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New FCC proposed rule may exempt Part 15 'Damped Wave' emitters



The FCC has issued a Notice of Proposed Rule Making (NPRM) with an exception
to the longstanding prohibition against 'Damped Wave Emissions' as part of a
new class of "Ultra-Wideband Transmission Systems" (UWB) operating at
bandwidths exceeding 1 GHz or even 10 GHz.  The FCC may allow these
"DC-to-Blue-Light" emitters under a modified Part 15, or it may open a new
Rule part to deal with UWB systems.

The closing date for comments is 07 DEC 98.  
Complete text and FCC NPRM contact info is at www.altair.org and excerpts
below.

makin lil bitty sparks in Georgia
Will

<snip>

> 47 CFR Part 15
> (ET Docket No. 98-153; FCC 98-208)
> Revision of the Rules Regarding Ultra-Wideband Transmission Systems
> 
<snip> 

> SUMMARY:  By  this  Notice  of  Inquiry,  the  Commission  is  initiating
> a
> proceeding  to  investigate  the possibility of permitting the operation
> of
> ultra-wideband  (UWB) radio systems on an unlicensed basis under its
> rules.
> Comments  are  requested  on  the standards and operating requirements
> that
> should  be  applied  to  UWB systems to prevent interference to other
> radio
> services.
>  
<snip>

>  9. Other matters. There is a prohibition in the rules against the use of
> a
> Class  B,  damped  wave  emission.  This  prohibition  stems from a
> similar
> International  Telecommunication Union regulation and is a throwback to
> the
> days  when spark gap transmitters were employed. There is no longer a
> clear
> definition  of  a  Class  B,  damped  wave emission. Should the
> prohibition
> against  Class  B,  damped  wave  emissions  apply to UWB systems or is
> the
> prohibition  irrelevant,  especially  in  light of the relatively low
> power
> levels  employed  by UWB devices? Comments are invited on any other
> matters
> or issues that may be pertinent to the operation of UWB systems.
> 
<snip>