DBS-01 — White Space Database Specifications

Database Specification DBS-01, issue 3, White Space Database Specifications, replaces White Space Database Specifications, issue 2.

The following are the main changes:

1. The definition of “less congested areas” has been revised.
2. A new class of mobile white space devices (WSDs) has been added.
3. New sections have been added relating to the operation of mobile WSDs within geo-fenced areas.
4. New requirements have been added relating to the operation of narrowband WSDs.
5. The protection criteria for developmental licence stations have been removed.
6. The limits to WSD antenna heights above ground level have been removed.
7. References to taboo channels have been removed.
8. Fixed WSDs operating with an equivalent isotropically radiated power (e.i.r.p.) level of 16 W have been permitted in less congested areas.
9. The maximum power permitted for fixed WSDs in channel 36 has been updated to 625 mW.
10. Minimum separation distances between WSDs and TV-protected contours have been updated to better harmonize with other international standards.
11. The implementation of some provisions in this standard have been made optional in a manner that still ensures the protection of licensed services.
12. The white space database synchronization requirements have been updated.
13. Editorial changes and clarifications have been made.

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

Martin Proulx
Director General
Engineering, Planning and Standards Branch

AGL

Above ground level

AMSL

Above mean sea level

dirHAAT

Height above average terrain in the direction of the affected TV station

EHAAT

Effective height above average terrain

ERP

Effective radiated power

e.i.r.p.

Equivalent isotropically radiated power

HAAT

Height above average terrain

ISED

Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada

IC ID

Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada identification number

LP

Low-power

LPA

Low-power apparatus

RRBS

Remote rural broadband systems

UHF

Ultra high frequency

VHF

Very high frequency

VLP

Very low-power

WSD

White space device

WSDB

White space database

WSDBA

White space database administrator

Database Specification DBS-01, issue 3, White Space Database Specifications, sets out the technical requirements for the designation of a database capable of identifying available channels for use by white space devices (WSDs) in the white space frequency bands (i.e. 54-72 MHz, 76-88 MHz, 174-216 MHz, 470-608 MHz and 657-663 MHz).

This document will come into force upon its publication on Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada’s (ISED) Spectrum Management and Telecommunications website, and white space database administrator (WSDBA) applications based on the current issue may be submitted at any time once the document has come into force.

Within six months of the date of publication of this standard, a WSDBA with an existing white space database (WSDB) designation from ISED shall submit an application to ISED demonstrating compliance with the current issue of this standard. In preparing for this application, existing WSDBAs are reminded that DBS-01 offers a number of areas of flexibility, which may be drawn upon if desired, to minimize the number of changes needed for a WSDBA to upgrade to the current issue of the standard. Upon reception of a WSDBA application to upgrade to the current issue of this standard, ISED will review and assess compliance based on the same procedure as is used for new WSDBA applications.

If an existing WSDBA has not applied for approval within 6 months of the coming into force of the current issue of this standard, ISED will consider the WSDBA to be inactive. Furthermore, if the approval process has not been completed within 12 months of the current issue of the standard coming into force, ISED will consider the WSDBA to be inactive until the approval process is completed. On a case-by-case basis, ISED may grant a WSDBA an extension of these timelines.

In order to maintain its designation, the WSDBA shall comply at all times with the terms and conditions of its designation agreement with ISED; in the event of any non-compliance, ISED may take action as laid out under the terms of this agreement, up to and including revoking the WSDB’s designation status.

Inactive and revoked WSDBs are prohibited from providing any active channels in response to queries from WSDs.

The application and approval status of WSDBs are shown on ISED’s White Space Databases for Television Bands website.

New WSDBs applying for ISED designation shall be required to comply with the requirements of DBS-01, issue 3. Upon reception of a designation application, ISED will review and assess compliance with the current issue of this standard in accordance with the procedures set out in Client Procedures Circular CPC-4-1-01, Application Procedures for White Space Database Administrators (WSDBAs).

A list of designated WSDBs is available on ISED’s White Space website.

A WSDB is a database system recognized by ISED. This database provides to WSDs lists of available channels and the corresponding maximum permitted power for each available channel, while ensuring protection of all licensed services and systems operating in the white space frequency bands. WSDs are licence-exempt, low-power (LP) wireless devices that operate on a no-protection, no-interference basis with licensees operating in the same white space frequency bands. A WSDB uses information provided by a WSD, such as geolocation data, to dynamically manage its access to spectrum.

White spaces are unused portions of the spectrum in the very high frequency (VHF) and ultra high frequency (UHF) bands that are available for radiocommunication systems at a specific time and in a given geographic area.

Even if a WSDB meets the requirements of this document, ISED may impose corrective measures whenever harmful interference to licensed services or systems is caused by the operation of WSDs.

This technical standard provides a specific methodology through which a WSDB calculates the list of channels available to WSDs. In particular, sections 14 to 17 describe the calculation that ensures the protection of other services, including TV systems, remote rural broadband systems (RRBS), low-power apparatus (LPA) and radio astronomy observatories. In order to provide a maximum of flexibility for WSDB implementation that is consistent with the protection of licensed services, ISED may, on a case-by-case basis and at its discretion, allow a WSDB to implement a calculation methodology different from the one described in this technical standard, as long as it ensures a greater level of protection of licensed services. As further examples:

• A WSDB can use an alternative methodology if it results in larger protected contours for TV broadcasting stations than those calculated with the specifications contained in table 2.
• A WSDB can use an alternative methodology if it results in larger minimum separation distances between WSDs and TV broadcasting stations than those contained in tables C1 to C6 of annex C.
• A WSDB can use an alternative methodology if it results in larger minimum separation distances between WSDs and RRBS stations than those contained in section 15.
• A WSDB can apply for approval where it addresses only a portion of the Canadian geography and/or a portion of the permitted frequency range, provided that it returns a result of no available channels for operation outside this area or frequency range.

