0777-EX-ST-2017

Filing overview

Special Temporary Authority application - Address

Attention:

Stephen Yablonski

City:

Bedford

E-Mail Address:

syablonski@mitre.org

State:

MA

Street Address:

202 Burlington Road

Zip Code:

01730

Special Temporary Authority application - Applicant Name

Name of Applicant:

The MITRE Corporation

Special Temporary Authority application - Best Contact

First Name:

Stephen

Last Name:

Yablonski

Phone Number:

1 781-271-2169

Title:

Senior Communication Systems Engineer

Special Temporary Authority application - Certification

Applicant certification

Neither the applicant nor any other party to the application is subject to a denial of Federal benefits that includes FCC benefits pursuant to Section 5301 of the Anti-Drug Abuse Act of 1988, 21 U.S.C. Section 862, because of a conviction for possession or distribution of a controlled substance. The applicant hereby waives any claim to the use of any particular frequency or electromagnetic spectrum as against the regulatory power of the United States because of the prvious use of the same, whether by license or otherwise, and requests authorization in accordance with this application. (See Section 304 of the Communications Act of 1934, as amended.) The applicant acknowledges that all statements made in this application and attached exhibits are considered material representations, and that all the exhibits part hereof and are incorporated herein as if set out in full in this application; undersigned certifies that all statements in this application are true, complete and correct to the best of his/her knowledge and belief and are made in good faith. Applicant certifies that construction of the station would NOT be an action which is likely to have a significant environmental effect. See the Commission's Rules, 47 CFR1.1301-1.1319.

Date:

2017-06-08 00:00:00.0

Signature of Applicant (Authorized person filing form):

Stephen Yablonski

Title of Applicant (if any):

Senior Communication Systems Engineer

Special Temporary Authority application - Explanation

Please explain in the area below why an STA is necessary:

The MITRE Corporation seeks an FCC Special Temporary Authority License to transmit data within the High Frequency (HF) band between 2.505 MHz and 16 MHz from several locations in Alaska, Massachusetts, and New York from 19 June – 08 September 2017. There are four primary locations from which the test will be executed: 1) Joint Base Elmendorf (JBER), Anchorage AK; 2) Barrow, AK; 3) Bedford, MA; 4) Stockbridge, NY. The JBER primary location has three local sites, only one will be used at any given time/date. Each site will likely be used during the seven-week test period, just not simultaneously. The Barrow primary site has four local sites, only one of which will be used at any given time/date as with the JBER locations. As with JBER, each of the local Barrow sites may be used, just not simultaneously. Bedford and Stockbridge are each a single location. USNORTHCOM and NLCC/NC3 is conducting a test between these locations and have asked the MITRE team conducting advanced beyond line of sight (BLOS) High Frequency (HF) communications to be part of the test. As such, we will need transmit authority for those 81 days in those locations.

Special Temporary Authority application - Information

Callsign:

WL9XKK

Class of Station:

FX

Nature of Service:

Experimental

Special Temporary Authority application - Initial values - Explanation

Please explain in the area below why an STA is necessary:

