FCC Cover Letter

0629-EX-PL-2014 Text Documents

Lociva

2014-08-20ELS_152660

      Lociva   15330  Riding  Club  Dr   Haymarket,  VA  20168             Federal  Communications  Commission   Office  of  the  Secretary   445  12th  St  SW   Washington,  DC  20554     5th  May  2014     Re  FCC  422  application  for  STA     Dear  Sirs,       We  are  seeking  a  special  temporary  authority  (STA)  from  the  FCC  to  be  able  to  support   demonstrations  of  our  “EdgeCentrix”  4G  LTE  deployable  communications  systems  with  the  US   Marines  ,  US  Army,  Government  Research  labs,  Public  Safety  organizations  and  other  government   organizations  throughout  the  United  States.       As  such  we  need  to  be  able  to  support  demonstrations  where  4G  LTE  devices  (handsets  and   modems)  are  able  use  4G  LTE  signals  from  our  EdgeCentrix  systems  to  prove  its  performance  and   interoperability  with  existing  communications  systems.  These  demonstrations  are  held  throughout   the  year  and  across  the  USA  at  different  locations.       This  STA  is  a  request  to  support  demonstrations  of  high  altitude  communications  balloons  in   Arizona.       Lociva  is  a  small  business  based  in  Northern  Virginia  established  as  a  sole  proprietor  for  tax   purposes     Attachments:  Antenna  Diagram  and  description   Yours  faithfully           Paul  Christoforou   LOCIVA   CTO         Lociva,  Haymarket,  Virginia,  USA          Tel:  703  753  6000      email:  pac@lociva.com  

  Attachment  1     Description       Lociva  (the  LTE  equipment  provider)  and  Space  Data  Corporation  (Space    Data)  are  conducting  trials   with  various  DoD  agencies  –  including  the  US  Marine,  Corps,  US  Army,  US  Navy  using    the    spectrum   identified  in  the  application  submitted  on  form  442  to  determine  whether  the    LTE  (Long  Term     Evolved)  wireless  protocol  can  operate  effectively  on  Space  Datas    SkySite®  platform,  an  innovative   near    space  balloon-­‐based  telecommunications  system  currently  used  to  provide  messaging  and   other  advanced  wireless  services.  Space  Data  network  is  further  described  in  the    attached  Exhibit  1.   Space  Data    intends  to  conduct  the    trials  using    standard  commercially  available  LTE-­‐based    public     safety  user    devices    to  determine  if  such  an  approach  can  be  useful  in  rapidly  restoring  LTE  coverage   during  the  first  72  hours    immediately  following  a  disaster  that  causes    outages  in  terrestrial  LTE   networks  or  in  areas    where  terrestrial  LTE  coverage  is  unavailable.  It  is  anticipated  that  the    results   of  these    trials  will    be  filed    as  ex  parte  comments  in  the    Commission?s  ongoing  Notice  of  Inquiry   regarding  Deployable  Aerial    Communications  Architecture  (DACA).         Operational Configuration A  series  of  high  altitude  balloon  craft  will  carry  LTE-­‐based  transceivers  and  float  at  altitudes   between  65,000  and  90,000  feet.   The  flight  altitude  will  be  adjusted  based  on  the  winds  at  the  float   altitude.   Once  at  altitude,  the  LTE  transceiver  will  allow  land-­‐based  LTE  user  equipment  to   establish  test  data  sessions.    The  LTE  transceiver  will  be  enabled  from  the  ground  and  will  be  active   during  ascent  through  it  reaches  the  appropriate  altitude.    Mobile  test  trucks  will  gather  certain   information  from  the  test  flights.    A  schematic  of  the  proposed  tests  is  identified  below.    The  tests   are  configured  to  prevent  any  uncontrolled  transmission.    After  each  test  flight,  the  SkySite®   platform  will  be  released  from  the  balloon  craft  and  it  will  float  to  the  ground  for  recovery.    The   payload  control  s ystem  used  for  the  trials  will  be  the  same  control  system  that  Space  Data  has  used   in  more  than  25,000  SkySite  platform  flights  to  date.    The  SkySite  altitude  and  position  will  be   recorded  approximately  every  four  seconds  for  use  in  later  link  budget  analysis.   Lociva,  Haymarket,  Virginia,  USA          Tel:  703  753  6000      email:  pac@lociva.com  

  Space  Data’s  proprietary  NPCS  900  MHz  data  link  (which  will  utilize  NPCS  900  MHz  spectrum   licensed  to  Space  Data)  from  the  SkySite®  Platform  to  the  ground  station  will  provide  the  ability   to  control  the  LTE  transmitter  over  a  wide  area    (out  to  300  miles  from  the  test  truck).  There  will   be  no  backhaul  link  from  the  LTE  s ystem  on  the  SkySite®  Platform  as  the  Oceaus  Networks   Xiphos  core  will  be  flown  as  well.     The  LTE  transceiver  equipment  is  provided  Lociva.  The  transmitting  equipment  is  an  Nokia   Networks  Flexi  Macro  Cell  or  FlexiZone  MicroCell  which  has  been  Type  Certified  by  the   Commission..    The  small  system  used  for  these  demonstrations  consists  of  the  following:       1  x  EdgeCentrix  LTE  Network  Core  (installed  on  a  GumStix  processor)   1  x  Nokia  FlexiZone  eNB  (14lbs)     In  order  to  reduce  weight,  only  the  components  listed  above  will  be  flown  with  batteries  and  a   graphite  composite  structure.    The  battery  pack  design  will  ensure  the  voltage  delivered  to  the   components  falls  within  the  range  already  tested  in  the  FCC  Type  Approval  Testing  for  the  radio.   The  structure  and  thermal  management  system  will  be  designed  to  maintain  the  components   within  the  temperature  ranges  they were tested to during FCC Type Approval testing. Furthermore, the active radio components (RUS) internally disable the transmitter if the temperature of the RUS is sensed by the RUS to be outside of its operational temperature range. Other Lociva,  Haymarket,  Virginia,  USA          Tel:  703  753  6000      email:  pac@lociva.com  

