SRSP-310.7 — Technical Requirements for Fixed Line-of-Sight Radio Systems Operating in the Band 10.7-11.7 GHz

Issue 4, March 2018

Preface

Issue 4 of SRSP-310.7 has been released to update the channel plan in the frequency band 10.7-11.7 GHz in order to accommodate larger RF channel spacings of 60 MHz and 80 MHz for use in certain areas. This SRSP replaces SRSP-310.7, issue 3.

The following are the main changes:

1. The radio frequency (RF) channel arrangement was updated to add two RF channel spacings of 60 MHz and 80 MHz for use in areas that are not moderately congested or highly congested. Consequential changes were made through the rest of this document.
2. Removal of references to low-, medium- and high-capacity, based on policy decisions in SMSE-022-14, Decisions on Spectrum Utilization Policies and Technical Requirements Related to Backhaul.
3. Text was added in section 4.5, Spectral efficiency, to reflect the case of system using adaptive modulation or adaptive error-correction.
4. The antenna Envelope B was modified in figure 1 and table 3 of section 7.
5. Other editorial updates and improvements have been made.

Issued under the authority of
the Minister of Innovation, Science, and Economic Development

____________________________________
MARTIN PROULX
Director General
Engineering, Planning and Standards Branch

Contents

1. Intent
2. General
   2.1 Revisions
   2.2 Spectrum licensing process
   2.3 Compliance of radio systems
   2.4 Resolution of interference conflicts between radio systems
   2.5 Spectrum sharing
3. Related documents
4. Radio frequency (RF) channel arrangement description
   4.1 RF channel arrangements for the frequency band 10.7-11.7 GHz
   4.2 Branching and spur route channels
   4.3 Closed loops
   4.4 Assignment of frequencies
   4.5 Spectral efficiency
   4.6 Protection channels
5. Transmitter characteristics
   5.1 Transmitter power limits
   5.2 Frequency stability
   5.3 Emission limits
6. International coordination
7. Antenna characteristics
8. Maximum equivalent isotropically radiated power (e.i.r.p.)
9. Avoidance of the geostationary satellite orbit
10. Enhanced technical standards for moderately congested and highly congested areas

• Annex A — Extract from issue 2 of SRSP 310.7: radio frequency channel arrangements
• Annex B — 11 GHz band plan for systems using a common transmit/receive separation of 490 MHz

1. Intent

This Standard Radio System Plan (SRSP) states the minimum technical requirements for the efficient use of the frequency band 10.7-11.7 GHz by point-to-point, digital line-of-sight radio systems in the fixed service. Until January 1, 2026, Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada (ISED) will not license any new fixed service systems in the frequency band 11.075-11.2 GHz or the frequency band 11.575-11.7 GHz, subject to the provisions of Notice DGTP-013-09, Decision Regarding Spectrum Utilization Policy for the 11 GHz Band in the Canada Gazette, Part I.

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

This SRSP specifies equipment characteristics related 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 Revisions

This standard replaces SRSP-310.7, issue 3. Further revisions to this SRSP will be made as required.

2.2 Spectrum licensing process

Existing point-to-point radio systems operating in the frequency band 10.7-11.7 GHz that were licensed as standard prior to the issuance of this SRSP may continue to operate as standard. Extension or expansion of these systems will be considered by ISED on a case-by-case basis. New systems deployed in the frequency band 10.7-11.7 GHz must conform to the requirements of this standard.

2.3 Compliance of radio systems

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

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

The Geographical Differences Policy (GDP) guideline applies to this frequency band. This guideline incorporates some technical requirements that are applied in areas having certain levels of congestion, which are also further described in the Geographical Differences Policy Guideline of SP-1-20 GHz.

Even though a radio system complies with the requirements of this SRSP, modifications may be required to the system whenever harmful interference^{Footnote 1} is caused.

The use of a two-frequency plan is required. Where reasonable 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 the GDP.

2.4 Resolution of interference conflicts between radio systems

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

In cases of a potential interference conflict, ISED may require licensees and/or applicants to use a receiver with improved selectivity characteristics.

2.5 Spectrum sharing

It should be noted that the fixed service shares this band with other services in accordance with the Canadian Table of Frequency Allocations 9 kHz to 275 GHz.