Furthermore, the implementation of some provisions covered in this technical standard are indicated to be optional for the WSDBA. Notably, the following are optional for WSDBs: implementation of less congested areas, support for mobile WSDs, and provisions regarding an EHAAT of 700 m. For example, a WSDB may avoid the need to calculate less congested areas if it limits the equivalent isotropically radiated power (e.i.r.p.) levels of all WSDs to 4 W or less.

ISED may require the WSDB applicant to demonstrate that the alternate methodology ensures a greater level of protection of those services. Regardless of the methodology implemented, a WSDB shall apply the same calculation methodology to all WSDs for which it is providing a list of available channels. If a WSDBA that is designated under this condition would like to make any subsequent changes to its calculation methodology for a WSDB, it shall first obtain written approval from ISED and may be required to submit a new designation application that uses an updated calculation methodology.

Anyone with one or more of the following concerns or issues is encouraged to email ISED directly at whitespace-espaceblanc@ised-isde.gc.ca:

• concerns of interference
• concerns regarding calculations performed by designated WSDBs
• issues to resolve or disagreements to address

Adjacent channel: A channel that is immediately adjacent to the protected channel.

Available channels: A range of frequencies available for use by a WSD.

Dynamic spectrum access: A technique by which a radio system dynamically adapts to the local radio spectrum environment in order to determine, and then access, available channels at specific locations.

Effective height above average terrain (EHAAT): The average of the height above average terrain values determined for 8 standard radials spaced every 45 degrees of azimuth, starting from true north.

Fixed white space device (WSD): A WSD that transmits and/or receives radiocommunication signals at a specified fixed location. The fixed WSD selects potential operational frequencies from a list of available channels, as provided by a WSDB.

Geo-fenced area: A geographic area, defined by a boundary, over which certain channels are available; the list of available channels is determined and provided by the WSDB.

Geolocation capability: The ability of a WSD to determine its geographic coordinates and geolocation uncertainty (in metres), with a confidence level of 95%.

Height above average terrain (HAAT): The height of the centre of radiation of the antenna above the average terrain elevation profile (see its definition below) within these specified distance segments of the antenna along a particular radial:

• For WSDs, RRBS and TV Stations, the specified distance segment for calculation shall be from 3 to 16 km.
• For LP TV stations, the specified distance segment for calculation shall be from 0 to 5 km.

Determination of the HAAT does not stop at the border or over bodies of water. Each HAAT determination shall incorporate the full radial segment and shall not be truncated at the border or over bodies of water.

Height above average terrain in the direction of the affected TV station (dirHAAT): The largest of the HAAT values determined for standard radials spaced every 5 degrees of azimuth within an arc of ±22.5 degrees from a line between the WSD location and the closest point on the contour in the direction of the affected TV transmitter.

Height above ground level (AGL): The height of the radiating centre of the antenna above the ground directly below the antenna.

Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada identification number (IC ID): The WSD certification number provided by ISED.

Less congested area: A geographic area where at least half of the TV channels within a specific TV band are not being used for broadcast and other protected services and could be made available for use by a WSD. The specific TV bands are 54-72 MHz and 76-88 MHz for the low VHF band; 174-216 MHz for the high VHF band; and 470-608 MHz for the UHF band. Less congested areas are determined separately for each of the three TV bands listed. In this definition, a “channel” is considered available for WSD use if it is available for fixed devices operating with 40 mW e.i.r.p. at 3 m EHAAT and assuming an antenna height AGL of below 10 m. The implementation of provisions for less congested areas is optional for WSDBs. A WSDB can avoid the need to calculate less congested areas if it limits all WSDs to an e.i.r.p. level of less than or equal to 4 W.

Low-power apparatus (LPA): A wireless microphone device certified under Radio Standards Specification RSS-210, Licence-Exempt Radio Apparatus: Category I Equipment, with a voluntary licence issued under Client Procedures Circular CPC-2-1-28, Voluntary Licensing of Licence-Exempt Wireless Microphones in the TV Bands.

Mobile white space device (WSD): A WSD that transmits and/or receives radiocommunication signals on available channels while stationary or in motion within a defined geo-fenced area. The mobile WSD selects potential operational frequencies from a list of available channels, as provided by a WSDB. A mobile WSD uses an incorporated geolocation capability to determine its location with respect to the boundaries of the defined geo-fenced area. The operation of mobile WSDs is limited to less congested areas. The operation of mobile WSDs on satellites and aircraft, including unmanned aerial vehicles, is prohibited. The implementation of provisions to support mobile WSDs is optional for WSDBs.

Mode I personal/portable white space device (WSD): A personal/portable WSD that does not use an internal geolocation capability and does not directly access a WSDB to obtain a list of available radio frequency channels. A mode I personal/portable device shall obtain, from either a fixed device, a mobile device or a mode II personal/portable device, a list of available channels on which it may operate. A mode I personal/portable device does not initiate a network of WSDs or provide a list of available radio frequency channels to another mode I device for use by such a device.

