TV Bands Database Administrator Workshop

TV Bands Database Administrator Workshop April 20, 2011 Office of Engineering and Technology FCC

General Issues and Questions Alan Stillwell Office of Engineering and Technology Hossein Hashemzadeh Media Bureau

General Issues Update: The new FCC/OET TV white spaces web page is now available at http://www.fcc.gov/oet/whitespace/ Information on TV whites spaces equipment authorization will also be available on the KDB website at www.fcc.gov/labhelp If you have suggestions for information to post on these sites, please let us know. The address for e-mail inquiries on TV white space issues is TVWS.info@fcc.gov

General Issues Update: Draft APIs for obtaining electronic access to records for certified TVWS devices on the Equipment Authorization System (EAS) are available from the OET TVWS Lab Services The APIs “getWhitespaceauthorizations” and “getFCCIDList” are posted on the KDB at: https://apps.fcc.gov/oetcf/kdb/reports/PublishedDocumentList.cfm Interested parties can file comments on these draft APIs (see KDB page).

General Issues Information: Requests for waiver of the 80 km limit on registration of cable headend and low power TV receive sites: 24 parties filed requests for a waiver 17 requested registration of translator receive sites, specifying a total of 120 sites. 7 requested registration of cable headends, specifying 48 sites and 163 received stations. FCC will issue a public notice requesting comment on the requests that it received and will subsequently issue decisions on those requests. No timetable has been established for processing these waiver requests.

General Issues Question 1: What is the status of actions on the petitions for reconsideration? Answer: We still do not have an estimated completion date for a decision (MO&O) on these, but the drafting process is progressing Question 2: How do database administrators know which construction permits in the CDBS have been built, i.e., are to be protected? Answer: The CDBS license application records indicate the file number of the construction permit they cover. The technical information for a license application can be obtained from the construction permit record indicated by that file number.

General Issues Question 3: Question: Are the APIs for web services limited to retrieval of EAS information on TV bands devices (TVBDs)? Answer: Yes Question 4: Will the access provided by these APIs use a secure interface? Answer: Yes – https

General Issues Question 5: Will the type of TVBD be identified on the EAS records, e.g., personal portable, fixed? Answer: Yes, the EAS certification records will identify whether the equipment is for fixed, Mode I, Mode II or operation or a combination of those types of operation. The KDB that lists the webservice interface will be updated to define the new equipment classes.

General Issues Question 6: Are the DBAs expected to just verify that a TVBD is authorized, or must they also identify the type of device/operating mode? If the latter, the FCC should provide information that the DBAs can use to do that. Answer: A database must be able to determine if a device is a fixed device or a personal/portable device in order to determine an appropriate list of available channels for the device. The type of operation for which a device has been approved will be available from its EAS certification record. The DBA will also need to be able to determine the operating mode of a device from the registration of a fixed device or from requests for channel lists from a personal/portable device.

Questions ? Alan Stillwell 202/418-2925 alan.stillwell@fcc.gov Hossein Hashemzadeh 202/418-1658 Hossein.Hashemzadeh@fcc.gov III: 10

Wireless Microphones Alan Stillwell Office of Engineering and Technology Mary Bucher Wireless Telecommunications Bureau

Wireless Microphones • There are a number of open questions regarding registration of wireless microphone sites. • We need to provide more information in this area, and especially on the registration process. • We are inclined to add the option that Shure has suggested for adding registration of licensed wireless microphones to the FCC registration system for unlicensed wireless microphone sites. • In this section, we describe the planned FCC wireless microphone site registration process and then provide answers to specific questions that have been raised.

Wireless Microphones Registrations - General • DBAs must update information daily to ensure protection • DBAs can just add registered sites to their databases immediately upon acquisition from the ULS • Protection will be based on schedule of usage • DBAs need to delete registrations that are no longer valid • Expired • Cancelled

Unlicensed Wireless MicrophoneApplication • Filed electronically in ULS • New radio service • FRN required • Process • Redlight check • Listed on webpage • Seven calendar days for comment; 5 for replies • Verification of eligibility • Staff will evaluate comments • Certain minor amendments/modifications • Administrative Information (operator and contact info) • Time

Unlicensed Wireless MicrophoneRegistration • Unique registration created in ULS • Up to one year term • Can be renewed • Renewal not subject to 30 day process • Normal ULS statuses • Active, Cancelled, Expired • Appear in download files/available daily

Unlicensed Wireless Microphones Registration (Continued) • Administrative Updates • Includes changes to time • Switching out channels • No technical changes • Coordinates • Adding channels

Licensed Wireless Microphones • Similar to unlicensed wireless microphone registration • Same filing process • Up to one year term • Registrations can be renewed • No public comment • Error free applications will be automatically granted

Wireless Microphones 1. Question: How should time/schedule information be reported (when microphones will be used)? Answer: Wireless microphone schedules are to be maintained in half-hour increments and include the television channels used, with events/channel reservations scheduled for specific calendar days. In the case of registrations for licensed microphones acquired by a DBA, the specific means of recording the operating schedules at registered wireless microphone sites is at the discretion of the individual administrators. The DBAs must work cooperatively in exchanging scheduling information for their wireless microphone registrations to ensure that all database systems reflect the same schedules for any given registered site.

