PUBLIC Exhibit A

0961-EX-CN-2018 Text Documents

Swarm Technologies, Inc.

2018-12-01ELS_220522

Swarm Technologies Inc.
Exhibit A to FCC Form 442
FCC File No. 0961-EX-CN-2018

Exhibit A - Narrative Statement

Introduction

Swarm Technologies Inc (“Swarm”) is a California-based corporation proposing a
constellation of two-way communications satellites to serve as a cost-effective, low-data rate
Internet of Things (IoT) network connectivity solution for remote and mobile sensors. Swarm
seeks Part 5 experimental authority to test and develop hardware for the ground segment of its
proposed satellite system.

Each ground station and ground device in the proposed experiment will use VHF band
frequencies for communications. The VHF frequencies proposed in this application, more
specifically in the 148-150.05 MHz bands, are allocated on a primary basis for ground-to-space
Mobile Satellite Service (MSS) communications for non-Federal, non-voice, non-geostationary
orbit (NGSO) systems. These bands enable ground-to-space communications

Experimental Program Description

Swarm requests experimental authority to test and demonstrate the capabilities of its
ground hardware for communications between spacecraft and terrestrial-based remote sensors
and data collectors. Specifically, Swarm requests authority to communicate with previously
authorized satellites identified below from experimental testing sites in the United States.1

Swarm was previously granted Special Temporary Authorization under STA
1140-EX-ST-2018 to communicate with its four ¼U satellites currently on orbit for the sole
purpose of downlinking telemetry data. A subsequent STA, 0976-EX-ST-2018, provided Swarm
with launch authority and authorized transmissions with Swarm’s three 1U satellites to be
launched on the upcoming SpaceX SSO-A mission, currently scheduled for November 2018.
Communications with the Swarm satellites at the new ground station sites proposed in this
application will be conducted within the conditions set forth in the previous STA grants (e.g.
communications between the satellites authorized under 0976-EX-ST-2018 with additional
ground sites will remain exclusively for the purpose of downlinking telemetry data). Experimental
authorization to communicate with these satellites (seven in total) is requested starting January
10, 2018 or as soon as practical.

The Swarm system architecture is comprised of the following space and ground
segments:

● Satellites: Data relay satellites that send messages to and receive messages from
Swarm earth stations.

● Ground stations: Internet-connected devices that relay data downlinked from the Swarm

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A complete list of proposed experimental sites is provided in Table 2.
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Swarm Technologies Inc.
Exhibit A to FCC Form 442
FCC File No. 0961-EX-CN-2018

satellites to the internet.

● Ground devices: Mobile transceivers that send messages to and receive messages from
Swarm satellites.

Swarm’s nominal plan is to conduct testing of ground stations and ground devices at a
series of experimental test sites (see Table 2 for a full list of proposed sites). Swarm will ensure
that all transmissions occur within the indicated 15 km radius encompassing each test site.

The experimental program is designed to meet the following objectives and validations:

General Description of the Overall System and Operations

As described above, the Swarm satellite network consists of data relay satellites, ground
stations, and ground devices.

All uplink and
downlink transmissions will be one-way.

The satellites and ground stations will transmit only upon command and persist only
during active data transmissions. Any transmission can be immediately terminated by ground

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Swarm Technologies Inc.
Exhibit A to FCC Form 442
FCC File No. 0961-EX-CN-2018

command if interference is detected or reported.

Public Interest Consideration:

The commission's grant of this application will serve the public interest by allowing
Swarm to demonstrate the above described

Non-Interference Criterion

Pursuant to 47 C.F.R. § 5.84 and 5.85, it is understood that a grant of authority for this
experimental program will be on a non-exclusive and non-interference basis to both Federal and
non-Federal authorized users of the VHF spectrum proposed in this application. Operations under
the experimental program will be conducted only at the listed experimental test sites within a 15
km radius of each location.

Uplink transmissions to the Swarm satellites from the ground stations and ground devices
located at Swarm’s experimental test sites will occur with a maximum power level of 1.5 W. The
out of band emissions are minimized by digital modulation techniques and filtering with at least 20
dB spectral rolloff at 120% of signal bandwidth in any 4 kHz band, 40 dB at 200% bandwidth, 55
dB at 300% bandwidth, and more than 60 dB beyond 4 times the bandwidth. Center frequencies
of 148.315, 148.345, 148.375, and 148.405 MHz are chosen to remain within the band allocated
to NGSO MSS, minimizing potential for interference into adjacent services, including allowance
for Doppler shift and frequency tolerance.