Mode II personal/portable white space device (WSD): A personal/portable WSD that uses internal geolocation and accesses a WSDB for a list of available radio frequency channels. Access to the WSDB may be through a direct connection to the Internet or through an indirect connection that uses a fixed WSD, mobile WSD or other mode II personal/portable WSD. A mode II personal/portable device may provide its lists of available radio frequency channels to another personal/portable device for use by that device.

Narrowband white space device (WSD): A fixed or personal/portable WSD that transmits and/or receives radiocommunication signals with a bandwidth of no greater than 100 kHz. A narrowband WSD can operate as a client device or an access point.

Personal/portable white space device (WSD): A device that transmits and/or receives radiocommunication signals while stationary or in motion at unspecified fixed points.

Protected contour: A contour within which a station and its associated receivers or remote stations have protection from other devices that operate in the same frequency bands and might interfere with the station.

Remote rural broadband systems (RRBS): Fixed systems that provide wireless Internet access for subscriber-based broadband Internet applications that are authorized by a licence to operate on the same frequency bands as WSDs.

Separation distance: The minimum distance that shall exist between a WSD and a station’s protected contour (for broadcasting, RRBS, etc.) in order for a WSD to be permitted to operate.

Terrain elevation profile: Terrain elevations along a particular radial, calculated at intervals of 100 m or less. The terrain elevation is calculated based on the following datasets:

• in Canada: the Canadian Digital Elevation Model, 1945-2011 at the highest available resolution
• in the United States: the United States Geological Survey 3D Elevation Program (USGS 3DEP) 1 arc-second data for the contiguous U.S. and 2 arc-second data for Alaska

A WSDB may use any other methodology for the calculation of the terrain elevation profile that would result in larger protected contours than those calculated using the specified terrain elevation datasets. In this case, the WSDB will be required to demonstrate to ISED that the protected contours would always be larger.

TV receive site: A location where signals are received for retransmission or monitoring, including TV studio and transmitter locations, relay points and broadcasting distribution undertaking headends outside the edge of the protected contours of a TV station. TV receive sites include those where signals are received over the air, e.g. full power TV stations, TV broadcasters or LP TV stations (i.e. LP or very low-power (VLP) transmitters, translators or booster transmitters).

White space: The part of the spectrum that is, or has become, available for radiocommunication by radio systems at a specific time period and in a given geographic area.

White space database (WSDB): An ISED-designated third-party database that maintains records of all licensed services and systems approved to operate within white space frequency bands. The WSDB determines available channels at a specific time and geographic location, and provides lists of available channels to WSDs.

White space database administrator (WSDBA): A third-party service provider designated by ISED to administer a WSDB within Canada.

White space device (WSD): A type of radio apparatus that operates in the white space frequency bands using dynamic spectrum access techniques.

All spectrum-related documents referred to in this paper are available on ISED’s Spectrum Management and Telecommunications website. Refer to the following documents as needed:

Acronyms

BPR: Broadcasting Procedures and Rules
CPC: Client Procedures Circular
RSS: Radio Standards Specification

The frequency bands/channels authorized for use by WSDs are shown in table 1. A WSDB shall provide to a WSD only available channels from among those listed in table 1 and as per the requirements of this standard.

The ISED database information shall be accessed from the White Space Data Extract section of the Spectrum Management System Data web page.

10.1 WSDB licensing information update from ISED database

The WSDB shall retrieve updated licensing information from the ISED database at least once every 24 hours.

10.2 WSDB failure to access ISED database

Should the ISED database not be available, additional attempts to retrieve information from the ISED database shall be made at least once every 4 hours. If more than 12 hours has elapsed without the WSDBA being able to retrieve this information, the WSDBA shall contact ISED regarding the unsuccessful access to the ISED database.

Thereafter, a WSDB may continue to operate for seven days from the last successful access, unless otherwise indicated by ISED. After those seven days, the WSDBA shall operate only in accordance with instructions provided by ISED. It is anticipated that the latter approach (i.e. contacting ISED for further instructions) would occur only in rare circumstances.

Following unsuccessful access to the ISED database, and thereafter obtaining a successful connection, the WSDB shall notify ISED of the successful access.

10.3 Geographic reference datum

If the geographic reference datum for coordinates of stations provided in ISED’s database differs from the datum used by the WSDB’s internal calculations and/or the datum used to obtain geolocation coordinates of WSDs, the WSDB shall ensure that the appropriate conversion calculations are incorporated.

10.4 Information required for TV broadcasting stations

A WSDB shall obtain the following information from ISED’s database to ensure that TV broadcasting stations will be protected from WSDs:

• transmitter coordinates — latitude
• transmitter coordinates — longitude
• effective radiated power (ERP)
• antenna height AGL of the radiating centre of the transmitting antenna
• ground elevation above mean sea level (AMSL)
• horizontal transmit antenna pattern
• centre frequency
• station call sign
• nature of the station (i.e. analog or digital)

10.5 Information required for RRBS base stations

A WSDB shall obtain the following information from ISED’s database to ensure that RRBS base stations will be protected from WSDs:

• transmitter coordinates — latitude
• transmitter coordinates — longitude
• ERP
• antenna height AGL of the radiating centre of the transmitting antenna
• site elevation AMSL
• centre frequency, both downstream (base station transmit) and upstream (remote station transmit) frequencies
• station call sign

10.6 Information required for licensed LPA

A WSDB shall obtain the following information from ISED’s database to ensure that licensed LPA will be protected from WSDs:

• transmitter coordinates — latitude
• transmitter coordinates — longitude
• authorization number (licence number)
• radius of operation, if specified

A WSDB shall allow for the collection of the information listed in the subsections below for systems and services that are not included in the ISED databases.

