RSS-170 — Mobile Earth Stations and Ancillary Terrestrial Component Equipment Operating in the Mobile-Satellite Service Bands

Radio Standards Specification RSS-170, Mobile Earth Stations and Ancillary Terrestrial Component Equipment Operating in the Mobile-Satellite Service Bands, issue 4, replaces RSS-170, issue 3, dated July 2015.

The following are the main changes:

1. Added requirements for ancillary terrestrial component (ATC) equipment operating in the band 2483.5-2495 MHz as set forth in SMSE-009-20, Decision on Globalstar Canada’s Application for Ancillary Terrestrial Component (ATC) Authority in the 2.4 GHz Band (2483.5-2500 MHz).
2. Updated the frequency bands for mobile earth stations and ATC equipment in table 1 and table 2, respectively.
3. Removed ATC equipment band 2180-2200 MHz because it is now contained in RSS-139.
4. Modernized to reflect the current RSS structure.
5. Made editorial changes and clarifications, as appropriate.

Inquiries may be submitted by one of the following methods:

1. Online using the General Inquiry form (in the form, select the Directorate of Regulatory Standards radio button and specify "RSS-170" in the General Inquiry field)
2. By mail to the following address:
   
   Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada
   Engineering, Planning and Standards Branch
   Attention: Regulatory Standards Directorate
   235 Queen Street
   Ottawa ON  K1A 0H5
   Canada
3. By email to consultationradiostandards-consultationnormesradio@ised-isde.gc.ca

Comments and suggestions for improving this standard may be submitted online using the Standard Change Request form, or by mail or email to the above addresses.

All Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada publications related to spectrum and telecommunications are available on the Spectrum Management and Telecommunications website.

Issued under the authority of
the Minister of Innovation, Science and Industry

Martin Proulx
Director General
Engineering, Planning and Standards Branch

This Radio Standard Specification (RSS) sets out certification requirements of radio equipment operating in the mobile-satellite service (MSS) bands, including mobile earth stations (MESs) and ancillary terrestrial component (ATC) equipment, for the frequency bands listed in table 1 and table 2, respectively. In this RSS, AWS-4 is referred to as ATC band 2000-2020 MHz.

This RSS applies to MESs and ATC equipment, including both base stations and mobile equipment, operating in the MSS bands.

This section sets out the general requirements and references related to this RSS.

3.1 Coming into force and transition period

This document will be in force as of the date of its publication on Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada’s (ISED) website.

However, a transition period of six months from the publication date will be provided. During this transition period, applications for certification under either RSS-170 issue 3 or issue 4 will be accepted. After this period, only applications for the certification of equipment under RSS-170, issue 4, will be accepted, and equipment manufactured, imported, distributed, leased, offered for sale, or sold in Canada shall comply with this present issue.

A copy of RSS-170, issue 3, is available upon request by emailing consultationradiostandards-consultationnormesradio@ised-isde.gc.ca.

3.2 Certification requirements

Equipment covered by this standard is classified as Category I equipment and shall be certified. Either a technical acceptance certificate issued by the Certification and Engineering Bureau of ISED or a certificate issued by a recognized certification body is required.

Before equipment can be certified, the applicant shall provide a declaration from the licensed satellite operator that the equipment is compatible with the satellite system.

ATC mobile equipment operating in the bands 2000-2020 MHz and 2483.5-2495 MHz may be certified for either dual-mode or single-mode operation. The equipment is not required to be capable of communicating with both the mobile-satellite network and the terrestrial ATC system.

ATC mobile equipment operating in bands other than 2000-2020 MHz and 2483.5-2495 MHz shall be certified only if it is dual-mode equipment.

For information on the certification of ATC equipment operating in the bands 1525-1559 MHz and 1626.5-1660 MHz, please contact ISED by emailing consultationradiostandards-consultationnormesradio@ised-isde.gc.ca.

3.3 Licensing requirements

Equipment covered by this standard is subject to licensing requirements pursuant to subsection 4(1) of the Radiocommunication Act.

3.4 RSS-Gen compliance

Equipment being certified under this standard shall also comply with the general requirements set out in RSS-Gen, General Requirements for Compliance of Radio Apparatus.