Exhibit B attached to this application describes fully the electromagnetic compatibility of
the Swarm system with other users and services in the VHF frequencies proposed in this

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Swarm Technologies Inc.
Exhibit A to FCC Form 442
FCC File No. 0961-EX-CN-2018

application, more specifically in the 148-150.05 MHz band.2

Radio System Technical Characteristics

The link parameters for ground-to-space and space-to-ground communications are
further characterized in the link budget provided in Table 1.

Table 1: Space and ground link budget.3
ground to satellite satellite to ground
Item Nominal Worst-Case Nominal Worst-Case Units
Satellite Orbital Altitude 500 500 500 500 km
Earth Radius 6371 6371 6371 6371 km
Frequency 0.149 0.149 0.138 0.138 GHz
Elevation Angle to Satellite 50 0 50 0 deg
Satellite Angle from Nadir 36.58 68.01 36.58 68.01 deg
Theta Angle 3.42 21.99 3.42 21.99 deg
Transmitter Power 1.50 1.50 0.10 0.10 Watts
Transmitter Power 1.76 1.76 -10.00 -10.00 dBW
Transmitter Line Loss -1.00 -1.00 -1.00 -1.00 dBW
Peak Transmit Antenna Gain 11.00 11.00 2.00 2.00 dBi
Transmit Antenna Pattern Loss -3.84 0.00 -1.18 -2.97 dB
Transmit Total Gain 6.16 10.00 -0.18 -1.97 dB
Eq. Isotropic Radiated Power 7.92 11.76 -10.18 -11.97 dBW
Propagation Path Length 637 2573 637 2573 km
Path Loss -131.99 -144.12 -131.33 -143.46 dB
Polarization Loss -3.00 -3.00 -3.00 -3.00 dB
Power @ Receiver Antenna -127.07 -135.36 -144.51 -158.43 dBW
Peak Receive Antenna Gain 2.00 2.00 11.00 11.00 dBi
Receive Antenna Line Loss -1.00 -1.00 -1.00 -1.00 dB

2
On November 29, 2018, Swarm contacted Orbcomm, the only mobile satellite service provider
licensed to conduct commercial operations in the United States in the 148-150.05 MHz bands, to
initiate coordination to prevent interference with Orbcomm’s system. Coordination between
Swarm and Orbcomm remains ongoing. Swarm appreciates that operations in the proposed VHF
frequencies must occur on a sufferance basis, and Swarm cannot create interference and must
accept interference from other authorized users. Should the Commission act prior to the
conclusion of discussions with Orbcomm, Swarm will accept a condition on its grant of
experimental authority that requires successful coordination prior to the initiation of
communications.

3
Shown for the downlink power levels authorized under STA 1140-EX-ST-2018 for
communications with Swarm’s four ¼U satellites currently on orbit. Downlink power levels for
other satellites will be consistent with the values granted in their respective STAs or experimental
licenses.
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Swarm Technologies Inc.
Exhibit A to FCC Form 442
FCC File No. 0961-EX-CN-2018

Ground Station 2
4015 Biltmore Cove Way
Buford, GA 30519
NL 34-05-05; WL 83-56-51
Elevation: 366 m
Antenna height: 3 meters above ground level
Antenna type: VHF vertical dipole

Experimental Testing Sites for which Authorization is Requested

General Parameters (applicable for all sites)
Antenna height: 3 meters above ground level
Antenna type: VHF vertical monopole or Yagi antenna
Radius of operation: Testing will be conducted within a 15 km radius of the latitude and
longitude provided for each location

Number of Transmitting Devices
At Sites 1 and 2 (located in Palo Alto, California and Draper, Utah), a maximum of one
ground station and ten ground devices will transmit simultaneously. At all other proposed
test sites, only a single ground station or ground device will transmit at any given time.

