The 2.

4 GHz ISM band

Paul Hansell
CEng MIEE

Managing Director, Aegis Systems Ltd

Structure of the presentation

Background
objectives & approach applications

Study findings
problem areas possible policy solutions

Recommendations
core recommendations further recommendations

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Study background
2.4 GHz ISM band largely licence exempt
regulation is minimal access is free

global allocation ideally suited to high density fixed and mobile

has led to increasing demand for use

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Study objectives
The objectives of the work were:
to estimate demand for use of the band currently and over the next two to five years to forecast bottle-necks for the use of new wireless technology to advise on spectrum management strategies for handling demand

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Study method
Literature review Industry consultation
50 people from 37 organisations contributed: 20 face to face interviews (13 organisations) 10 telephone interviews (9 organisations) 20 written contributions Special thanks to the FEI

Congestion modeling & analysis Recommendations

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Structure of the band

ISM Military
2445 2446 2450

SRD AVI

2455 2454

Outside Broadcast Links Radio Local Area Networks (Rec 70-03) Short Range Devices (Rec 70-03)
2400 2410 2420 2430 2440 2450 2460 2470 2483.5

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2.4 GHz - diverse applications

User type
Military Electronic News Gathering and Outside Broadcast Public provision of Fixed Wireless Access Wireless Networking: Radio LANs Bluetooth SoHo and Home networking Other short range devices: RF Identification Devices Video applications ISM applications: Microwave ovens Sulphur plasma lighting

Licence fee paid

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Diverse expectations of growth

User type
Military Electronic News Gathering and Outside Broadcast Public provision of Fixed Wireless Access Wireless Networking: Radio LANs Bluetooth SoHo and Home networking Other short range devices: RF Identification Devices Video applications ISM applications: Microwave ovens Sulphur plasma lighting

Growth expectation Static Low Modest High Very High High High Low Low Low (nil?)

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Forecasting congestion
Based on earlier Aegis & SE24 work Used appropriate working assumptions for system parameters (eg power, duty cycle) Density figures based on market forecasts Sought to identify key areas of concern
high: systems likely to experience on-going, noticeable degradation in QoS moderate: occasional noticeable degradation low: no noticeable degradation
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Problems: potential congestion

Victim
Indoor Outdoor RFA RLAN RLAN Indoor RLAN Outdoor RLAN RFA Hom e RF Bluetooth RFIDs ENG/OBTV Home Bluetooth RFIDs RF ENG/OB

Interfere r
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outdoor applications - the key problem area

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Problems: licence issues

Today:
Use of outdoor RLANs by ISPs

Tomorrow:
Use of any licence exempt application to compete with a licensed service (ie UMTS / FWA)

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Policy options: containment

Do nothing
not good for UK plc

Close the band

no expansion of RFA prevent any further outdoor RLANs

Tighten constraints
directional antennas polite operations power limits digital technology

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Policy options: migration

Refarming
Military ENG/OB RFA Wireless networking

New licence exempt bands

5 GHz ISM

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Core recommendations
1. Congestion
Address congestion from outdoor applications by refarming
Ideally refarm two out of three applications: if not: mandate power control, directionality, digitalisation

2. Licensing
Resolve ISP legitimacy question
Note potential impact on UMTS/FWA vs customer choice

3. Hot spots
Limit public services to 1mW
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Additional recommendations
Military
Discuss military vacation of band to reduce uncertainty and help standardise licence situation

Polite operations
Should be actively encouraged

Further licence exempt bands

Explore possibilities for additional spectrum

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Conclusions
2.4 GHz ISM offers great potential for UK Future congestion is manageable but requires action now w.r.t. outdoor systems Action on licensing needed once public vs private issue resolved Additional licence exempt bands merit further thought

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Balfour House, Churchfield Road, Walton-on-Thames, Surrey KT12 2TD United Kingdom
Tel: +44 1932 237800 Fax: +44 1932 237801 web: www.aegis-systems.co.uk
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