TECHNICAL EXHIBIT AMENDMENT TO PENDING EXPERIMENTAL FCC Special Temporary Authority (STA) APPLICATION The MITRE Corporation The MITRE Corporation seeks an FCC Special Temporary Authority License to transmit data within the High Frequency (HF) band between 6.4 MHz and 16 MHz from several locations in Alaska from 18 July – 08 August 2017. There are two primary locations from which the test will be executed: 1) Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson (JBER), Anchorage AK, and 2) Barrow, AK. The JBER primary location has three local sites, only one will be used at any given time/date. Each site will likely be used during the three-week test period, just not simultaneously. The Barrow primary site has four local sites, only one of which will be used at any given time/date as with the JBER locations. As with JBER, each of the local Barrow sites may be used, just not simultaneously. USNORTHCOM is conducting a test between these locations and have asked the MITRE team conducting advanced beyond line of sight (BLOS) High Frequency (HF) communications to be part of the test. As such, we will need transmit authority for those 22 days in those locations. This Exhibit describes the program of research and experimentation proposed, including: description of equipment and theory of operation; the specific objectives sought to be accomplished; and how the program of experimentation has a reasonable promise of contribution to the development, extension, expansion or utilization of the radio art and/or is along lines not already investigated. Research and Experimentation Program Description Assured beyond line-of-sight (BLOS) communications is a challenging problem yet essential for our warfighters. Military and civilian systems rely on a combination of high data rate satellite connectivity as well as low data rate HF Sky Wave communications. While satellite communication provides high data rate connectivity, there are vulnerabilities that include degradation and disruption of service. HF radio communication generally are limited to narrower bandwidths and lower data rates than satellite communications. To ensure critical communications are maintained, we are investigating the capability of higher bandwidth and higher data rate communications in the HF band applying polarization diversity MIMO concepts. To ensure critical communications are maintained, we are investigating the capability of commercial off-the shelf equipment and their implementation of MIL-STD-188-110C (inclusive of Appendix D Wideband waveforms), MIL-STD-188-141C, and STANAG 4538 FLSU. Long distance HF communication is accomplished via reflection of HF radio waves off the ionosphere, a variable medium. This introduces challenges that must be overcome to make HF communications more reliable. These include multipath propagation and polarization rotation; both contribute to signal fades. We will demonstrate reliable BLOS HF communications at high data rates. Objectives The goal is to communicate reliably at a rate of 1-4 bits/Hz/s. We will test several waveforms we have developed ranging from 10 to 400-kHz bandwidth to achieve ~ 256 kbps with forward error correction (FEC) coding. We may test waveforms out to 1 MHz bandwidth. Mitigation of signal fading and improved throughput will be accomplished using polarization diversity techniques and orthogonal coded waveform designs. The goal is to communicate reliably in the Arctic Region and measure the performance of The research program is planned to include a series of over-the-air (OTA) MIMO demonstrations, each testing new waveforms. We will attempt to test whether we can use both X and O modes to carry independent communications channels and then determine the carrying capability of each at different bandwidths. A stretch goal is to extend to wider bandwidth waveforms, up to 1 MHz. (Researchers’ note: we understand that this wideband waveform may run up against other users and possibly cause interference. We plan to transmit at as low a power as possible and on a not-to-interfere basis. Please see red-highlighted text in Table 1). We will also perform ionospheric sounding for channel characterization and waveform calibration. The requested frequencies and transmission operational parameters are those permitted under Section 90.266 of the Commission’s Rules, Long Distance Communications on Frequencies below 25 MHz and are identified specifically in the FCC’s Electronic Code of Federal Regulations, Title 47 (Telecommunication), Volume 1, Chapter 1, Part 2.106 Table of Frequency Allocations. These frequencies bands requested are designed to avoid the Restricted Bands of Operation outlines in the Electronic Code of Federal Regulations, Title 47 (Telecommunication), Part 15 (Radio Frequency Devices), Subpart C Intentional Radiators. Listed in the following Table 1 are the requested proposed technical parameters for the experimental research program. Table 1. Proposed Experimental Crossed-Dipole Transmission Parameters The MITRE-developed Crossed-Dipole antenna configuration and dimensions are shown in Figure 1 below. Figure 1. Model Crossed Dipole Antenna (< 20m diameter) The system supports two orthogonal polarizations: two inverted vee-dipoles (x-, y-polarized). The antenna elements are well matched over 6.4-16 MHz to 50 ohms and offset to avoid mutual coupling effects. The antennas exhibit omnidirectional antenna patterns with an antenna gain of 2 dBi between 6.4 and 16 MHz. The system is simple, low-cost and MITRE-fabricated, -assembled, and –setup. While MITRE fabricated the antennas, and designed the transmit and receive systems, some of the equipment was purchased from commercial vendors. Table 2 shows a list of the commercially purchased equipment that will be used during the experiment(s). Table 2. Commercially purchased transmission equipment list. Research and Experimentation Contribution to the Development of the Radio Art Assured beyond line-of-sight communications is a challenging problem yet essential for certain types of communication. Fortunately, HF technology is uniquely suited to address this problem, applying new techniques and understanding of the ionosphere. With HF, BLOS communications is achievable without the use of satellites or pseudo-lites. The traditionally low data rates can be improved upon as well. In todays economic climate, HF is very affordable, with a well-established commercial market. MITREs work will demonstrate a new approach to addressing critical communications capability shortfalls through the application of polarization diversity and advanced orthogonal coding designs. If there are any technical questions with the proposed application, please contact one of the undersigned. Maureen Scheible The MITRE Corporation 202 Burlington Road Bedford MA 01730 June 6, 2017 Eliot Lebsack The MITRE Corporation 202 Burlington Road Bedford, MA 01730 June 6, 2017 The MITRE Corporation seeks an FCC Special Temporary Authority License to transmit data within the High Frequency (HF) band between 2.505 MHz and 16 MHz from several locations in Alaska, Massachusetts, and New York from 19 June – 08 August 2017. There are four primary locations from which the test will be executed: 1) Joint Base Elmendorf (JBER), Anchorage AK; 2) Barrow, AK; 3) Bedford, MA; 4) Stockbridge, NY. The JBER primary location has three local sites, only one will be used at any given time/date. Each site will likely be used during the seven-week test period, just not simultaneously. The Barrow primary site has four local sites, only one of which will be used at any given time/date as with the JBER locations. As with JBER, each of the local Barrow sites may be used, just not simultaneously. Bedford and Stockbridge are each a single location. USNORTHCOM and NLCC/NC3 is conducting a test between these locations and have asked the MITRE team conducting advanced beyond line of sight (BLOS) High Frequency (HF) communications to be part of the test. As such, we will need transmit authority for those 50 days in those locations.

