JSC POLICY & INFORMATION
The Joint Spectrum Center supports DoD organizations in compliance with policies of spectrum regulatory agencies both national and International. Below is a general overview of the spectrum regulatory agencies by which DoD organizations emitting RF signals must abide. In addition, electromagnetic compatibility (EMC) and electromagnetic interference (EMI) are described.
INTERNATIONAL
A specialized agency of the United Nations (UN), the International Telecommunication Union (ITU), coordinates international standards, regulations, and promotes the efficient use of the spectrum to maximize the potential for telecommunications services worldwide. The ITU has established an international Table of Frequency Allocations that designates specific bands of frequencies for specific uses within different regions of the globe. Each of the 188 member countries is entitled to participate in biannual World Radio Conferences (WRC) to review and revise regulations and standards. Although each country retains its sovereign right to regulate the spectrum differently within its own borders, the ITU Radio Regulations have Treaty status, and Conference results are ratified by Congress. Neighboring countries frequently negotiate special agreements that apply to their common borders, but the ITU regulations generally form the core of the regulations of its member nations, as is the case for the United States.
The successful introduction of new RF spectrum-dependent systems into congested frequency bands for worldwide use is difficult. Non-technical factors, such as politics and economics, sometimes come into play in making frequency supportability decisions. Nations are not obligated to provide technical justification as the basis for denial of supportability. The DoD overseas use is guided by ITU statutes and those established by the host countries. The DoD Military Communications-Electronics Board (MCEB) is the responsible agent for coordination with host nations when equipment is to be deployed internationally. The host-nation coordination process can add significant delays to obtaining spectrum certifications and frequency assignment. Understanding host-nation policies regarding spectrum usage can reduce costly delays in the spectrum supportability overseas.
NATIONAL
The US Communications Act of 1934 assigns responsibility for the regulation of Federal government telecommunications matters (including military) to the President and public and non-government matters to Federal Communications Commission (FCC). Spectrum users are categorized as either Federal users or non-Federal users. The military is the predominant Federal user, and the commercial sector is the predominant non-Federal user.
The Federal user responsibility has subsequently been delegated to the Assistant Secretary of Commerce for Communications and Information. The Assistant Secretary carries out his radio communications and frequency management responsibilities as administrator of the National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA). The NTIA and FCC coordinate spectrum allocations in order to determine which portions of the spectrum to set aside for Federal use, for non-Federal use, and for shared use within the United States. DoD must adhere to regulations established by the NTIA. NTIA regulations are influenced by the FCC only to the extent that NTIA and FCC representatives coordinate regulations that affect both Federal and non-Federal spectrum users.
DOD
The MCEB, functioning under the policies and directives of the Secretary of Defense and the Joint Chiefs of Staff, provides guidance in preparing and coordinating technical directives and agreements, and in allocating spectrum allotments that are obtained from the NTIA. The mechanism for initiating frequency supportability within DoD begins with the submission of a DD Form 1494, Application for Equipment Frequency Allocation, by the developing program office (PO) program manager (PM) to the frequency management office of the pertinent military service: for the Navy, the Naval-Marine Corps Spectrum Center (NMSC); for the Army, the USA Spectrum Management Office (ASMO); and for the Air Force, the Air Force Frequency Management Agency (AFFMA).
An application for frequency allocation must be approved by the Joint Frequency Panel (JFP) of the MCEB before funds are authorized for the development of any new equipment that will radiate electromagnetic energy. An application is also required for equipment receiving RF, if protection is desired. In addition, a frequency assignment in the appropriate frequency band must be obtained from the Frequency Assignment Subcommittee (FAS) of the Interdepartment Radio Advisory Committee (IRAC) prior to the operation of any transmitting equipment for testing, training, or operational use.
The Applicant is responsible for requesting frequency assignments from the local frequency manager in the proposed area of deployment. The local frequency manager receiving the frequency assignment application will process it through established channels to request appropriate national and/or international approval. The disposition of the frequency assignment request will be channeled back to the user. The request could be approved, disapproved in total, or approved in part with operating limitations. An approved DD Form 1494 is required before a frequency assignment will be granted.
Frequency planning should be done as early in the system acquisition cycle as possible, so that frequency support can be obtained before the equipment design is finalized. The frequency allocation approval stages for a RF system is directly linked to the acquisition program phases and milestones. DoD regulations governing spectrum supportability are the Office of Managem 25-Jun-2008 Directives 4650.1, 5000.2R, 5000.2, and 5100.35; Army Regulation 70-1and 5-12; Navy OPNAVINST 2400-20E; Marine Corps Order 2400.2; and Air Force Directive 33-1 and Instruction 33-118.
The frequency allocation process is the DoD tool that ensures when the equipment is fielded, a license can be granted by the frequency assignment authority to operate the equipment for its intended purpose.
ELECTROMAGNETIC COMPATIBILITY (EMC)/ELECTROMAGNETIC INTERFERENCE (EMI)
RF spectrum users need to achieve EMC and eliminate EMI. EMC is the condition that prevails when radio communication equipment is performing its individually designed function in a common electromagnetic environment without causing or suffering unacceptable degradation due to unintentional electromagnetic interference to or from other equipment in the same environment. EMI is any electromagnetic disturbance that interrupts, obstructs, or otherwise degrades or limits the effective performance of electronics equipment. It can be induced intentionally, as in some forms of electronic warfare, or unintentionally, as a result of spurious emissions and responses, intermodulation products, etc. The JSC is the leading DoD agency supporting organizations in EMC/EMI resolution.