SRSP-303.7 — Technical Requirements for Fixed Line-of-Sight Radio Systems Operating in the Band 3700-4200 MHz

Issue 3
December 2006

Preface

Issue 3 of SRSP‑303.7 has been released to incorporate refinements to the minimum antenna characteristics and emission limits. This SRSP replaces SRSP‑303.7, Issue 2.

Issued under the authority of
the Minister of Industry

R.W. McCaughern
Director General
Spectrum Engineering Branch

Contents

1. Intent
2. General
3. Related Documents
4. Radio Frequency Channel Arrangement Description
   • 4.1 Radio Frequency Channel Arrangements
   • 4.2 Radio Frequency Channel Centre Frequencies
   • 4.3 Branching or Spur Route Channels
   • 4.4 Closed Loops
   • 4.5 Growth Patterns
   • 4.6 Spectral Efficiency
   • 4.7 Protection Channels
5. Transmitter Characteristics
6. Antenna Characteristics
7. Maximum Equivalent Isotropically Radiated Power
8. Avoidance of the Geostationary‑satellite Orbit
9. Appendix 1 — Centre Frequencies of Existing Radio Systems Operating in the Band 3500‑4200 MHz

1. Intent

1.1 This Standard Radio System Plan (SRSP) states the minimum technical requirements for the efficient use of the band 3700‑4200 MHz by high‑capacity (HC), point‑to‑point radio systems in the fixed service using digital modulation.

1.2 This SRSP is intended to be employed in the design and specification of radio systems and equipment and in the technical evaluation of applications for new radio facilities or modification to radio systems submitted in accordance with the current issue of Radio Standards Procedure 113, Application Procedures for Planned Radio Stations Above 960 MHz in the Fixed Service (RSP‑113).

1.3 This SRSP specifies equipment characteristics relating to efficient spectrum usage only and is not to be regarded as a comprehensive specification for equipment design and/or selection.

2. General

2.1 This Standard replaces SRSP‑303.7, Issue 2. Further revision of this SRSP will be made as required.

2.2 Existing point‑to‑point radio systems operating in the band 3700‑4200 MHz and licensed as standard prior to the issuance of this SRSP may continue to operate as standard^{Footnote 1}. Extension and/or expansion of these systems will be considered by the Department on a case‑by‑case basis. New stand‑alone radio routes must conform to the requirements of this Standard.

2.3 Radio systems conforming to these technical requirements will be given priority in licensing over non‑standard radio systems operating in this band.

2.4 The arrangements for non‑standard systems are outlined in SP Gen, General Information Related to Spectrum Utilization and Radio Systems Policies.

2.5 The Geographical Differences Policy (GDP) guideline applies in this frequency band. More information on the GDP can be found in SP 1–20 GHz^{Footnote 2}.

2.6 Although a radio system may conform to the requirements of this SRSP, modifications may be required to that system whenever harmful interference^{Footnote 3} is caused.

2.7 When potential interference between radio systems cannot be resolved by the parties concerned, Industry Canada should be advised. After consultation with these parties, the Department will determine the necessary modifications and schedule of modifications to resolve the conflict.

2.8 The Department may require licensees and/or applicants to use receiver selectivity characteristics that provide rejection of harmful interference.

2.9 The use of a two‑frequency plan is required. Where reasonable economic or technical justification is provided (e.g. where siting prevents adequate antenna discrimination), extra frequencies may be used to resolve the problem, subject to the provisions of Section 2.5.

2.10 It should be noted that the fixed service shares this band equally on the basis of primary status, with the fixed‑satellite service (space‑to‑Earth).

3. Related Documents

The current issues of the following documents are applicable and available on the Spectrum Management and Telecommunications website at: http://www.ic.gc.ca/spectrum.

CPC — Client Procedures Circular
RSP — Radio Standards Procedure
SP — Spectrum Utilization Policy
TRC — Telecommunications Regulation Circular

4. Radio Frequency Channel Arrangement Description

4.1 Radio Frequency Channel Arrangements

The radio frequency channel arrangements defined in this Standard provide for 20 MHz, 30 MHz and 40 MHz RF channel bandwidths.

