Attachment License Mod Narrativ SES-MFS-20190424-00544

Attachment License Mod Narrativ

This document pretains to SES-MFS-20190424-00544 for Modification w/ Foreign Satellite (earth station) on a Satellite Earth Station filing.

IBFS_SESMFS2019042400544_1664005

Table of Contents
1 INTRODUCTION ............................................................................................................................................. 3
2 SYSTEM DESCRIPTION ................................................................................................................................... 3
2.1 OVERVIEW .......................................................................................................................................................3
2.1.1 Network Architecture ...............................................................................................................................3
2.2 ESAA SEGMENT DETAILS ...................................................................................................................................5
2.3 SPACE SYSTEM..................................................................................................................................................5
2.3.1 Satellite System List .................................................................................................................................5
2.3.2 Thor-7 Coverage Area for Thales ESAA Operation ...................................................................................5
2.4 GROUND SEGMENT ...........................................................................................................................................6
2.4.1 Remote Control Network Operations Centers (NOCs)..............................................................................6
2.4.2 Network Gateway Earth Stations ............................................................................................................6
2.5 ADDITIONAL CARRIERS, EMISSION DESIGNATORS ....................................................................................................7
2.5.1 NOC Monitoring and Control ...................................................................................................................7
3 PROTECTION OF OTHER SERVICES ................................................................................................................. 8
3.1 PROTECTION OF OTHER KA-BAND SERVICES ...........................................................................................................8
3.1.1 GSO ..........................................................................................................................................................8
3.1.2 Protection of NGSO Systems ..................................................................................................................10
3.1.3 Protection of LMDS Systems ..................................................................................................................10
3.1.4 Protection of Mobile Satellite Systems at Ka-band ................................................................................11
3.1.5 Radiation Hazard Study .........................................................................................................................11
3.2 LIST OF EXHIBITS .............................................................................................................................................11
4 CONCLUSION ............................................................................................................................................... 11
5 EXHIBIT A - THOR-7 LINK BUDGETS .............................................................................................................. 12
6 EXHIBIT B - SATELLITE OPERATOR CERTIFICATION LETTER ........................................................................... 14
7 EXHIBIT C - §25.227 AND §25.138 RULES COMPLIANCE TABLES ................................................................... 15
8 EXHIBIT D - ANTENNA GAIN PLOTS .............................................................................................................. 18
9 EXHIBIT E - EIRP DENSITY PLOTS .................................................................................................................. 22
10 EXHIBIT F - SATELLITE OPERATOR ORBITAL DEBRIS MITIGATION LETTER ..................................................... 26

Thales Avionics, Inc.
FCC Ka-band ESAA License Modification Request – IBFS File No. SES-LIC-20170217-00183
Technical Narrative
Page 2 of 27

1 Introduction
Thales Avionics, Inc. seeks to modify its active Ka-band ESAA blanket license1 authorizing ESAA operation
over GSO FSS Ka-band capacity as follows:

1) Adding Thor-7 as a Point of Communication, and;
2) Adding new carriers and emission designators.

Thales’s ESAA will operate over Ka-band capacity on the Telenor Satellite (Telenor) Thor-7 space station
to allow provision of in-flight connectivity (IFC) services on commercial airliners traversing
intercontinental flight routes in the North Atlantic Ocean. These flight routes are mainly between
destinations in North America and the United Kingdom, Ireland, and several other European nations.

Thales’s initial blanket license requests2 and this modification request have been designed to the
requirements set forth in 47 CFR §25.138 rules for GSO FSS Ka-band Earth Stations, §25.227 rules for
ESAAs operating with GSO FSS Ku-band blanket licensing provisions3, and FCC precedents set by
previous Ka-band ESAA blanket license grants4.

2 System Description
2.1 Overview
Thales’s Modular Connectivity Terminals, Ka-band (MCT-A) ESAA will operate over the Telenor satellite
Thor-7 at orbital location 0.65° W.L. in the Ka band 29.5 – 30.0 GHz (uplink), and 19.7 – 20.2 GHz
(downlink). In the future, Thales’s IFC service may use Ka space segment on other satellites to increase
coverage areas in the North American region and beyond. If so, Thales will seek appropriate FCC
approvals to utilize other space segments for this service.

