Petition of Row 44 I

PETITION submitted by Row 44, Inc.

Petition of Row 44, Inc.

2010-10-15

This document pretains to SES-LIC-20100805-00992 for License on a Satellite Earth Station filing.

IBFS_SESLIC2010080500992_845790

Before the FEDERAL COMMUNICATIONS COMMISSION Washington, DC 20554 In the Matter of ) ) Application of Panasonic Avionics ) File Nos. SES-LIC-20100805-00992 Corporation for Authority to Operate Up to ) SES-AMD-20100914-01163 15 Technically Identical Aeronautical ) SES-AMD-20101115-01432 Mobile-Satellite Service (“AMSS”) Aircraft ) Earth Stations (“AESs”) in the 14.0-14.4 ) Call Sign E100089 GHz and 11.7-12.2 GHz Frequency Bands ) REPLY TO “CONSOLIDATED REPLY” OF ROW 44, INC. Anita Kartic Carlos M. Nalda Senior Director, Regulatory Affairs Joshua T. Guyan and Strategic Partnerships Squire Sanders & Dempsey L.L.P. Panasonic Avionics Corporation 1201 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW 26200 Enterprise Way Suite 500 Lake Forest, CA 92630 Washington, DC 20004 (202) 626-6659 Counsel for Panasonic Avionics Corporation December 13, 2010

SUMMARY Panasonic Avionics Corporation (“Panasonic”) hereby submits its reply to the late-filed pleading of Row 44, Inc. regarding Panasonic’s application for blanket license authority to operate a limited number of aircraft earth stations (“AESs”) as part of the “eXConnect” Ku-band aeronautical mobile-satellite service (“AMSS”) system. It the pleading, Row 44 continues its spurious attacks on Panasonic’s straightforward AMSS application. From a technical standpoint, Panasonic proposes to combine a small number of previously licensed MELCO antennas with well-known modem technology operating at a lower maximum power spectral density to provide aeronautical connectivity to the same aircraft that operated in the United States under prior Commission authority. From a procedural standpoint, Panasonic’s application was filed under Section 25.220 with the required supporting technical documentation and its operations have been fully coordinated with potentially affected satellite operators, so the Commission need not address Row 44’s unsupported criticisms. Panasonic voluntarily provided supplemental technical data regarding MELCO antenna operations similar to that required for earth stations onboard vessels (“ESV”) and vehicle- mounted earth stations (“VMESs”) to further demonstrate compliance with the Commission’s two-degree spacing policies. However, Row 44 inappropriately seeks to bootstrap this additional technical information to require full compliance with the Commission’s ESV and VMES rules, even though its own AMSS application was considered under Section 25.220. Although the Commission need not substantively consider Row 44’s latest filing, Panasonic addresses the arguments set forth in that submission. Specifically, Panasonic (i) correctly and appropriately incorporated by reference technical information from the prior MELCO AMSS licensing proceeding; (ii) addressed the differences between the Connexion by

Boeing and eXConnect systems in detail in its AMSS application and its response to Row 44’s initial petition; (iii) submitted sufficient antenna gain and EIRP spectral density data; (iv) provided sufficient information regarding antenna pointing accuracy and pointing methodology; (v) confirmed the transmit bandwidth of the MELCO antenna; and (vi) adequately described the service area of the eXConnect System. Finally, Panasonic renews its objection to Row 44’s unilateral modification of the Commission’s filing deadlines and consideration of its late-filed pleading. Row 44’s baseless criticisms of Panasonic’s AMSS application fly in the face of clear Commission precedent – precedent established in Row 44’s own AMSS licensing order. In that proceeding, the Commission concluded that it need not address “arguments concerning adjacent satellite interference, because [applicant] has resolved these interference issues through coordination with all potentially affected satellite operators.” Row 44 ignores this explicit precedent, misreads the Commission’s rules and policies, and mischaracterizes Panasonic’s AMSS application in a single-minded effort to delay an impending AMSS competitor. The Commission should reject these efforts, substantively consider the Panasonic AMSS application and grant requested operating authority for the previously authorized MELCO antenna, as appropriately conditioned, at the earliest possible time. ii

