§ 15.712   Interference protection requirements.

   The separation distances in this section apply to fixed and
   personal/portable white space devices with a location accuracy of ±50
   meters. These distances must be increased by the amount that the
   location uncertainty of a white space device exceeds ±50 meters.

   (a) Digital television stations, and digital and analog Class A TV, low
   power TV, TV translator and TV booster stations—(1) Protected contour.
   White space devices must protect digital and analog TV services within
   the contours shown in the following table. These contours are
   calculated using the methodology in § 73.684 of this chapter and the
   R-6602 curves contained in § 73.699 of this chapter.
   Type of station Protected contour
   Channel Contour
   (dBu) Propagation curve
   Analog: Class A TV, LPTV, translator and booster Low VHF (2-6) 47
   F(50,50)
       High VHF (7-13) 56 F(50,50)
       UHF (14-69) 64 F(50,50)
   Digital: Full service TV, Class A TV, LPTV, translator and booster Low
   VHF (2-6) 28 F(50,90)
       High VHF (7-13) 36 F(50,90)
       UHF (14-51) 41 F(50,90)

   (2) Required separation distance. White space devices must be located
   outside the contours indicated in paragraph (a)(1) of this section of
   co-channel and adjacent channel stations by at least the minimum
   distances specified in the following tables.

   (i) If a device operates between two defined power levels, it must
   comply with the separation distances for the higher power level.

   (ii) White space devices operating at 40 mW EIRP or less are not
   required to meet the adjacent channel separation distances.

   (iii) Fixed white space devices operating at 100 mW EIRP or less per 6
   megahertz across multiple contiguous TV channels with at least 3
   megahertz separation between the frequency band occupied by the white
   space device and adjacent TV channels are not required to meet the
   adjacent channel separation distances.

   (iv) Fixed white space devices may only operate above 4 W EIRP in less
   congested areas as defined in § 15.703(h).

   Mode II Personal/Portable White Space Devices
       Required separation in kilometers from co-channel digital or analog
   TV (full service or low power) protected contour
   16 dBm
   (40 mW) 20 dBm
   (100 mW)
   Communicating with Mode II or Fixed device 1.3 1.7
   Communicating with Mode I device 2.6 3.4

   Fixed White Space Devices
   Antenna height above average terrain of unlicensed devices
   (meters) Required separation in kilometers from co-channel digital or
   analog TV (full service or low power) protected contour*
   16 dBm
   (40 mW) 20 dBm
   (100 mW) 24 dBm
   (250 mW) 28 dBm
   (625 mW) 32 dBm
   (1600 mW) 36 dBm
   (4 W) 40 dBm
   (10 W)
   Less than 3 1.3 1.7 2.1 2.7 3.3 4.0 4.5
   3-10 2.4 3.1 3.8 4.8 6.1 7.3 8.5
   10-30 4.2 5.1 6.0 7.1 8.9 11.1 13.9
   30-50 5.4 6.5 7.7 9.2 11.5 14.3 19.1
   50-75 6.6 7.9 9.4 11.1 13.9 18.0 23.8
   75-100 7.7 9.2 10.9 12.8 17.2 21.1 27.2
   100-150 9.4 11.1 13.2 16.5 21.4 25.3 32.3
   150-200 10.9 12.7 15.8 19.5 24.7 28.5 36.4
   200-250 12.1 14.3 18.2 22.0 27.3 31.2 39.5

   *When communicating with Mode I personal/portable white space devices,
   the required separation distances must be increased beyond the
   specified distances by 1.3 kilometers if the Mode I device operates at
   power levels no more than 40 mW EIRP or 1.7 kilometers if the Mode I
   device operates at power levels above 40 mW EIRP.

