Goto Section: 2.1 | 2.100 | Table of Contents

FCC 2.1
Revised as of October 2, 2015
Goto Year:2014 | 2016
§ 2.1   Terms and definitions.

   (a) Where a term or definition appears in this part of the Commission's
   Rules, it shall be the definitive term or definition and shall prevail
   throughout the Commission's Rules.

   (b) The source of each definition is indicated as follows:

   CS—Annex to the Constitution of the International Telecommunication Union
   (ITU)

   CV—Annex to the Convention of the ITU

   FCC—Federal Communications Commission

   RR—ITU Radio Regulations

   (c) The following terms and definitions are issued:

   Accepted Interference.1 Interference at a higher level than defined as
   permissible interference and which has been agreed upon between two or more
   administrations without prejudice to other administrations. (RR)

   1The terms permissible interference and accepted interference are used in
   the coordination of frequency assignments between administrations.

   Active Satellite. A satellite carrying a station intended to transmit or
   retransmit radiocommunication signals. (RR)

   Active Sensor. A measuring instrument in the earth exploration-satellite
   service or in the space research service by means of which information is
   obtained by transmission and reception of radio waves. (RR)

   Adaptive  System.  A  radiocommunication system which varies its radio
   characteristics according to channel quality. (RR)

   Administration. Any governmental department or service responsible for
   discharging  the  obligations  undertaken  in  the Constitution of the
   International  Telecommunication  Union,  in  the  Convention  of  the
   International Telecommunication Union and in the Administrative Regulations.
   (CS)

   Aeronautical Earth Station. An Earth station in the fixed-satellite service,
   or, in some cases, in the aeronautical mobile-satellite service, located at
   a  specified  fixed  point  on  land  to provide a feeder link for the
   aeronautical mobile-satellite service. (RR)

   Aeronautical Fixed Service. A radiocommunication service between specified
   fixed points provided primarily for the safety of air navigation and for the
   regular, efficient and economical operation of air transport. (RR)

   Aeronautical Fixed Station. A station in the aeronautical fixed service.
   (RR)

   Aeronautical Mobile Off-Route (OR) Service. An aeronautical mobile service
   intended  for  communications,  including  those  relating  to  flight
   coordination, primarily outside national or international civil air routes.
   (RR)

   Aeronautical  Mobile Route (R) Service. An aeronautical mobile service
   reserved for communications relating to safety and regularity of flight,
   primarily along national or international civil air routes. (RR)

   Aeronautical  Mobile-Satellite Off-Route (OR) Service. An aeronautical
   mobile-satellite  service intended for communications, including those
   relating  to  flight  coordination,  primarily  outside  national  and
   international civil air routes. (RR)

   Aeronautical  Mobile-Satellite  Route  (R)  Service.  An  aeronautical
   mobile-satellite service reserved for communications relating to safety and
   regularity of flights, primarily along national or international civil air
   routes. (RR)

   Aeronautical Mobile-Satellite Service. A mobile-satellite service in which
   mobile earth stations are located on board aircraft; survival craft stations
   and emergency position-indicating radiobeacon stations may also participate
   in this service. (RR)

   Aeronautical Mobile Service. A mobile service between aeronautical stations
   and aircraft stations, or between aircraft stations, in which survival craft
   stations may participate; emergency position-indicating radiobeacon stations
   may also participate in this service on designated distress and emergency
   frequencies. (RR)

   Aeronautical Radionavigation-Satellite Service. A radionavigation-satellite
   service in which earth stations are located on board aircraft. (RR)

   Aeronautical Radionavigation Service. A radio-navigation service intended
   for the benefit and for the safe operation of aircraft. (RR)

   Aeronautical Station. A land station in the aeronautical mobile service.

   Note: In certain instances, an aeronautical station may be located, for
   example, on board ship or on a platform at sea. (RR)

   Aircraft  Earth  Station.  A  mobile earth station in the aeronautical
   mobile-satellite service located on board an aircraft. (RR)

   Aircraft Station. A mobile station in the aeronautical mobile service, other
   than a survival craft station, located on board an aircraft. (RR)

   Allocation  (of  a  frequency  band).  Entry in the Table of Frequency
   Allocations of a given frequency band for the purpose of its use by one or
   more terrestrial or space radiocommunication services or the radio astronomy
   service under specified conditions. This term shall also be applied to the
   frequency band concerned. (RR)

   Allotment (of a radio frequency or radio frequency channel). Entry of a
   designated frequency channel in an agreed plan, adopted by a competent
   conference, for use by one or more administrations for a terrestrial or
   space radiocommunication service in one or more identified countries or
   geographical area and under specified conditions. (RR)

   Altitude of the Apogee or Perigee. The altitude of the apogee or perigee
   above a specified reference surface serving to represent the surface of the
   Earth. (RR)

   Amateur-Satellite Service. A radiocommunication service using space stations
   on earth satellites for the same purposes as those of the amateur service.
   (RR)