3.5 Related documents

All ISED publications related to spectrum management and telecommunications are available on the Spectrum Management and Telecommunications website. In addition to related documents specified in RSS-Gen, refer to the following documents as needed:

• RSS-139, Advanced Wireless Services Equipment Operating in the Bands 1710-1780 MHz and 2110-2200 MHz
• RP-023, Spectrum and Licensing Policy to Permit Ancillary Terrestrial Mobile Services as Part of Mobile-Satellite Service Offerings
• SRSP-519, Technical Requirements for the Ancillary Terrestrial Component of Mobile-Satellite Service Systems Operating in the Bands 2000-2020 MHz and 2180-2200 MHz
• SMSE-009-20, Decision on Globalstar Canada’s Application for Ancillary Terrestrial Component (ATC) Authority in the 2.4 GHz Band (2483.5-2500 MHz)
• SLPB-008-14, Decision on a Policy, Technical and Licensing Framework for Mobile Satellite Service and Advanced Wireless Service (AWS-4) in the Bands 2000-2020 MHz and 2180-2200 MHz

Acronyms

• RP: Radio Systems Policy
• SLPB: Spectrum Licensing Policy Branch
• SRSP: Standard Radio System Plan

The following terms are used in this document:

Active antenna system (AAS)
An antenna system where the amplitude and/or phase between antenna elements is dynamically adjusted, resulting in an antenna pattern that varies in response to short-term changes in the radio environment. An AAS may be integrated into a fixed or base station. An antenna system used for long-term beam shaping, such as fixed electrical down tilt, is not considered an AAS.

Ancillary terrestrial component (ATC)
A ground communications network that complements and operates as a part of an integrated MSS system, and provides an integrated satellite offering. The ground component is controlled by the satellite resource and network management system, and it uses the same authorized frequency band as the associated operating MSS.

Ancillary terrestrial component (ATC) base station equipment
Terrestrial fixed equipment designed for communicating with ATC mobile equipment.

Ancillary terrestrial component (ATC) mobile equipment
Equipment designed for single- or dual-mode operation and intended to be used while in motion or during temporary stops at unspecified locations. ATC single-mode mobile equipment shall be capable of communicating only with the terrestrial ATC system, whereas ATC dual-mode mobile equipment shall be capable of communicating with both the mobile satellite network and the terrestrial ATC system.

Broadband emission
An emission with a bandwidth greater than 700 Hz.

Discrete emission
An emission with a bandwidth lesser than or equal to 700 Hz.

Carrier-off state
The state when an MES is authorized by the network control facility to transmit but does not transmit a signal.

Mobile earth station (MES)
A station designed to communicate with a satellite in the MSS and intended to be used while in motion or during temporary stops at unspecified locations.

Total radiated power (TRP)
The integral of the power transmitted by an antenna (all radiating elements) in different directions over the entire radiation sphere.

This section sets out the requirements applicable to radio transmitters subject to this standard.

5.1 Measurement methods

Unless otherwise specified, all measurements shall be performed in accordance with the requirements of RSS-Gen. For total radiated power (TRP) measurements, the Normative Test Standards and Acceptable Alternate Procedures page on ISED’s Certification and Engineering Bureau website shall be consulted.

The unwanted emissions from the transmitter shall be measured for all channel bandwidths with the carrier frequency set at both the highest and lowest channels in which the equipment is designed to operate.

The equivalent isotropically radiated power (e.i.r.p.) density of unwanted and carrier-off state emissions outlined in sections 5.6 through 5.10 shall be averaged over any 2 ms active transmission period using a power average detector.

5.2 Band plan

Equipment subject to this standard shall operate in the frequency bands listed in tables 1 and 2.

Note: For ATC base stations operating in frequency band 2180-2200 MHz, please refer to RSS-139.

5.3 Frequency stability

For MES equipment, the carrier frequency shall not drift from the reference frequency by more than ±10 ppm.

For ATC equipment operating in the band 2000-2020 MHz, the frequency stability shall be sufficient to ensure that the emission bandwidth stays within the operating frequency block when tested to the temperature and supply voltage variations specified in RSS-Gen.

For all other ATC equipment, the carrier frequency shall not drift from the reference frequency in excess of ±2.5 ppm for mobile equipment and ±1.5 ppm for base station equipment.

5.4 Transmitter output power for ATC equipment

The maximum transmitter output power for ATC equipment, measured in terms of average values, shall comply with the limits specified in this section.