Special Temporary Authority application - Initial values - Purpose of Operation

Please explain the purpose of operation:

Assured beyond line-of-sight (BLOS) communications is a challenging problem yet essential for our warfighters. Military and civilian systems rely on a combination of high data rate satellite connectivity as well as low data rate HF Sky Wave communications. While satellite communication provides high data rate connectivity, there are vulnerabilities that include degradation and disruption of service. HF radio communication generally are limited to narrower bandwidths and lower data rates than satellite communications. To ensure critical communications are maintained, we are investigating the capability of commercial off-the shelf equipment and their implementation of MIL-STD-188-110C (inclusive of Appendix D Wideband HF Waveforms), MIL-STD-188-141C, and STANAG 4538 FLSU.

Special Temporary Authority application - Initial values - Requested Period of Operation

Operation End Date:

08/08/2017

Operation Start Date:

06/19/2017

Special Temporary Authority application - Manufacturer

Equipment 1 Experimental

No

Equipment 1 Manufacturer

Harris

Equipment 1 Model Number

RF-7800H

Equipment 1 No. Of Units

2

Equipment 2 Experimental

No

Equipment 2 Manufacturer

Harris

Equipment 2 Model Number

RF-5832H-PA101

Equipment 2 No. Of Units

2

Special Temporary Authority application - Purpose of Operation

Please explain the purpose of operation:

The MITRE Corporation seeks an FCC Special Temporary Authority License to transmit data within the High Frequency (HF) band between 2.505 MHz and 16 MHz. Assured beyond line-of-sight (BLOS) communications is a challenging problem yet essential for our warfighters. Military and civilian systems rely on a combination of high data rate satellite connectivity as well as low data rate HF Sky Wave communications. While satellite communication provides high data rate connectivity, there are vulnerabilities that include degradation and disruption of service. HF radio communication generally are limited to narrower bandwidths and lower data rates than satellite communications. To ensure critical communications are maintained, we are investigating the capability of commercial off-the shelf equipment and their implementation of MIL-STD-188-110C (inclusive of Appendix D Wideband HF Waveforms), MIL-STD-188-141C, and STANAG 4538 FLSU.

Special Temporary Authority application - Requested Period of Operation

Operation End Date:

09/08/2017

Operation Start Date:

07/12/2017

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