   Amateur  Service.  A  radiocommunication  service  for  the purpose of
   self-training, intercommunication and technical investigations carried out
   by  amateurs,  that is, by duly authorized persons interested in radio
   technique solely with a personal aim and without pecuniary interest. (RR)

   Amateur Station. A station in the amateur service. (RR)

   Assigned Frequency. The centre of the frequency band assigned to a station.
   (RR)

   Assigned Frequency Band. The frequency band within which the emission of a
   station is authorized; the width of the band equals the necessary bandwidth
   plus  twice the absolute value of the frequency tolerance. Where space
   stations are concerned, the assigned frequency band includes twice the
   maximum Doppler shift that may occur in relation to any point of the Earth's
   surface. (RR)

   Assignment (of a radio frequency or radio frequency channel). Authorization
   given by an administration for a radio station to use a radio frequency or
   radio frequency channel under specified conditions. (RR)

   Base Earth Station. An earth station in the fixed-satellite service or, in
   some cases, in the land mobile-satellite service, located at a specified
   fixed point or within a specified area on land to provide a feeder link for
   the land mobile-satellite service. (RR)

   Base Station. A land station in the land mobile service. (RR)

   Broadcasting-Satellite  Service. A radiocommunication service in which
   signals transmitted or retransmitted by space stations are intended for
   direct reception by the general public.

   Note: In the broadcasting-satellite service, the term direct reception shall
   encompass both individual reception and community reception. (RR)

   Broadcasting  Service.  A  radiocommunication  service  in  which  the
   transmissions are intended for direct reception by the general public. This
   service may include sound transmissions, television transmissions or other
   types of transmission. (CS)

   Broadcasting Station. A station in the broadcasting service. (RR)

   Carrier Power (of a radio transmitter). The average power supplied to the
   antenna transmission line by a transmitter during one radio frequency cycle
   taken under the condition of no modulation. (RR)

   Characteristic Frequency. A frequency which can be easily identified and
   measured in a given emission.

   Note:  A  carrier  frequency  may,  for  example, be designated as the
   characteristic frequency. (RR)

   Class of Emission. The set of characteristics of an emission, designated by
   standard symbols, e.g., type of modulation, modulating signal, type of
   information to be transmitted, and also if appropriate, any additional
   signal characteristics. (RR)

   Coast Earth Station. An earth station in the fixed-satellite service or, in
   some cases, in the maritime mobile-satellite service, located at a specified
   fixed  point  on  land  to  provide  a  feeder  link  for the maritime
   mobile-satellite service. (RR)

   Coast Station. A land station in the maritime mobile service. (RR)

   Community Reception (in the broadcasting-satellite service). The reception
   of emissions from a space station in the broadcasting-satellite service by
   receiving equipment, which in some cases may be complex and have antennae
   larger than those for individual reception, and intended for use: (1) by a
   group of the general public at one location; or (2) through a distribution
   system covering a limited area. (RR)

   Conterminous United States. The contiguous 48 States and the District of
   Columbia. (FCC)

   Coordinated Universal Time (UTC). Time scale, based on the second (SI), as
   defined in Recommendation ITU-R TF.460-6.

   Note: For most practical purposes associated with the ITU Radio Regulations,
   UTC is equivalent to mean solar time at the prime meridian (0° longitude),
   formerly expressed in GMT. (RR)

   Coordination Area. When determining the need for coordination, the area
   surrounding  an  earth  station  sharing  the same frequency band with
   terrestrial stations, or surrounding a transmitting earth station sharing
   the same bidirectionally allocated frequency band with receiving earth
   stations, beyond which the level of permissible interference will not be
   exceeded and coordination is therefore not required. (RR)

   Coordination Contour. The line enclosing the coordination area. (RR)

   Coordination Distance. When determining the need for coordination, the
   distance on a given azimuth from an earth station sharing the same frequency
   band with terrestrial stations, or from a transmitting earth station sharing
   the same bidirectionally allocated frequency band with receiving earth
   stations, beyond which the level of permissible interference will not be
   exceeded and coordination is therefore not required. (RR)

   Deep Space. Space at distance from the Earth equal to, or greater than, 2 ×
   106 kilometers. (RR)

   Differential Global Positioning System (DGPS) Station. A differential RNSS
   station for specific augmentation of GPS.

   Differential Radionavigation Satellite Service (Differential RNSS) Station.
   A station used for the transmission of differential correction data and
   related information (such as ionospheric data and RNSS satellite integrity
   information)  as  an augmentation to an RNSS system for the purpose of
   improved navigation accuracy.

   Direct Sequence Systems. A spread spectrum system in which the carrier has
   been  modulated by a high speed spreading code and an information data
   stream. The high speed code sequence dominates the “modulating function” and
   is the direct cause of the wide spreading of the transmitted signal.

   Duplex  Operation.  Operating method in which transmission is possible
   simultaneously in both directions of a telecommunication channel.3 (RR)

   3In  general,  duplex  operation and semi-duplex operation require two
   frequencies in radiocommunication; simplex operation may use either one or
   two.