2.1.1 Network Architecture
Thales’s IFC network operations over Thor-7 will use Telenor satellite earth stations and the Hughes
Jupiter platform baseband hub equipment located in Norway, which will communicate with Hughes
Jupiter aero modems on the aircraft. A high-level network architecture diagram is shown below in Figure
1. This architecture is very similar to that provided in Thales’s initial filings; the main differences are:

- a trans-Atlantic backhaul to provide connectivity between the Jupiter baseband hubs in Norway
and the Network Aggregation Point (NAP) and Thales Interconnect Point (TIP) in northern
Virginia

1
See IBFS File No. SES-LIC-20170217, Call Sign E170068, granted July 7, 2017
2
See Initial request IBFS File No. SES-LIC-20170217, Call Sign E170068, filed February 17, 2017; amendment filing
IBFS File No. SES-AMD-20170414-00381, Call Sign E170068, filed April 13, 2017
3
Per Thales’s meeting with the International Bureau (IB) on December 15, 2016: while §25.227 ESAA rules
currently only apply to Ku-band ESAA operations, IB staff has expressed its intentions to develop parallel Ka-band
rules in the future. Thales's technical showings in its initial filings (see Footnote 2) and this modification request
demonstrate the extent to which the proposed operations are consistent with those Ku-band ESAA requirements
that may be adopted for Ka-band ESAA in the future.
4
See ViaSat Ka-band filing Call Sign E120075
Thales Avionics, Inc.
FCC Ka-band ESAA License Modification Request – IBFS File No. SES-LIC-20170217-00183
Technical Narrative
Page 3 of 26

2.2 ESAA Segment Details
The operational details and specifications of the Thales MCT-A (ESAA) as provided in Thales’s initial
filings, and indicated in its active authorization, remain the same.5

2.3 Space System
2.3.1 Satellite System List
Table 1 below provides the complete list of satellites to be used for Thales’s ESAA operations. This list
includes the Thor-7 satellite being requested as a new Point of Communication, and the four satellites
already authorized in Thales’s current ESAA blanket license6. Thales’s ESAA services using these satellites
will not use Ka spectrum in the LMDS band 29.1 – 29.25 GHz.

Satellite GSO Orbital Transmit Spectrum Receive Spectrum
Satellite (Call Sign) Operator Location (W.L.) (MHz) (MHz)
Thor-7* Telenor 0.65° 27500 – 30000 18300 – 20200
Echostar XVII (Jupiter-1) 28350 – 29100 18300 – 19300
Hughes 107.1°
(S2753)** 29250 – 30000 19700 – 20200
27850 – 29100 18300 – 19300
Jupiter-2 (S2968)** Hughes 97.1°
29250 – 30000 19700 – 20200
28438 – 28563 18638 – 18763
AMC-15 (S2180)** SES 105.05°
29500 – 30000 19700 – 20200
28438 – 28563 18638 – 18763
AMC-16 (S2181)** SES 85.0°
29500 – 30000 19700 – 20200
Notes: *being requested as a new Point of Communication in this modification request
7
**already authorized in Thales’s current ESAA blanket license

Table 1: Satellite List and Spectrum Details for Thales’s ESAA Operations

2.3.2 Thor-7 Coverage Area for Thales ESAA Operation
The beam coverage areas and skew angle contours for Thor-7 are shown below in Figure 2.

5
See Section 2.2, ESAA Segment Details (pp. 5-9) of Thales’s FCC Authorization Submission for Ka-band Earth
Station Aboard Aircraft (ESAA), dated February 16, 2017.
6
See IBFS File No. SES-LIC-20170217, Call Sign E170068, granted July 7, 2017
7
Ibid.
Thales Avionics, Inc.
FCC Ka-band ESAA License Modification Request – IBFS File No. SES-LIC-20170217-00183
Technical Narrative
Page 5 of 26

2.5 Additional Carriers, Emission Designators
The waveforms and capabilities of the return link (inbound) channels and the forward link (outbound)
channels as detailed in Thales’s current authorization are not changing as a result of this modification
request. However, Thales’s ESAA operations on Thor-7 will require one new carrier type/emission
designator for the return channel (from ESAA), and two new carrier types/emission designators for the
forward channel (from gateway). These additions are detailed in Table 2 below and in the Form 312
submitted with this modification request.

