AirPort Delays: More Revelations

Aug 12, 1999

NEWSPAGE reader Todd Austin was good enough to take the time to write in in response to my earlier article about the delays in the FCC granting approval to AirPort. Todd writes:

"Here's some info on what may be behind the AirPort delay — possible changes in FCC rules governing how the spread in direct sequence systems is measured. AirPort may not meet the standard, depending on how its output is measured, at the higher 11Mbit rate."

From what I've gathered from a lengthy pdf document Todd sent me (I thought I'd rather not post it), here's my interpretation:

The proposed changes tabled before the FCC are contained in a 'Notice of Proposed Rule Making No. 99-231' adopted June 21, 1999. Basically, the proposed amendment is being tabled ostensibly to correct a possible technical loophole in instances where the processing gain (think of it as a measure of how well you can distill the original data from the spreading code sequence that conceals it) cannot be measured directly (that is, with the spreading code sequence turned off), in which case tests to indirectly measure the processing gain for these spread systems are employed. When done with this indirect method, signals with spread rates below a certain mark (10 chip/symbol) might render the test results questionable. The concern over this is expressed thus in paragraph 11 of the proposed amendment:

"Direct Sequence Processing Gain: Under Section 15.247(e) of the rules, direct sequence systems are required to exhibit a processing gain of at least 10 dB. The 10 dB minimum was established to ensure that a system is, in fact, spread spectrum in nature. Absent this standard, there is potential for abuse of the Part 15 spread spectrum rules. Specifically, equipment manufacturers could possibly seek certification of non-spread systems in order to benefit from the increased output power afforded spread spectrum systems. Generally, systems employing a spreading rate of at least 10 chip/symbol meet the 10 dB processing gain requirement."

You can also read an email that Todd sent previously to iBook Planet here.

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