   Earth Exploration-Satellite Service. A radiocommunication service between
   earth stations and one or more space stations, which may include links
   between space stations, in which:

   (1) Information relating to the characteristics of the Earth and its natural
   phenomena, including data relating to the state of the environment, is
   obtained from active sensors or passive sensors on Earth satellites;

   (2) Similar information is collected from airborne or Earth-based platforms;

   (3) Such information may be distributed to earth stations within the system
   concerned; and

   (4) Platform interrogation may be included. This service may also include
   feeder links necessary for its operation. (RR)

   Earth Station. A station located either on the earth's surface or within the
   major portion of earth's atmosphere and intended for communication:

   (1) With one or more space stations; or

   (2) With one or more stations of the same kind by means of one or more
   reflecting satellites or other objects in space. (RR)

   Effective Radiated Power (e.r.p) (in a given direction). The product of the
   power supplied to the antenna and its gain relative to a half-wave dipole in
   a given direction. (RR)

   Emergency Position-Indicating Radiobeacon Station. A station in the mobile
   service the emissions of which are intended to facilitate search and rescue
   operations. (RR)

   Emission. Radiation produced, or the production of radiation, by a radio
   transmitting station.

   Note: For example, the energy radiated by the local oscillator of a radio
   receiver would not be an emission but a radiation. (RR)

   End Product. A completed electronic device that has received all requisite
   FCC approvals and is suitable for marketing.

   Equivalent Isotropically Radiated Power (e.i.r.p.). The product of the power
   supplied to the antenna and the antenna gain in a given direction relative
   to an isotropic antenna (absolute or isotropic gain). (RR)

   Equivalent Monopole Radiated Power (e.m.r.p.) (in a given direction). The
   product of the power supplied to the antenna and its gain relative to a
   short vertical antenna in a given direction. (RR)

   Equivalent Satellite Link Noise Temperature. The noise temperature referred
   to the output of the receiving antenna of the earth station corresponding to
   the radio-frequency noise power which produces the total observed noise at
   the output of the satellite link excluding the noise due to interference
   coming from satellite links using other satellites and from terrestrial
   systems. (RR)

   Evaluation Kit. An assembly of components, subassemblies, or circuitry,
   including software, created by or for a component maker, system integrator,
   or product developer for the sole purpose of facilitating: (i) End product
   developer evaluation of all or some of such components, subassemblies, or
   circuitry, or (ii) the development of software to be used in an end product.

   Experimental Station. A station utilizing radio waves in experiments with a
   view to the development of science or technique.

   Note: This definition does not include amateur stations. (RR)

   Facsimile. A form of telegraphy for the transmission of fixed images, with
   or without half-tones, with a view to their reproduction in a permanent
   form. (RR)

   Feeder Link. A radio link from an earth station at a given location to a
   space  station,  or  vice  versa,  conveying  information  for a space
   radiocommunication service other than for the fixed-satellite service. The
   given location may be at a specified fixed point, or at any fixed point
   within specified areas. (RR)

   Fixed-Satellite Service. A radiocommunication service between earth stations
   at given positions, when one or more satellites are used; the given position
   may be a specified fixed point or any fixed point within specified areas; in
   some cases this service includes satellite-to-satellite links, which may
   also be operated in the inter-satellite service; the fixed-satellite service
   may also include feeder links for other space radiocommunication services.
   (RR)

   Fixed Service. A radiocommunication service between specified fixed points.
   (RR)

   Fixed Station. A station in the fixed service. (RR)

   Frequency   Assignment  Subcommittee  (FAS).  A  subcommittee  of  the
   Interdepartment Radio Advisory Committee (IRAC) within NTIA that develops
   and executes procedures for the assignment and coordination of Federal radio
   frequencies. (FCC)

   Frequency Hopping Systems. A spread spectrum system in which the carrier is
   modulated with the coded information in a conventional manner causing a
   conventional spreading of the RF energy about the frequency carrier. The
   frequency of the carrier is not fixed but changes at fixed intervals under
   the direction of a coded sequence. The wide RF bandwidth needed by such a
   system is not required by spreading of the RF energy about the carrier but
   rather  to  accommodate  the range of frequencies to which the carrier
   frequency can hop. The test of a frequency hopping system is that the near
   term distribution of hops appears random, the long term distribution appears
   evenly  distributed over the hop set, and sequential hops are randomly
   distributed in both direction and magnitude of change in the hop set.

   Frequency-Shift Telegraphy. Telegraphy by frequency modulation in which the
   telegraph signal shifts the frequency of the carrier between predetermined
   values. (RR)

   Frequency  Tolerance.  The maximum permissible departure by the centre
   frequency of the frequency band occupied by an emission from the assigned
   frequency  or, by the characteristic frequency of an emission from the
   reference frequency.

   Note: The frequency tolerance is expressed in parts in 106 or in hertz. (RR)

   Full Carrier Single-Sideband Emission. A single-sideband emission without
   suppression of the carrier. (RR)

   Gain of an Antenna. The ratio, usually expressed in decibels, of the power
   required at the input of a loss free reference antenna to the power supplied
   to the input of the given antenna to produce, in a given direction, the same
   field strength or the same power flux-density at the same distance. When not
   specified otherwise, the gain refers to the direction of maximum radiation.
   The gain may be considered for a specified polarization.

