Narrative Statement

0026-EX-ST-2013 Text Documents

Panasonic Avionics Corporation

2013-01-18ELS_132722

                                                                 ELS File No. 0026-EX-ST-2013
                                                                Panasonic Avionics Corporation
               APPLICATION FOR SPECIAL TEMPORARY AUTHORITY

       Panasonic Avionics Corporation (“Panasonic”), licensee of the “eXConnect” Ku-band

aeronautical mobile-satellite system (“AMSS”) system, hereby requests a grant of

experimental special temporary authority (“STA”) to access the AMAZONAS-2 satellite for

U.S.-registered aircraft operating within the continental United States (“CONUS”). Panasonic

currently holds experimental authority1 to operate the Panasonic phased array (“Aura LE”)

terminal in support of the development and initial introduction of its Global Communications

Suite (“GCS”) in-flight connectivity offering within CONUS.

       As described below, Panasonic requests grant of the proposed STA at the earliest

practicable time to address certain technical issues being experienced by a U.S. airline

customer. The proposed operations are consistent with the coordinated parameters of the

satellite, the Commission’s two-degree spacing rules and the rules and policies recently

adopted for Ku-band2 earth stations aboard aircraft (“ESAAs”).3 Consistent with its existing

experimental license, Panasonic requests authority for operation of 10 Aura LE terminals



1
 See ELS File No. 0281-EX-PL-2010, Call Sign WF2XMD (granted July 12, 2011). Panasonic
subsequently modified this authorization to confirm compliance with ITU regulations and other
applicable regulatory requirements; see also ELS File No. 0143-EX-ML-2012 (granted August
21, 2012) (“Experimental License”).
2
 Typically, operations in the conventional Ku-band occur from 14.0 to 14.5 GHz. However,
Panasonic’s current experimental license specifies operations from 14.0 to 14.47 GHz, and a
change to those frequencies is not sought in this submission.
3
 See Revisions to Parts 2 and 25 of the Commission’s Rules to Govern the Use of Earth
Stations Aboard Aircraft Communicating with Fixed-Satellite Service Geostationary-Orbit Space
Stations Operating in the 10.95-11.2 GHz, 11.45-11.7 GHz, 11.7-12.2 GHz and 14.0-14.5 GHz
Frequency Bands; Service Rules and Procedures to Govern the Use of Aeronautical Mobile
Satellite Service Earth Stations in Frequency Bands Allocated to the Fixed Satellite Service, IB
Docket Nos. 12-376 & 05-20, Notice of Proposed Rulemaking and Report and Order, FCC 12-
161 (rel. Dec. 28, 2012) (“ESAA Order”).


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                                                                   ELS File No. 0026-EX-ST-2013
                                                                  Panasonic Avionics Corporation
onboard U.S.-registered aircraft located within CONUS through July 1, 2013. For the reasons

described herein, grant of the proposed STA would strongly serve the public interest.

I.        DESCRIPTION OF EXPERIMENTAL OPERATIONS

          Panasonic is currently authorized to operate twenty (20) Ku-band aircraft earth stations,

including ten (10) Aura LE terminals, with four satellite points of communication: Horizons 1,

T-14R, Galaxy 17 and Galaxy 19. Panasonic is currently operating with only two of these

satellites: Galaxy 17 and T-14R. Due to certain integration issues associated with initial

operations onboard a U.S. airline customer, Panasonic requires the ability to access the

AMAZONAS-2 satellite to address the unexpected initial operational issues currently being

experienced with CONUS flights.

          Panasonic will conduct eXConnect operations onboard AMAZONAS-2 consistent with

its existing experimental authority4 and incorporates by reference the technical information

submitted in that proceeding. This information, as well as more detailed technical data filed in

connection with Panasonic’s pending modification application for full commercial authority to

operate the subject antenna,5 confirms that operation of the Aura LE terminal will be conducted

on a non-interference basis. In addition to the technical information included in this submission,

Panasonic similarly incorporates by reference the technical information submitted in that

proceeding. Other than access to the additional satellite point of communication proposed




4
    See generally Experimental License.
5
 See Application of Panasonic Avionics Corporation To Modify AMSS License To Permit
Operation of Up to 2000 Technically Identical Aeronautical Mobile-Satellite Service (“AMSS”)
Aircraft Earth Stations (“AESs”) in the 14.0-14.5 GHz and 10.7-12.75 GHz Frequency Bands,
Call Sign E100089, File No. SES-MFS-20120913-00818, filed Sept. 13, 2012 (“Modification
Application”), at Technical Appendix.


