Goto Section: 25.102 | 25.104 | Table of Contents

FCC 25.103
Revised as of October 2, 2015
Goto Year:2014 | 2016
  § 25.103   Definitions.

   Terms with definitions including the “(RR)” designation are defined in the
   same  way  in § 2.1 of this chapter and in the Radio Regulations of the
   International Telecommunication Union.

   1.5/1.6 GHz Mobile-Satellite Service. Mobile-Satellite Service provided in
   any portion of the 1525-1559 MHz space-to-Earth band and the 1626.5-1660.5
   MHz Earth-to-space band, which are referred to in this rule part as the
   “1.5/1.6 GHz MSS bands.”

   1.6/2.4  GHz Mobile-Satellite Service. A Mobile-Satellite Service that
   operates in the 1610-1626.5 MHz and 2483.5-2500 MHz bands, or in any portion
   thereof.

   2 GHz Mobile-Satellite Service. A Mobile-Satellite Service that operates in
   the 2000-2020 MHz and 2180-2200 MHz bands, or in any portion thereof.

   12/14 GHz bands. The 11.7-12.2 GHz Fixed-Satellite Service space-to-Earth
   band and the 14.0-14.5 GHz Fixed-Satellite Service Earth-to-space band.

   17/24   GHz   Broadcasting-Satellite   Service   (17/24  GHz  BSS).  A
   radiocommunication  service  involving  transmission  from one or more
   feeder-link  earth  stations to other earth stations via geostationary
   satellites, in the 17.3-17.7 GHz (space-to-Earth) (domestic allocation),
   17.3-17.8 GHz (space-to-Earth) (international allocation) and 24.75-25.25
   GHz (Earth-to-space) bands. For purposes of the application processing
   provisions of this part, the 17/24 GHz BSS is a GSO-like service. Unless
   specifically stated otherwise, 17/24 GHz BSS systems are subject to the
   rules in this part applicable to FSS.

   20/30 GHz bands. The 18.3-20.2 GHz Fixed-Satellite Service space-to-Earth
   band and the 28.35-30.0 GHz Fixed-Satellite Service Earth-to-space band.

   Ancillary Terrestrial Component (ATC). A terrestrial communications network
   used in conjunction with a qualifying satellite network system authorized
   pursuant to these rules and the conditions established in the Orders issued
   in IB Docket No. 01-185, Flexibility for Delivery of Communications by
   Mobile-Satellite Service Providers in the 2 GHz Band, the L-Band, and the
   1.6/2.4 GHz Band.

   Ancillary Terrestrial Component (ATC) base station. A terrestrial fixed
   facility used to transmit communications to or receive communications from
   one or more ancillary terrestrial component mobile terminals.

   Ancillary Terrestrial Component (ATC) mobile terminal. A terrestrial mobile
   facility used to transmit communications to or receive communications from
   an ancillary terrestrial component base station or a space station.

   Blanket license. A license for multiple fixed or mobile earth stations or
   SDARS  terrestrial  repeaters  that  may be operated anywhere within a
   geographic   area   specified   in   the   license,  or  for  multiple
   non-geostationary-orbit space stations.

   C band. As used in this part, the terms “C band” and “conventional C band”
   refer   to  the  3700-4200  MHz  (space-to-Earth)  and  5925-6425  MHz
   (Earth-to-space)  bands.  These  paired  bands  are  allocated  to the
   Fixed-Satellite Service and are also referred to as the 4/6 GHz bands.

   Coordination distance. When determining the need for coordination, the
   distance on a given azimuth from an earth station sharing the same frequency
   band with terrestrial stations, or from a transmitting earth station sharing
   the same bidirectionally allocated frequency band with receiving earth
   stations, beyond which the level of permissible interference will not be
   exceeded and coordination is therefore not required. (RR)

   Direct Broadcast Satellite (DBS) Service. A radiocommunication service in
   which signals transmitted or retransmitted by Broadcasting-Satellite Service
   space stations in the 12.2-12.7 GHz band are intended for direct reception
   by subscribers or the general public. For the purposes of this definition,
   the  term direct reception includes individual reception and community
   reception.