TABLE OF CONTENTS Page I. INTRODUCTION ............................................................................................................. 2 II. ROW 44’S SPURIOUS ATTACKS DO NOT OBSCURE THE STRAIGHTFORWARD ISSUES IN THIS PROCEEDING ............................................ 3 A. Panasonic’s AMSS Application – The Facts ......................................................... 3 B. Panasonic’s AMSS Application – The Law .......................................................... 4 III. PANASONIC’S AMSS APPLICATION FULLY SATISFIES THE COMMISSION’S RULES................................................................................................. 7 A. Relevant Data From the Prior MELCO Application Proceeding Is Properly Considered in this Proceeding ............................................................................... 8 1. Data Incorporated by Reference Is Specifically Cited, and Current and Accurate in All Significant Respects .................................................. 8 2. Panasonic Has Fully Addressed Differences between Prior MELCO Operations and Operations with the eXConnect System............ 9 B. Panasonic’s Demonstration Regarding Off-Axis EIRP Spectral Density Along the GSO Arc Is Sufficient ......................................................................... 12 1. Panasonic Has Submitted More Antenna Data than Other Ku-band AMSS Licensees...................................................................................... 12 2. The Supplemental Information Submitted by Panasonic Is Based on Measured Antenna Data...................................................................... 14 C. Panasonic’s Demonstration Regarding Off-Axis EIRP Spectral Density at Maximum Skew Angle Is Sufficient.................................................................... 17 D. Panasonic’s Application Contains Sufficient Information Concerning Pointing Accuracy to Avoid Interference to Adjacent Satellites ......................... 18 E. Panasonic’s Application Confirms the MELCO Antenna’s Transmit Bandwidth ............................................................................................................ 21 F. Panasonic’s Application Confirms the Geographic Service Area of the MELCO Antenna ................................................................................................. 22 IV. THE COMMISSION SHOULD NOT ADDRESS THE ISSUES RAISED IN THE LATE-FILED DECEMBER 1 PLEADING ........................................................... 23 V. CONCLUSION................................................................................................................ 25

Before the FEDERAL COMMUNICATIONS COMMISSION Washington, DC 20554 In the Matter of ) ) Application of Panasonic Avionics ) File Nos. SES-LIC-20100805-00992 Corporation for Authority to Operate Up to ) SES-AMD-20100914-01163 15 Technically Identical Aeronautical ) SES-AMD-20101115-01432 Mobile-Satellite Service (“AMSS”) Aircraft ) Earth Stations (“AESs”) in the 14.0-14.4 ) Call Sign E100089 GHz and 11.7-12.2 GHz Frequency Bands ) REPLY TO “CONSOLIDATED REPLY” OF ROW 44, INC. Panasonic Avionics Corporation (“Panasonic”), by its attorneys and in accordance with Section 1.45(c) of the Commission’s rules, 47 C.F.R. §1.45(c), hereby submits its reply to the recent, late-filed pleading of Row 44, Inc. in the above-captioned proceeding.1 Panasonic is the applicant for blanket license authority to operate a limited number of aircraft earth stations (“AESs”) as part of the “eXConnect” Ku-band aeronautical mobile-satellite service (“AMSS”) system under Section 25.220 of the Commission’s rules, 47 C.F.R. §25.220.2 1 See Consolidated Reply of Row 44, Inc. to Panasonic Avionics’ Response and Panasonic Avionics’ November 15 Amendment, File Nos. SES-LIC-201000805-00992, SES-AMD- 20100914-01163 and SES-AMD-20101115-01432 (Call Sign E100089) (dated Dec. 1, 2010) (“December 1 Pleading”). Although Row 44 styles its pleading as a “Consolidated Reply,” it acknowledges the pleading should also be considered an opposition pursuant to Section 1.45(b) of the Commission’s rules. See Row 44 Notice Regarding Filing Deadlines (dated Nov. 19, 2010) at 1-2; December 1 Pleading at 1, 19-20. Thus, Panasonic may reply under Section 1.45(c) of the rules. 2 See Application of Panasonic Avionics Corporation for Authority to Operate Up to 15 Technically Identical Aeronautical Mobile-Satellite Service (“AMSS”) Aircraft Earth Stations (“AESs”) in the 14.0-14.4 GHz and 11.7-12.2 GHz Frequency Bands, File Nos. SES-LIC- 201000805-00992, SES-AMD-20100914-01163 and SES-AMD-20101115-01432 (Call Sign E100089).