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                                                                  ELS File No. 0026-EX-ST-2013
                                                                 Panasonic Avionics Corporation
herein, Panasonic seeks no other operational or technical changes to its existing experimental

authority.

       Initial operations with the AMAZONAS-2 satellite will involve single beam

coverage and evaluation of a number of performance objectives, including: (i) geographic

mapping and automated shut-off; (ii) reliability of data link; (iii) two-way data link

performance and coverage; (iv) receive-only video link performance and coverage; (v)

antenna performance; (vi) Doppler correction; and (vi) network management and

operation. In addition, once parallel authority is granted for operations outside CONUS,

Panasonic will evaluate iDirect automatic beam switching and hand-off performance.

       The Aura LE terminal will operate in a dedicated manner under close control of

Panasonic’s network control personnel. In addition, Panasonic will conduct initial flight

operations in areas that are outside exclusion zones for radio astronomy sites (during

observations) and NASA TDRSS sites, and in accordance with applicable coordination

agreements and Commission rules.6

II.    SATELLITE POINT OF COMMUNICATION – AMAZONAS-2

       Panasonic seeks authority for the Aura LE terminal to communicate with the

AMAZONAS-2 satellite at 61°W. Panasonic is already authorized to communicate with Telstar

14R at 63°W and Galaxy 17 at 91°W, as well as two other satellites, for CONUS operations.

Because Panasonic does not actually utilize the two other satellites identified in its experimental

license, the instant STA request constitutes a “substitution” of one of those satellites. In


6
 Panasonic has executed coordination agreements with both the National Science Foundation
and NASA to protection U.S. government stations from potential interference. See Call Sign
E100089, File No. SES-LIC-20100805-00992 (Attachment to Application Narrative and Section
1.65 Letter dated Feb. 1, 2011).


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                                                                ELS File No. 0026-EX-ST-2013
                                                               Panasonic Avionics Corporation
addition, because Panasonic is presently operating with the adjacent Telstar 14R satellite under

experimental authority, the Commission can be assured that operations with AMAZONAS-2 in

this region of the orbital arc for CONUS operations can be similarly conducted without

interference.

       As described in the attached Technical Appendix, the parameters within which Panasonic

will access the North America beam of AMAZONAS- 2 are consistent with those already

authorized for communications within CONUS in Panasonic’s existing experimental license.

Thus, grant of the instant STA request would not increase the potential for interference from

Panasonic’s interim experimental operations.

       The eXConnect gateway earth station for operations with AMAZONAS-2 is located in

Brewster, WA. Operation of the Aura LE terminals is monitored and controlled from the

Panasonic Mission Control Center (“MCC”) in Lake Forest, CA on a 24 hours per day, 7 days

per week basis. The MCC makes use of the iDirect’s Network Management System (“NMS”) to

provide complete control and visibility to all components of the eXConnect network. The NMS

system has the capability of shutting down any component in the system that is malfunctioning.

Contact information for the MCC is as follows:

                Panasonic Mission Control Center
                26200 Enterprise Way
                Lake Forest, CA 92630
                Phone: 425-415-9800 or 877-627-2300 (toll free)
                Fax: 425-482-3515
                Email: mcc@panasonic.aero




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                                                                  ELS File No. 0026-EX-ST-2013
                                                                 Panasonic Avionics Corporation
To the extent that any adjacent satellite operator or other user of the Ku-band experiences

unacceptable interference from Panasonic’s experimental operations, Panasonic will cease

terminal transmissions immediately.7

          Panasonic would also note that the AMAZONAS-2 satellite has been authorized to access

the U.S. market by inclusion in the FCC’s Permitted Space Station List8 and the FCC recently

concluded that it should extend ALSAT authority to Ku-band aeronautical terminals – like the

Aura LE – that operate in compliance with its two-degree spacing policies.9 However, ALSAT

authority may not be available under an experimental STA. Thus, in support of its experimental

STA application, Panasonic will submit a confirmation from the operator of the AMAZONAS-2

satellite that the proposed operations are consistent with its coordination agreements with

potentially affected operators.10

          The Aura LE terminal has operated with satellites around the world – including the

Telstar 14R and Galaxy 17 satellite for operations within CONUS at the same power levels

proposed for AMAZONAS-2 – without a single reported case of interference. This track record

of non-interfering operations within CONUS and beyond further establishes that authority for the

proposed operations can be granted expeditiously as requested herein.