   Earth station. A station located either on the Earth's surface or within the
   major portion of the Earth's atmosphere intended for communication:

   (1) With one or more space stations; or

   (2) With one or more stations of the same kind by means of one or more
   reflecting satellites or other objects in space. (RR)

   Earth Station on Vessel (ESV). An earth station onboard a craft designed for
   traveling on water, receiving from and transmitting to geostationary-orbit
   Fixed-Satellite Service space stations.

   Earth Stations Aboard Aircraft (ESAA). Earth stations operating aboard
   aircraft   that  receive  from  and  transmit  to  geostationary-orbit
   Fixed-Satellite Service space stations pursuant to the requirements in
   § 25.227.

   Emergency Call Center. A facility that subscribers of satellite commercial
   mobile radio services call when in need of emergency assistance by dialing
   “911” on their mobile earth station terminals.

   Equivalent diameter. When circular aperture reflector antennas are employed,
   the  size of the antenna is generally expressed as the diameter of the
   antenna's  main reflector. When non-reflector or non-circular-aperture
   antennas  are  employed,  the equivalent diameter is the diameter of a
   hypothetical circular-aperture antenna with the same aperture area as the
   actual antenna. For example, an elliptical aperture antenna with major axis
   a  and  minor axis b will have an equivalent diameter of [a × b]1/2. A
   rectangular  aperture  antenna  with length l and width w will have an
   equivalent diameter of [4(l × w)/π]1/2.

   Equivalent Power Flux Density (EPFD). The sum of the power flux densities
   produced at a geostationary-orbit receive earth or space station on the
   Earth's surface or in the geostationary orbit, as appropriate, by all the
   transmit stations within a non-geostationary-orbit Fixed-Satellite Service
   system, taking into account the off-axis discrimination of a reference
   receiving antenna assumed to be pointing in its nominal direction. The
   equivalent power flux density, in dB(W/m2) in the reference bandwidth, is
   calculated using the following formula:
   eCFR graphic er12fe14.001.gif

   View or download PDF

   Where:

   Na is the number of transmit stations in the non-geostationary orbit system
   that are visible from the GSO receive station considered on the Earth's
   surface or in the geostationary orbit, as appropriate;

   i is the index of the transmit station considered in the non-geostationary
   orbit system;

   Pi is the RF power at the input of the antenna of the transmit station,
   considered in the non-geostationary orbit system in dBW in the reference
   bandwidth;

   θi is the off-axis angle between the boresight of the transmit station
   considered in the non-geostationary orbit system and the direction of the
   GSO receive station;

   Gt(θi) is the transmit antenna gain (as a ratio) of the station considered
   in the non-geostationary orbit system in the direction of the GSO receive
   station;

   di is the distance in meters between the transmit station considered in the
   non-geostationary orbit system and the GSO receive station;

   φi is the off-axis angle between the boresight of the antenna of the GSO
   receive station and the direction of the ith transmit station considered in
   the non-geostationary orbit system;

   Gr(θi) is the receive antenna gain (as a ratio) of the GSO receive station
   in  the  direction  of  the  ith  transmit  station  considered in the
   non-geostationary orbit system;

   Gr,max is the maximum gain (as a ratio) of the antenna of the GSO receive
   station.

   Extended Ku band. As used in this part, the term “extended Ku band” refers
   to the 10.7-11.7 GHz (space-to-Earth), 12.75-13.25 GHz (Earth-to-space), and
   13.75-14.0 GHz (Earth-to-space) Fixed-Satellite Service bands.

   Feeder link. A radio link from a fixed earth station at a given location to
   a  space  station,  or  vice  versa, conveying information for a space
   radiocommunication service other than the Fixed-Satellite Service. The given
   location may be at a specified fixed point or at any fixed point within
   specified areas. (RR)

   Fixed  earth  station. An earth station intended to be used at a fixed
   position. The position may be a specified fixed point or any fixed point
   within a specified area.