I. INTRODUCTION In its late-filed December 1 Pleading, Row 44 continues its efforts to obscure very straightforward issues implicated by Panasonic’s AMSS application. From a technical standpoint, Panasonic proposes to combine a small number of previously licensed MELCO antennas with well-known modem technology operating at a lower maximum power spectral density to provide aeronautical connectivity to the same aircraft that operated in the United States under prior Commission authority. From a procedural standpoint, because Panasonic’s application was filed under Section 25.220 with supporting technical documentation and its operations have been fully coordinated, the Commission need not address Row 44’s unsupported technical assertions.3 Panasonic has submitted substantially more technical data on MELCO antenna operations than is required by the Commission’s rules, and more than prior U.S. AMSS licensees such as The Boeing Company and ViaSat, Inc. The information in the record establishes that eXConnect Ku-band AMSS operations are compliant with applicable Commission rules and policies. Row 44’s desperate efforts to interpose extraneous issues and unsubstantiated “requirements” constitute a transparent attempt to delay a new AMSS competitor. The Commission should reject these efforts, substantively consider the Panasonic AMSS application and grant the requested operating authority, as appropriately conditioned, at the earliest possible time. 3 Among other things, Row 44’s most recent salvo was submitted after the deadline required by the Commission’s rules and Row 44 failed to justify – and the Commission did not grant – an extension of the filing date. See Panasonic Response to Notice Regarding Filing Deadlines (dated Nov. 22, 2010) and Panasonic Opposition to Consideration of Late-Filed Pleading of Row 44, Inc. (dated Dec. 7, 2010). Nonetheless, Panasonic addresses Row 44’s additional technical arguments herein. 2

II. ROW 44’S SPURIOUS ATTACKS DO NOT OBSCURE THE STRAIGHTFORWARD ISSUES IN THIS PROCEEDING Row 44 has taken a “kitchen sink” approach to challenge Panasonic’s AMSS application – throwing everything it can at the application in the hope that something sticks. Row 44 inexplicably ignores its own AMSS licensing precedent, fundamentally misreads the Commission’s rules and policies, mischaracterizes Panasonic’s AMSS application, and invents inconsistency where none exists to suggest that Panasonic has failed to satisfy so-called “requirements” that have no foundation in the Commission’s rules. Row 44’s motives are clear – notwithstanding express Commission precedent in the AMSS licensing context, Row 44 erroneously seeks to impose inapplicable licensing requirements governing earth stations onboard vessels (“ESV”) and vehicle-mounted earth stations (“VMESs”) on Panasonic’s AMSS application in a transparent effort to delay a new competitor. Row 44’s misguided efforts do not obscure the straightforward procedural and technical issues implicated by this application. A. Panasonic’s AMSS Application – The Facts The Commission has previously examined the operational characteristics of the MELCO antenna, including pointing accuracy and related issues, and authorized its use with the Connexion by Boeing system. Panasonic proposes to operate the very same antenna with iDirect modem technology that has been employed in thousands of fixed and mobile VSAT applications throughout the United States. All of the relevant hardware, including the antenna, radome, power amplifiers, up-converters, power supplies and antenna controller – everything except the well-known iDirect modem – are the same equipment previously licensed by the Commission. The operating characteristics of the MELCO antenna have not changed, including antenna gain, antenna pointing accuracy, antenna pointing methodology and automatic shut-down functionality. From an adjacent satellite interference perspective, the only material difference is that Panasonic 3