11.1 Fixed and mobile WSD registration

A WSDB shall have a registration process for fixed and mobile WSD users. Relevant information is collected from users to help with investigations of harmful interference.

A WSDB shall obtain the following information from fixed or mobile WSD users:

• name of the individual or business that owns the WSD (e.g. the Internet service provider providing the service, not the provider’s customers)
• name of a contact person responsible for resolving interference issues related to the WSD’s operation
• mailing address for the contact person
• email address for the contact person
• phone number for the contact person
• antenna height AGL of the radiating centre of the transmitting antenna

Once registered, information shall be considered public.

Prior to registering a WSD for the first time, a WSDB shall verify that the above-mentioned registration information is complete and that a verified email address has been provided by the fixed or mobile WSD user.

11.2 TV receive site registration and cable TV headends

A WSDB shall provide a registration process for TV receive sites that qualify for protection under section 14.2.1. WSDBs are not obliged to provide protection to TV receive sites that are not registered under this process.

A WSDB shall obtain the following registration information from TV receive site users wishing to be protected from WSDs:

• name of the individual or business responsible for the TV receive site
• mailing address for the contact person
• email address for the contact person
• phone number for the contact person
• geographic coordinates of the location of the TV receive site
• call sign of the TV receive site
• call sign of the transmitter associated with the TV receive site

Once registered, information shall be considered public.

A WSDB shall confirm that the TV receive site being registered is associated with an ISED-authorized call sign.

A WSDB shall confirm that the TV receive site or cable TV headend being registered resides no farther than 80 km outside the nearest edge of the protected contour of the TV transmitter site associated with that call sign.

If the registration information cannot be validated, the WSDB shall reject the registration and return a message to the user to contact ISED for authorization.

11.3 Licensed LPA registration information

A WSDB shall allow licensed LPA users to log information about scheduling and location to obtain protection from WSDs. WSDBs are not obliged to provide protection to a licensed LPA except at times and locations that have been so registered.

A WSDB shall obtain the following information from licensed LPA users wishing to be protected from WSDs:

• name of the individual or business responsible for the licensed LPA
• mailing address for the contact person
• email address for the contact person
• phone number for the contact person
• geographic coordinates of the location or area(s) of operation where the licensed LPA will be used
• centre frequency (MHz) of the channel(s) used by the licensed LPA at the indicated site
• period of operation of the channels, i.e. specific hours, days, weeks and/or months when the licensed LPA will be used
• licensed LPA’s authorization number (licence number)

A WSDB shall confirm that a licensed LPA user that wishes to register its time-of-use scheduling information in the WSDB has a valid licence according to the ISED database. If none exists, the WSDB shall reject the registration of the licensed LPA, and return a message requesting that the user contact ISED for a licence, as detailed in CPC-2-1-28.

A WSDB shall allow the registration of only licensed LPA operations within geographic areas and frequencies specified on the licence. The period of registration shall be limited to less than one year.

A WSDB shall allow an LPA user to register a period of operation as a recurring event. For the protection of the future occurrences of the event, the WSDB shall ensure that the licensed LPA user still has a valid licence based on the information from ISED’s database at that time.

Once registered, information shall be considered public.

11.3.1 Area of operation of licensed LPA

In the case of a licensed LPA at a fixed location with no radius of operation, the maximum area of operation registered with the WSDB shall be within a radius of 500 m around the fixed location.

In the case of a licensed LPA with a specified radius of operation larger than 500 m, a licensed LPA’s area of operation shall be defined as a point and radius area or as a quadrilateral area, as chosen by the user. The registration shall allow up to the maximum number of points prescribed below, as applicable for the given option:

• Point and radius option: The area(s) of operation of the licensed LPA shall be defined using a maximum of 25 geographic points at any one time. Each geographic point shall have a maximum radius of operation of 500 m around the particular point; or
• Quadrilateral option: The area(s) of operation of the licensed LPA shall be defined based on the edges of straight lines connecting the vertices (geographic points) of the quadrilateral:
  1. Each quadrilateral shall be specified with four geographic points and the distance between any two adjacent points shall be limited to 3 km.
  2. In cases where a licensed LPA occupies a larger area, up to four non-contiguous quadrilaterals may be registered.

ISED may consider allowing the WSDBA to use other options to define the area of operation for the licensed LPA on a case-by-case basis, at the request of a WSDBA.

A WSDB shall maintain a list of devices that are not authorized to operate with WSDBs. These devices shall not be permitted to gain access to white space channels. A WSDB shall enable ISED to identify devices to be placed on the denied list using the ISED certification number or using a combination of the ISED certification number and the manufacturer’s serial number.

If the WSDB has also implemented other additional parameters to identify devices operating with it, ISED may also identify devices to be placed on the denied list using these additional parameters. Devices shall be added to or removed from the denied list only after receiving formal direction from ISED. It is anticipated that the denied list will be rarely used and there is no requirement for an external interface or automated update of this list.