Table 2: Requested experimental testing sites.
Site
Number City or Location State Country Latitude Longitude
1 Palo Alto California USA 37 27 18 N 122 6 39 W
2 Draper Utah USA 40 28 53 N 111 49 23 W
3 Flowery Branch Georgia USA 34 11 32 N 83 56 28 W
4 Austin Texas USA 30 12 32 N 97 40 38 W
5 Cumming Georgia USA 34 5 31 N 84 11 13 W
6 Waimea Hawaii USA 20 1 54 N 155 41 44 W
7 Dededo Guam USA 13 31 3 N 144 50 49 E
8 Agat Guam USA 13 21 0 N 144 41 52 E
9 St Croix St Croix USA 17 44 1 N 64 45 34 W
10 Oakland California USA 37 48 11 N 122 16 22 W
11 Napa California USA 38 20 20 N 122 21 41 W
12 Richmond California USA 37 55 45 N 122 25 52 W
13 Fairbanks Alaska USA 64 53 57 N 147 43 18 W
14 Tampa Florida USA 27 52 38 N 82 29 45 W
15 Boulder Colorado USA 40 0 54 N 105 16 14 W

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Swarm Technologies Inc.
Exhibit A to FCC Form 442
FCC File No. 0961-EX-CN-2018

16 Vallejo California USA 38 6 19 N 122 12 59 W
17 Suffolk Virginia USA 36 43 34 N 76 35 57 W
18 Philadelphia Pennsylvania USA 39 57 40 N 75 11 9 W
19 Fort Bliss Texas USA 31 49 51 N 106 23 42 W
20 Jacumba Hot Springs California USA 32 37 31 N 116 8 39 W
USA
21 St. Thomas St. Thomas (US Virgin Islands) 18 20 52 N 64 55 55 W
22 Woburn Massachusetts USA 42 29 44 N 71 7 39 W
23 Franconia Virginia USA 38 46 18 N 77 8 17 W
24 Cape Canaveral Florida USA 28 32 33 N 80 38 9 W
25 Albuquerque New Mexico USA 35 3 17 N 106 35 37 W
26 Mojave California USA 34 58 27 N 117 58 4 W
27 Judy Gap West Virginia USA 38 42 28 N 79 27 39 W
28 Fredericksburg Virginia USA 38 18 12 N 77 26 12 W
29 Matinicus Island Maine USA 43 51 13 N 68 54 2 W
Tall Trees Grove
30 Trailhead California USA 41 12 29 N 123 59 35 W
31 Arlington Virginia USA 38 53 34 N 77 5 7 W
32 Chula Vista California USA 32 34 41 N 116 51 13 W
33 Monhegan Island Maine USA 43 45 34 N 69 18 59 W
34 IVO Wells Nevada USA 41 4 2 N 115 1 30 W
35 Dog Island Florida USA 29 48 34 N 84 35 51 W
36 St. Vincent Island Florida USA 29 40 26 N 85 9 43 W
Sand Key, Dry
37 Tortugas Florida USA 24 37 41 N 82 52 19 W
38 Twin Lakes Alaska USA 60 37 59 N 153 54 34 W
39 Terlingua Texas USA 29 19 20 N 103 37 2 W
40 New York City New York USA 40 42 10 N 74 0 36 W
41 Rio Grande Puerto Rico USA 18 17 37 N 65 47 4 W
42 Sandia Crest New Mexico USA 35 12 38 N 106 26 58 W
43 Idaho Falls Idaho USA 43 30 41 N 112 2 32 W
44 Burbank California USA 34 11 51 N 118 21 25 W
45 Fayetteville North Carolina USA 35 5 50 N 78 58 19 W
46 Colorado Springs Colorado USA 38 47 16 N 104 51 0 W

47 Harrisburg Pennsylvania USA 40 16 23 N 76 53 10 W

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Swarm Technologies Inc.
Exhibit A to FCC Form 442
FCC File No. 0961-EX-CN-2018

48 Pittsburgh Pennsylvania USA 40 26 26 N 79 59 44 W
49 Everett Colorado USA 39 4 15 N 106 28 56 W
50 Asheboro North Carolina USA 35 42 29 N 79 48 59 W
51 Palm Springs California USA 33 47 43 N 116 29 59 W
52 Vacaville California USA 38 25 34 N 121 55 29 W
53 Saxon California USA 38 26 47 N 121 37 55 W
54 Fairfield California USA 38 12 32 N 122 2 41 W
55 Olcott California USA 38 14 30 N 121 48 19 W
56 Hood California USA 38 20 53 N 121 32 1 W
57 Isleton California USA 38 8 57 N 121 32 46 W
58 Herald California USA 38 16 38 N 121 15 37 W
59 Stockton California USA 38 3 29 N 121 22 30 W
60 Antioch California USA 38 3 33 N 121 47 0 W

61 San Jose California USA 37 18 38 N 121 53 13 W
62 Groveland California USA 37 50 36 N 120 11 20 W
63 Lake Tahoe California USA 38 59 42 N 120 5 44 W

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Document Created: 2018-12-01 12:45:48
Document Modified: 2018-12-01 12:45:48

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