requests authority to operate at a lower EIRP spectral density, thereby reducing the potential for interference from MELCO operations. In addition, Panasonic has fully coordinated MELCO antenna operations with its satellite service providers and potential affected satellite operators. These operators are well aware of the MELCO antenna’s operating characteristics, having examined them in the original Boeing application proceeding and more recently in concluding coordination for Panasonic’s operations. With the detailed MELCO antenna data incorporated by reference (which the Commission found sufficient to support grant), additional technical information submitted by Panasonic in this proceeding, and coordination affidavits confirming that potentially affected operators do not object to grant of the instant application, the Commission plainly can authorize the MELCO antenna operations requested by Panasonic. B. Panasonic’s AMSS Application – The Law Panasonic’s AMSS application is being considered under Section 25.220 if the rules. Panasonic provided coordination affidavits and supporting technical information with its application, and expressly requested a waiver of the Commission’s rules to the extent necessary to grant the application.4 The available information was sufficient to grant prior operating authority and the MELCO antenna has operated on an interference-free basis with both the Connexion by Boeing system and more recently with the eXConnect System. Although the Panasonic AMSS application is considered under Section 25.220 and Panasonic need only provide the information required by that provision, it submitted extensive 4 The waiver request was made out of an abundance of caution because the Commission adopted Section 25.220, as well as other analogous rules, long after grant of original operating authority for the MELCO antenna and the available technical information may not precisely track subsequently adopted rule provisions. 4

supplemental technical data regarding MELCO antenna operations to demonstrate compliance with the Commission’s two-degree spacing policies similar to that required of earth stations onboard vessels (“ESV”) and vehicle-mounted earth station (“VMES”) applicants under Section 25.222 and 25.226 of the rules, respectively. Row 44 incredibly seeks to bootstrap Panasonic’s voluntary, supplemental technical demonstration into a formal requirement for the full range of application materials required of ESV and VMES applicants: Although the Applicant cited both Sections 25.222 and 25.226, which govern ESV and VMES applicants, it principally referred to essentially the same EIRP spectral density provisions that appear in 25.218 of the FCC’s Rules. See Application at 15-16. Nonetheless, in its October 18, 2010 Letter, the Applicant disclaimed reliance on any of these rules, but asserted that it cited these regulations “in the context of providing additional technical information not required by Section 25.220 to further demonstrate that Panasonic’s proposed AMSS operations are compliant with the Commission’s two-degree spacing policies and will not cause harmful interference …” See Letter from Carlos M. Nalda and Joshua T. Guyan, Counsel to Panasonic Avionics, to Marlene H. Dortch, Secretary, FCC, at 2 (dated October 18, 2010). It would appear that the Applicant is under the mistaken impression that it can cite to these provisions if they are believed to be somehow helpful to its cause, but otherwise to ignore them as irrelevant. Because it would make no sense as a matter of both policy and procedure to hold AMSS applicants to a lesser standard than ESV and VMES applicants, which have almost identical rules, these regulations must be considered relevant to Panasonic Avionics’ Application.5 Although Row 44 mischaracterizes Panasonic’s position, it now boldly reveals the errant basis of its spurious attacks: Row 44 argues that Panasonic’s AMSS application should be considered under the ESV and VMES rules. Row 44 is wrong as a matter of law and policy. The Commission has not yet adopted AMSS licensing rules and Panasonic’s AMSS application must be considered under the only rule provision available – Section 25.220. Panasonic has satisfied the requirements of this rule, has provided substantial supplemental material supporting its application, and has even requested a waiver to the extent the 5 See December 1 Pleading at 12, n. 10. 5