   Fixed-Satellite Service (FSS). A radiocommunication service between earth
   stations at given positions, when one or more satellites are used; the given
   position may be a specified fixed point or any fixed point within specified
   areas; in some cases this service includes satellite-to-satellite links,
   which  may  also  be  operated  in  the  inter-satellite  service; the
   Fixed-Satellite  Service  may also include feeder links of other space
   radiocommunication services. (RR)

   Geostationary-orbit  (GSO) satellite. A geosynchronous satellite whose
   circular and direct orbit lies in the plane of the Earth's equator and which
   thus remains fixed relative to the Earth; by extension, a geosynchronous
   satellite which remains approximately fixed relative to the Earth.

   Inter-Satellite  Service. A radiocommunication service providing links
   between artificial earth satellites.

   Ku band. In this rule part, the terms “Ku band” and “conventional Ku band”
   refer   to  the  11.7-12.2  GHz  (space-to-Earth)  and  14.0-14.5  GHz
   (Earth-to-space)  bands.  These  paired  bands  are  allocated  to the
   Fixed-Satellite Service and are also referred to as the 12/14 GHz bands.

   Land earth station. An earth station in the Fixed-Satellite Service or, in
   some cases, in the Mobile-Satellite Service, located at a specified fixed
   point or within a specified area on land to provide a feeder link for the
   Mobile-Satellite Service. (RR)

   Land  Mobile  Earth  Station.  A  mobile  earth  station  in  the land
   mobile-satellite service capable of surface movement within the geographical
   limits of a country or continent. (RR)

   Mobile Earth Station. An earth station in the Mobile-Satellite Service
   intended to be used while in motion or during halts at unspecified points.
   (RR)

   Mobile-Satellite Service (MSS). (1) A radiocommunication service:

   (i) Between mobile earth stations and one or more space stations, or between
   space stations used by this service; or

   (ii) Between mobile earth stations, by means of one or more space stations.

   (2) This service may also include feeder links necessary for its operation.
   (RR)

   NGSO. Non-geostationary orbit.

   NGSO FSS gateway earth station. An earth station complex consisting of
   multiple interconnecting earth station antennas supporting the communication
   routing and switching functions of a non-geostationary-orbit Fixed-Satellite
   Service system. A gateway earth station in the NGSO FS§ 

   (1)  Does  not  originate or terminate radiocommunication traffic, but
   interconnects multiple non-collocated user earth stations operating in
   frequency bands other than designated gateway bands, through a satellite
   with  other  primary terrestrial networks, such as the public switched
   telephone network and/or Internet networks.

   (2) Is not for the exclusive use of any customer.

   (3) May also be used for telemetry, tracking, and command transmissions for
   the NGSO FSS system.

   (4)  May  include multiple antennas, each required to meet the antenna
   performance standard in § 25.209(h), located within an area of one second
   latitude by one second longitude. Additional antennas located outside such
   area will be considered as a separate gateway earth station complex for
   purposes of coordination with terrestrial services.

   Non-Voice,   Non-Geostationary   (NVNG)  Mobile-Satellite  Service.  A
   Mobile-Satellite Service reserved for use by non-geostationary satellites in
   the provision of non-voice communications which may include satellite links
   between land earth stations at fixed locations.

   Permitted   Space   Station   List.   A   list  of  all  U.S.-licensed
   geostationary-orbit space stations providing Fixed-Satellite Service in the
   conventional  C  band, the conventional Ku band, or the 18.3-18.8 GHz,
   19.7-20.2  GHz,  28.35-28.6  GHz, and 29.25-30.0 GHz bands, as well as
   non-U.S.-licensed geostationary-orbit space stations approved for U.S.
   market access to provide Fixed-Satellite Service in the conventional C band,
   conventional Ku band, or 18.3-18.8 GHz, 19.7-20.2 GHz, 28.35-28.6 GHz, and
   29.25-30.0 GHz bands.