7
    See 47 C.F.R. § 5.111(a)(2).
8
 Call Sign S2793, File No. SAT-PPL-20100506-00093, grant-stamped Dec. 21, 2010; see also
File Nos. SAT-APL-20101209-00257 and SAT-PPL-20090806-00081, grant-stamped Oct. 15,
2009.
9
     See ESAA Order at ¶112.
10
  Panasonic has been informed that the satellite operator letter will be finalized shortly and will
supplement the instant experimental STA request as soon as the letter is available.


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                                                                   ELS File No. 0026-EX-ST-2013
                                                                  Panasonic Avionics Corporation
III.      LIMITED MARKET STUDIES

          Currently pending before the Commission are a blanket earth station license modification

application11 and associated STA request12 by which Panasonic seeks commercial authority to

operate the Aura LE terminal with the eXConnect system. During the pendency of these

applications, Panasonic seeks to maintain authority to conduct limited market studies pursuant to

the Commission’s Rules.13

          Panasonic’s agreements with U.S. airline customers require certain flight testing and

trials of the eXConnect system before commencing full commercial operations. Among other

things, these airlines seek to test market and collect commercial and operational data regarding

eXConnect system capabilities. For its part, Panasonic uses the limited market studies to

demonstrate the potential applications and performance of its terminals, and to collect

engineering and operational data regarding these uses.

          Panasonic therefore seeks to maintain limited market study authority that will permit it

(and its U.S. airline customers) to evaluate the commercial viability and usage characteristics of

its system. Through the market studies, Panasonic seeks to obtain further information regarding

the frequency and duration of use, data rates achieved to and from aircraft and aggregate data

rates achieved in the network. Panasonic also seeks to validate the network’s performance by

collecting data relating to quality of service, including bit error rates, latency and possible

degradation of service at the edge of service contours.



11
     See Modification Application.
12
 See Call Sign E100089, File No. SES-STA-20120913-00820, filed Sept. 13, 2012 (“STA
Request”).
13
     See 47 C.F.R. § 5.3(j), see also 47 C.F.R. § 5.93.


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                                                                   ELS File No. 0026-EX-ST-2013
                                                                  Panasonic Avionics Corporation
       The Commission has previously permitted limited market studies in the context of

experimental Ku-band AMSS operations.14 In addition, Panasonic’s existing experimental

license includes limited market study authority. Panasonic does not seek to extend the period or

scope of its existing authority, but rather seeks to ensure such authority is available for

communications with AMAZONAS-2 for U.S.-registered aircraft. Furthermore, consistent with

the Commission’s rules, Panasonic will inform its customers that its in-flight connectivity

operations are being conducted only on a temporary basis under experimental authority.

IV.    CONCLUSION

       Panasonic requests authority to communicate with the AMAZONAS-2 satellite at the

earliest practicable time, but does not otherwise seek to change the scope or duration of its

existing experimental authority. Grant of the instant STA request will allow Panasonic the ability

to address pressing implementation issues and further develop the eXConnect system for U.S.-

registered aircraft operating within CONUS. Panasonic respectfully requests that the Commission

expeditiously grant the requested STA in order to facilitate the continued implementation of in-

flight connectivity offerings to passengers and crews onboard U.S.-registered aircraft.




14
 See, e.g., ARINC Experimental Authorization, Call Sign WC2XPE, File No. 0029-EX-ML-
2004.


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                  ELS File No. 0026-EX-ST-2013
                 Panasonic Avionics Corporation




  ATTACHMENT 1

TECHNICAL APPENDIX




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                                                                    ELS File No. 0026-EX-ST-2013
                                                                   Panasonic Avionics Corporation
I.     OVERVIEW OF AURA LE OPERATIONS

       The Aura LE was developed to optimize performance of the eXConnect System. It is a

dual-panel, mechanically steered antenna designed for installation and operation onboard

aircraft. The Aura LE has been certified for aviation safety and currently is in operation onboard

dozens of aircraft, including a small number of U.S.-registered aircraft. The antenna also

complies with the provisions governing Ku-band AMSS operations embodied in Recom-

mendation ITU-R M.1643, as well as U.S. and international rules and policies governing such

operations. Consistent with Commission policy and precedent, interference will be avoided by

controlling the off-axis EIRP spectral density emissions along the GSO arc to protect adjacent

FSS satellites, and by coordination, frequency avoidance and/or exclusion zones with respect to

other users of the Ku-band.