Commission concludes that any provision is not fully satisfied. Although Row 44’s own AMSS application was also considered under Section 25.220 (despite the existence of analogous ESV and VMES licensing rules),6 Row 44 seeks to hold Panasonic to a very different standard. Panasonic’s voluntary submission of additional technical information does not alter the Commission’s application requirements or somehow transform Panasonic’s AMSS application under Section 25.220 into an ESV or VMES application considered under Sections 25.222 or 25.226. Importantly, Row 44 does not argue that Panasonic’s supplemental data undermines or conflicts with its fundamental demonstration under Section 25.220, but rather Row 44 complains that the information does not fully satisfy the “requirements” of Sections 25.222 and 25.226. Panasonic disagrees with this assertion but, in any event, the supplemental material simply cannot be criticized for failure to comply with rules that do not apply to Panasonic’s AMSS application. In other words, so long as additional data is consistent with the application’s fundamental technical demonstration – and, in this case, it certainly is – submission of even a partial showing under analogous rules provisions can only enhance the demonstration under Section 25.220. Finally, Row 44 inexplicably ignores clear Commission precedent embodied in Row 44’s own licensing order. Virtually without exception, Row 44’s criticisms are focused on issues affecting adjacent satellite interference. The Commission expressly concluded in the Row 44 licensing order that it need not address such issues in the context of AMSS operations that have been fully coordinated under Section 25.220. The Commission clearly stated, “[w]e decline to 6 See generally See Row 44, Inc. Application for Authority to Operate Up to 1,000 Technically Identical Aeronautical Mobile Satellite Service Transmit/Receive Earth Stations Aboard Commercial and Private Aircraft, Order and Authorization, DA 09-1752 (Int’l Bur. and OET, 2009) (“Row 44 Order”). 6

address [petitioner’s] arguments concerning adjacent satellite interference, because [applicant] has resolved these interference issues through coordination with all potentially affected satellite operators.”7 As a result, Row 44’s spurious attacks on Panasonic’s AMSS application can be discounted in their entirety. III. PANASONIC’S AMSS APPLICATION FULLY SATISFIES THE COMMISSION’S RULES In its application, Panasonic provided technical and coordination information regarding proposed eXConnect Ku-band AMSS system operations as required by Section 25.220 of the Commission’s rules, included supplemental technical data demonstrating compliance with the Commission’s two-degree spacing requirements and analogous rules governing Ku-band mobile VSATs (i.e., ESVs and VMESs), and incorporated by reference extensive technical information on antenna performance set forth in the original application proceeding for the MELCO antenna. Panasonic also requested waiver of the Commission’s rules to the extent necessary to grant Panasonic’s AMSS application because there are no established AMSS licensing rules. In response to the petition filed by Row 44, Panasonic supplemented its AMSS application with explanatory material and amended the application to incorporate additional antenna patterns and lower operating power that reduced the potential for interference from eXConnect operations.8 Row 44 claims the Panasonic AMSS application remains deficient in several key respects relating to protection of adjacent satellites. However, Panasonic’s AMSS application – like the AMSS application of Row 44 – is being considered under Section 25.220 of the rules, and repeated reference to inapplicable provisions of the Commission’s rules neither undermines 7 See id., ¶22. 8 See Response to Petition of Row 44, Inc. File Nos. SES-LIC-201000805-00992 and SES-AMD- 20100914-01163 (dated Nov. 15, 2010) (“Panasonic Response”); see also File No. SES-AMD- 20101115-01432 (further amending File No. SES-LIC-201000805-00992, Call Sign E100089). 7