When a fixed, mobile, or mode II personal/portable WSD contacts a WSDB and provides its geographic coordinates, geolocation uncertainty (in metres), and antenna height AGL, the WSDB shall provide a list of available channels to the WSD according to the criteria set out in this section and its subsections. The implementation of less congested areas, support for mobile WSDs, and provisions for an EHAAT of 700 m are optional for WSDBs (see section 5). A WSDB may avoid the need to calculate less congested areas if it limits all WSDs to an e.i.r.p. level of 4 W or less. Narrowband WSDs (both fixed and personal/portable) can be treated as fixed WSDs in the WSDB’s channel availability calculations.

13.1 WSD power limits

A WSDB shall not provide any available channels to a fixed WSD operating with an e.i.r.p. level greater than 16 W (42 dBm) per 6 MHz channel. Furthermore, in areas other than less congested areas, a WSDB shall not provide any available channels to a fixed WSD operating with an e.i.r.p. level greater than 4 W (36 dBm) per 6 MHz channel.

A WSDB shall not provide a list of available channels to a mobile WSD operating in a less congested area with an e.i.r.p. level greater than 16 W (42 dBm) per 6 MHz channel. A WSDB shall not provide a list of available channels to a mobile WSD operating outside of a less congested area.

A WSDB shall not provide a list of available channels to a personal/portable WSD operating with an e.i.r.p. level greater than 100 mW (20 dBm) per 6 MHz channel.

On channel 36, a WSDB shall limit fixed WSDs to an e.i.r.p. level of 625 mW or less.

13.2 Maximum height for fixed and mobile WSDs

A WSDB may choose to implement a maximum EHAAT of 500 m or optionally 700 m. A WSDB shall not provide any channels to a fixed or mobile WSD if its EHAAT exceeds the limit implemented (e.g. 500 m or 700 m).

In the case of a fixed or mobile WSD requesting available channels for a mode I personal/portable WSD, a WSDB shall not provide any available channels for the mode I device if the EHAAT of the fixed or mobile WSD exceeds 106 m.

If a fixed WSD reports height as AMSL, the WSDB shall convert AMSL to antenna height AGL. The WSDB shall:

• determine the site elevation for the reported fixed WSD geographic coordinates, using the same method used to determine elevation for EHAAT calculations
• subtract the site elevation from the reported AMSL, which will produce an antenna height AGL value (and if the resulting antenna height AGL is less than 1.5 m, the antenna height AGL value shall be set at 1.5 m)

A WSDB shall return a list of available channels according to the protection criteria for TV broadcasting stations set out in this section and its subsections.

14.1 Protection criteria for over-the-air TV broadcasting stations

A WSDB shall protect active, over-the-air TV broadcasting stations (see section 10).

A WSDB shall protect all types of TV broadcasting stations, including:

• active analog and digital TV stations
• full-service TV stations
• TV re-broadcasters
• LP TV stations (including LP and VLP TV translators, and booster stations)

14.2 Protection contours for TV broadcasting stations

To protect fixed TV services from WSDs, a WSDB shall calculate protected contours for TV broadcasting stations based on the propagation models and electromagnetic field strength levels specified in table 2. However, a WSDB may also use any other methodology that results in larger protected contours for TV broadcasting stations than those calculated with the specifications contained in table 2; in this case, the WSDB shall be required to demonstrate to ISED that the protected contours would always be larger.

14.2.1 Protection of registered TV receive sites

A WSDB shall protect TV receive sites outside the protected contour, where signals are received for retransmission or monitoring. These sites include TV studio and transmitter locations, relay points and broadcasting distribution undertaking headends, provided that such sites are no farther than 80 km outside the nearest edge of the protected contours of the station. In order to receive protection, a TV receive site shall be registered with a WSDB, as described in section 11.2.

The protection area of the receive sites from WSDs shall encompass an arc of ±30 degrees from a line between a registered receive site and the associated TV transmitter station. This protection area extends to a distance of 80 km for co-channel protection and 20 km for adjacent-channel protection, or to the edge of the associated TV station protected contour, whichever distance is less. Outside of this ±30-degree arc:

• WSDs operating at 4 W e.i.r.p. or less may not operate within 8 km of the receive site for co-channel operation and within 2 km of the receive site for adjacent channel operation.
• WSDs operating with more than 4 W e.i.r.p. and up to 10 W e.i.r.p. may not operate within 10.2 km of the receive site for co-channel operation and within 2.5 km of the receive site for adjacent channel operation.
• WSDs operating with more than 10 W e.i.r.p. may not operate within 16.6 km of the receive site for co-channel operation and within 3.5 km of the receive site for adjacent channel operation.

For the protection of TV receive sites, there is no need to increase the distances above when a fixed, mobile, or mode II personal/portable WSD communicates with a mode I personal/portable WSD.

In determining these distances, the WSDB shall increase the distances by the amount that the location accuracy uncertainty of a WSD exceeds ±50 m.

For the purpose of this section, a TV station whose signals are received over the air may include a full power TV station, a TV re-broadcaster or an LP TV station (i.e. LP or VLP transmitter, translator or booster transmitter). The distance of the TV transmitter to its protected contour shall be determined using the calculation procedure detailed in annex B.

14.3 Minimum separation distance between a WSD and a TV broadcasting station protected contour

A WSDB shall return a list of available channels according to the criteria set out in this section and its subsections. ISED would consider any calculation methodology (different from the one described in annex B) if it resulted in larger minimum separation distances than those outlined below.