       A. Antenna Pointing

       Pointing for the Aura LE is accomplished via mechanical steering of the antenna and uses

the aircraft attitude data (i.e., yaw, roll, pitch and heading vector), together with location of the

terminal (latitude, longitude, and altitude) to calculate the command vectors. This data, available

from the ARINC 429 bus, is used in conjunction with the satellite coordinates to yield

continuously updated steering commands for the antenna elevation, azimuth, and polarization. A

local inertial sensor package placed on the antenna base plate itself provides high rate antenna

attitude sensing, which compensates for possible aircraft inertial navigation system (“INS”)

errors caused by airframe deformation and data latency.




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                                                                  ELS File No. 0026-EX-ST-2013
                                                                 Panasonic Avionics Corporation
       The pointing error of the Aura LE will be less than 0.2 degrees 3-sigma.15 Pointing error

will be monitored and emissions will be inhibited within 100 milliseconds if the pointing error

ever exceeds 0.35 degrees. Panasonic has taken a conservative approach in setting the off-axis

value for muting transmission and including Aura LE pointing offset and skew in setting

maximum permissible transmit powers and skew angles such that even if mispointed 0.35

degrees (the point at which the antenna automatically mutes transmissions), the Aura LE will not

exceed permissible off-axis EIRP spectral density levels.

       B. Off-Axis EIRP Levels

       Control of off-axis EIRP spectral density is essential to protect adjacent satellites

operating in the Ku-band. Panasonic will control the off-axis EIRP spectral density generated by

a single terminal so that it is no greater than is accepted for other Ku-band terminals operating

with FSS satellites. This is consistent with FCC licensing conditions in the AMSS context, as

well as the Commission’s newly adopted Ku-band earth stations aboard aircraft (“ESAA”) rules.

To the extent that any adjacent satellite operator experiences harmful interference from Aura LE

terminal operations, Panasonic will cease terminal transmissions immediately.

       An example off-axis EIRP spectral density plot is shown in Figures 1 and 2, below.

Panasonic has taken the conservative approach of including the Aura LE’s maximum pointing

offset and skew angles in setting maximum transmit power levels. Thus, the terminal’s off-axis

EIRP spectral density remains well below the U.S. off-axis EIRP spectral density limit (the two-


15
   Operational and test flight data confirms these conclusions regarding pointing accuracy.
Indeed, in a recent assessment, there were no instances above 10,000 feet where the measured
error exceeded 0.2 degrees peak (excluding beam switches, of course, which involve antenna
repointing to a new satellite while muted). Our analysis shows that the standard deviation (1-
sigma) for pointing error is 0.02 degrees, so the 3-sigma value is only 0.06 degrees during
standard flight operations. Factoring in on-ground and take-off/landing modes, the 3-sigma
value is well under 0.15 degrees.

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                                                                 ELS File No. 0026-EX-ST-2013
                                                                Panasonic Avionics Corporation
degree spacing limit) for the main lobe, shown in the solid red line (using the analogous limits in

Section 25.222), even at maximum pointing offset.16




                     Figure 1. Maximum Off-axis EIRP Spectral Density
                          of the Aura LE Antenna (0º-10º Off-Axis)




16
 The minor excursion in Figure 2 is consistent with the Commission’s rules. See 47 C.F.R. § 25
222(a)(1)(i)(A).

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                                                                  ELS File No. 0026-EX-ST-2013
                                                                 Panasonic Avionics Corporation




                     Figure 2. Maximum Off-axis EIRP Spectral Density
                          of the Aura LE Antenna (0º-90º Off-Axis)


It should be emphasized that the example in Figures 1 and 2 is an extreme case: worst-case

power, edge of coverage, worst-case skew, etc. (14.25 GHz, 35ºskew angle, 45º elevation angle

in San Diego, CA), and reaching the limits in this way will only occur very rarely if at all.