3.   Related documents

The current issues of the following documents are applicable and available on the Spectrum Management and Telecommunications website, under Official publications:

____________________________
CPC – Client Procedures Circular
RSP – Radio Standards Procedure
SP – Spectrum Utilization Policy

4.   Radio frequency (RF) channel arrangement description

The following channel arrangements are consistent with Canada Gazette notice DGTP-013-09. Systems in the frequency band segments 11.075-11.2 GHz and 11.575-11.7 GHz authorized prior to January 1, 2010, may continue to operate under the terms of their current authorization. Modifications will be considered on a case-by-case basis. For reference, the previous channel arrangements from SRSP-310.7, issue 2, can be found in annex A.

4.1 RF channel arrangements for the frequency band 10.7-11.7 GHz

The channel plans defined in this standard provide for six RF channel spacings. Channel pairs are provided with a common transmit/receive separation of 490 MHz as shown in annex B.

The allowable channel bandwidths are:

• less than or equal to 10 MHz
• greater than 10 MHz and less than or equal to 20 MHz
• greater than 20 MHz and less than or equal to 30 MHz
• greater than 30 MHz and less than or equal to 40 MHz
• greater than 40 MHz and less than or equal to 60 MHz
• greater than 60 MHz and less than or equal to 80 MHz

4.1.1 10 MHz channel spacing

The centre frequencies of the 36 paired channels that allow RF channel bandwidths of 10 MHz or less are expressed by the following relationships:

Lower half of the band                             A_n = 10705 + 10n    for n = 1 to 36
Upper half of the band                             A'_n = 11195 + 10n    for n = 1 to 36

where n is the channel number and A_n and A'_n are the centre frequencies (in MHz) of the paired channels.

Note:  Additional channel assignments at 10705 MHz may be employed for one-way operation.

4.1.2 20 MHz channel spacing

The centre frequencies of the 18 paired channels that allow RF channel bandwidths of greater than 10 MHz and less than or equal to 20 MHz are expressed by the following relationships:

Lower half of the band                             B_n = 10700 + 20n     for n = 1 to 18
Upper half of the band                             B'_n = 11190 + 20n    for n = 1 to 18

where n is the channel number and B_n and B'_n are the centre frequencies (in MHz) of the paired channels.

4.1.3 30 MHz channel spacing

The centre frequencies of the 12 paired channels that allow RF channel bandwidths of greater than 20 MHz and less than or equal to 30 MHz are expressed by the following relationships:

Lower half of the band                             C_n = 10695 + 30n     for n = 1 to 12
Upper half of the band                             C'_n = 11185 + 30n    for n = 1 to 12

where n is the channel number and C_n and C'_n are the centre frequencies (in MHz) of the paired channels.

4.1.4 40 MHz channel spacing

The centre frequencies of the 9 paired channels that allow RF channel bandwidths of greater than 30 MHz and less than or equal to 40 MHz are expressed by the following relationships:

Lower half of the band                             D_n = 10695 + 40n    for n = 1 to 9
Upper half of the band                             D'_n = 11185 + 40n    for n = 1 to 9

where n is the channel number and D_n and D'_n are the centre frequencies (in MHz) of the paired channels.

4.1.5 60 MHz channel spacing

The centre frequencies of the 6 paired channels that allow RF channel bandwidths of greater than 40 MHz and less than or equal to 60 MHz are expressed by the following relationships:

Lower half of the band                             E_n = 10680 + 60n     for n = 1 to 6
Upper half of the band                             E'_n = 11170 + 60n    for n = 1 to 6

where n is the channel number and E_n and E'_n are the centre frequencies (in MHz) of the paired channels.

4.1.6 80 MHz channel spacing

The centre frequencies of the 4 paired channels that allow RF channel bandwidths of greater than 60 MHz and less than or equal to 80 MHz are expressed by the following relationships:

Lower half of the band                             F_n = 10675 + 80n     for n = 1 to 4
Upper half of the band                             F'_n = 11165 + 80n    for n = 1 to 4

where n is the channel number and F_n and F'_n are the centre frequencies (in MHz) of the paired channels.

4.2 Branching and spur route channels

The frequencies assigned to a main route system should be reused on the branching and spur routes where possible. The siting of repeater stations should be planned with this requirement in mind to ensure sufficient antenna discrimination at the branch-off angle.

4.3 Closed loops

Systems must be designed in a way that any closed loop will be made up of an even number of hops to permit the use of two frequency plans.