   Personal/Portable White Space Devices
       Required separation in kilometers from adjacent channel digital or
   analog TV (full service or low power) protected contour
   20 dBm (100 mW)
   Communicating with Mode II or Fixed device 0.1
   Communicating with Mode I device 0.2

   Fixed White Space Devices
   Antenna height above average terrain of unlicensed devices (meters)
   Required separation in kilometers from adjacent channel digital or
   analog TV (full service or low power) protected contour*
   20 dBm
   (100 mW) 24 dBm
   (250 mW) 28 dBm
   (625 mW) 32 dBm
   (1600 mW) 36 dBm
   (4 W) 40 dBm
   (10 W)
   Less than 3 0.1 0.1 0.1 0.1 0.2 0.2
   3-10 0.1 0.2 0.2 0.2 0.3 0.4
   10-30 0.2 0.3 0.3 0.4 0.5 0.6
   30-50 0.3 0.3 0.4 0.5 0.7 0.8
   50-75 0.3 0.4 0.5 0.7 0.8 0.9
   75-100 0.4 0.5 0.6 0.8 1.0 1.1
   100-150 0.5 0.6 0.8 0.9 1.2 1.3
   150-200 0.5 0.7 0.9 1.1 1.4 1.5
   200-250 0.6 0.8 1.0 1.2 1.5 1.7

   *When communicating with a Mode I personal/portable white space device
   that operates at power levels above 40 mW EIRP, the required separation
   distances must be increased beyond the specified distances by 0.1
   kilometers.

   (3) Fixed white space device antenna height. Fixed white space devices
   must comply with the requirements of § 15.709(g) of this part.

   (b) TV translator, Low Power TV (including Class A) and Multi-channel
   Video Programming Distributor (MVPD) receive sites. (1) MVPD, TV
   translator station and low power TV (including Class A) station receive
   sites located outside the protected contour of the TV station(s) being
   received may be registered in the white space database if they are no
   farther than 80 km outside the nearest edge of the relevant contour(s).
   Only channels received over the air and used by the MVPD, TV translator
   station or low power/Class A TV station may be registered.

   (2) White space devices may not operate within an arc of ±30 degrees
   from a line between a registered receive site and the contour of the TV
   station being received in the direction of the station's transmitter at
   a distance of up to 80 km from the edge of the protected contour of the
   received TV station for co-channel operation and up to 20 km from the
   registered receive site for adjacent channel operation, except that the
   protection distance shall not exceed the distance from the receive site
   to the protected contour.

   (3) Outside of the ±30 degree arc defined in paragraph (b)(2) of this
   section:

   (i) White space devices operating at 4 watts EIRP or less may not
   operate within 8 km from the receive site for co-channel operation and
   2 km from the receive site for adjacent channel operation.

   (ii) White Space devices operating with more than 4 watts EIRP may not
   operate within 10.2 km from the receive site for co-channel operation
   and 2.5 km from the receive site for adjacent channel operation.

   (iii) For purposes of this section, a TV station being received may
   include a full power TV station, TV translator station or low power
   TV/Class A TV station.

   (c) Fixed Broadcast Auxiliary Service (BAS) links. (1) For permanent
   BAS receive sites appearing in the Commission's Universal Licensing
   System or temporary BAS receive sites registered in the white space
   database, white space devices may not operate within an arc of ±30
   degrees from a line between the BAS receive site and its associated
   permanent transmitter within a distance of 80 km from the receive site
   for co-channel operation and 20 km for adjacent channel operation.

   (2) Outside of the ±30 degree arc defined in paragraph (c)(1) of this
   section:

   (i) White space devices operating at 4 watts EIRP or less may not
   operate within 8 km from the receive site for co-channel operation and
   2 km from the receive site for adjacent channel operation.

   (ii) White Space devices operating with more than 4 watts EIRP may not
   operate within 10.2 km from the receive site for co-channel operation
   and 2.5 km from the receive site for adjacent channel operation.

   (d) PLMRS/CMRS operations. (1) White space devices may not operate at
   distances less than those specified in the table below from the
   coordinates of the metropolitan areas and on the channels listed in
   § 90.303(a) of this chapter.
   White space device transmitter power Required separation in kilometers
   from areas specified in § 90.303(a) of this chapter
   Co-channel
   operation Adjacent channel
   operation
   4 watts EIRP or less 134 131
   Greater than 4 watts EIRP 136 131.5

   (2) White space devices may not operate at distances less than those
   specified in the table below from PLMRS/CMRS operations authorized by
   waiver outside of the metropolitan areas listed in § 90.303(a) of this
   chapter.
   White space device transmitter power Required separation in kilometers
   from areas specified in § 90.303(a) of this chapter
   Co-channel
   operation Adjacent channel
   operation
   4 watts EIRP or less 54 51
   Greater than 4 watts EIRP 56 51.5

   (e) Offshore Radiotelephone Service. White space devices may not
   operate on channels used by the Offshore Radio Service within the
   geographic areas specified in § 74.709(e) of this chapter.