   Note: Depending on the choice of the reference antenna a distinction is made
   between:

   (1)  Absolute or isotropic gain (Gi), when the reference antenna is an
   isotropic antenna isolated in space;

   (2) Gain relative to a half-wave dipole (Gd), when the reference antenna is
   a half-wave dipole isolated in space whose equatorial plane contains the
   given direction;

   (3) Gain relative to a short vertical antenna (Gv), when the reference
   antenna  is  a  linear conductor, much shorter than one quarter of the
   wavelength, normal to the surface of a perfectly conducting plane which
   contains the given direction. (RR)

   General Purpose Mobile Service. A mobile service that includes all mobile
   communications uses including those within the Aeronautical Mobile, Land
   Mobile, or the Maritime Mobile Services.

   Geostationary Satellite. A geosynchronous satellite whose circular and
   direct orbit lies in the plane of the Earth's equator and which thus remains
   fixed relative to the Earth; by extension, a geosynchronous satellite which
   remains approximately fixed relative to the Earth. (RR)

   Geostationary Satellite Orbit. The orbit in which a satellite must be placed
   to be a geostationary satellite. (RR)

   Geosynchronous Satellite. An Earth satellite whose period of revolution is
   equal to the period of rotation of the Earth about its axis. (RR)

   Government Master File (GMF). NTIA's database of Federal assignments. It
   also includes non-Federal authorizations coordinated with NTIA for the bands
   allocated for shared Federal and non-Federal use. (FCC)

   Harmful Interference. Interference which endangers the functioning of a
   radionavigation service or of other safety services or seriously degrades,
   obstructs, or repeatedly interrupts a radiocommunication service operating
   in accordance with [the ITU] Radio Regulations. (CS)

   High Altitude Platform Station (HAPS). A station located on an object at an
   altitude of 20 to 50 km and at a specified, nominal, fixed point relative to
   the Earth. (RR)

   Hybrid Spread Spectrum Systems. Hybrid spread spectrum systems are those
   which use combinations of two or more types of direct sequence, frequency
   hopping, time hopping and pulsed FM modulation in order to achieve their
   wide occupied bandwidths.

   Inclination of an Orbit (of an earth satellite). The angle determined by the
   plane containing the orbit and the plane of the Earth's equator measured in
   degrees between 0° and 180° and in counter-clockwise direction from the
   Earth's equatorial plane at the ascending node of the orbit. (RR)

   Individual Reception (in the broadcasting-satellite service). The reception
   of emissions from a space station in the broadcasting-satellite service by
   simple domestic installations and in particular those possessing small
   antennae. (RR)

   Industrial,  Scientific  and Medical (ISM) (of radio frequency energy)
   Applications. Operation of equipment or appliances designed to generate and
   use locally radio-frequency energy for industrial, scientific, medical,
   domestic  or  similar purposes, excluding applications in the field of
   telecommunications. (RR)

   Instrument Landing System (ILS). A radionavigation system which provides
   aircraft  with horizontal and vertical guidance just before and during
   landing  and,  at  certain fixed points, indicates the distance to the
   reference point of landing. (RR)

   Instrument Landing System Glide Path. A system of vertical guidance embodied
   in the instrument landing system which indicates the vertical deviation of
   the aircraft from its optimum path of descent. (RR)

   Instrument  Landing  System Localizer. A system of horizontal guidance
   embodied in the instrument landing system which indicates the horizontal
   deviation of the aircraft from its optimum path of descent along the axis of
   the runway. (RR)

   Insular area. A jurisdiction that is neither a part of one of the several
   States nor a Federal district. The U.S. insular areas are listed in 47 CFR
   2.105(a) at notes 2 and 3. (FCC)

   Interdepartment Radio Advisory Committee (IRAC). A committee of the Federal
   departments, agencies, and administrations that advises NTIA in assigning
   frequencies  to Federal radio stations and in developing and executing
   policies, programs, procedures, and technical criteria pertaining to the
   allocation, management, and use of the spectrum. The IRAC consists of a main
   committee, subcommittees, and several ad hoc groups that consider various
   aspects of spectrum management policy. The FCC serves as a member of the
   Frequency Assignment Subcommittee and as Liaison Representative on the main
   committee, all other subcommittees and ad hoc groups. (FCC)

   Interference. The effect of unwanted energy due to one or a combination of
   emissions, radiations, or inductions upon reception in a radiocommunication
   system, manifested by any performance degradation, misinterpretation, or
   loss of information which could be extracted in the absence of such unwanted
   energy. (RR)

   International Telecommunication Union (ITU). An international organization
   within the United Nations System where governments and the private sector
   coordinate global telecom networks and services. The ITU is headquartered in
   Geneva, Switzerland and its internet address is www.itu.int. (FCC)

   Inter-Satellite  Service. A radiocommunication service providing links
   between artificial satellites. (RR)