Panasonic’s fundamental demonstration nor diminishes the value of supplemental technical information. In the Row 44 application proceeding, the Commission also expressly “decline[d] to address [the sole petitioner’s] arguments concerning adjacent satellite interference, because Row 44 has resolved these interference issues through coordination with all potentially affected satellite operators.”9 Notwithstanding this crystal clear precedent, Row 44 persists in its attempts to distract and confuse by injecting irrelevant issues into this proceeding. Panasonic addresses the additional issues raised by Row 44 in its late-filed December 1 Pleading below. A. Relevant Data From the Prior MELCO Application Proceeding Is Properly Considered in this Proceeding 1. Data Incorporated by Reference Is Specifically Cited, and Current and Accurate in All Significant Respects Row 44 suggests that Panasonic’s application does not comply with the instructions for FCC Form 312 regarding incorporation by reference because it fails to specify page and exhibit numbers of the materials in the prior application proceeding.10 Although Panasonic described the content and location of relevant information and is fully confident in the Commission’s ability to identify pointing accuracy data and antenna patterns included in the prior materials, for the avoidance of doubt the key Boeing references are: File No. SES-MOD-20030512-00639, Call Sign E000723 (Modification Application filed May 12, 2003) • Narrative, Section II. A, Description of the Reflector Antenna AES Subsystem at 5-8. • Technical Appendix, Section 3, Reflector Antenna AES Description at 3-4. 9 See Row 44 Order, ¶ 22. The Commission proceeded to consider and reject additional issues associated with the claim that it lacked authority to rely on adjacent satellite operator coordination in granting the Row 44 AMSS application as contemplated by Section 25.220. See id., ¶¶ 23-25. 10 December 1 Pleading at 4-5. 8

• Technical Appendix, Section 3.1, Reflector Antenna AES Pointing and Polarization Control at 4-6. • Technical Appendix, Section 3.2, Reflector Antenna Patterns, at 6-10. File No. SES-MOD-20030512-00639, Call Sign E000723 (Boeing AMSS System License Compliance Report – Reflector Antenna AES Update, filed February 12, 2004) • Section 3.1, AES Antenna Mispointing, at 4-9. Row 44 also suggests that the prior antenna information is not “current and accurate in all significant respects.”11 This claim is simply incorrect. Panasonic is principally relying on the prior MELCO application proceeding for antenna pattern and pointing accuracy data (cited previously and, more specifically, above), as well as general operating history (prior interference-free operations, confirmed by more recent operation with the eXConnect System). As both Panasonic and Row 44 acknowledge,12 the MELCO antenna has not changed – so these references remain valid. 2. Panasonic Has Fully Addressed Differences between Prior MELCO Operations and Operations with the eXConnect System The claim that Panasonic has not addressed differences between the prior Boeing AMSS system and the eXConnect System is also without foundation. Panasonic specifically addressed the differences between the Connexion by Boeing and eXConnect systems in its original application and in the Panasonic Response, including among other things: • The use of TDMA considerably simplifies the interference analysis; • Panasonic avoids Boeing’s complicated AES aggregation scheme; and 11 Id. at 4-7. 12 Row 44 emphasized that “the only common element between the Panasonic Avionics proposal and Boeing’s 2003 system is the MELCO Antenna hardware itself.” Petition of Row 44, Inc., File Nos. SES-LIC-201000805-00992 and SES-AMD-20100914-01163 (Call Sign E100089) at 3 (dated Oct. 15, 2010) (“Petition”). 9