The maximum e.i.r.p. of ATC mobile equipment transmitting in the band 1610-1626.5 MHz shall not exceed 1 dBW in a 1.25 MHz bandwidth.

The maximum e.i.r.p. of ATC mobile equipment transmitting in the band 1626.5-1660.5 MHz shall not exceed 0 dBW per channel bandwidth.

The maximum e.i.r.p. of ATC mobile and base station equipment transmitting in the band 2483.5 2495 MHz shall not exceed 6 dBW per channel bandwidth, and the maximum conducted transmitter output power shall not exceed 0 dBW.

The maximum e.i.r.p. of ATC base stations transmitting in the band 2000-2020 MHz shall not exceed 65 dBm/MHz. For base stations equipped with active antenna systems (AAS), the maximum TRP shall not exceed 46 dBm/MHz.

The limits in this RSS are specified for the purpose of certification and may not apply to all deployment scenarios. For more details, consult Standard Radio System Plan SRSP-519, Technical Requirements for the Ancillary Terrestrial Component of Mobile-Satellite Service Systems Operating in the Bands 2000 2020 MHz and 2180-2200 MHz.

5.5 Transmitter output power for MESs

The application for MES certification shall state the e.i.r.p. that the MES must have for satisfactory communication. The maximum permissible e.i.r.p. will be the stated e.i.r.p. plus a 2 dB margin. If a detachable antenna is used, the application for certification shall state the recommended antenna type and manufacturer, the antenna gain, and the maximum transmitter output power at the antenna terminal.

5.6 Unwanted emission limits for ATC base station equipment

This section sets out the unwanted emission limits for equipment covered under this standard. For ATC equipment operating in the bands 2000-2020 MHz and 2483.5-2495 MHz, compliance with the unwanted emission limits shall be determined using a measurement bandwidth of 1 MHz or greater. However, in the 1 MHz band immediately outside and adjacent to the equipment’s operating frequency block, a resolution bandwidth of at least 1% of the occupied bandwidth may be used.

5.6.1 Band 1525-1559 MHz

For ATC base station equipment transmitting in the band 1525-1559 MHz, the e.i.r.p. density of unwanted emissions shall not exceed:

1. -32.4 dBW/MHz and -39.4 dBW/MHz measured at 1 MHz and 2 MHz respectively beyond the edges of the equipment channel bandwidth
2. -70 dBW/MHz in the band 1559-1605 MHz, linearly interpolated from -70 dBW/MHz at 1605 MHz to -46 dBW/MHz at 1610 MHz, for broadband emissions
3. -80 dBW/kHz in the band 1559-1605 MHz, linearly interpolated from -80 dBW/kHz at 1605 MHz to -56 dBW/kHz at 1610 MHz, for discrete emissions

5.6.2 Band 2000-2020 MHz

For ATC base station equipment transmitting in the band 2000-2020 MHz at frequencies outside the equipment’s operating frequency block, the e.i.r.p. density of unwanted emissions, measured in terms of average values, shall not exceed -13 dBm/MHz.

5.6.3 Band 2483.5-2495 MHz

For ATC base station equipment transmitting in the band 2483.5-2495 MHz, the e.i.r.p. density of unwanted emissions, measured in terms of average values, shall not exceed the limits specified in table 3, for emissions below 2483.5 MHz, and table 4, for emissions above 2495 MHz, where X is the greater of 6 MHz or the occupied bandwidth.

The ATC system shall meet the above requirements and, additionally, the e.i.r.p. density of the system's unwanted emissions shall not exceed:

1. -44.1 dBW/30 kHz measured from the edge of the equipment channel bandwidth
2. -70 dBW/MHz for broadband emissions and -80 dBW/kHz for discrete emissions, in the band 1559-1610 MHz

5.7 Unwanted emission limits for ATC mobile equipment

ATC mobile equipment transmitting in the band 2483.5-2495 MHz shall comply with the unwanted emission limits specified in section 5.7.3.

All other ATC mobile equipment shall comply with the unwanted emission limits specified in section 5.8 in addition to the relevant limits specified in section 5.7.1 or 5.7.2.