Carrier EIRP Thor-7 Spectrum (MHz)
Carrier Density
Symbol
Emission Rate (dBW/ (dBW/4
Link Designator (Msps) MHz) kHz) Earth-to-Space Space-to-Earth
ESAA
Return 1M00G7D 1.0 42.4 18.4 29500 – 30000 18900.5 – 19337.5
(Inbound)
Gateway
Forward 11M4G7D 11.4 55.3 31.3 28483 – 28975 19700 – 20200
(Outbound)
Gateway
Forward 22M8G7D 22.8 58.3 34.3 28483 – 28975 19700 – 20200
(Outbound)

Table 2: New Carrier Types, Emission Designators, and EIRP Density Levels for Thales ESAA Operation
on Thor-7

Link budgets provided in Exhibit A of this narrative confirm that the power density level of the new
return carrier is equal to highest level in Thales’s current authorization. Therefore, Thales is not seeking
an increase in power density levels in this request.

2.5.1 NOC Monitoring and Control
At all times the SES NOC and the Thales NOC will monitor and have control of the transmission
parameters of all Thales ESAA operating in the network on Thor-7, including the ability to remotely
disable terminals in the event of harmful interference.

Thales Avionics, Inc.
FCC Ka-band ESAA License Modification Request – IBFS File No. SES-LIC-20170217-00183
Technical Narrative
Page 7 of 26

3 Protection of Other Services
3.1 Protection of Other Ka-band Services
3.1.1 GSO
Thales intends to operate its ESAA network with Thor-7 at orbital location 0.65° W.L. ESAA operation
with Thor-7 will be compliant with 25.138(a)(1)8. Thales has worked with Telenor to ensure that the off-
axis emissions will comply with applicable Thor-7 coordination agreements (see Exhibit B).

3.1.1.1 Thor-7 Off-Axis EIRP Spectral Density
On Thor-7, Thales will limit their ESAA operation to the worst-case skew angle of 40° for off-axis EIRP
emission in the GSO plane, as shown earlier in Figure 2. Exhibit A attached contains Thor-7 return link
budgets including ESAA operation in three scenarios:

- Case 1: Best satellite G/T; 20° skew angle

- Case 2: Average satellite G/T; 40° skew angle

- Case 3: Worst satellite G/T; 0° skew angle

As shown in the return channel link budgets in Exhibit A, the peak on-axis power density at skew angles
of 0°, 20°, and maximum 40° is 42.4 dBW/MHz. This density is equal to and does not exceed the peak
densities that Thales’s ESAA operations are currently authorized for.

The plots below in Figures 3 and 4 show compliance with §25.138(a)(1) and (a)(2), respectively, at a
worst-case 40° skew angle and consider up to 0.2° antenna mispointing.

8
The existing Thales License contains a provision granting a waiver of 25.138(a)(2). See Provision 90421 Waiver of
Section 25.138(a)(2) of the Commission Rules is granted. The antenna performance specifications do not
comply with Section 25.138(a)(2). The operation of these antennas will not be protected from harmful interference
caused by other geostationary satellite networks to the extent that harmful interference would not be expected to
be caused to an antenna that is compliant with the antenna performance standards of Section 25.209.

Thales Avionics, Inc.
FCC Ka-band ESAA License Modification Request – IBFS File No. SES-LIC-20170217-00183
Technical Narrative
Page 8 of 26

5 Exhibit A - Thor-7 Link Budgets
As referenced earlier in Section 3.1.1.1, return channel link budgets over Thor-7 for ESAA operation at
best, average, and worst satellite G/T (20°, 40°, and 0° skew angles respectively) are provided below. A
representative forward link budget is also provided.