   (f) Low power auxiliary services, including wireless microphones. Fixed
   white space devices are not permitted to operate within 1 km, and
   personal/portable white space devices will not be permitted to operate
   within 400 meters, of the coordinates of registered low power auxiliary
   station sites on the registered channels during the designated times
   they are used by low power auxiliary stations.

   (g) Border areas near Canada and Mexico: Fixed and personal/portable
   white space devices shall comply with the required separation distances
   in § 15.712(a)(2) from the protected contours of TV stations in Canada
   and Mexico. White space devices are not required to comply with these
   separation distances from portions of the protected contours of
   Canadian or Mexican TV stations that fall within the United States.

   (h) Radio astronomy services. (1) Operation of fixed and
   personal/portable white space devices is prohibited on all channels
   within 2.4 kilometers at the following locations.

   (i) The Naval Radio Research Observatory in Sugar Grove, West Virginia
   at 38 30 58 N and 79 16 48 W.

   (ii) The Table Mountain Radio Receiving Zone (TMRZ) at 40 08 02 N and
   105 14 40 W.

   (iii) The following facilities:
   Observatory Latitude
   (deg/min/sec) Longitude
   (deg/min/sec)
   Arecibo Observatory 18 20 37 N 066 45 11 W
   Green Bank Telescope (GBT) 38 25 59 N 079 50 23 W
   Very Long Baseline Array (VLBA) Stations:
   Pie Town, NM 34 18 04 N 108 07 09 W
   Kitt Peak, AZ 31 57 23 N 111 36 45 W
   Los Alamos, NM 35 46 30 N 106 14 44 W
   Ft. Davis, TX 30 38 06 N 103 56 41 W
   N. Liberty, IA 41 46 17 N 091 34 27 W
   Brewster, WA 48 07 52 N 119 41 00 W
   Owens Valley, CA 37 13 54 N 118 16 37 W
   St. Croix, VI 17 45 24 N 064 35 01 W
   Hancock, NH 42 56 01 N 071 59 12 W
   Mauna Kea, HI 19 48 05 N 155 27 20 W

   (2) Operation within the band 608-614 MHz is prohibited within the
   areas defined by the following coordinates (all coordinates are NAD
   83):

   (i) Pie Town, NM
   North latitude
   (deg/min/sec) West longitude
   (deg/min/sec)
                 35 25 56.28   107 44 56.40
                 35 15 57.24   107 41 27.60
                 33 52 14.16   107 30 25.20
                 33 22 39.36   107 49 26.40
                 33 57 38.52   109 36 10.80
                 34 04 46.20   109 34 12.00
                 34 27 20.88   109 12 43.20
                 35 15 30.24   108 25 55.20

   (ii) Kitt Peak, AZ
   North latitude
   (deg/min/sec) West longitude (deg/min/sec)
                 34 08 18.24                 111 36 46.80
                 33 54 10.08                 109 38 20.40
                 32 09 25.56                 113 42 03.60
                 31 29 15.72                 111 33 43.20
                 33 20 36.60                 113 36 14.40
                 34 09 20.52                 112 34 37.20

   (iii) Los Alamos, NM
   North latitude
   (deg/min/sec) West longitude (deg/min/sec)
                 36 25 54.12                 106 06 07.20
                 36 32 26.88                 105 59 27.60
                 36 45 23.40                 105 48 03.60
                 36 48 10.44                 105 30 21.60
                 36 13 37.92                 105 26 38.40
                 35 38 40.92                 105 48 36.00
                 35 36 51.48                 105 49 30.00
                 34 06 17.28                 107 10 48.00
                 34 16 18.12                 107 17 16.80
                 35 21 22.68                 106 51 07.20