5.7.1 Band 1610-1626.5 MHz

For ATC mobile equipment transmitting in the band 1610 1626.5 MHz, the e.i.r.p. density of unwanted emissions shall not exceed:

1. -57.1 dBW/30 kHz measured from the edge of the equipment channel bandwidth
2. -70 dBW/MHz in the band 1559-1605 MHz, linearly interpolated from -70 dBW/MHz at 1605 MHz to -10 dBW/MHz at 1610 MHz, for broadband emissions
3. -80 dBW/kHz in the band 1559-1605 MHz, linearly interpolated from -80 dBW/kHz at 1605 MHz to -20 dBW/kHz at 1610 MHz, for discrete emissions

5.7.2 Band 1626.5-1660.5 MHz

For ATC mobile equipment transmitting in the band 1626.5-1660.5 MHz, the e.i.r.p. density of unwanted emissions shall not exceed:

1. -58 dBW/4 kHz measured at 1 MHz beyond the edge of the equipment channel bandwidth
2. -70 dBW/MHz in the band 1559-1605 MHz, linearly interpolated from -70 dBW/MHz at 1605 MHz to -46 dBW/MHz at 1610 MHz, for broadband emissions
3. -80 dBW/kHz in the band 1559-1605 MHz, linearly interpolated from -80 dBW/kHz at 1605 MHz to -56 dBW/kHz at 1610 MHz, for discrete emissions

5.7.3 Band 2483.5-2495 MHz

For ATC mobile equipment transmitting in the band 2483.5-2495 MHz, the e.i.r.p. density of unwanted emissions, measured in terms of average values, shall not exceed the limits specified in table 5 for emissions below 2483.5 MHz and table 6 for emissions above 2495 MHz, where X is the greater of 6 MHz or the occupied bandwidth.

The ATC system shall meet the above requirements and, additionally, the e.i.r.p. density of the system’s unwanted emissions shall not exceed:

1. -44.1 dBW/30 kHz measured from the edge of the equipment channel bandwidth
2. -70 dBW/MHz for broadband emissions and -80 dBW/kHz for discrete emissions, in the band 1559-1610 MHz

5.8 Unwanted emission limits for MESs in all frequency bands

The average power of unwanted emissions shall be attenuated below the average output power, P (dBW), of the transmitter, as specified below:

1. 25 dB in any 4 kHz, the frequency of which is offset from the channel centre frequency by more than 50%, up to and including 100% of the occupied bandwidth or necessary bandwidth, whichever is greater
2. 35 dB in any 4 kHz, the frequency of which is offset from the channel centre frequency by more than 100%, up to and including 250% of the occupied bandwidth or necessary bandwidth, whichever is greater
3. 43 + 10 log p (watts) in any 4 kHz, the frequency of which is offset from the channel centre frequency by more than 250% of the occupied bandwidth or necessary bandwidth, whichever is greater

5.9 Additional unwanted emission limits for MESs to protect radionavigation-satellite service

MESs with transmitting frequencies in the bands 1610-1626.5 MHz and 1626.5-1660.5 MHz shall comply with the unwanted emission limits specified in this section, where applicable, in addition to the limits in section 5.8.

5.9.1 Band 1610-1626.5 MHz

For MESs with transmitting frequencies between 1610 MHz and 1626.5 MHz, the e.i.r.p. density of unwanted emissions shall not exceed the limits shown below, which are the same as those for the band 1605-1610 MHz, averaged over any 2 ms active transmission interval:

1. -70 dBW/MHz at 1605 MHz, linearly interpolated to -10 dBW/MHz at 1610 MHz, for broadband emissions
2. -80 dBW/kHz at 1605 MHz, linearly interpolated to -20 dBW/kHz at 1610 MHz, for discrete emissions

5.9.2 Band 1626.5-1660.5 MHz

For MESs with transmitting frequencies between 1610 MHz and 1626.5 MHz, the e.i.r.p. density of unwanted emissions shall not exceed the limits shown below, which are the same as those for the band 1605-1610 MHz, averaged over any 2 ms active transmission interval:

1. -70 dBW/MHz at 1605 MHz, linearly interpolated to -46 dBW/MHz at 1610 MHz, for broadband emissions
2. -80 dBW/kHz at 1605 MHz, linearly interpolated to -56 dBW/kHz at 1610 MHz, for discrete emissions

5.10 Carrier-off state emissions

MESs with transmitting frequencies between 1 GHz and 3 GHz shall not exceed -80 dBW/MHz, which is the e.i.r.p. density of carrier-off state emissions in the band 1559-1610 MHz.