14.3.1 Minimum separation distance from WSD to protected contour of TV broadcasting station

When a fixed, mobile, or mode II personal/portable WSD contacts a WSDB and provides its geographic coordinates, geolocation uncertainty (in metres), and antenna height AGL, the WSDB shall provide a list of available channels to the WSD according to the criteria below. These criteria provide minimum separation distances from the protected contours of the TV stations based on all of the following:

• the e.i.r.p. level of the WSD
• the type of WSD (i.e. fixed, mobile, or personal/portable)
• the frequency band of operation of the TV station (i.e. low VHF, high VHF, or UHF)

A WSDB shall apply the minimum separation distances between fixed and mobile WSDs and the protected contours for both digital and analog TV stations. The distances shall be applied as indicated in these tables in annex C:

• table C1 applies to all co-channel cases in the UHF frequency band;
• table C2 applies to all adjacent channel cases in the UHF frequency band;
• table C5 applies to all co-channel cases in the low and high VHF frequency bands; and
• table C6 applies to all adjacent channel cases in the low and high VHF frequency bands.

The adjacent channel case separation distances are required to be implemented only for channels within the same TV band (i.e. low VHF, high VHF, or UHF) in which the TV station is operating.

Narrowband WSDs (both fixed and personal/portable) can be treated as fixed WSDs in the WSDB’s channel availability calculations.

A WSDB shall also apply the minimum separation distances provided in tables C3 and C4 of annex C for personal/portable WSDs from the near side of the protected contours for both digital and analog TV stations.

If a personal/portable WSD is operating with an e.i.r.p. level of 40 mW or less, a WSDB shall not apply the adjacent channel separation distances in table C4 and shall list all adjacent channels as available within the broadcast TV-protected contours.

If a fixed or mobile WSD is operating with an e.i.r.p. level of 40 mW or less, as well as with an antenna height AGL not exceeding 10 m, a WSDB shall not apply the adjacent channel separation distances in tables C2 and C6 and shall list all adjacent channels as available within the broadcast TV-protected contours.

In determining these minimum separations, the WSDB shall increase the minimum separation distances by the amount that the location accuracy uncertainty of a WSD exceeds ±50 m.

When applying tables C1, C2, C5 and C6 of annex C, where a database is capable of calculating the dirHAAT of the affected TV station, the dirHAAT may optionally be used instead of the EHAAT.

A WSDB shall protect the RRBS base station (downstream) transmitted protected contour, which corresponds to a field strength of 30.8 dBµV/m at a receive antenna height of 9 m. The RRBS-protected contour is calculated using the licensed base station power. The RRBS downstream operation is protected with a minimum separation distance from the protected contour, as specified in sections 15.1 and 15.3 below.

A WSDB shall also protect the RRBS base station (upstream) received signal at the RRBS base station location. The RRBS upstream operation is protected with a minimum separation distance from the base station location, as specified in sections 15.2 and 15.4 below.

In determining these minimum separations, the WSDB shall increase the minimum separation distances by the amount that the location accuracy uncertainty of a WSD exceeds ±50 m. ISED would consider any alternative methodology resulting in larger minimum separation distances than those outlined below.

When the WSD’s power level falls in between any two power levels referenced in tables 3 and 4 below, the higher power level requirements shall apply. Where a WSDB is capable of calculating the dirHAAT of the affected RRBS station, the dirHAAT may be used instead of the EHAAT.

15.1 Fixed and mobile WSD minimum separation distance from the RRBS base station protected contour on the RRBS base station transmit channel (downstream)

A WSDB shall ensure that fixed and mobile WSDs protect the RRBS base station transmit channel by operating at least at the minimum co-channel separation distances from the RRBS base station protected contour specified in table 3. Narrowband WSDs (both fixed and personal/portable) can be treated as fixed WSDs in the WSDB’s channel availability calculations.

15.2 Fixed and mobile WSD minimum separation distance from the RRBS base station on the RRBS base station receive channel (upstream)

A WSDB shall ensure that fixed and mobile WSDs protect the RRBS base station receive channel by operating at least at the minimum co-channel separation distances from the RRBS base station coordinates specified in table 4. Narrowband WSDs (both fixed and personal/portable) can be treated as fixed WSDs in the WSDB’s channel availability calculations.

15.3 Mode II personal/portable WSD minimum separation distance from the RRBS base station protected contour on the RRBS base station transmit channel (downstream) for co-channel operation

A WSDB shall ensure that mode II personal/portable WSDs operate at least at the minimum separation distance of 8.2 km from the transmit RRBS base station protected contour.

15.4 Mode II personal/portable WSD minimum separation distance from the RRBS base station coordinates on the RRBS base station receive channel (upstream) for co-channel operation

A WSDB shall ensure that mode II personal/portable WSDs operate at least at the minimum separation distance of 37.8 km from the RRBS receive channel’s base station coordinates.

15.5 Communication with mode I personal/portable WSDs and protection criteria for RRBS

A WSDB shall ensure that when a WSD communicates with a mode I personal/portable WSD, the minimum separation distances outlined in sections 15.1 to 15.4 above are increased by:

• 1.3 km when the mode I personal/portable device operates at an e.i.r.p. less than or equal to 40 mW
• 1.7 km when the mode I personal/portable device operates at an e.i.r.p. greater than 40 mW

Registered licensed LPA scheduling information shall be included within the WSDB. A WSDB shall provide channels only to WSDs located at least at the minimum separation distance from the edge of the registered area of operation of the protected licensed LPA. For fixed and mobile WSDs, the minimum separation distance shall be 1 km if the device e.i.r.p. is less than or equal to 10 W, and 1.3 km if the device e.i.r.p. is greater than 10 W. For personal/portable WSDs, the minimum separation distance shall be 0.4 km. Narrowband WSDs (both fixed and personal/portable) can be treated as fixed WSDs in the WSDB’s channel availability calculations.