  components are mechanical structure and their replacement will not affect the RF performance of the components.   The ground infrastructure includes the equipment, manpower, and logistics of the launch and recovery systems, and the ground station for tracking and controlling the airborne system. The core will be flown on the SkySite® Platform, but can be controlled from the ground via a low data rate ASCII command line interface.     Antenna  Height     Space  Data’s  network  utilizes  an  innovative  balloon-­‐borne  s ystem,  a  t ype  of  stratospheric  high   1 altitude  platform  (“HAP”),  which  differs  from  traditional  terrestrial,  tower-­‐based  networks.   Space  Data’s  s ystem  utilizes  inexpensive  weather  balloons  to  carry  miniature  radio  base  stations   to  altitudes  of  between  65,000  and  90,000  feet.   These  balloon-­‐based  platforms  are  known  as   ®   SkySite platforms.     Space  Data  continuously  launches  platforms  to  fill  the  constellation  so  that  as  one  platform  drifts   out  of  range  another  platform  drifts  into  range.    The  weather  patterns  at  the  altitude  to  which   SkySite  platforms  are  deployed  are  generally  uniform,  allowing  Space  Data  to  predict  a  platform’s   movement  and  when  to  deploy  additional  platforms,  ensuring  consistent  coverage.    An  on-­‐board   Global  Positioning  System  (“GPS”)  receiver  and  associated  processing   provide  tight  control  of  transmit  frequency,  protocol  timing,  and  transmit  power  near  service  area   borders.    Thus,  Space  Data’s  HAP  network  is  highly  reliable.    The  lightweight  (less  than  six  pounds)   platforms  parachute  gently  back  to  earth  12  to  24  hours  after  deployment  and  are  recovered  and   2 reused.     The  SkySite  platforms  are  so  small  that  the  FAA  has  concluded  that  Space  Data’s  s ystem  is  safe  and   3       has  approved  its  use  in  the  United  States. Exhibit  4  includes  a  January  29,  2003   letter  from  the  FAA  to  Space  Data  indicates  the  FAA’s  findings  with  regard  to  Space  Data’s  SkySite   platforms.    While  it  is  expected  that  in  the  future  LTE  equipment  may  be  reduced  in  mass  to  meet   the  requirements  of  Title  14  of  the  Code  of  Federal  Regulations  (14  CFR)  Section   101.1(a)(4),  the  LTE  equipment  flown  in  these  trials  will  weigh  more  than  allowed  under  14   CFR  101.1(a)(4).    Thus  the  flights  for  this  trial  will  be  flown  in  compliance  with  14  CFR  FAR   101   Subpart   D   -­‐-­‐   Unmanned   Free   Balloons     To   the   extent   necessary,   Space   Data   will   acquire   any   required   Federal   Aviation   Administration   (“FAA”)   flight   clearances   and   will   provide   the   needed   flight  controllers,  technicians,  and  all  logistics  for  the  flights.         1   The  Commission  has  authorized  Space  Data  to  operate  its  balloon-­‐borne  devices  as  terrestrial  base  stations  on   narrowband  PCS  frequencies.    See  Petition  for  a  Declaratory  Ruling,  a  Clarification  or,  in  the  Alternative,  a  Waiver  of  Certain   Narrowband  Personal  Communications  Services  (PCS)  Rules  as  they  Apply  to  a  High-­‐Altitude  Balloon-­‐Based  Communications   System,  16  FCC  Rcd  16421  (WTB  2001)  (“Space  Data  Order”).   2   Additional  information  regarding  the  technical  operations  of  Space  Data’s  network  of  SkySite  platforms  is  set  forth  in  the   construction  notification  for  one  of  Space  Data’s  narrowband  PCS  licenses,  KNKV204.  See  ULS  File  No.  0001900882  (filed   October  13,  2004).   3   See  Space  Data  Order,  16  FCC  Rcd  at  16427  (noting  that  Space  Data  has  coordinated  with  the  FAA   regarding  its  balloon  launches).   Lociva,  Haymarket,  Virginia,  USA          Tel:  703  753  6000      email:  pac@lociva.com  

  FAA Notiice U.S. Deportment of Transportation Federal Aviation Administration 800 Independence Ave, SW Washington, DC 20591 JAN 2 9 2003 Mr. Charles H. Tracy Vice President, Flight Operations Space Data Corporation P.O. Box 1866 Chandler, AZ 85244-1866 Dear Mr. Tracy: This is in response to your letter regarding your company's draft concept of operations for lU11Tlanned balloons. We have reviewed and concur with the subject draft; however, we offer the following comments. Space Data's utilization of a payload weighing less than six-pounds in total weight and three- ounces per square inch density are exempt from the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) notification. Payload markings and in-flight reporting requirements are pursuant to Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations (14 CFR) Section 101.l(a)(4). Additionally, the payload as described and being operated is consistent with 14 CFR part 101, and with special consideration to 14 CFR part 101, Section 101.7. This would not require FAA notification, payload markings or any in-flight reporting requirements. If you have any questions on this matter please contact Kevin Haggerty at (202) 267-9295. Sincerely, . Re.Jti'Jrd·&. Matthews Manager, Airspace and Rules Division Lociva,  Haymarket,  Virginia,  USA          Tel:  703  753  6000      email:  pac@lociva.com  


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Document Modified: 0850-12-08 00:00:00
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