       Panasonic proposes to operate the Aura LE terminal with the AMAZONAS-2 satellite

using the following emission designators 500KG7D and 9M00G7D, which reflect the typical

emissions included in Panasonic’s Modification Application currently pending before the




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                                                                ELS File No. 0026-EX-ST-2013
                                                               Panasonic Avionics Corporation
Commission. Although these emission designators differ somewhat from those included in the

existing experimental license, they are within the authorized power and power spectral densities

and they are consistent with the Commission’s two-degree spacing rules. Panasonic would also

note that, consistent with its existing experimental license, it has incorporated the maximum

transmit ERP of 38.5 kW in this STA request. However, from a practical standpoint the Aura LE

antenna actually will transmit at lower ERP levels.

II.    LINK BUDGETS

       Forward and return link budgets detailing operation of the Aura LE terminals with the

AMAZONAS-2 satellite are shown below:




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                                                                      ELS File No. 0026-EX-ST-2013
                                                                     Panasonic Avionics Corporation

                                                 AMAZONAS-2

         Forward Link Budget                                                      Return Link Budget

eXConnect
Terminal                                                    eXConnect Terminal
Site                       Brewster                         Site                                  Brewster
                        EMS Revised
                              Noise                                                      EMS Revised Noise
Antenna Type            Temperature                         Antenna Type                      Temperature
Lat                            47.5     deg                 Lat                                       47.5    deg
Lon                          -120.4     deg                 Lon                                     -120.4    deg
EIRP max                       42.5     dBW                 EIRP max                                  42.5    dBW
G/T                            10.0     dB/K                G/T                                       10.0    dB/K
Satellite                                                   Satellite
Name                    Amazonas-2                          Name                               Amazonas-2
Transponder                    0.0                          Transponder                               0.0
Longitude                    -61.0      deg                 Longitude                               -61.0     deg
Hub Earth Station                                           Hub Earth Station
Site                  Brewster_6.3m                         Site                            Brewster_6.3m
Lat                             48.1    deg                 Lat                                       48.1    deg
Lon                           -119.8    deg                 Lon                                     -119.8    deg
EIRP max                        80.0    dBW                 EIRP max                                  80.0    dBW
G/T                             35.0    dB/K                G/T                                       35.0    dB/K
Signal                                                      Signal
Waveform                       DVB-S2                       Waveform                          iDirectRL-SF4
Modulation                      QPSK                        Modulation                                BPSK
Bits per symbol                     2                       Bits per symbol                               1
Spread Factor                       1                       Spread Factor                                 4
Coding Rate                      0.89                       Coding Rate                                0.43
Overhead Rate                    0.95                       Overhead Rate                              0.68
Channel Spacing                  1.20                       Channel Spacing                            1.20
Spectral Efficiency                                         Spectral Efficiency
(Rate/Noise BW)                1.69     bps/Hz              (Rate/Noise BW)                           0.07    bps/Hz
Data Rate                  5.06E+07     bps                 Data Rate                             4.85E+05    bps
Information Rate                                            Information Rate
(Data + Overhead)          5.33E+07     bps                 (Data + Overhead)                     7.18E+05    bps
Symbol Rate                3.00E+07     Hz                  Symbol Rate                           1.67E+06    Hz
Chip Rate (Noise                                            Chip Rate (Noise
Bandwidth)                 3.00E+07     Hz                  Bandwidth)                            6.66E+06    Hz
Occupied
Bandwidth                  3.60E+07     Hz                  Occupied Bandwidth                    7.99E+06    Hz
Power Equivalent                                            Power Equivalent
Bandwidth                  3.60E+07     Hz                  Bandwidth                             4.77E+05    Hz
C/N Threshold                   6.6     dB                  C/N Threshold                              -5.0   dB
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                                                                          ELS File No. 0026-EX-ST-2013
                                                                         Panasonic Avionics Corporation