• The MELCO antenna pattern remains unchanged, the MELCO antenna pointing accuracy remains unchanged and the transmit EIRP spectral density is lower, so the Commission can authorize eXConnect operations based on the MELCO precedent. Row 44 suggests in particular that Panasonic has not explained differences between MELCO antenna pointing in the eXConnect and Connexion by Boeing systems.13 In an effort to bolster this hollow claim, Row 44 misrepresents MELCO antenna pointing – suggesting that “Boeing’s 2003 modification provided an explicit explanation of how its system’s pointing accuracy would be achieved through use of received-signal strength indicator (“RSSI”) modem data, as augmented by additional accuracy improving methods,” but Row 44 erroneously cites Boeing’s 2000 AMSS application for a phased array antenna with an entirely different pointing method.14 Boeing’s 2003 modification application describes the pointing of the MELCO antenna: “[r]eflector antenna AES pointing is accomplished through the use of the airplane navigation system and antenna rate gyro data, satellite position, and estimated antenna alignment parameters, as well as periodic measurement of actual antenna pointing performance.”15 Panasonic has made no modifications to the MELCO AES antenna system – all physical and software interfaces between the original data transceiver router (“DTR”) and the antenna subsystem have been implemented in Panasonic's broadband controller – and the antenna pointing methodology is the 13 See December 1 Pleading at 6-7. 14 Id. at 6 , n. 4. 15 Application to Modify Blanket Authorization to Operate Up to Eight Hundred Technically Identical Transmit and Receive Mobile Earth Stations Aboard Aircraft in the 11.7-12.2 and 14.0- 14.5 GHz Frequency Bands, File Nos. SES-LIC-20001204-02300, SES-MOD-20020308-00429 and SES-MOD-20030512-00639 (Call Sign E000723), Modification Application at 8 (filed May 12, 2003). 10

same.16 Therefore, all referenced MELCO pointing accuracy analyses provided by Boeing are valid for Panasonic's eXConnect system (i.e., there are no pointing differences to address). Row 44’s references to skew angle data are similarly misdirected. Row 44 notes that the Boeing points of communication were AMC-4 and Telstar 6, and infers a +/-25 degree maximum skew angle. This incorrectly assumes that U.S. coverage was divided between the two satellites. In fact, both satellites served all of CONUS for different customers. The skew angles in CONUS for Telstar 6, which is only 2 degrees away from G-17, are almost identical to Panasonic’s proposed skew angle. AMC-4 would have similar maximum skew angles, but with the limitation occurring on the East coast rather than the West coast. Row 44 fundamentally misses the point. Panasonic is relying on unchanged antenna technical and performance characteristics, as well as a significant history of interference-free operations, rather than the particular skew angles or points of communication. Moreover, Row 44’s erroneous arguments and mischaracterizations are entirely moot since Panasonic’s operation of the MELCO antenna has been fully coordinated with adjacent satellite operators.17 16 All real-time pointing is actually accomplished using aircraft Inertial Reference Unit (IRU) and antenna rate gyro information. The MELCO antenna performs sequential lobing, but only periodically to verify the alignment between the aircraft IRU and the antenna. The iDirect modem continuously measures the SNR of the forward link DVB-S2 carrier, which provides identical functionality as the Boeing RSSI and supports periodic sequential lobing calibration for interference-free operation of the antenna. 17 See supra at note 6 (the Commission need not address “arguments concerning adjacent satellite interference, because [applicant] has resolved these interference issues through coordination with all potentially affected satellite operators.”). 11

B. Panasonic’s Demonstration Regarding Off-Axis EIRP Spectral Density Along the GSO Arc Is Sufficient 1. Panasonic Has Submitted More Antenna Data than Other Ku-band AMSS Licensees Row 44 continues its “shell game” with the Commission’s rules (sometimes its criticism can be found under Section 25.220, sometimes under Section 25.222, sometimes under Section 25.226, etc.) to challenge Panasonic’s suggestion that the MELCO antenna “has essentially equivalent performance” in both polarizations and across bands. Panasonic provided EIRP spectral density plots in the Panasonic Response based on measured patterns across polarizations and bands. Row 44 does not acknowledge this information or indicate why it was insufficient. Rather, Row 44 merely claims that Panasonic must submit “the full quantity of off-axis EIRP spectral density graphs that the existing Ku-band MSS rules for ESVs and VMESs require. See 47 C.F.R. §§ 25.222(a)(1) and 25.226(a)(1),”18 again revealing its intention to inappropriately impose inapplicable rule provisions on Panasonic’s AMSS application. Panasonic’s AMSS application is considered under Section 25.220, rather than Sections 25.222 or 25.226. Furthermore, Section 25.222(a)(1) does not require the submission of any off- axis EIRP spectral density graphs, but rather demonstration of compliance with Section 25.222(a)(1) requirements is specified in 25.222(b)(1), which requires the submission of off-axis EIRP tables, not graphs. To supplement its application, Panasonic submitted off-axis EIRP and EIRP spectral density tables for the co-polarization patterns along and perpendicular to the geostationary arc for the condition that creates the maximum off-axis EIRP spectral density (i.e., the highest proposed EIRP spectral density and skew angle). 18 See December 1 Pleading at 7. 12