For the protection of registered licensed LPA, there is no need to increase the distances above when a fixed, mobile, or mode II personal/portable WSD communicates with a mode I personal/portable WSD.

In determining the minimum separations, the WSDB shall increase the minimum separation distances by the amount that the location accuracy uncertainty of a WSD exceeds ±50 m, if any.

In order to protect radio astronomy observatories, a WSDB shall not permit the use of WSDs on any channel within 2.4 km of the following two coordinates:

• Dominion Radio Astrophysical Observatory, located near Penticton, British Colombia (latitude 49° 19′ 12″ N, longitude 119° 37′ 12″ W)
• Algonquin Provincial Park, located in Ontario (latitude 45° 57′ 19.8″ N, longitude 78° 4′ 22.95″ W)

For the protection of radio astronomy observatories, there is no need to increase the distance above when a fixed, mobile, or mode II personal/portable WSD communicates with a mode I personal/portable WSD.

In determining the distance, the WSDB shall increase the distance by the amount that the location accuracy uncertainty of a WSD exceeds ±50 m.

A WSDB may choose whether or not to implement the capability of providing available channels to mobile WSDs. If it does choose to implement this capability, the requirements described in this section shall be met. A WSDB shall not provide any available channels to a mobile WSD if these requirements are not implemented.

18.1 Available channels over a geo-fenced area

A WSDB shall provide a list of available channels and the corresponding maximum permitted power levels to a mobile WSD for operation within a defined geo-fenced area. A WSDB shall not provide any list of available channels to a mobile WSD operating outside of a less congested area.

The WSDB shall take into consideration the mobile device’s antenna height AGL and geolocation uncertainty in determining the list of available channels. The WSDB shall take into consideration any variation in mobile device EHAAT throughout the geo-fenced area and shall use the highest EHAAT within the geo-fenced area in determining channel availability.

18.2 Mobile WSD minimum separation distance

A WSDB shall ensure that mobile WSDs operate at least at the minimum separation distances from protected services that apply for fixed WSDs, as specified in sections 14, 15, 16 and 17, at all points within the geo-fenced area in which the mobile WSD intends to operate.

18.3 Boundaries of geo-fenced areas

A WSDB shall obtain from a mobile WSD the boundaries that define the geo-fenced area in which the mobile WSD intends to operate. Alternatively, the WSDB may provide the mobile WSD with the boundaries of a geo-fenced area in which it can operate. The area boundaries used by the WSDB to determine channel availability shall be the same as the boundaries stored within the mobile WSD.

A WSDB shall incorporate reasonable and reliable security measures to ensure that WSDs shall not operate on occupied channels or cause interference to licensed services or systems.

A WSDB shall employ both of the following measures to protect the security of operational and/or client data:

• Implementation of reasonably secure methods for data transmission and authentication that are designed to prevent corruption or unauthorized modification of data when communicated between the WSDB and WSDs
• Implementation of reasonable controls designed to protect data from unauthorized access, input, manipulation, or the deliberate extraction of operational and/or client data

A WSDB shall provide fixed, mobile and mode II personal/portable WSDs with channel availability information and shall include any scheduled changes in channel availability within the coming 48 hours, upon initialization and re-verification of WSD contact.

A WSDB may provide available channel information to mode II personal/portable WSDs for locations beyond their current position. The mode II personal/portable WSDs can use that information to define the geographic area within which they could operate on the same available channels at all locations.

A WSDB shall ensure that the registration information of the fixed and mobile WSD sites, TV receive sites, cable TV headends, and scheduling information of licensed LPA sites is synchronized at least every 15 minutes with the other designated Canadian WSDBs.

Any designated WSDBA and a new entrant WSDBA seeking designation shall develop a successful synchronization process within two months of the application date of the new entrant WSDB. If the process is unsuccessful, ISED will specify the synchronization process that both WSDBAs shall implement as well as the time frame under which it shall be completed.

For the purpose of resolving potentially harmful radio interference, WSDBAs shall maintain a log of registration, client contact and related operational information on all active WSDs for a minimum period of 60 calendar days, and shall make all such information available to ISED on request.

A WSDBA shall also provide ISED with access, on request, to the detailed log files of WSD queries and responses contained in its database, for the purposes of evaluation and enforcement. The log files shall include a reference to the registration information of fixed or mobile WSDs (see section 11.1).

Operating U.S. broadcasting stations are to be protected according to the same criteria specified for Canadian stations above; however, protected contours will be assumed to stop at the Canada-U.S. border. The required separation distances extend within Canada.

Interference response stemming from WSD queries remains ISED’s responsibility, and information shall be provided to ISED following a formal request.

In order to facilitate the request, a WSDB shall retain logs of WSD queries and responses for 60 days to allow for audits in case of interference reports.

A WSDB shall also indicate whether channels are available when queried by a specific WSD or type of WSD. This feature shall allow for either a type of WSD or all WSDs to be denied to channels based on a geographic area defined by a point and radius, or by a quadrilateral area defined by straight lines connecting four geographic points.