   (iv) Ft. Davis, TX
   North latitude
   (deg/min/sec) West longitude (deg/min/sec)
                 30 42 16.92                 103 55 22.80
                 30 35 49.92                 103 41 52.80
                 30 32 35.88                 103 43 04.80
                 30 25 20.64                 103 49 48.00
                 30 24 30.24                 103 52 30.00
                 30 26 14.28                 103 57 54.00
                 30 33 03.60                 104 09 10.80
                 30 40 03.36                  104 05 9.60
                 30 43 11.28                 103 58 48.00

   (v) N. Liberty, IA
   North latitude
   (deg/min/sec) West longitude (deg/min/sec)
                 42 03 27.00                 90 54 16.56
                 41 59 03.12                 90 46 49.44
                 41 34 19.20                 90 51 11.16
                 41 19 27.12                 90 58 58.80
                 41 02 09.96                 91 07 18.84
                 41 07 51.24                 92 03 44.64
                 41 50 03.12                 92 36 20.16
                 42 28 50.16                 91 44 35.16

   (vi) Brewster, WA
   North latitude
   (deg/min/sec) West longitude
   (deg/min/sec)
                    48 18 00.36 119 35 27.60
                    48 16 40.08 119 34 51.60
                    48 15 20.52 119 34 33.60
                    48 12 26.64 119 34 08.40
                    48 07 51.96 119 34 33.60
                    48 06 44.64 119 34 48.00
                    47 58 44.40 119 36 03.60
                    47 55 06.60 119 37 40.80
                    47 52 48.72 119 39 03.60
                    48 00 49.68 119 59 06.00
                    48 26 59.64 119 46 04.80
                    48 26 08.52 119 43 22.80

   (vii) Owens Valley, CA
   North latitude
   (deg/min/sec) West longitude
   (deg/min/sec)
                    37 05 49.56 118 02 13.20
                    37 03 27.36 118 01 08.40
                    36 29 09.96 118 06 50.40
                    36 30 48.60 118 11 56.40
                    36 37 08.04 118 16 37.20
                    37 25 12.72 118 41 16.80
                    37 27 30.24 118 41 02.40
                    37 44 45.96 118 39 03.60
                    37 59 49.92 118 32 09.60
                    37 46 12.72 118 20 09.60

   (viii) St. Croix, VI
   North latitude
   (deg/min/sec) West longitude
   (deg/min/sec)
                    18 29 15.36 64 22 38.28
                    18 06 51.12 64 08 03.84
                    18 04 31.44 64 06 12.24
                    18 02 02.76 64 04 33.96
                    17 59 26.52 64 03 09.36
                    17 56 43.80 64 01 59.52
                    17 53 56.04 64 01 04.80
                    17 51 03.96 64 00 25.56
                    17 48 09.72 64 00 02.16
                    17 42 19.08 63 58 57.36
                    17 39 07.92 63 58 15.96
                    17 42 10.44 64 39 37.44
                    17 43 57.00 64 50 46.32
                    18 07 24.24 66 02 36.96
                    18 16 13.80 65 44 56.04

   (ix) Hancock, NH
   North latitude
   (deg/min/sec) West longitude
   (deg/min/sec)
                    44 08 59.64 71 32 01.68
                    43 46 24.60 71 18 57.60
                    42 58 41.88 71 15 14.04
                    42 29 25.08 71 52 51.96
                    42 34 05.88 72 07 08.76
                    42 34 41.52 72 09 41.76
                    42 55 47.28 72 55 03.72

   (x) Mauna Kea, HI
   North latitude
   (deg/min/sec) West longitude
   (deg/min/sec)
                    20 11 01.32 153 03 43.20
                    20 00 52.92 152 35 56.40
                    19 46 42.60 152 35 34.80
                    19 32 33.36 152 36 28.80
                    19 18 31.68 152 38 38.40
                    19 04 44.04 152 42 07.20
                    18 51 16.56 152 46 51.60
                    18 38 15.72 152 52 44.40
                    18 25 46.56 152 59 49.20
                    18 13 55.20 153 07 55.20
                    18 02 46.68 153 17 06.00
                    17 52 26.40 153 27 14.40
                    17 42 57.96 153 38 16.80
                    17 35 20.04 153 50 45.60
                    17 27 52.20 154 03 10.80
                    17 21 27.00 154 16 15.60
                    17 16 08.40 154 29 49.20
                    17 11 57.84 154 43 51.60
                    17 08 57.48 154 58 08.40
                    17 07 09.12 155 12 43.20
                    17 23 53.52 155 27 21.60
                    19 29 13.92 155 36 21.60
                    19 47 53.88 155 29 27.60
                    19 48 52.92 155 27 39.60
                    19 48 58.68 155 27 14.40

   (3) Operation within the band 608-614 MHz is prohibited within the
   following areas:

   (i) The National Radio Quiet Zone as defined in § 1.924(a)(1) of this
   chapter.