Thor-7 Return Channel Link Budgets
Case 1: Best Case 2: Average Case 3: Worst
Satellite G/T; 20° Satellite G/T; 40° Satellite G/T; 0°
Skew Angle Skew Angle Skew Angle
General Parameters
Orbital location °W.L. 0.65 0.65 0.65
Uplink Frequency MHz 29942 29810 29750
Downlink Frequency MHz 19017 19335 19275
Transmit Earth Station
Antenna width x height cm 62.3 x 15.8 62.3 x 15.8 62.3 x 15.8
Antenna elevation angle degrees 21.8 5.7 18.5
Antenna Gain dBi 39.0 39.0 39.0
Earth station transmit EIRP/carrier dBW 45.5 42.5 45.5
Pointing loss dB 0.00 0.00 0.50
Receive Earth Station
Antenna diameter m 13.00 13.00 13.00
Antenna elevation angle degrees
21.3 21.3 21.3
Receive E/S G/T clear sky dB/K 39.3 39.3 39.3
Receive pointing loss dB 0.00 0.00 0.00
Carrier
Information rate Mbps 3.200 1.330 0.512
FEC Coding 4/5 2/3 1/2
Modulation OQPSK OQPSK OQPSK-SF4
Symbol rate Msps 2.048 1.024 0.512
Allocated bandwidth MHz 2.500 1.250 2.500
Uplink
Satellite G/T toward ESAA dB/K 12.1 9.6 5.2
Uplink path loss dB 214.0 213.9 213.9
Uplink atmospheric loss dB 0.10 0.10 0.10
C/N uplink dB 9.1 6.3 2.4
C/(N+I) uplink dB 8.7 6.1 2.3
On-axis EIRP spectral density dBW/MHz 42.4 42.4 42.4
Downlink
Downlink atmospheric loss dB 0.40 0.40 0.40
Downlink path loss dB 209.9 209.9 209.9
Carrier downlink EIRP dBW 62.2 62.0 62.2
PSD at earth's surface dBW/m^2/MHz -92.9 -97.7 -96.9
C/N downlink dB 20.4 17.2 13.5
C/(N+I) downlink dB 17.9 15.9 12.8
End-to-End
C/I adjacent spacecraft interference dB 32.0 32.0 32.0
C/(N+I) total dB 8.1 5.7 1.9
Link margin dB 0.9 0.1 0.9
Thales Avionics, Inc.
FCC Ka-band ESAA License Modification Request – IBFS File No. SES-LIC-20170217-00183
Technical Narrative
Page 12 of 26

Thor-7 Forward Channel Link Budget
General Parameters
Orbital location °W.L. 0.65
Uplink Frequency MHz 28510
Downlink Frequency MHz 20032.5
Transmit Earth Station
Antenna diameter m 13.00
Antenna elevation angle degrees 21.3
Antenna Gain dBi 54.3
Earth station transmit EIRP/carrier dBW 66.1
Pointing loss dB 0.00
Receive Earth Station
Antenna width x height cm 62.3 x 16.8
Antenna elevation angle degrees 21.5
Rx E/S G/T clear sky dB/K 11.3
Receive pointing loss dB 0.00
Carrier
Information rate Mbps 18.100
FEC Coding 3/4
R-S Coding 0.996
Modulation DVB-S2 QPSK
Symbol rate Msps 11.900
Allocated bandwidth MHz 12.500
Uplink
Uplink path loss dB 213.5
Uplink atmospheric loss dB 0.60
C/N uplink dB-Hz 27.6
C/(N+I) uplink dB-Hz 18.5
On-axis EIRP spectral density dBW/MHz 55.3
Downlink
Downlink atmospheric loss dB 0.04
Downlink path loss dB 210.4
Carrier downlink EIRP dBW 61.2
PFD at earth's surface dBW/m^2/MHz -86.5
C/N downlink dB-Hz 7.2
C/(N+I) downlink dB-Hz 7.0
End-to-End
C/I adjacent spacecraft interference dB-Hz 32.0
C/(N+I) total dB-Hz 6.7
Link margin dB 1.3
Thales Avionics, Inc.
FCC Ka-band ESAA License Modification Request – IBFS File No. SES-LIC-20170217-00183
Technical Narrative
Page 13 of 26

