Narrative Statement

0041-EX-CN-2016 Text Documents

Mirage Systems, Inc

2016-09-09ELS_181808

Mirage Systems, Inc. FCC Form 442 ELS File No 0041-EX-CN-2016 NARRATIVE STATEMENT By this application, pursuant to the Section 5.3 (b), (d) and (h), Mirage Systems, Inc. (“Mirage”) respectfully seeks a 2-year license beginning October 1, 2016 to test and further develop new applications of its airborne synthetic aperture ground penetrating radar, the FALCON GPSAR 906-AU-001 across the bands 406-750 MHz, 800-960 MHz, and 1610-2300 MHz. Mirage has previously been granted an STA for this hardware under callsign WH2XET, file number 0309-EX-PL-2014. The following information supports our request: A. Need for a 2-year License: Mirage seeks a 2-year license that will allow its development team adequate time to collect data, evaluate the data, make adjustments to optimize the performance for particular geophysical challenges and re-take data as needed. This period is requested to allow adequate time to plan and execute an underground data collection program. B. Purpose of Operation: Mirage has invested 20+ years of development into their GPSAR technology. For over 10 years, the Department of Defense has funded Mirage Systems in developing a radar that can image buried targets (landmines, IED’s, UXO, etc.) from an airborne platform. Mirage is now considering utilizing this technology for gas and water pipeline mapping, and agricultural surveying. The technology is an enhancement to a standard Synthetic Aperture Radar, utilizing low frequencies in the UHF and L Bands, which can both penetrate the ground and still have enough resolution to eliminate false alarms and correlate surface features. This technology is patent protected and called GPSAR (Ground Penetrating Synthetic Aperture Radar). The system can transmit from 300-3000 MHz and the system has the ability to notch out frequencies to avoid interference with other RF systems. The objective of this test is to verify the minimum amount of bandwidth required to maintain performance of the sensor (i.e. still able to resolve buried targets). Mirage does not seek authority to conduct market studies or provide subsurface surveillance under the requested experimental authority, nor does it propose to market, sell, or lease prototype equipment to end users in conjunction with these tests. The participants in the test will be advised that: (1) the test is being conducted under an experimental authority issued to Mirage, (2) Mirage is the party responsible for the operations, (3) all operations must be conducted on a non-interference basis, and (4) after the test is completed, Mirage will retrieve and recover all devices that do not comply with FCC regulations. Mirage understands that the FCC may specify these as well as other conditions on its authorization. 1|Page

Mirage Systems, Inc. FCC Form 442 ELS File No 0041-EX-CN-2016 C. Technical Specifications and Physical Description: 1. GPSAR 906-AU-001 System: Frequency: 406-750 MHz, 800-960 MHz, 1610-2300 MHz Waveform Modulation: FMCW Peak Envelop Power: 10W Avg Power: 3.93 W Peak EIRP: 40 W Avg EIRP: 15.72 W Weight: 46 lbs Aircraft: Robinson R44 Helicopter Standoff Range: 750 ft Altitude: 500 ft Notching/blanking: Key bands can be physically notched by sensor > 30 dB The system has the capability to prevent radiation at specific frequencies or frequency bands within its operating band. 2. Antenna Information: A TDK PLP3003 Log periodic antenna will be used in this application. The antenna will be mounted on a Robinson R44 helicopter (FAA approved mount via Supplemental Type Certificate) and operated at altitudes of ~500 feet above ground level (AGL). The antenna is directed at a 45 deg. angle of inclination to the horizon for improved clutter rejection and can be positioned for HH or VV polarization Size 80 cm × 81 cm × 3 cm (length × width × height) Weight 1.25 kg Construction Aluminum with gold chromate finish RF connector N-type female Frequency range 300 to 3000 MHz Gain 6 dBi VSWR 2:1 average Power handling 500W CW Polarization Linear Feedpoint impedance 50 ohms nominal 2|Page

Mirage Systems, Inc. FCC Form 442 ELS File No 0041-EX-CN-2016 3. Proposed Locations: Mirage seeks authority to conduct its experimental operations with limited tests in the Western region of the United States, specifically, within the boundaries of Dugway Proving Ground, a US Army Facility located in Utah. The intent of the selected locations is the presence of buried and surface targets and the absence of residential, business, and air traffic, along with the consequential absence of high radio spectrum activity, thereby avoiding interference from and to spectrum users. All testing is to be performed in full cooperation with the government authorities onsite. CENTER POINT: LAT 40 05’ 10.9” LON -112 58’ 54.6” RADIUS OF OPERATIONS: 3 kilometers Mirage has previously operated at Dugway for the Defense Department, and this location will serve as a good test site for our sensor flights due to the conductivity of the soil and the distance from RF and human activities. 4. Equipment to Be Used: One GPSAR 906-AU-001 sensor, a TDK PLP-3003 log periodic antenna and a Novatel SPAN-SE GPS Receiver commercial GPS will be installed on a Robinson R44, FAA certified under a Supplemental Type Certificate. D. Restrictions in Operation: Mirage recognizes that the operation of any unapproved or unlicensed device under experimentation must not cause harmful interference to authorized facilities. Mirage will monitor use of the relevant frequencies before commencing transmission, and will not operate if the frequencies are in use. The helicopter will restrict flight patterns to direct energy within the locations noted above. Radar operation will be controlled on-board by experienced Mirage staffers who, given the low altitude optical advantage, can recognize ground activity changes and power-off the system if the ground activity changes. Two data collection apertures will be flown, Strip mode and Circle SAR mode. In strip mode, the vehicle will fly parallel to the center points of the target location 3|Page

Mirage Systems, Inc. FCC Form 442 ELS File No 0041-EX-CN-2016 offset by altitude. In Circle SAR mode, the vehicle will fly a circle with a radius equal to the altitude. Mirage does not propose to sell this data, but use it only as information for research and development of their GPSAR sensor. Mirage understands that the FCC may permit the operation of equipment for, among other things, compliance testing, demonstration at trade shows and other exhibitions with appropriate notices displayed, and evaluation of product performance at the Mirage facility. (Ref Marketing Rules §2.803 Part 15). Notwithstanding the general rules, the FCC requires parties to seek authorization to use devices that normally require a license to operate or that will be operated near residential locations. Such authority may be granted under FCC’s experimental rules set forth in Part 5 of the Code of Federal Regulations, 47 C.F.R. Part 5 (2010). Accordingly Mirage seeks an experimental license to conduct experimental operations permitted under Part 5 of the Commission’s rules. Those rules permit such operation provided that: (1) participants are advised that the service or device is granted under experimental authority and is strictly temporary; and (2) the devices are owned by the licensee. E. Public Interest: Outside of the Defense and Homeland Security applications, the projected technology has unparalleled potential to detect and characterize phenomena beneath the ground surface from airborne altitudes. The advantage of pushing the state of the art can eventually introduce subsurface surveillance capability beyond ordnance and pipelines, including GPSAR imaging of waterways levees for breach avoidance, location of buried geophysical features, location of aquifers, disaster first-responders such as after an earthquake or tunnel collapse and archaeological studies. F. Contact Information: 1. Technical Contact: George J Moussally, Chief Scientist Mirage Systems, Inc. 2188 Bering Dr. San Jose, CA 95131 408-524-7905 georgem@miragesystems.com 2. Operational Contact: Karim Moussally, Director of Data Services Mirage Systems, Inc. 2188 Bering Dr. San Jose, CA 95131 408-524-7906 karim@miragesystems.com 4|Page


Document Created: 2016-09-09 13:15:00
Document Modified: 2016-09-09 13:15:00
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