   (ii) The islands of Puerto Rico, Desecheo, Mona, Vieques or Culebra

   (i) 600 MHz service band: Fixed and personal/portable devices operating
   in the 600 MHz Service Band must comply with the following co-channel
   and adjacent channel separation distances outside the defined polygonal
   area encompassing the base stations or other radio facilities deployed
   by a part 27 600 MHz Service Band licensee that has commenced
   operations, as defined in § 27.4 of this chapter.

   (1) Fixed white space devices may only operate above 4 W EIRP in less
   congested areas as defined in § 15.703(h).

   (2) If a device operates between two defined power levels, it must
   comply with the separation distances for the higher power level.

   (3) For the purpose of this rule, co-channel means any frequency
   overlap between a channel used by a white space device and a five
   megahertz spectrum block used by a part 27 600 MHz band licensee, and
   adjacent channel means a frequency separation of zero to four megahertz
   between the edge of a channel used by a white space device and the edge
   of a five megahertz spectrum block used by a part 27 600 MHz band
   licensee.

   (4) On frequencies used by wireless uplink services:

   Mode II Personal/Portable White Space Devices
       600 MHz band wireless uplink spectrum
   Minimum co-channel separation distances in kilometers between white
   space devices and any point along the edge of a polygon representing
   the outer edge of base station or other radio facility deployment
   16 dBm (40 mW) 20 dBm (100 mW)
   Communicating with Mode II or Fixed device 5 6
   Communicating with Mode I device 10 12

   Fixed White Space Devices
   Antenna height above average terrain of unlicensed devices (meters) 600
   MHz band wireless uplink spectrum
   Minimum co-channel separation distances in kilometers between white
   space devices and any point along the edge of a polygon representing
   the outer edge of base station or other radio facility deployment*
   16 dBm (40mW) 20 dBm
   (100 mW) 24 dBm
   (250mW) 28 dBm
   (625 mW) 32 dBm
   (1600 mW) 36 dBm
   (4 W) 40 dBm
   (10 W)
   Less than 3 5 6 7 9 12 15 19
   3—10 9 11 14 17 22 27 34
   10—30 15 19 24 30 38 47 60
   30—50 20 24 31 38 49 60 60
   50—75 24 30 37 47 60 60 60
   75—100 27 34 43 54 60 60 60
   100—150 33 42 53 60 60 60 60
   150—200 39 49 60 60 60 60 60
   200-250 43 54 60 60 60 60 60

   *When communicating with Mode I personal/portable white space devices,
   the required separation distances must be increased beyond the
   specified distances by 5 kilometers if the Mode I device operates at
   power levels no more than 40 mW EIRP or 6 kilometers if the Mode I
   device operates at power levels above 40 mW EIRP.

   Personal/Portable White Space Devices
       600 MHz band wireless uplink
   spectrum
   Minimum adjacent channel separation distances in kilometers between
   white space devices and any point along the edge of a polygon
   representing the outer edge of base station or other radio facility
   deployment
   20 dBm (100 mW)
   Communicating with Mode II or Fixed device 0.1
   Communicating with Mode I device 0.3