   Ionospheric Scatter. The propagation of radio waves by scattering as a
   result  of  irregularities or discontinuities in the ionization of the
   ionosphere. (RR)

   Land Earth Station. An earth station in the fixed-satellite service or, in
   some cases, in the mobile-satellite service, located at a specified fixed
   point or within a specified area on land to provide a feeder link for the
   mobile-satellite service. (RR)

   Land  Mobile  Earth  Station.  A  mobile  earth  station  in  the land
   mobile-satellite service capable of surface movement within the geographical
   limits of a country or continent. (RR)

   Land Mobile-Satellite Service. A mobile-satellite service in which mobile
   earth stations are located on land. (RR)

   Land Mobile Service. A mobile service between base stations and land mobile
   stations, or between land mobile stations. (RR)

   Land Mobile Station. A mobile station in the land mobile service capable of
   surface movement within the geographical limits of a country or continent.

   Land Station. A station in the mobile service not intended to be used while
   in motion. (RR)

   Left-Hand  (or  Anti-Clockwise)  Polarized  Wave.  An  elliptically or
   circularly-polarized  wave, in fixed plane, normal to the direction of
   propagation, whilst looking in the direction of propagation, rotates with
   time in a left hand or anti-clockwise direction. (RR)

   Line A. Begins at Aberdeen, Washington running by great circle arc to the
   intersection  of 48° N., 120° W., thence along parallel 48° N., to the
   intersection of 95° W., thence by great circle arc through the southernmost
   point of Duluth, Minn., thence by great circle arc to 45° N., 85° W., thence
   southward along meridian 85° W., to its intersection with parallel 41° N.,
   thence along parallel 41° N., to its intersection with meridian 82° W.,
   thence by great circle arc through the southernmost point of Bangor, Maine,
   thence by great circle arc through the southernmost point of Searsport,
   Maine, at which point it terminates. (FCC)

   Line  B.  Begins  at  Tofino, B.C., running by great circle arc to the
   intersection  of 50° N., 125° W., thence along parallel 50° N., to the
   intersection of 90° W., thence by great circle arc to the intersection of
   45° N., 79°30′ W., thence by great circle arc through the northernmost point
   of Drummondville, Quebec (Lat. 45°52′ N., Long 72°30′ W.), thence by great
   circle arc to 48°30′ N., 70° W., thence by great circle arc through the
   northernmost point of Compbellton, N.B., thence by great circle are through
   the northernmost point of Liverpool, N.S., at which point it terminates.
   (FCC)

   Line C. Begins at the intersection of 70° N., 144° W., thence by great
   circle arc to the intersection of 60° N., 143° W., thence by great circle
   arc so as to include all of the Alaskan Panhandle. (FCC)

   Line D. Begins at the intersection of 70° N., 138° W., thence by great
   circle arc to the intersection of 61°20′ N., 139° W. (Burwash Landing),
   thence by great circle arc to the intersection of 60°45′ N., 135° W., thence
   by great circle arc to the intersection of 56° N., 128° W., thence south
   along  128° meridian to Lat. 55° N., thence by great circle arc to the
   intersection  of  54°  N., 130° W., thence by great circle arc to Port
   Clements, thence to the Pacific Ocean where it ends. (FCC)

   Maritime Mobile-Satellite Service. A mobile-satellite service in which
   mobile earth stations are located on board ships; survival craft stations
   and emergency position-indicating radiobeacon stations may also participate
   in this service. (RR)

   Maritime Mobile Service. A mobile service between coast stations and ship
   stations,  or  between  ship  stations, or between associated on-board
   communication   stations;   survival   craft  stations  and  emergency
   position-indicating  radiobeacon stations may also participate in this
   service. (RR)

   Maritime Radionavigation-Satellite Service. A radionavigation-satellite
   service in which earth stations are located on board ships. (RR)

   Maritime Radionavigation Service. A radionavigation service intended for the
   benefit and for the safe operation of ships. (RR)

   Marker Beacon. A transmitter in the aeronautical radionavigation service
   which radiates vertically a distinctive pattern for providing position
   information to aircraft. (RR)

   Mean Power (of a radio transmitter). The average power supplied to the
   antenna  transmission line by a transmitter during an interval of time
   sufficiently long compared with the lowest frequency encountered in the
   modulation taken under normal operating conditions. (RR)

   Meteorological  Aids  Service.  A  radiocommunication service used for
   meteorological, including hydrological, observation and exploration. (RR)

   Meteorological-Satellite Service. An earth exploration-satellite service for
   meteorological purposes. (RR)

   Mobile Earth Station. An earth station in the mobile-satellite service
   intended to be used while in motion or during halts at unspecified points.
   (RR)

   Mobile-Satellite Service. A radiocommunication service:

   (1) Between mobile earth stations and one or more space stations, or between
   space stations used by this service; or

   (2) Between mobile earth stations by means of one or more space stations.