Wireless Microphones 2. Question: What time reporting formats, etc. will be used for the FCC registrations? Answer: We will work this out with the systems contractor and advise the DBAs once a format has been determined. 3. Question: What type of information will need to be entered into the ULS? Answer: The information to be entered for wireless microphone site registrations is set forth in the rules. We will not collect information on the specific microphones that are used.

Wireless Microphones 4. Question: Voluntary registrations of licensed wireless microphone sites with DBAs – How are the DBAs to handle the initial volume of registrations at the beginning of the service. Answer: This is a start-up element and the database administrators and the FCC will just need to be prepared to deal with it. If it takes more than a few days to complete the registration process for individual registrants, that would be acceptable at start up time. Note that we also understand that there may be system “bugs” that arise at start-up time that can delay operations.

Wireless Microphones 5. Question: What user interface characteristics should be provided for registrations of licensed wireless microphone sites, e.g., what feedback should be provided on whether a registration is successful? Answer: A return message providing confirmation of the registration should be sufficient, perhaps with a confirmation number, date and contact information so that the registrant has a record to point to in case it has any questions for the database base administrator.

Wireless Microphones 6. Question: What procedures should be followed to avoid errors if a wireless microphone licensee registers a site with multiple databases? Answer: We recommend that the database systems’ facilities for registration of wireless microphone sites provide an explanation of how the registration process and synchronization of registrations works, i.e., explain that it is only necessary to register with one database and that that registration will be forwarded to other databases within one-day. If mis-matched duplicates occur, the DBAs can consider the registration to be in error (should notify the registrant). 7. Question: Can a DBA reject corrupted data? Answer: DBAs can and should reject bad data. We also encourage DBAs to report errors to responsible parties as appropriate for corrections.

Questions ? Alan Stillwell 202/418-2925 alan.stillwell@fcc.gov Mary Bucher 717/338-2656 Mary.Bucher@fcc.gov III: 23

Determination of Available Channels Robert Weller EMC Division Office of Engineering and Technology

Goal: All db providers provide the same list of channels. Reference lists of operating TV stations (including full-service, LPTV, TV Translator, and Class A) now available at: http://www.fcc.gov/oet/whitespace/ Terrain: USGS NED 1-arc second resolution http://seamless.usgs.gov/ned1.php Uses NAD83/NAVD88 datums More complete coverage Eliminates errors in “old” 3-second DEM C H A N G E! III: 25

“80-km” Waivers Receive Site Protection (CATV, TV Translators, Relay stations, etc.) April 5 deadline for requests has passed. 283 individual facilities are being considered for waiver, based on requests received to date. Plan to release a list of waiver-based protected facilities as a Public Notice. If granted, DBAs will need to include them for appropriate protection III: 26

Contour Calculations Distributed Transmission System (DTS) Stations Analyze protected receivers using “strongest server” technique III: 27

Bad and “Missing” Data If FCC record data are suspect, please let us know! FCC errors will be corrected promptly Licensee errors must be corrected by licensee DBAs can “construct” data if it can be determined unambiguously from other information in record Example: CRAMSL = Site Elevation + CRAGL III: 28

LPDDS and Experimental Use License record associated with 12 stations listed in Section 336(h)(2) of the Communications Act. You can ignore STA and Experimental records for those stations SEE STA UPDATE ON 2/12 Q&A Why aren’t experimental licenses protected? Experimental users are traditionally not protected. If protection is required, seek STA under licensed service. III: 29

Interpretations Use tvwsinfo@fcc.gov if there are questions about specific situations. We will respond, and post interpretations on KDB. III: 30

Questions ? Robert D. Weller Chief, Technical Analysis Branch 202/418-7387 robert.weller@fcc.gov III: 31

DATABASE COORDINATIONAND SYNCHRONIZATION Ira Keltz Office of Engineering and Technology

RULE REQUIREMENTS 15.715(b) DBAs must synchronize the TV bands database with the current Commission databases at least once a week to include newly licensed facilities or any changes to licensed facilities. 15.715(l) DBAs must develop a standardized process for providing on a daily basis or more often, as appropriate, the data collected for registered protected facilities. 33

ISSUES FROM 1ST WORKSHOP What does it mean in the rules that DBAs have to share information on fixed TVBD registrations? Some TVBDs may only work with one DBA. 15.715(l) requires DBAs to share registrations on a daily basis Necessary to: facilitate the public availability of registrations assist parties in locating the source of any interference that may occur Locations of fixed TVBDs are considered a registration Although some TVBDs may only work with one database, the data records should be similar Sharing that data should not be problematic 34

ISSUES FROM 1ST WORKSHOP Inter-database coordination – how should the database systems deal with delays in sharing? i.e., information between databases (time tolerance)? Highest level of protection results from real-time or near real-time sharing of information Determined by interoperability interface used between databases (secure FTP or web services) Question to DBAs: What are your plans for data sharing? If real-time or near real-time, then non-issue Otherwise, delay in promulgating information regarding protection Licensed microphones can: Use the two reserved channels Use channels prohibited for TVBD use Register with all DBAs Creates reconciliation issues for DBAs 35

