0061-EX-ST-2008

Filing overview

Special Temporary Authority application - Address

Attention:

Brian K. Lewallen, Attorney, Legal Services Div.

City:

Peoria

E-Mail Address:

Lewallen_Brian_K@cat.com

State:

IL

Street Address:

100 N.E. Adams Street

Zip Code:

61629

Special Temporary Authority application - Applicant Name

Name of Applicant:

Caterpillar, Inc.

Special Temporary Authority application - Best Contact

First Name:

Andy

Last Name:

Knitt

Phone Number:

309-578-2724

Title:

EMC Technical Specialist

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:

2008-02-15 00:00:00.0

Signature of Applicant (Authorized person filing form):

Mark R. Pflederer

Title of Applicant (if any):

Vice-President, Technology & Solutions Dept.

Special Temporary Authority application - Explanation

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

Caterpillar hereby requests special temporary authority for six months to conduct outdoor electromagnetic compatibility (?EMC?) immunity testing on prototype models of new, large earth-moving machinery on three frequencies?275 MHz, 325 MHz and 375 MHz?at its Peoria Proving Grounds and Tucson Proving Grounds sites. Caterpillar is required to conduct EMC testing on its prototype equipments across a large number of frequencies to ensure both product safety and compliance under different international regulatory schemes, including those of the European Union. Outdoor EMC testing supplements EMC immunity testing that is performed in an absorber-lined shielded enclosure. Because of the size of Caterpillar?s heavy machinery, testing of these prototypes in a shielded enclosure is practically impossible. An earlier Caterpillar experimental application to conduct outdoor EMC testing on a large number of frequencies was granted effective December 7, 2007. See FCC File No. 0003-EX-PL-2007. However, despite a request in its application, Caterpillar?s experimental authorization did not include authority to conduct EMC testing on any frequency in the 275-375 MHz band. Unfortunately, Caterpillar must conduct some EMC testing in the 275-375 MHz band to comply with international safety regulations. Unless it can certify compliance with the EMC compatibility requirements in these international safety regulations, Caterpillar will not be permitted to export any new products into the countries that rely on these regulations. At the present time, Caterpillar has at least three prototype machines ready for EMC testing. This testing is conducted during the product development stage to ensure that no machine goes to production without satisfying the necessary safety regulations. To maintain the tight product development schedules and continue to offer innovative products in the intensely competitive international marketplace, Caterpillar must have some EMC testing authority on the three requested channels. For all of these reasons, Caterpillar requests experimental authority so it can commence EMC testing on 275 MHz, 325 MHz and 375 MHz as soon as possible. Given the importance of innovation to success in the marketplace, Caterpillar must have authority to bring new equipment to market. Caterpillar submits that the requested STA is in the public interest and should be granted.

Special Temporary Authority application - Information

Callsign:

WD9XEM

Class of Station:

FX

Nature of Service:

Experimental

Special Temporary Authority application - Initial values - Purpose of Operation

Please explain the purpose of operation:

Caterpillar is required to conduct EMC testing on its prototype equipments across a large number of frequencies to ensure both product safety and compliance under different international regulatory schemes, including those of the European Union. Outdoor EMC testing supplements EMC immunity testing that is performed in an absorber-lined shielded enclosure. Because of the size of Caterpillar?s heavy machinery, testing of these prototypes in a shielded enclosure is practically impossible. An earlier Caterpillar experimental application to conduct outdoor EMC testing on a large number of frequencies was granted effective December 7, 2007. See FCC File No. 0003-EX-PL-2007. However, despite a request in its application, Caterpillar?s experimental authorization did not include authority to conduct EMC testing on any frequency in the 275-375 MHz band. Unfortunately, Caterpillar must conduct some EMC testing in the 275-375 MHz band to comply with international safety regulations. Unless it can certify compliance with the EMC compatibility requirements in these international safety regulations, Caterpillar will not be permitted to export any new products into the countries that rely on these regulations. A pending experimental application (FCC File No. 0077-EX-PL-2008) represents Caterpillar?s reasonable, good faith attempt to propose some testing in the 275-375 MHz band that will be acceptable to the Department of Defense. In this application, Caterpillar reduced the frequencies requested for testing to three: 275 MHz, 325 MHz and 375 MHz. It also modified its EMC testing procedures so that the testing on these frequencies will be from a single, fixed location. The ERP of Caterpillar?s proposed EMC testing on these frequencies is 500 watts with emission designators 2K00A3E and 0H00N0N from an antenna less than 2 meters off the ground. Caterpillar notes that the Commission has previously approved, presumably with the DoD?s concurrence, similar EMC testing proposals on and around these frequencies. See, e.g., FCC File No. 0025-EX-RR-2002, Experimental Radio Station Construction Permit and License, Wyle Laboratories, Inc. (granted effective Feb. 1, 2002) (allowing testing on 300 MHz and 350 MHz at 2,000 watts ERP with emission designators 100HA1A, 30K0P0N, and N0N). If EMC testing on 275, 325 and 375 MHz cannot be authorized, Caterpillar request authority to conduct its proposed EMC testing on any other channels between 275-375 MHz where testing can be authorized. Caterpillar needs authority to test on channels in this band at increments of no more than 50 MHz. Similarly, if Caterpillar?s proposed EMC testing at 500 watts cannot be authorized, Caterpillar requests authority to conduct these tests at the highest power level that can be authorized. As noted in Caterpillar?s earlier application, EMC immunity testing involves placing a transmitting antenna on or near the equipment under test and generating an RF signal with an RF signal generator and amplifier. The RF signal is directed to critical electronic components on Caterpillar?s large earth-moving equipment that could potentially be affected if operated in a high electromagnetic field environment. Any potential interference will be mitigated by the use of fixed antennas mounted close (2 meters or less) to the ground and close (3 to 5 meters) to the equipment under test, which will greatly limit the range of the transmitted signal. In addition, Caterpillar typically conducts outdoor EMC testing on prototype equipment approximately 10 times per year and the dwell time on any single frequency during one of these tests is less than 10 seconds. In addition, Caterpillar personnel will be present for all aspects of the investigation, testing will be coordinated with various public safety and government agencies in the area, and standards of good engineering practice will be followed, with applicable FCC rules available as a reference. For all of these reasons, Caterpillar requests experimental authority so it can schedule and conduct EMC testing on 275 MHz, 325 MHz and 375 MHz. Given the importance of Caterpillar?s prototype machines to maintaining and enhancing its global competitive position, Caterpillar submits that the requested STA is in the public interest and should be granted.

Special Temporary Authority application - Manufacturer

Equipment 1 Experimental

No

Equipment 1 Manufacturer

RF Powerlabs

Equipment 1 Model Number

220-1K60L

Equipment 1 No. Of Units

1

Equipment 2 Experimental

No

Equipment 2 Manufacturer

Amplifier Research

Equipment 2 Model Number

15A250

Equipment 2 No. Of Units

1

Equipment 3 Experimental

No

Equipment 3 Manufacturer

Amplifier Research

Equipment 3 Model Number

500W1000M7

Equipment 3 No. Of Units

1

Equipment 4 Experimental

No

Equipment 4 Manufacturer

Amplifier Research

Equipment 4 Model Number

120S1G3

Equipment 4 No. Of Units

1

Equipment 5 Experimental

No

Equipment 5 Manufacturer

Amplifier Research

Equipment 5 Model Number

150A100A

Equipment 5 No. Of Units

1

Equipment 6 Experimental

No

Equipment 6 Manufacturer

Amplifier Research

Equipment 6 Model Number

100W1000M1

Equipment 6 No. Of Units

1

Equipment 7 Experimental

No

Equipment 7 Manufacturer

Agilent Technologies

Equipment 7 Model Number

8648D

Equipment 7 No. Of Units

1

Equipment 8 Experimental

No

Equipment 8 Manufacturer

Hewlett Packard

Equipment 8 Model Number

8648C

Equipment 8 No. Of Units

1

Special Temporary Authority application - Purpose of Operation

Please explain the purpose of operation:

Conducting outdoor electromagnetic compatibility immunity testing on prototype models of new, large earth-moving machinery. Caterpillar is required to conduct EMC testing on its prototype equipments across a large number of frequencies to ensure both product safety and compliance under different international regulatory schemes, including those of the European Union. Outdoor EMC testing supplements EMC immunity testing that is performed in an absorber-lined shielded enclosure. Because of the size of Caterpillar?s heavy machinery, testing of these prototypes in a shielded enclosure is practically impossible. An earlier Caterpillar experimental application to conduct outdoor EMC testing on a large number of frequencies was granted effective December 7, 2007. See FCC File No. 0003-EX-PL-2007. However, despite a request in its application, Caterpillar?s experimental authorization did not include authority to conduct EMC testing on any frequency in the 275-375 MHz band. Unfortunately, Caterpillar must conduct some EMC testing in the 275-375 MHz band to comply with international safety regulations. Unless it can certify compliance with the EMC compatibility requirements in these international safety regulations, Caterpillar will not be permitted to export any new products into the countries that rely on these regulations. A pending experimental application (FCC File No. 0077-EX-PL-2008) represents Caterpillar?s reasonable, good faith attempt to propose some testing in the 275-375 MHz band that will be acceptable to the Department of Defense. In this application, Caterpillar reduced the frequencies requested for testing to three: 275 MHz, 325 MHz and 375 MHz. It also modified its EMC testing procedures so that the testing on these frequencies will be from a single, fixed location. The ERP of Caterpillar?s proposed EMC testing on these frequencies is 500 watts with emission designators 2K00A3E and 0H00N0N from an antenna less than 2 meters off the ground. Caterpillar notes that the Commission has previously approved, presumably with the DoD?s concurrence, similar EMC testing proposals on and around these frequencies. See, e.g., FCC File No. 0025-EX-RR-2002, Experimental Radio Station Construction Permit and License, Wyle Laboratories, Inc. (granted effective Feb. 1, 2002) (allowing testing on 300 MHz and 350 MHz at 2,000 watts ERP with emission designators 100HA1A, 30K0P0N, and N0N). If EMC testing on 275, 325 and 375 MHz cannot be authorized, Caterpillar request authority to conduct its proposed EMC testing on any other channels between 275-375 MHz where testing can be authorized. Caterpillar needs authority to test on channels in this band at increments of no more than 50 MHz. Similarly, if Caterpillar?s proposed EMC testing at 500 watts cannot be authorized, Caterpillar requests authority to conduct these tests at the highest power level that can be authorized. As noted in Caterpillar?s earlier application, EMC immunity testing involves placing a transmitting antenna on or near the equipment under test and generating an RF signal with an RF signal generator and amplifier. The RF signal is directed to critical electronic components on Caterpillar?s large earth-moving equipment that could potentially be affected if operated in a high electromagnetic field environment. Any potential interference will be mitigated by the use of fixed antennas mounted close (2 meters or less) to the ground and close (3 to 5 meters) to the equipment under test, which will greatly limit the range of the transmitted signal. In addition, Caterpillar typically conducts outdoor EMC testing on prototype equipment approximately 10 times per year and the dwell time on any single frequency during one of these tests is less than 10 seconds. In addition, Caterpillar personnel will be present for all aspects of the investigation, testing will be coordinated with various public safety and government agencies in the area, and standards of good engineering practice will be followed, with applicable FCC rules available as a reference. For all of these reasons, Caterpillar requests experimental authority so it can schedule and conduct EMC testing on 275 MHz, 325 MHz and 375 MHz. Given the importance of Caterpillar?s prototype machines to maintaining and enhancing its global competitive position, Caterpillar submits that the requested STA is in the public interest and should be granted.

Special Temporary Authority application - Requested Period of Operation

Operation End Date:

08/15/2008

Operation Start Date:

02/15/2008

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