   Note:  This  service  may  also include feeder links necessary for its
   operation. (RR)

   Mobile  Service.  A radiocommunication service between mobile and land
   stations, or between mobile stations. (CV)

   Mobile Station. A station in the mobile service intended to be used while in
   motion or during halts at unspecified points. (RR)

   Multi-Satellite Link. A radio link between a transmitting earth station and
   a  receiving earth station through two or more satellites, without any
   intermediate earth station.

   Note:  A  multisatellite  link  comprises  one  up-link,  one  or more
   satellite-to-satellite links and one down-link. (RR)

   National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA). An agency
   of the United States Department of Commerce that serves as the President's
   principal advisor on telecommunications and information policy issues. NTIA
   manages Federal use of the radio spectrum and coordinates Federal use with
   the FCC. NTIA sets forth regulations for Federal use of the radio spectrum
   within its Manual of Regulations & Procedures for Federal Radio Frequency
   Management (NTIA Manual). (FCC)

   Necessary  Bandwidth.  For a given class of emission, the width of the
   frequency  band which is just sufficient to ensure the transmission of
   information  at the rate and with the quality required under specified
   conditions. (RR)

   Non-Voice, Non-Geostationary Mobile-Satellite Service. A mobile-satellite
   service reserved for use by non-geostationary satellites in the provision of
   non-voice communications which may include satellite links between land
   earth stations at fixed locations.

   Occupied Bandwidth. The width of a frequency band such that, below the lower
   and above the upper frequency limits, the mean powers emitted are each equal
   to a specified percentage β/2 of the total mean power of a given emission.

   Note:  Unless  otherwise  specified in an ITU-R Recommendation for the
   appropriate class of emission, the value of β/2 should be taken as 0.5%.
   (RR).

   On-Board Communication Station. A low-powered mobile station in the maritime
   mobile service intended for use for internal communications on board a ship,
   or between a ship and its lifeboats and life-rafts during lifeboat drills or
   operations, or for communication within a group of vessels being towed or
   pushed, as well as for line handling and mooring instructions. (RR)

   Orbit. The path, relative to a specified frame of reference, described by
   the  centre  of mass of a satellite or other object in space subjected
   primarily to natural forces, mainly the force of gravity. (RR)

   Out-of-band  domain (of an emission). The frequency range, immediately
   outside the necessary bandwidth but excluding the spurious domain, in which
   out-of-band emissions generally predominate. Out-of-band emissions, defined
   based on their source, occur in the out-of-band domain and, to a lesser
   extent, in the spurious domain. Spurious emissions likewise may occur in the
   out-of-band domain as well as in the spurious domain. (RR)

   Out-of-band Emission. Emission on a frequency or frequencies immediately
   outside the necessary bandwidth which results from the modulation process,
   but excluding spurious emissions. (RR)

   Passive Sensor. A measuring instrument in the earth exploration-satellite
   service or in the space research service by means of which information is
   obtained by reception of radio waves of natural origin. (RR)

   Peak Envelope Power (of a radio transmitter). The average power supplied to
   the antenna transmission line by a transmitter during one radio frequency
   cycle at the crest of the modulation envelope taken under normal operating
   conditions. (RR)

   Period (of a satellite). The time elapsing between two consecutive passages
   of a satellite through a characteristic point on its orbit. (RR)

   Permissible Interference.3 Observed or predicted interference which complies
   with quantitative interference and sharing criteria contained in these [ITU
   Radio] Regulations or in ITU-R Recommendations or in special agreements as
   provided for in these Regulations. (RR)

   3See footnote under Accepted Interference.

   Port  Operations Service. A maritime mobile service in or near a port,
   between coast stations and ship stations, or between ship stations, in which
   messages are restricted to those relating to the operational handling, the
   movement and the safty of ships and, in emergency, to the safety of persons.

   Note: Messages which are of a public correspondence nature shall be excluded
   from this service. (RR)

   Port Station. A coast station in the port operations service. (RR)

   Power. Whenever the power of a radio transmitter, etc. is referred to it
   shall be expressed in one of the following forms, according to the class of
   emission, using the arbitrary symbols indicated:

   (1) Peak envelope power (PX or pX);

   (2) Mean power (PY or pY);

   (3) Carrier power (PZ or pZ).

   Note 1: For different classes of emission, the relationships between peak
   envelope power, mean power and carrier power, under the conditions of normal
   operation and of no modulation, are contained in ITU-R Recommendations which
   may be used as a guide.

   Note 2: For use in formulae, the symbol p denotes power expressed in watts
   and the symbol P denotes power expressed in decibels relative to a reference
   level. (RR)

   Primary  Radar. A radiodetermination system based on the comparison of
   reference signals with radio signals reflected from the position to be
   determined. (RR)

   Protection Ratio. The minimum value of the wanted-to-unwanted signal ratio,
   usually  expressed in decibels, at the receiver input determined under
   specified conditions such that a specified reception quality of the wanted
   signal is achieved at the receiver output. (RR)

   Public Correspondence. Any telecommunication which the offices and stations
   must, by reason of their being at the disposal of the public, accept for
   transmission. (CS)

   Pulsed FM Systems. A pulsed FM system is a spread spectrum system in which a
   RF carrier is modulated with a fixed period and fixed duty cycle sequence.
   At  the  beginning of each transmitted pulse, the carrier frequency is
   frequency modulated causing an additional spreading of the carrier. The
   pattern of the frequency modulation will depend upon the spreading function
   which is chosen. In some systems the spreading function is a linear FM chirp
   sweep, sweeping either up or down in frequency.