7 Exhibit C - §25.227 and §25.138 Rules Compliance Tables
FCC Rules §25.227 Compliance Table
FCC Rule Part Description Comments
§25.227(a)(2) (2) The following requirements apply to ESAA systems that See Existing License
operate with off-axis EIRP spectral-densities in excess of the levels Provision 90421
in paragraph (a)(1)(i) or (a)(3)(i) of this section under licenses
granted based on certifications filed pursuant to paragraph (b)(2)
of this section.
§25.227(a)(2)(i) (i) An ESAA or ESAA system licensed based on certifications filed Thales will comply,
pursuant to paragraph (b)(2) of this section must operate in see Section 3.1 and
accordance with the off-axis EIRP density specifications provided Exhibit B
to the target satellite operator in order to obtain the certifications.
§25.227(a)(7) (7) In the 10.95-11.2 GHz (space-to-Earth) and 11.45-11.7 GHz Thales understands
(space-to-Earth) frequency bands ESAAs shall not claim protection that the Ka-band
from interference from any authorized terrestrial stations to which spectrum sought
frequencies are either already assigned, or may be assigned in the could be used by
future. terrestrial
microwave in the
18.3-18.8 GHz band
and does expect to
receive protection
from interference.
The possibility for
interference while in
operation is very
remote
§25.227(a)(8) (8) An ESAA terminal receiving in the 11.7-12.2 GHz (space-to- Thales understands
Earth) bands shall receive protection from interference caused by and expects similar
space stations other than the target space station only to the protection from Ka-
degree to which harmful interference would not be expected to be band satellites
caused to an earth station employing an antenna conforming to
the referenced patterns defined in paragraphs (a) and (b) of
section 25.209 and stationary at the location at which any
interference occurred.
§25.227(a)(13) (13) ESAA providers operating in the international airspace within Thales will comply
line-of-sight of the territory of a foreign administration where with 25.138
fixed service networks have primary allocation in this band, the downlink PFD limits,
maximum power flux density (pfd) produced at the surface of the see Section 3.1 and
Earth by emissions from a single aircraft carrying an ESAA terminal Link Budgets in
should not exceed the following values unless the foreign Exhibit A
Administration has imposed other conditions for protecting its
fixed service stations:

Thales Avionics, Inc.
FCC Ka-band ESAA License Modification Request – IBFS File No. SES-LIC-20170217-00183
Technical Narrative
Page 15 of 26

-132 + 0.5 · θ dB(W/(m2 · MHz)) For θ ≤40°

-112 dB(W/(m2 · MHz)) For 40° <θ ≤90°

§25.227(b) (b) Applications for ESAA operation in the 14.0-14.5 GHz (Earth-to- Thales will comply,
space) band to GSO satellites in the FSS shall include, in addition to see Sections 3.1 and
the particulars of operation identified on FCC Form 312, and Exhibits D and E
associated Schedule B, the applicable technical demonstrations in
paragraphs (b)(1), (b)(2), or (b)(3), and the documentation
identified in paragraphs (b)(4) through (b)(8) of this section.
§25.227(b)(2) (2) An ESAA applicant proposing to operate with off-axis EIRP Thales will comply,
density in excess of the levels in paragraph (a)(1)(i) or (a)(3)(i) of see Sections 3.1 and
this section must provide the following in exhibits to its earth Exhibits D and E
station application:
§25.227(b)(2)(i) (i) Off-axis EIRP density data pursuant to §25.115(g)(1); See Section 3.1.1
and Exhibit E
§25.227(b)(2)(ii) (ii) The certifications required by §25.220(d); and See Exhibit B

§25.227(b)(4) (4) There shall be an exhibit included with the application See Section 2.3.1
describing the geographic area(s) in which the ESAA will operate.

FCC Rules §25.138 Compliance Table
FCC Rule Part Description Comments
25.138(a) Applications for earth station licenses in the GSO FSS in the
conventional Ka-band that indicate that the following
requirements will be met and include the information required by
relevant provisions in §§25.115 and 25.130 may be routinely
processed:
25.138(a)(1) The EIRP density of co-polarized signals in the plane tangent to the Thales will comply,
GSO arc, as defined in §25.103, will not exceed the following see Section 3.1 and
values under clear sky conditions: Exhibit E
32.5-25log(θ) dBW/MHz for 2.0° ≤ θ ≤ 7°.

11.5 dBW/MHz for 7° ≤ θ ≤ 9.2°

35.5-25log(θ) dBW/MHz for 9.2° ≤ θ ≤ 19.1°

3.5 dBW/MHz for 19.1° < θ ≤ 180°

Where:
θ is the angle in degrees from a line from the earth station
antenna to the assigned orbital location of the target satellite.