Questions ? Ira Keltz 202/418-0616 Ira.keltz@fcc.gov 36 III: 36

Security Hugh Van Tuyl Office of Engineering and Technology

Security Testing • Question: How will TVBDs be tested for security? What about the relationship between TVBD manufacturers and DBAs - can they enter into proprietary arrangements? • Answer: We will review the DBAs description of the security features of its system rather than perform any direct testing of those features on the implemented system. Manufacturers and DBAs can enter into proprietary arrangements so long as they are in compliance with the rules. The DBAs need to provide the specific arrangements they have between the manufacturers and the administrator. In these cases, we would expect that a TVBD submitted for testing will have some approval from the DBA on the implementation of access protocol.

Security Features • Question: What security features are required for DBA certification vs. what the FCC would like DBAs to do? What security features can be left to DBAs as business decisions? • Answer: The rules define the security features that are to be provided and the DBAs must provide information describing the features its system has and how it has implemented those features to comply with the rules. In general, this means that DBAs need to provide a high-level description of their security measures and how they comply with the qualitative standard indicated at the workshop. We may ask for additional information if needed.

Reliability • Question: Are we looking at co-location and power back-up to ensure database reliability? Why is FCC is concerned about reliability as part of DBA certification? • Answer: We believe that reliability is an important element of a TVWS database system to ensure that large numbers of devices are not suddenly required to cease operation due to lack of database service. However, reliability is not specifically addressed in the rules so we are not going to subject the database systems to any reliability standards or requirements. Nevertheless, we urge the database administrators to configure their systems with appropriate and adequate reliability measures to minimize the disruption of service to TVWS devices. Such measures would typically include back-up power supplies, off-site systems redundancy and off-site back-up of records.

Reliability levels • Question: Will DBAs be allowed to have different contracts with manufacturers for different levels of reliability? • Answer: Yes. However, issues of reliability (database availability) should not affect a DBAs ability to control rogue TVBDs. We do not want to approve a TVBD that would not function in accordance with its stated operating plan under the service level agreements its DBA puts in place if the database will not be sufficiently reliable to supports such operation. Therefore, we will require the DBAs to inform us as to the target levels for reliability in their system design.

Retention of records • Question: There was concern expressed about retaining TVBD and channel information for 30 days for possible audits because this information can be voluminous. How to should the DBAs handle this? • Answer: High volume data storage units are now available at very reasonable prices and in sizes that are not physically large. We think a 30-day storage requirement is needed and will not be unduly burdensome on the database systems.

Data security • Question: Is a DBA responsible for security of both ingress and egress of data that is registered? • Answer: Yes. It is important to have both ingress filters to screen new data and egress filters to ensure that data has not been corrupted in the database systems internal processes, including any manual processing/modifications that may be used.

Single and multiple databases • Question: Can a TVBD communicate with only one database? • Answer: Yes. It is also allowable for a TBVD to communicate with more than one database. Such operations might, for example, be desirable it different databases provide specialized services.

Information pass through • Question: What methods are to be used for pass through of information on channel availability from fixed devices to Mode 1 and Mode 2 devices? • Answer: In the case of Mode 2 devices, a fixed device just passes through a request for channel availability directly to the database. The fixed device does not contact the database on behalf of the Mode 2 device; thus, the contact with the database is the same as if the Mode 2 device’s request arrived from a direct Internet connection. In the case of Mode 1 devices, a fixed device must send the Mode 1 devices FCC ID to the database for verification that the Mode 1 is certified before it can provide a list of available channels. The fixed device must also obtain from the database a list of the channels that are available for the Mode 1 device to use.

Questions ? Hugh Van Tuyl 202/418-7506 Hugh.VanTuyl@fcc.gov III: 46

COMPLIANCEANDENFORCEMENT Ira Keltz Office of Engineering and Technology

ISSUES FROM 1ST WORKSHOP How will the FCC notify DBAs when a TVBD or model of TVBD should be denied service or when some other enforcement action is to be taken? By letter from Chief Engineer to DBAs Letter will identify device(s) or protected entity(ies) at issue and provide specific instructions regarding the action to be taken Could include: Denial of service to a specific fixed device Denial of service to a specific model of device Entire U.S. Specific geographic areas 48

ISSUES FROM 1ST WORKSHOP Turning off a class/model of devices across entire U.S. may not be necessary. Can the FCC be more tailored in its response to IX? Goal is to tailor enforcement actions as appropriate Could include: Denial of service to a specific fixed device Denial of service to a specific model of device Entire U.S. Specific geographic areas Actions are dependent on the capabilities of the database systems 49

ISSUES FROM 1ST WORKSHOP What will be the process for reporting and checking on interference problems? All complaints received by DBAs should be referred to the FCC FCC will determine how to proceed FCC will be responsible for identifying source of interference May request information from the DBAs to determine locations of TVBDs in the area of the complaint and the channels available for operation Request could cover up to previous 30 days 50

TV Bands Database Administrator Workshop