4.4 Assignment of frequencies

New fixed service systems should normally use the lowest available frequency pair that can be successfully coordinated. However, due to varying conditions and circumstances across Canada, regional offices may, at their discretion, assign frequencies using a procedure that is different from the one described above.

Assignment of paired channels using a RF channel spacing of 60 MHz or 80 MHz are limited to areas which are not moderately congested or highly congested. An applicant requesting paired channels using a RF channel spacing of 60 MHz or 80 MHz and not employing Co-Channel Dual-Polarization (CCDP) technology could be required to provide technical justification for not employing CCDP on a smaller RF channel spacing.

4.5 Spectral efficiency

Digital systems submitted for licensing shall have a minimum spectral efficiency of 3.0 bits/s/Hz on a single polarization in a bandwidth corresponding to the channel spacing. 

In the case of systems using adaptive modulation or adaptive error-correction coding to maintain link availability during deep fading conditions, the spectral efficiency level may be temporarily lowered for a short period of time, provided that the link is designed to meet the minimum spectral efficiency requirements specified in the provisions above.

4.6 Protection channels

1. In areas which are not moderately congested or highly congested, one protection channel is normally permitted for systems with more than one working channel.
2. Quad-path diversity (the use of frequency diversity and space diversity on the same path) applications will be considered on a case-by-case basis to solve special propagation problems.

5. Transmitter characteristics

5.1 Transmitter power limits

The transmitter power delivered to the antenna input per RF channel shall not exceed the limits for each bandwidth shown in table 1.

Note: In the case of systems using automatic transmit power control (ATPC) to maintain link availability during deep fading conditions, the maximum transmitter power at the antenna port may be temporarily increased by a value corresponding to the ATPC range, up to a maximum of the transmitter power limits indicated in table 1. In addition, the maximum e.i.r.p. limits indicated in section 8 of this document shall be met.

5.2 Frequency stability

The centre frequency of the emission shall be maintained within ±0.003% of the assigned frequency.

5.3 Emission limits

In any 4 kHz band, where the centre frequency 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:

Notes:

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.

In any 1 MHz band, where the centre frequency 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. International coordination

Stations operating in the frequency band 10.7-11.7 GHz near the Canada-United States border are subject to the provisions of Arrangement A.

7. Antenna characteristics

1. The co-polarized radiation pattern envelope in the horizontal plane of the antenna must remain within Envelope B shown in figure 1 and table 3 for both vertical and horizontal polarizations.
2. The antenna shall have a minimum front-to-back ratio of 45 dB.
3. The use of co-channel dual polarization (CCDP) is both permitted and encouraged by ISED as a measure of increasing backhaul capacity while minimizing the need for additional spectrum.

Figure 1: Minimum antenna characteristics for the frequency band 10.7-11.7 GHz^{Footnote 2}

* Requirements related to Envelope A are addressed in section 10 of this SRSP.

8. Maximum equivalent isotropically radiated power (e.i.r.p.)

The maximum e.i.r.p. from the antenna must not, in any case, exceed +55 dBW per RF channel.

9. Avoidance of the geostationary satellite orbit

As guidance, to protect against geostationary-satellite space station emissions, new fixed service station receive antennas in the frequency band 10.7-11.7 GHz should avoid pointing towards the geostationary-satellite orbit, taking into account the effect of atmospheric refraction.^{Footnote 3}

10. Enhanced technical standards for moderately congested and highly congested areas

The co-polarized radiation pattern envelope in the horizontal plane of the antenna must remain within Envelope A shown in figure 1 and table 2 of section 7 for both vertical and horizontal polarizations.

The antenna shall have a minimum front-to-back ratio of 70 dB.

Systems submitted for licensing shall have a minimum spectral efficiency of 4.4 bits/s/Hz on a single polarization in a bandwidth corresponding to the channel spacing.

Radio systems employing channel bandwidths less than or equal to 40 MHz must have adequate filtering to allow for the operation of separate systems on adjacent channels using co-polarization when the undesired and the desired signals are of the same magnitude at the antenna input. Systems employing co-channel dual-polarization must also be in accordance with this requirement.

Protection channels for radio systems operating in congested areas are not permitted. For protection channel requirements in uncongested areas, see section 4.6 of this document.

Annex A — Extract from issue 2 of SRSP 310.7: radio frequency channel arrangements

The following information has been extracted from SRSP-310.7, issue 2, for reference only.

Annex B — 11 GHz band plan for systems using a common transmit/receive separation of 490 MHz