   Radar. A radiodetermination system based on the comparison of reference
   signals with radio signals reflected, or retrainsmitted, from the position
   to be determined. (RR)

   Radar  Beacon  (RACON). A transmitter-receiver associated with a fixed
   navigational mark which, when triggered by a radar, automatically returns a
   distinctive signal which can appear on the display of the triggering radar,
   providing range, bearing and identification information. (RR)

   Radiation. The outward flow of energy from any source in the form of radio
   waves. (RR)

   Radio. A general term applied to the use of radio waves. (RR)

   Radio  Altimeter.  Radionavigation  equipment, on board an aircraft or
   spacecraft or the spacecraft above the Earth's surface or another surface.
   (RR)

   Radio Astronomy. Astronomy based on the reception of radio waves of cosmic
   origin. (RR)

   Radio Astronomy Service. A service involving the use of radio astronomy.
   (RR)

   Radio Astronomy Station. A station in the radio astronomy service. (RR)

   Radiobeacon Station. A station in the radionavigation service the emissions
   of which are intended to enable a mobile station to determine its bearing or
   direction in relation to radiobeacon station. (RR)

   Radiocommunication. Telecommunication by means of radio waves. (CS) (CV)

   Radiocommunication Service. A service as defined in this Section involving
   the transmission, emission and/or reception of radio waves for specific
   telecommunication purposes.

   Note: In these [international] Radio Regulations, unless otherwise stated,
   any radiocommunication service relates to terrestrial radiocommunication.
   (RR)

   Radiodetermination. The determination of the position, velocity and/or other
   characteristics of an object, or the obtaining of information relating to
   these parameters, by means of the propagation properties of radio waves.
   (RR)

   Radiodetermination-Satellite Service. A radiocommunication service for the
   purpose  of  radiodetermination involving the use or one of more space
   stations. This service may also include feeder links necessary for its own
   operation. (RR)

   Radiodetermination Service. A radiocommunication service for the purpose of
   radiodetermination. (RR)

   Radiodetermination Station. A station in the radiodetermination serviice.
   (RR)

   Radio Direction-Finding. Radiodetermination using the reception of radio
   waves for the purpose of determining the direction of a station or object.
   (RR)

   Radio Direction-Finding Station. A radiodetermination station using radio
   direction-finding. (RR)

   Radiolocation. Radiodetermination used for purposes other than those of
   radionavigation. (RR)

   Radiolocation Land Station. A station in the radiolocation service not
   intended to be used while in motion. (RR)

   Radiolocation  Mobile  Station. A station in the radiolocation service
   intended to be used while in motion or during halts at unspecified points.
   (RR)

   Radiolocation Service. A radiodetermination service for the purpose of
   radiolocation. (RR)

   Radionavigation. Radiodetermination used for the purposes of navigation,
   including obstruction warning.

   Radionavigation Land Station. A station in the radionavigation service not
   intended to be used while in motion. (RR)

   Radionavigation Mobile Station. A station in the radionavigation service
   intended to be used while in motion or during halts at unspecified points.
   (RR)

   Radionavigation-Satellite Service. A radiodetermination-satellite service
   used for the purpose of radionavigation. This service may also include
   feeder links necessary for its operation. (RR)

   Radionavigation Service. A radiod-etermination service for the purpose of
   radionavigation. (RR)

   Radiosonde.  An automatic radio transmitter in the meteorological aids
   service usually carried on an aircraft, free ballon, kite or parachute, and
   which transmits meteorological data. (RR)

   Radiotelegram. A telegram, originating in or intended for a mobile station
   or a mobile earth station transmitted on all or part of its route over the
   radiocommunication channels of the mobile service or of the mobile-satellite
   service. (RR)

   Radiotelemetry. Telemetry by means of radio waves. (RR)

   Radiotelephone Call. A telephone call, originating in or intended for a
   mobile station or a mobile earth station, transmitted on all or part of its
   route over the radiocommunication channels of the mobile service or of the
   mobile-satellite service. (RR)

   Radiotelex Call. A telex call, originating in or intended for a mobile
   station or a mobile earth station, transmitted on all or part of its route
   over  the  radiocommunication  channels  of  the mobile service or the
   mobile-satellite service. (RR)

   Radio  Waves  or  Hertzian Waves. Electromagnetic waves of frequencies
   arbitrarily lower than 3,000 GHz, propagated in space without aritificial
   guide. (RR)

   Reduced Carrier Single-Sideband Emission. A single-sideband emission in
   which  the  degree  of  carrier  suppession  enables the carrier to be
   reconstrituted and to be used for demodulation. (RR)