Uplink                                                          Uplink
Frequency                    14.250    GHz                      Frequency                             14.144     GHz
Power Control
Mode                  Automatic Uplink Power Control            Power Control Mode       Automatic Uplink Power Control
Back off                            12.3 dB                     Back off                              0.0 dB
EIRP Spectral
Density                             29.0     dBW/4kHz           EIRP Spectral Density                10.3   dBW/4kHz
Slant Range                       40405      km                 Slant Range                        40419    km
Space Loss, Ls                    207.7      dB                 Space Loss, Ls                     207.6    dB
Pointing Loss, Lpnt                  0.0     dB                 Pointing Loss, Lpnt                   0.1   dB
Atmosphere /                                                    Atmosphere /
Weather Loss, La                      2.6    dB                 Weather Loss, La                      0.0   dB
Radome, Lr                            0.0    dB                 Radome, Lr                            0.0   dB
Transponder G/T @                                               Transponder G/T @
Hub                                   4.0    dB/K               Terminal                              4.0   dB/K
Thermal Noise,
C/No                                90.1     dBHz               Thermal Noise, C/No                 67.4    dBHz
Intra-System
Interference, C/Io                                              Intra-System
ISI                              1000.0      dBHz               Interference, C/Io ISI            1000.0    dBHz
Adj. Satellite
Interference, C/Io                                              Adj. Satellite
ASI                                 99.2     dBHz               Interference, C/Io ASI              76.5    dBHz
Cross-Pol
Interference, C/Io                                              Cross-Pol
XP                                196.9      dBHz               Interference, C/Io XP              173.7    dBHz
C/(No+Io)                          89.6      dBHz               C/(No+Io)                           66.9    dBHz
Satellite                                                       Satellite
Flux Density                       -98.0     dBW/m2             Flux Density                       -120.8   dBW/m2
SFD @ Hub                          -96.0     dBW/m2             SFD @ Terminal                      -96.0   dBW/m2
Small Signal Gain                                               Small Signal Gain
(IBO/OBO)                             1.0    dB                 (IBO/OBO)                            3.0    dB
OBO                                   1.0    dB                 OBO                                 21.8    dB




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                                                           ELS File No. 0026-EX-ST-2013
                                                          Panasonic Avionics Corporation


Downlink                                          Downlink
Frequency                11.950   GHz             Frequency                  11.844   GHz
Transponder Sat. EIRP                             Transponder Sat.
@ Beam Peak                54.5   dBW             EIRP @ Beam Peak             54.5   dBW
Transponder Sat. EIRP                             Transponder Sat.
@ Terminal                 53.0   dBW             EIRP @ Hub                   53.0   dBW
DL PSD Limit               15.0   dBW/4kHz        DL PSD Limit                 15.0   dBW/4kHz
DL PSD @ Beam Peak         14.8   dBW/4kHz        DL PSD @ Beam Peak            0.5   dBW/4kHz
Carrier EIRP @ Beam                               Carrier EIRP @ Beam
Peak                       53.5   dBW             Peak                         32.8   dBW
Carrier EIRP @
Terminal                   52.0   dBW             Carrier EIRP @ Hub           31.2   dBW
Slant Range              40419    km              Slant Range                40405    km
Space Loss, Ls           206.1    dB              Space Loss, Ls             206.0    dB
Pointing Loss, Lpnt         0.1   dB              Pointing Loss, Lpnt           0.0   dB
Atmosphere /                                      Atmosphere /
Weather Loss, La            0.0   dB              Weather Loss, La              3.0   dB
Radome, Lr                  0.0   dB              Radome, Lr                    0.0   dB
PCMA Loss                   0.0   dB              PCMA Loss                     0.0   dB
Thermal Noise, C/No        84.4   dBHz            Thermal Noise, C/No          85.7   dBHz
Intermod.                                         Intermod.
Interference, C/IMo       175.6   dBHz            Interference, C/IMo         156.8   dBHz
Intra-System                                      Intra-System
Interference, C/Io ISI   1000.0   dBHz            Interference, C/Io ISI     1000.0   dBHz
Adj. Satellite                                    Adj. Satellite
Interference, C/Io ASI     91.6   dBHz            Interference, C/Io ASI       94.9   dBHz
Cross-Pol                                         Cross-Pol
Interference, C/Io XP     183.8   dBHz            Interference, C/Io XP       163.0   dBHz
C/(No+Io)                  83.6   dBHz            C/(No+Io)                 85.2422   dBHz
End to End                                        End to End
End to End C/(No+Io)       82.7   dBHz            End to End C/(No+Io)         66.8   dBHz
Implementation Loss         1.0   dB              Implementation Loss           0.0   dB
End to End C/N w/                                 End to End C/N w/
Imp Loss                    6.9   dB              Imp Loss                     -1.4   dB
Link Margin                 0.3   dB              Link Margin                   3.6   dB




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                                                              ELS File No. 0026-EX-ST-2013
                                                             Panasonic Avionics Corporation
III.   COVERAGE AREA

       AMAZONAS-2 is a Brazilian-licensed satellite located at 61°W. The relevant service

area for this satellite is CONUS only, using the North America beam depicted below:

                                    AMAZONAS-2




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                                                                       ELS File No. 0026-EX-ST-2013
                                                                      Panasonic Avionics Corporation
IV.       RADIATION HAZARD INFORMATION

          This report provides an analysis of the non-ionizing radiation levels for the Aura LE antenna.

