America's FCC Opens 6-GHz Band to Unlicensed Very-Low-Power Devices (theregister.com) 9
America's telecom-regulating Federal Communications Commission "has opened up the entire 6 GHz frequency band to very low-power devices," reports the Register, "alongside other unlicensed applications such as Wi-Fi kits."
The FCC said it has adopted extra rules to allow very low-power device operation across the entire 1,200 MHz of the 6 GHz band, from 5.925 to 7.125 GHz, within the US. The agency had already opened up 850 MHz of the band to small mobile devices a year ago, and has now decided to open up the remaining 350 MHz.
It hopes that this will give a shot in the arm to an ecosystem of short-range devices such as wearables, healthcare monitors, short-range mobile hotspots, and in-car devices that will be able to make use of this spectrum without the need of a license. These applications often call for low power transmission across short distances, but at very high connection speeds, the FCC says — otherwise, existing technologies like Bluetooth could suffice. "This 1,200 MHz means unlicensed bandwidth with a mix of high capacity and low latency that is absolutely prime for immersive, real-time applications," said Jessica Rosenworcel, the FCC's outgoing chair. "These are the airwaves where we can develop wearable technologies and expand access to augmented and virtual reality in ways that will provide new opportunities in education, healthcare, and entertainment."
Because these are such low-power devices, no restrictions have been placed on where they can be used, and they will not be required to operate under the control of an automatic frequency coordination system, as some Wi-Fi equipment must to avoid interference with existing services that use the 6 GHz spectrum. However, to minimize the risk of any potential interference, the devices will be required to implement a transmit power control mechanism and employ a contention-based protocol, requiring a device to listen to the channel before transmission. They are, however, prohibited from operating as part of any fixed outdoor infrastructure.
It hopes that this will give a shot in the arm to an ecosystem of short-range devices such as wearables, healthcare monitors, short-range mobile hotspots, and in-car devices that will be able to make use of this spectrum without the need of a license. These applications often call for low power transmission across short distances, but at very high connection speeds, the FCC says — otherwise, existing technologies like Bluetooth could suffice. "This 1,200 MHz means unlicensed bandwidth with a mix of high capacity and low latency that is absolutely prime for immersive, real-time applications," said Jessica Rosenworcel, the FCC's outgoing chair. "These are the airwaves where we can develop wearable technologies and expand access to augmented and virtual reality in ways that will provide new opportunities in education, healthcare, and entertainment."
Because these are such low-power devices, no restrictions have been placed on where they can be used, and they will not be required to operate under the control of an automatic frequency coordination system, as some Wi-Fi equipment must to avoid interference with existing services that use the 6 GHz spectrum. However, to minimize the risk of any potential interference, the devices will be required to implement a transmit power control mechanism and employ a contention-based protocol, requiring a device to listen to the channel before transmission. They are, however, prohibited from operating as part of any fixed outdoor infrastructure.
VLP details (Score:5, Informative)
Re: (Score:3)
The very low power devices will operate at power levels that permit them to coexist with incumbent operations
Good. I'd hate to see another cock-up like putting Doppler Radar [wikipedia.org] right in the middle of an ISM [wikipedia.org] band, where WiFi wound up and can screw it up. Not sure if ISM or TDWR was there first. But that's the FCCs job to mediate. Hopefully, they have learned their lesson and would never, NEVER allocate the same bandwidth [faa.gov] to two incompatible services again.
The government is wise. I trust them./s
Re: (Score:3)
Doppler radar was always there well before ISM. In fact, the original 802.11a standard already included radar detection because it was there.
There are primary and secondary services for a band. Primary users get priority. But if we only let a band be for a single use, there will be very little left. Secondary users like ISM can use the band if the primary user isn't there.
An
Thanks, but translate a bit? (Score:2)
Was frustrated they never mentioned what 'low power' was, especially compared to current wifi or cellular (what I'd thought of what 6GHz came to mind). But I'm not an EE (had a bit of vocational EE training a LONG time ago), and don't know how to think about either of those values you listed.
I'm used to hearing a wattage maximum for transmitting devices. Like I think wifi devices can output up to a watt max normally (or is it 0.1? aka 100mw). I know that isn't a functionality measure, but a 'peak noise'
FCC mandates manufactuers being lazy again.... (Score:2)
the devices will be required to implement a transmit power control mechanism
A.K.A. Require a locked boot loader on the things so you don't have to implement any of that in hardware. As a free bonus, you get instant planned obsolesce due to no-one being able to fix the things once your next product comes out! Don't worry, the FCC will take the blame for you!
Re: (Score:2)
Just get what you need from AliExpress.