Despite claims that its application remains insufficient, Panasonic in fact has submitted the following supplemental off-axis EIRP, off-axis EIRP spectral density and gain information (for the mid-band, vertical polarization case, at the maximum EIRP spectral density and skew angle): • Graph of off-axis EIRP spectral density along the GSO arc with and without pointing error to 7 degrees off-axis (Panasonic AMSS Application, Technical Annex Page 12); • Graph of off-axis EIRP spectral density along the GSO arc to 90 degrees off-axis (September 14, 2010 Amendment, Appendix C at 1); • Graph of off-axis EIRP spectral density perpendicular to the GSO arc to 90 degrees off-axis (September 14, 2010 Amendment, Appendix C at 2); • Table of off-axis EIRP spectral density along and perpendicular to the GSO arc (September 14, 2010 Amendment, Appendix C at 2); and • Table of off-axis EIRP along and perpendicular to the GSO arc (September 14, 2010 Amendment, Appendix D at 1). Panasonic will not allow the off-axis EIRP spectral density for this case to exceed permissible levels and will also adjust the maximum transmit EIRP spectral density at other bands and polarizations to ensure compliance with the mask. These adjustments are relatively small and straightforward as demonstrated by: • Graph of off-axis EIRP spectral density along the GSO in V-pol and H-pol +/- 10 degrees off-axis (Panasonic Response at 15); and • Graph of off-axis EIRP spectral density along the GSO for bottom, middle and top bands (Panasonic Response at 16). In the Panasonic Response, Panasonic has also provided 60 principal plane antenna gain plots (in addition to those in the original Boeing MELCO application) covering various possible combinations under Section 25.132(b) of the rules, including: • Transmit and receive bands; • Bottom, middle and top bands; • Horizontal and vertical polarizations; • Azimuth and elevation; and • Co- and cross-polarization. 13

Panasonic has submitted far more antenna data than other Ku-band AMSS licensees, including Boeing and ViaSat. This is more than enough data for the Commission (and interested parties) to fully understand the operation of the MELCO antenna with the eXConnect System, and for the Commission to render a positive judgment in this proceeding. Of course, the Commission need not rely on this supplemental data – or address Row 44’s unfounded criticisms of Panasonic’s technical demonstration regarding the protection of adjacent satellites – because the Panasonic AMSS application is considered under Section 25.220 of the rules.19 2. The Supplemental Information Submitted by Panasonic Is Based on Measured Antenna Data Row 44 claims that Panasonic has failed to provide a complete set of off-axis EIRP spectral density patterns based on measured antenna data, and erroneously suggests that Panasonic failed to provide data that accounted for skew and mispointing.20 Although not required under Section 25.220 of the rules, Panasonic has provided significant off-axis EIRP spectral density information based on measured antenna data, including patterns accounting for skew and mispointing. Off-axis EIRP spectral density data is typically based on measured gain patterns and computed with input power density or maximum on-axis EIRP spectral density. Direct measurement of off-axis EIRP spectral density is unusual. Panasonic has all of the antenna gain data that was obtained by MELCO and Boeing in the course of the Connexion by Boeing program, and has used this data to develop maximum operating parameters for the MELCO antenna. Panasonic submitted extensive antenna gain pattern information in the Panasonic 19 See supra at note 6 (the Commission need not address “arguments concerning adjacent satellite interference, because [applicant] has resolved these interference issues through coordination with all potentially affected satellite operators.”). 20 December 1 Pleading at 7-9. 14


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Document Modified: 2010-10-15 18:33:56
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