Thales Avionics, Inc.
FCC Ka-band ESAA License Modification Request – IBFS File No. SES-LIC-20170217-00183
Technical Narrative
Page 16 of 26

25.138(a)(2) In the plane perpendicular to the GSO arc, as defined in §25.103, See existing license
the EIRP density of co-polarized signals will not exceed the provision 90421
following values under clear sky conditions:
35.5-25log(θ) dBW/MHz for 3.5° ≤ θ ≤ 7°

14.4 dBW/MHz for 7° < θ ≤ 9.2°

38.5-25log(θ) dBW/MHz for 9.2° < θ ≤ 19.1°

6.5 dBW/MHz for 19.1° < θ ≤ 180°

Where θ is as defined in paragraph (a)(1) of this section.
25.138(a)(3) The EIRP density levels specified in paragraphs (a)(1) and (2) of this Thales understands
section may be exceeded by up to 3 dB, for values of θ > 7°, over
10% of the range of theta (θ) angles from 7-180° on each side of
the line from the earth station to the target satellite.
25.138(a)(4) The EIRP density of cross-polarized signals will not exceed the Thales will comply,
following values in the plane tangent to the GSO arc or in the see Section 3.1 and
plane perpendicular to the GSO arc under clear sky conditions: Exhibit E
22.5-25log(θ) dBW/MHz for 2.0° < θ ≤ 7.0°

Where θ is as defined in paragraph (a)(1) of this section.
25.138(6)(a) (6) Power flux-density (PFD) at the Earth's surface produced by Thales understand
emissions from a space station for all conditions, including clear and will not exceed,
sky, and for all methods of modulation shall not exceed a level of See outbound LBAs
−118 dBW/m2/MHz, in addition to the limits specified in §25.208 in Exhibit A
(d).
25.138(6)(b) (b) Operation with off-axis EIRP density exceeding a relevant Thales understand
envelope specified in paragraph (a) of this section and applications and will comply
proposing such operation are subject to coordination
requirements in §25.220.
25.138(6)(c)-(e)
(c)-(e) [Reserved]
25.138(6)(f) (f) The holder of a blanket license pursuant to this section will be Thales understands
responsible for operation of any transceiver to receive service and will comply
provided by that licensee or provided by another party with the
blanket licensee's consent. Space station operators may not
transmit communications to or from user transceivers in the
United States in the 18.3-18.8 GHz, 19.7-20.2 GHz, 28.35-28.6 GHz,
or 29.25-30.0 GHz band unless such communications are
authorized under an FCC earth station license.

Thales Avionics, Inc.
FCC Ka-band ESAA License Modification Request – IBFS File No. SES-LIC-20170217-00183
Technical Narrative
Page 17 of 26

Thales MCT-A GSO: Freq = 29.5GHz, Pol = LHCP, Skew = 40°, Anntenna Gain
60
55 GSO Co-Pol
50 GSO X-Pol
45 FCC 25.209(a)(3)
40 FCC 25.209(b)(3)
35
30
Antenna Gain dBi

25
20
15
10
5
0
-5
-10
-15
-20
-25
-30
-35
-40
-90 -60 -30 0 30 60 90
Theta (degrees)

Figure 8-2: MCT-A Transmit Gain Pattern; 40° skew angle; 29.5 GHz; Co-Pol and Cross-Pol LHCP;
GSO Plane +/- 90°

Thales Avionics, Inc.
FCC Ka-band ESAA License Modification Request – IBFS File No. SES-LIC-20170217-00183
Technical Narrative
Page 19 of 26

Thales MCT-A NGSO: Freq = 29.5GHz, Pol = LHCP, Skew = 40°, Anntenna Gain
60
55 NGSO Co-Pol
50 NGSO X-Pol
45 FCC 25.209(a)(6)
40 FCC 25.209(b)(3)
35
30
Antenna Gain (dBi)

25
20
15
10
5
0
-5
-10
-15
-20
-25
-30
-35
-40
-10 -5 0 5 10
Theta (degrees)

Figure 8-3: MCT-A Transmit Gain Pattern 40° skew angle, 29.5 GHz; Co-Pol and Cross-Pol LHCP;
NGSO Plane +/- 10°

Thales Avionics, Inc.
FCC Ka-band ESAA License Modification Request – IBFS File No. SES-LIC-20170217-00183
Technical Narrative
Page 20 of 26

Document Created: 2019-04-24 15:32:17
Document Modified: 2019-04-24 15:32:17

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