A1. WSDB interface test to connect with a fixed or mobile white space device (WSD)

A WSDB shall validate the information provided by confirming the following before initializing a fixed or mobile WSD:

1. The certification number for the WSD reflects a valid certification under RSS-222 as a fixed or mobile WSD (i.e. IC ID). ISED maintains a list of certified WSDs on the White Space Data Extract section of the Spectrum Management System Data web page.
2. The manufacturer’s serial number or certification number (i.e. IC ID) for the WSD is not on the denied list.
3. The geographic coordinates are within Canada.
4. The antenna height above mean sea level (AMSL) or antenna height above ground level (AGL) is provided.
5. The geographic coordinates’ uncertainty has a 95% confidence level.

A2. WSDB interface with a mode II personal/portable WSD initialization

A WSDB shall validate the information provided by confirming the following before initializing a mode II personal/portable WSD:

1. The certification number for the WSD reflects a valid certification under RSS-222 as a mode II personal/portable WSD (i.e. IC ID). ISED maintains a list of certified WSDs on the White Space Data Extract section of the Spectrum Management System Data web page.
2. The manufacturer’s serial number or certification number (i.e. IC ID) for the WSD is not on the denied list.
3. The geographic coordinates are within Canada.
4. The geographic coordinates’ uncertainty has a 95% confidence level.

A3. WSDB mode I personal/portable WSD validation

A WSDB shall validate the information provided by confirming the following before initializing a mode I personal/portable WSD through an intermediate fixed WSD, mobile WSD, or mode II WSD:

1. The certification number for the WSD reflects a valid certification under RSS-222 as a mode I personal/portable WSD (i.e. IC ID). ISED maintains a list of certified WSDs on the White Space Data Extract section of the Spectrum Management System Data web page.
2. The fixed or mobile WSD has an effective height above average terrain (EHAAT) of less than or equal to 106 m (if the validation request comes from a fixed or mobile WSD).

A4. White space channel availability

A WSDB shall confirm the available channels that can be assigned to the fixed, mobile or personal/portable WSD under test.

The following is the procedure for determining TV- and RRBS-protected contours:

1. The height above average terrain (HAAT, as defined in section 7) value of the TV broadcast station on each of 360 equally spaced radials, starting from true north and moving clockwise, is calculated.
   • In calculating the HAAT value, the ground elevation above sea level at the station location provided in the ISED database should be used instead of the ground elevation predicted by the terrain elevation data files.
2. The effective radiated power (ERP) is determined in the direction of each radial by subtracting the broadcast station’s antenna pattern attenuation in that direction (i.e. dB attenuation below the maximum antenna gain in dBi) from the station’s maximum ERP value.
   • Since the HAAT values are to be computed for 1-degree intervals and the antenna pattern tabulation will typically be at much larger intervals, the white space database (WSDB) should interpolate dB units between provided antenna data points using linear interpolation. Where the broadcast antenna pattern data does not exist for a directional station, the maximum ERP value is applied in all directions.
3. The ERP and HAAT, in conjunction with the criteria in section 14.2, are used to calculate the distance from the broadcast station to the TV-protected contour along the radial.
   • For interpolating a value between available data points on the F propagation curves, interpolation shall be used and all units shall be converted to the decibel scale during the interpolation process (i.e. field strength remains in dBu, height is converted to dB referenced to 1 m, and distance is converted to dB referenced to 1 km). As a minimum, linear interpolation shall be implemented, but more accurate interpolation techniques may also be permitted.
   • Data tables for the F propagation curves are available on ISED’s website under the figure descriptions for the curves provided in annex F of BPR-10. The use of these data tables is recommended, but other sources of data tables may be accepted by ISED if they accurately cover the same propagation curves. The F propagation curves have a limited range of data points for input and output parameters for which to provide propagation results. If a terrain profile or station antenna height leads to a height value above or below the curve limits, the value at the limit should be used (i.e. 30 m and 1600 m for lower and upper limits respectively). If the transmitter power is sufficiently low that a distance below the curve limits is obtained, the free space propagation model should be used as an alternate.
4. Similarly to the determination of the TV-protected contour discussed above, the distance from the RRBS base station to the protected contour of the RRBS base station transmit channel is found using its licensed ERP value and its calculated HAAT value for each radial, until the 30.8 dBµV/m field strength level is reached at a 9 m receive antenna height.
   • The F(50,90) propagation curves should be applied in all directions for this calculation. Furthermore, the same guidance specified above should be used for the determination of HAAT and the use of the propagation curves.

This annex prescribes the minimum separation distance required between the TV-protected contour and white space devices (WSDs) operating at a given height (i.e. effective height above average terrain (EHAAT)), channel range and power level. The white space database (WSDB) shall provide the list of available channels based on the prescribed minimum separation distances and the WSD’s location, in accordance with the requirements of section 14.3.1. As indicated in section 14.3.1, the height above average terrain in the direction of the affected TV station (dirHAAT) can be used instead of the EHAAT. For the cases when the WSD’s power level falls in between any of the two power levels referenced in tables C1 to C6 below, the higher power level requirements shall apply.

When a fixed or mobile WSD communicates with a personal/portable mode I WSD operating at an e.i.r.p. less than or equal to 40 mW, the minimum separation distances in table C1 shall be increased by 1.3 km. When a fixed or mobile WSD communicates with a personal/portable mode I WSD operating at an e.i.r.p. greater than 40 mW, the minimum separation distances in table C1 shall be increased by 1.7 km.

When a fixed or mobile WSD communicates with a personal/portable mode I WSD operating at an e.i.r.p. greater than 40 mW, the minimum separation distances in table C2 shall be increased by 0.1 km.