   Power flux density (PFD). The amount of power flow through a unit area
   within a unit bandwidth. The units of power flux density are those of power
   spectral density per unit area, namely watts per hertz per square meter.
   These units are generally expressed in decibel form as dB(W/Hz/m2), dB(W/m2)
   in a 4 kHz band, or dB(W/m2) in a 1 MHz band.

   Power  Spectral Density (PSD). The amount of an emission's transmitted
   carrier  power  applied at the antenna input falling within the stated
   bandwidth. The units of power spectral density are watts per hertz and are
   generally expressed in decibel form as dB(W/Hz) when measured in a 1 Hz
   bandwidth, dB(W/4kHz) when measured in a 4 kHz bandwidth, or dB(W/MHz) when
   measured in a 1 MHz bandwidth.

   Protection areas. The geographic regions on the surface of the Earth where
   U.S.  Department  of Defense (DoD) meteorological satellite systems or
   National  Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) meteorological
   satellite systems, or both such systems, are receiving signals from low
   earth orbiting satellites. Also, areas around 20/30 GHz NGSO MSS feeder-link
   earth stations in the 1.6/2.4 GHz Mobile-Satellite Service determined in the
   manner specified in § 25.203(j).

   Radiodetermination-Satellite Service. A radiocommunication service for the
   purpose  of  radiodetermination involving the use of one of more space
   stations. This service may also include feeder links necessary for its own
   operation. (RR)

   Routine  processing  or  licensing.  Expedited processing of unopposed
   applications for Fixed-Satellite Service earth stations communicating via
   geostationary-orbit satellites that satisfy the criteria in § 25.134(a),
   § 25.134 (g), § 25.138(a), § 25.211(d), § 25.212(c), § 25.212(d), § 25.212(f),
   § 25.218, or § 25.223(b), include all required information, are consistent
   with all Commission rules, and do not raise any policy issues. Some, but not
   all,  routine earth station applications are eligible for an autogrant
   procedure under § 25.115(a)(4).

   Satellite Digital Audio Radio Service (SDARS). A radiocommunication service
   in which audio programming is digitally transmitted by one or more space
   stations directly to fixed, mobile, and/or portable stations, and which may
   involve complementary repeating terrestrial transmitters and telemetry,
   tracking and command facilities.

   Satellite  system.  A  space system using one or more artificial earth
   satellites. (RR)

   Selected assignment. A spectrum assignment voluntarily identified by a 2 GHz
   MSS licensee at the time that the licensee's first 2 GHz Mobile-Satellite
   Service satellite reaches its intended orbit.

   Shapeable antenna beam. A satellite transmit or receive antenna beam, the
   gain  pattern  of which can be modified at any time without physically
   repositioning a satellite antenna reflector.

   Space radiocommunication. Any radiocommunication involving the use of one or
   more space stations or the use of one or more reflecting satellites or other
   objects in space.

   Space station. A station located on an object which is beyond, is intended
   to  go  beyond,  or  has been beyond, the major portion of the Earth's
   atmosphere. (RR)

   Space system. Any group of cooperating earth stations and/or space stations
   employing space radiocommunication for specific purposes. (RR)

   Spacecraft. A man-made vehicle which is intended to go beyond the major
   portion of the Earth's atmosphere. (RR)

   Terrestrial radiocommunication. Any radiocommunication other than space
   radiocommunication or radio astronomy. (RR)

   Terrestrial station. A station effecting terrestrial radiocommunication.

   Vehicle-Mounted Earth Station (VMES). An earth station, operating from a
   motorized vehicle that travels primarily on land, that receives from and
   transmits to geostationary orbit Fixed-Satellite Service space stations and
   operates within the United States pursuant to the requirements set out in
   § 25.226.

   [ 79 FR 8311 , Feb. 12, 2014, as amended at  79 FR 26868 , May 12, 2014]

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Goto Year: 2014 | 2016
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