4.2 Radio Frequency Channel Centre Frequencies

In order to minimize intermodulation effects, each set of RF channel bandwidths will operate with its own transmit/receive separation.

4.2.1 The centre frequencies of the channel allocations for radio systems using 20 MHz channels with transmit/receive separations of 250 MHz are shown in Table 1.

4.2.2 The centre frequencies of the channel allocations for radio systems using 30 MHz channels with transmit/receive separations of 255 MHz are shown in Table 2.

4.2.3 The centre frequencies of the alternate channel allocations for radio systems using 40 MHz channels with transmit/receive separations of 260 MHz are shown in Table 3.

4.3 Branching or Spur Route Channels

The frequencies assigned to a main route system should be re‑used where possible on the branching or spur routes. The siting of repeater stations should be planned with this requirement in mind, in order that sufficient antenna discrimination is obtained at the branch‑off angle.

4.4 Closed Loops

Systems must be designed so that any closed loop will consist of an even number of hops.

4.5 Growth Patterns

Assignments in this band should use the lowest available frequency pair that can be successfully coordinated.

4.6 Spectral Efficiency

Systems submitted for licensing must have the capability of achieving a spectral efficiency of at least 4.4 bits/second/Hz of RF channel bandwidth on a single polarization.

4.7 Protection Channels

4.7.1 One protection channel will normally be permitted for systems with more than one working channel.

4.7.2 Quad‑path diversity applications will be considered on a case‑by‑case basis to solve special propagation problems.

5. Transmitter Characteristics

5.1 The transmitter power delivered to the antenna input should not exceed 10 watts per RF channel.

5.2 An increase in transmitter power over the above‑specified limits may be permitted if technical justification is provided. In no event shall the power delivered to the antenna be permitted to exceed 20 watts (+13 dBW) per RF channel.

5.3 The centre frequency of the emission shall be maintained within ±0.005% of the assigned frequency.

5.4 Emission Limits

5.4.1 In any 4 kHz band, the centre frequency of which is removed from the assigned frequency by more than 50% up to and including 250% of the authorized bandwidth, the mean power of emission shall be attenuated below the mean output power of the transmitter in accordance with the following equation:

A = 35 + 0.8 (P - 50) + 10 log₁₀ B (dB)

Where:

A = attenuation (dB) below the mean output power level
P = percent removed from the centre frequency of the assigned RF channel
B = authorized bandwidth (MHz)

Note:

1. In no case shall the attenuation be less than 50 dB.
2. Attenuation greater than 80 dB or to an absolute power of less than -13 dBm/MHz is not necessary.

5.4.2 In any 1 MHz band, the centre frequency of which is removed from the assigned frequency by more than 250% of the authorized bandwidth, the mean power of emission shall be attenuated by 43 + 10 log₁₀ (mean output power in watts) dB, or 80 dB, whichever is the lesser attenuation.

6. Antenna Characteristics

6.1 The co‑polarized radiation pattern envelope in the horizontal plane of the antenna must remain within Envelope A defined in Table 4 and shown in Figure 1, for both vertical and horizontal polarizations.

6.2 In uncongested areas, the co‑polarized radiation pattern envelope in the horizontal plane of the antenna must remain within Envelope B defined in Table 4 and shown in Figure 1, for both vertical and horizontal polarizations.

7. Maximum Equivalent Isotropically Radiated Power

The maximum equivalent isotropically radiated power (e.i.r.p.) from the antenna must not in any case exceed +55 dBW per RF channel.

8. Avoidance of the Geostationary‑satellite Orbit

As guidance, to protect against geostationary‑satellite space station emissions, new fixed service station receive antennas in the band 3700‑4200 MHz should avoid pointing towards the geostationary‑satellite orbit, taking into account the effect of atmospheric refraction.^{Footnote 4}

Figure 1 — Minimum Antenna Characteristics Frequency Band 3700‑4200 MHz

text Table 4

Appendix 1 — Centre Frequencies of Existing Radio Systems Operating in the Band 3500‑4200 MHz