, for example, will allow for high peak data transmission rates, the group said.

Last year, the MVDDS 5G Coalition submitted a technical coexistence study demonstrating that coexistence between MVDDS 5G operations and DBS receivers is possible with modest adjustments to MVDDS site locations and radio frequency design parameters.