This report is developed in accordance with the prediction methods contained in OET Bulletin No.

65, Evaluating Compliance with FCC Guidelines for Human Exposure to Radio Frequency

Electromagnetic Fields, Edition 97-01.

          Bulletin No. 65 specifies that there are two separate tiers of exposure limits that are

dependent on the situation in which the exposure takes place and/or the status of the individuals who

are subject to the exposure:

         General Population/Uncontrolled Environment and

         Controlled Environment, where the general population does not have access.

          The maximum level of non-ionizing radiation to which individuals may be exposed is limited

to a power density level of:

         5 milliwatts per square centimeter (5 mW/cm2) averaged over any 6 minute period in a

          controlled environment, and

         1 milliwatt per square centimeter (1 mW/cm2) averaged over any 30 minute period in an

          uncontrolled environment.

          In the normal range of transmit powers for satellite antennas, the power densities at or around

the antenna surface are expected to exceed safe levels. This area will not be accessible to the general

public.

          Operators and technicians will receive training specifying this area as a high exposure area.

Procedures will be established to ensure that all transmitters are turned off before this area may be

accessed by operators, maintenance or other authorized personnel.

          Near Field Exposure
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                                                                     ELS File No. 0026-EX-ST-2013
                                                                    Panasonic Avionics Corporation
        The Aura LE antenna potentially exceeds MPE limits in the near field within the rectangular

volume directly in front of the panels (7.0 mW/cm2). For this calculation, it was assumed that all 10

watts from each SSPA module are uniformly distributed across the surface area of the panel. There

are two SSPA modules, one for each antenna panel. This is a reasonable assumption for a flat panel

waveguide fed phased array with minimal sidelobe tapering.

        The extent of the near field region is defined by the following

        Rnf = D2 /(4

        = 9.2 meters

        Where D is the width of the panel (0.88 meters)

        The maximum power density in the Near Field can be determined by the following equation:

        Snf = PSSPA / A

        =6.8 mW/ cm2

        Where A is the surface area of the panel and P is the power available from the SSPA. In

normal operation, this antenna is mounted on a fuselage top with the main beam pointed toward the

sky at a minimum elevation angle of 10 degrees such that human exposure in the near field is not

possible. Furthermore, normal TDMA operation uses a duty cycle of 10% or less, reducing

maximum near field exposure by an order of magnitude to 0.7 mW/cm2.

        In normal operation, the transmitter is turned off or muted below 10,000 feet altitude. Clearly

the general public will not be able to be in the path of a transmitting antenna.

        On the ground, operation of the transmitter may be required for maintenance or testing. A

manual override switch will allow ground personnel to enable the transmitter when the altitude is

below 10,000 feet. This is a controlled environment. Personnel must be trained in the safe operation

of the transmitter.
                                                  - 19 -


                                                                    ELS File No. 0026-EX-ST-2013
                                                                   Panasonic Avionics Corporation
        Additionally, any blockage in the near field (human or otherwise) will cause the transmitter

to be disabled within seconds as the system does not transmit unless it can receive the downlink

carrier from the satellite. Therefore, prolonged exposure in the near field is not possible in normal

operation.

        Far Field Exposure (in main beam)

        Rff = 0.60D2 / 

        = 22 m

        Sff = PEIRP /(4

        =1.0 mW/ cm2

        At a distance of 22 meters, the power density of the Aura LE is 1.0 mW/cm2, which is within

the limits of General Population/Uncontrolled Exposure (MPE) even in the direction of the main

beam of the antenna.

        Maximum far field exposure to humans would be due to a sidelobe which is at least 15 dB

below the main beam. The exposure to humans would be less than 0.032 mW/cm2.

        Transition Region Exposure (in main beam)

        At a distance of 13 m from the antenna, maximum exposure in the main beam is 5 mW/cm2.

This assumes that PFD decreases linearly from the near to the far field.




