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The FCC has initiated a new Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (NPRM) which proposes authorizing “smart” unlicensed wireless operation in unoccupied broadcast TV channels. In order to avoid interference with licensed TV stations, these new devices would have to be smart enough to find and use unoccupied channels. A variety of methods for ascertaining channel status are mentioned:
Under the proposal, both fixed and portable wireless units would be allowed, the former operating at up to 1 watt peak power output, and the latter at up to 100 mw. Effective radiated power in any direction would be controlled by limiting detachable antennas to 6 dBi (6 dB gain over isotropic), or requiring that transmitters used with higher gain antennas be run at lower power levels.
In its proposal, the FCC notes that each unoccupied broadcast channel offers 6 MHz of spectrum, and that utilizing the channels more efficiently is part of its mandate. Further, the FCC notes that in the VHF/UHF range occupied by these channels (various frequencies from 54 to 806 MHz), radio propagation is more favorable than in the 2.4 and 5 Ghz bands currently used by unlicensed wireless networking equipment. The FCC notes the potential positive impact of increased range on WiSPs (wireless internet service providers) and networking in general.
Any rules resulting from this proceeding would come while the country is in the midst of the long-heralded DTV transition—the transition from analog to digital broadcast television. The DTV transition has been taking longer than the FCC originally estimated. Thus, any equipment allowed under this proposal had better be “smart”, because a lot of shuffling of channel assignments is inevitable.
The NPRM is contained in FCC Docket 04-113, and may be found at the following wev location: http://hraunfoss.fcc.gov/edocs_public/attachmatch/FCC-04-113A1.pdf
The Australian Communications Authority (ACA) has announced the release of a new standard covering spread spectrum equipment in Australia. “Radiocommunications (Data Transmission Equipment using Spread Spectrum Modulation Techniques),” becomes effective on December 10, 2004. After that date, all spread spectrum devices used in Australia must comply with that standard.
ACA notes that there are some commonalities between the new standard and existing standards and emission level requirements, notably, AS/NZS 4771, EN 3000 328, and FCC rules 15.247. However, ACA conditions for power and assigned frequency vary from these, and are not completely equivalent.
The news release announcing the new standard has links to a number of additional references relevant to the compliance and marketing of spread spectrum transmitters in Australia.
References:
The announcement:
http://www.aca.gov.au/consumer_info/fact_sheets/industry_fact_sheets/fsi38.htm
Licensed Spread Spectrum Classes:
http://www.aca.gov.au/aca_home/legislation/radcomm/class_licences/spread2002.htm
EMC fact sheet on Spread Spectrum information technology devices:
http://www.aca.gov.au/consumer_info/fact_sheets/industry_fact_sheets/fsi35.htm
The Evening Standard of London reports that butchers are being threatened with fines if they give bones away to dog owners as a result of a European Union Directive on animal waste banning the practice. The Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs confirmed the Brussels ban. If the bones are “waste” they must be “properly disposed of” and cannot be passed on to the public. On the other hand, if they are for human consumption—as when a customer takes home soup bones along with deboned meat, then it is allowed.
A local dog owner said “It seems to me to be another barmy EU directive.”
The regulations in question appear to derive from a number of Directives aimed at controlling disease (including “mad cow”, or bovine spongiform encephalopathy). These include the Animal Waste Directive 90/667/EC as well as a number of more recent Directives dealing with sanitary standards and waste incineration.
Source: http://www.thisislondon.co.uk/news/articles/10984387?source=Evening%20Standard
West Side Story Gets a 21st Century Makeover
In the 16th century, Shakespeare gave us “Romeo and Juliet,” that timeless story of love thwarted by family rivalries. Fast forward to the mid-20th century: “West Side Story” was the modern “Romeo and Juliet,” with Tony and Maria’s love thwarted by their allegiances to rival gangs.
Folks, it’s the 21st century now. A real life incident from Garland, Texas, a suburb of Dallas, updates this story for our time. Forget the romance—and “let’s get ready to rumble.”
Recently, a group of rival gangs traded virtual insults in an Internet chat room. One flame led to another, and things soon got so hot that the issue begged for settlement. A real-time rumble was scheduled, and some three dozen members of the rival gangs (including 27 high-schoolers) showed up to duke it out in the flesh with fists, baseball bats and shovels.
There were injuries, including a broken arm. A grand jury was convened and handed down 34 indictments for a variety of assault and riot charges. How did the jury know who was involved? Why, the rumble was on videotape, recorded by one of the participants!
For the police, an internet arranged rumble was a first, but they found it “hardly surprising.” Traditionally, gangs “dis” each other face-to-face or with graffiti; but in today’s computer-savvy world, young people grow up with computers. Tod Burke, a criminal justice professor, opined that this case was unusual, but likely to become less so. “Let’s face it: Gangs already have their own alphabet, their own language, their own hand signals, so why not use the Internet?” Why not, indeed?
This incident was reported, on the internet of course, at this Lubbock on-line link:
http://www.lubbockonline.com/stories/051304/sta_051304048.shtml.
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