   Fixed White Space Devices
   Antenna height above average terrain of unlicensed devices (meters) 600
   MHz band wireless uplink spectrum
   Minimum adjacent channel separation distances in kilometers between
   white space devices and any point along the edge of a polygon
   representing the outer edge of base station or other radio facility
   deployment*
   20 dBm
   (100 mW) 24 dBm
   (250mW) 28 dBm
   (625 mW) 32 dBm
   (1600 mW) 36 dBm
   (4 W) 40 dBm
   (10 W)
   Less than 3 0.1 0.2 0.2 0.3 0.4 0.4
   3-10 0.3 0.3 0.4 0.5 0.6 0.8
   10-30 0.4 0.6 0.7 0.9 1.1 1.4
   30-50 0.6 0.7 0.9 1.2 1.4 1.8
   50-75 0.7 0.9 1.1 1.4 1.8 2.2
   75-100 0.8 1.0 1.3 1.6 2.0 2.6
   100-150 1.0 1.3 1.6 2.0 2.5 3.1
   150-200 1.2 1.4 1.8 2.3 2.9 3.6
   200-250 1.3 1.6 2.0 2.6 3.2 4.1

   *When communicating with Mode I personal/portable white space devices,
   the required separation distances must be increased beyond the
   specified distances by 0.1 kilometers.

   (5) On frequencies used by wireless downlink services: 35 kilometers
   for co-channel operation, and 31 kilometers for adjacent channel
   operation.

   (j) Wireless Medical Telemetry Service. (1) White space devices
   operating in the 608-614 MHz band (channel 37) are not permitted to
   operate within an area defined by the polygon described in
   § 15.713(j)(11) plus the distances specified in the tables below:

   Mode II Personal/Portable White Space Devices
       Required co-channel separation distances in
   kilometers from WMTS sites
   16 dBm (40 mW) 20 dBm (100 mW)
   Communicating with Mode II or Fixed device 0.38 0.48
   Communicating with Mode I device 0.76 0.96

   Fixed White Space Devices
   Antenna height above average terrain of unlicensed devices (meters)
   Required co-channel separation distances in kilometers from WMTS sites*
   16 dBm
   (40 mW) 20 dBm
   (100 mW) 24 dBm
   (250 mW) 28 dBm
   (625 mW) 32 dBm
   (1600 mW) 36 dBm
   (4 watts)
   Less than 3 0.38 0.48 0.60 0.76 0.96 1.20
   3-10 0.70 0.88 1.10 1.38 1.74 2.20
   10-30 1.20 1.55 1.95 2.45 3.05 3.80
   30-50 1.55 2.00 2.50 3.15 3.95 4.95
   50-75 1.90 2.45 3.05 3.85 4.85 6.10
   75-100 2.20 2.80 3.55 4.45 5.60 7.05
   100-150 2.70 3.45 4.35 5.45 6.85 8.65
   150-200 3.15 3.95 5.00 6.30 7.90 9.95
   200-250 3.50 4.40 5.60 7.00 8.80 11.00

   *When communicating with Mode I personal/portable white space devices,
   the required separation distances must be increased beyond the
   specified distances by 0.38 kilometers if the Mode I device operates at
   power levels no more than 40 mW EIRP, or 0.48 kilometers if the Mode I
   device operates at power levels above 40 mW EIRP.

   (2) White space devices operating in the 602-608 MHz band (channel 36)
   and 614-620 MHz band (channel 38) are not permitted to operate within
   an area defined by the polygon described in § 15.713(j)(11) plus the
   distances specified in the tables below:

   Mode II Personal/Portable White Space Devices
       Required adjacent channel separation distances in meters from WMTS
   sites
   16 dBm (40 mW) 20 dBm (100 mW)
   Communicating with Mode II or Fixed device 8 13
   Communicating with Mode I device 16 26

   Fixed White Space Devices
   Required adjacent channel separation distances in meters from WMTS
   sites*
   16 dBm (40 mW) 20 dBm
   (100 mW) 24 dBm
   (250 mW) 28 dBm
   (625 mW) 32 dBm
   (1600 mW) 36 dBm
   (4 watts)
   8 13 20 32 50 71

   *When communicating with Mode I personal/portable white space devices,
   the required separation distances must be increased beyond the
   specified distances by 8 meters if the Mode I device operates at power
   levels no more than 40 mW EIRP, or 13 meters if the Mode I device
   operates at power levels above 40 mW EIRP.

   (k) 488-494 MHz band in Hawaii. White space devices are not permitted
   to operate in the 488-494 MHz band in Hawaii.

   [ 80 FR 73070 , Nov. 23, 2015, as amended at  81 FR 4974 , Jan. 29, 2016]

   return arrow Back to Top