                                                  - 20 -


                                                                      ELS File No. 0026-EX-ST-2013
                                                                     Panasonic Avionics Corporation
        Exposure to personnel located below antenna height

        The antenna will be mounted at a height above personnel. In this case, the worst case

exposure is due to the first elevation sidelobe at a level of -15 dB. For the Aura LE antenna, the far

field distance in the elevation plane is approximately 0.8 meters.

        The 5 mW/cm2 threshold is reached at a distance of 1.8 meters and the 1 mW/cm2 threshold

is reached at a distance of 4.0 m.

        Observing the safe radius distance noted above during transmit operations will ensure that the

threshold will not be exceeded.




                                                 - 21 -


                                                                              ELS File No. 0026-EX-ST-2013
                                                                             Panasonic Avionics Corporation
Table 1: Parameters Used for Determining PFD (Aura LE)

           Antenna
             Width                                                34.7 in            0.88 m
             Height                                                 6.6 in          0.17 m
             Surface                                                                0.148 m2
             Area
                                                                                    14250 MHz
           Frequency                                                                0.0211 m
           Wavelength                                                                 10 W
           (Lambda) Transmit                                                          10 dBW
                                           PSSPA
           Power Transmit                                                             38 dBi
           Power Antenna Gain              G PEIRP                                    48 dBW


           Near Field (Azimuth)

             Boundary                      D2/(4 lambda)                             9.2 m
                                                                                                 2
             Power Density                 Pssp.4./A                                 6.8 mW/CM


           Far Field (Azimuth)

             Boundary                      0.6D2/lambda                                22 m
             Power Density                 PEIRP/(4piR2)                             1. 0 mW/cm       2



             Side Lobe Level                                                         -15 dB
                                                                                                          2
             Power Density                 PEIRP/(4piR2)                            0.032 m W/CM


           Tran sition Region
             ( Azimu th ) Safe D istance                                               13 m
                                                                                                 2
             Power Density                 linear interpolation                      5.0 mW/CM


           Far Field (Elevation)

             Boundary                      0.6D2/lambda                              0.8 m
                                                                                                          2
             Power Density                             2
                                           PEIRP/(4piR )                             782.7 mW/cm
             Elevation Side Lobe Level                                               -15 dB
                                                                                                          2
             Power Density                 PEIRP/(4piR2)                              24.8 mW/CM



           Safe Distan ce - Main
             beam
                                                                                      22.0 m
             Safe Distance
                                                                                                     2
                                                        2
                                           PEIRF./(4piR )                            1.0 m W/CM
             Power Density


             Safe Distance                                                             10 m
                                                                                                     2
             Power Density                 PEIRP/(4piR2)                             5.0 mW/Crn



           Safe Distan ce - in
             Sidelobe
                                                                                     1.8 m
             Safe Distance Power                                                                  2
                                                        2
                                           PEIRF./(4piR )                            5.0 mW/CM
             Density

                                                                                        4 m
             Safe Distance
                                                                                                      2
                                                                                     1.0 mW/Crn
                                           PEIRP/(4piR2)
             Power Density




                                                     - 22 -


                                                                     ELS File No. 0026-EX-ST-2013
                                                                    Panasonic Avionics Corporation



          Conclusions

          The worse-case radiation hazards exist along the main beam axis. In the case of the

maintenance, it is highly unlikely that the antenna axis will be aligned with any uncontrolled area

since maintenance will be carefully monitored and limited in time and transmit operations will only

be conducted with a clear field of view towards the serving satellite. In this case, the safety radius

where the General Population/Uncontrolled Exposure limits are satisfied is 4 meters.

          Commissioning and testing of the Aura LE antenna will only be conducted by trained

personnel in a controlled environment. By maintaining a safety radius of 22 meters during transmit

operations, it can be guaranteed that the General Population/Uncontrolled Exposure limits will not be

exceeded under any test conditions.

          Panasonic shall take all reasonable and customary measures to prevent human exposure to

harmful non-ionizing radiation exceeding the maximum permissible exposure limits in Section

1.1310 of the Commission’s rules, 47 C.F.R. § 1.1310. The exterior surface of the antenna shall be

prominently marked with a warning of the potential for exposure to high levels of radiofrequency

energy.




                                                  - 23 -



Document Created: 2013-01-18 12:41:08
Document Modified: 2013-01-18 12:41:08

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