Setting the stage for standard-power use of the unlicensed 6 GHz band, the Federal Communications Fee has formally authorized seven candidates for automated frequency coordination (AFC) techniques.
Techniques from Qualcomm, Broadcom, Comsearch, Federated Wi-fi, Sony, Wi-Fi Alliance and the Wi-fi Broadband Alliance have been all authorized and might now transfer ahead with managing spectrum entry by Wi-Fi units within the band.
“Computerized Frequency Coordination system operational approvals mark a serious milestone for widespread deployment of unlicensed operations within the 6 GHz spectrum band and for the unlicensed ecosystem total,” mentioned FCC Chief Engineer Ron Repasi. “6 GHz customary energy and stuck shopper gadget deployments below AFC management will develop entry to new expertise, functions and providers. That is an thrilling time for the business, and for American customers and enterprise.”
When the FCC opened the 6 GHz band for unlicensed use, the FCC stipulated two forms of operations: Low-power indoor operations and customary energy operations. So as to keep away from interference with incumbent fastened microwave techniques and radio astronomy at a restricted variety of observatories, customary energy entry factors and stuck shopper units need to function below the management of AFC techniques in two parts of the band: The U-NII-5 band at 5.925-6.425 GHz and the U-NII-7 band at 6.525-6.875 GHz.
The FCC initially obtained 14 functions for AFC techniques and had conditionally authorized 13 of these; the 14th software, from Amdocs, with withdrawn. Now seven of them have obtained full approval.
The brand new AFC techniques have been authorized after each lab testing and public trials with on-line AFC portals that have been meant to give the chance to check the AFC system performance. Customers might specify take a look at areas wherever inside the USA and get a listing of the frequency ranges on which a standard-power gadget at that location might transmit, and the corresponding max energy degree. Customers might then use that info to submit challenges to the AFC system.
Every of the general public portals obtained greater than 500 take a look at areas, with the “overwhelming majority” not leading to challenges, in response to the FCC. AT&T and the Electrical Energy Analysis Institute took a very lively function within the problem course of, submitting challenges to all seven candidates.
The Fee famous in its public discover on the AFC approval that AT&T mentioned that it “spent a major period of time working with the AFC candidates to determine the exact causes of the variations between the outcomes calculated by the AFC techniques and the outcomes calculated by AT&T.” Typically that meant adjustments to AT&T’s calculations, and generally it resulted in modifications to the AFC techniques. “AT&T noticed that this course of illustrated that affordable engineers can differ with respect to how propagation calculations are carried out,” the FCC identified, and added that the modifications “modifications look like easy, resembling not allowing customary energy units to function in off-shore areas or exterior the boundaries of the USA or adjusting the methodology used to find out the peak to make use of in calculations involving passive microwave reflectors.”
The FCC additionally famous that the seven authorized AFC candidates had expressed a dedication to ascertain a centralized method to obtain and handle dangerous interference complaints ensuing from AFC-authorized operations, and the company conditioned their continued AFC operations on such a course of being carried out by April 23, 2024.
“The FCC’s approval of AFC operations for normal energy 6 GHz Wi-Fi is a big win for customers, enterprises and repair suppliers, alike. With expanded protection and 63 occasions extra energy, customary energy Wi-Fi will optimize our wi-fi expertise indoors and outside, in crowded environments like stadiums,” mentioned Chris Szymanski, director of product advertising for Broadcom’s Wi-fi Communications and Connectivity Division. He added, “As a founding member and co-chair of Open AFC, I’m notably gratified that Broadcom, Wi-Fi Alliance Companies Firm and Wi-fi Broadband Alliance have been approved as AFC operators. We’re optimistic Broadcom’s visionary work on Open AFC will ship on the promise of 6 GHz Wi-Fi, ushering in a revolution of subsequent technology connectivity.”
“We’re delighted our work on AFC has resulted in our approval as an AFC Operator, and the collaboration on OpenAFC has been instrumental within the improvement of our AFC platform,” mentioned Tiago Rodrigues, CEO and president of the WBA. “The WBA has been working with its members for over 4 years to see its imaginative and prescient for combining Wi-Fi 6E, 7 and 6 GHz AFC turn out to be a actuality, as AFC is a crucial element for the usage of customary energy on 6 GHz. The WBA will proceed to champion the deployment of those requirements globally, and we encourage all telecoms operators and Wi-Fi distributors to get entangled in deploying AFC to maximise the advantages of utilizing new spectrum on the 6 GHz band.”