   Reference Frequency. A frequency having a fixed and specified position with
   respect to the assigned frequency. The displacement of this frequency with
   respect to the assigned frequency has the same absolute value and sign that
   the displacement of the characteristic frequency has with respect to the
   centre of the frequency band occupied by the emission. (RR)

   Reflecting Satellite. A satellite intended to reflect radiocommunication
   signals. (RR)

   Right-Hand   (or   Clockwise)   Polarized  Wave.  An  Elliptically  or
   circularly-polarized wave, in which the electric field vector, observed in
   any fixed plane, normal to the direction of propagation, whilst looking in
   the direction of propagation, rotates with time in a right-hand or clockwise
   direction. (RR)

   Safety  Service.  Any  radiocommunication  service used permanently or
   temporarily for the safeguarding of human life and property. (RR)

   Satellite. A body which revolves around another body of preponderant mass
   and which has a motion primarily and permanently determined by the force of
   attraction of that other body. (RR)

   Satellite Link. A radio link between a transmitting earth station and a
   receiving earth station through one satellite. A satellite link comprises
   one up-link and one down-link. (RR)

   Satellite Network. A satellite system or a part of a satellite system,
   consisting of only one satellite and the cooperating earth stations. (RR)

   Satellite  System.  A  space system using one or more artificial earth
   satellites. (RR)

   Secondary Radar. A radiodetermination system based on the comparison of
   reference signals with radio signals retransmitted from the position to be
   determined. (RR)

   Semi-Duplex Operation.4 A method which is simplex operation on one end of
   the circuit and duplex operation at the other. (RR)

   Simplex Operation.4 Operating method in which transmission is made possible
   alternatively in each direction of a telecommunication channel, for example,
   by means of manual control.

   4See footnote under Duplex Operation.

   Ship Earth Station. A mobile earth station in the maritime mobile-satellite
   service located on board ship. (RR)

   Ship Movement Service. A safety service in the maritime mobile service other
   than a port operations service, between coast stations and ship stations, or
   between ship stations, in which messages are restricted to those relating to
   the movement of ships. Messages which are of a public correspondence nature
   shall be excluded from this service. (RR)

   Ship's Emergency Transmitter. A ship's transmitter to be used exclusively on
   a distress frequency for distress, urgency or safety purposes. (RR)

   Ship Station. A mobile station in the maritime mobile service located on
   board a vessel which is not permanently moored, other than a survival craft
   station. (RR)

   Simplex Operation. Operating method in which transmission is made possible
   alternatively in each direction of a telecommunication channel, for example,
   by means of manual control.5 (RR)

   5(See footnote under Duplex Operations.)

   Single-Sideband Emission. An amplitude modulated emission with one sideband
   only. (RR)

   Software defined radio. A radio that includes a transmitter in which the
   operating parameters of frequency range, modulation type or maximum output
   power (either radiated or conducted), or the circumstances under which the
   transmitter operates in accordance with Commission rules, can be altered by
   making  a  change  in  software without making any changes to hardware
   components that affect the radio frequency emissions. In accordance with
   § 2.944  of this part, only radios in which the software is designed or
   expected to be modified by a party other than the manufacturer and would
   affect the above-listed operating parameters or circumstances under which
   the radio transmits must be certified as software defined radios.

   Spacecraft. A man-made vehicle which is intended to go beyond the major
   portion of the Earth's atmosphere. (RR)

   Space Operation Service. A radiocommunication service concerned exclusively
   with  the operation of spacecraft, in particular space tracking, space
   telemetry, and space telecommand.

   Note: These functions will normally be provided within the service in which
   the space station is operating. (RR)

   Space Radiocommunication. Any radiocommunication involving the use of one or
   more space stations or the use of one or more reflecting satellites or other
   objects in space. (RR)

   Space Research Service. A radiocommunication service in which spacecraft or
   other objects in space are used for scientific or technological research
   purposes. (RR)

   Space Station. A station located on an object which is beyond, is intended
   to  go  beyond,  or  has been beyond, the major portion of the Earth's
   atmosphere. (RR)

   Space System. Any group of cooperating Earth stations and/or space stations
   employing space radiocommunication for specific purposes. (RR)

   Space Telecommand. The use of radiocommunication for the transmission of
   signals to a space station to initiate, modify or terminate functions of
   equipment on a space object, incuding the space station. (RR)

   Space Telemetry. The use of telemetry for transmission for a space station
   of results of measurements made in a spacecraft, including those relating to
   the functioning of the spacecraft. (RR)

   Space  Tracking. Determination of the orbit, velocity or instanteneous
   position of an object in space by means of radiodetermination, excluding
   primary radar, for the purpose of following the movement of the object. (RR)

   Special Service. A radiocommunication service, not otherwise defined in this
   Section, carried on exclusively for specific needs of general utility, and
   not open to public correspondence. (RR)

   Spread Spectrum Systems. A spread spectrum system is an information bearing
   communications system in which: (1) Information is conveyed by modulation of
   a carrier by some conventional means, (2) the bandwidth is deliberately
   widened by means of a spreading function over that which would be needed to
   transmit the information alone. (In some spread spectrum systems, a portion
   of the information being conveyed by the system may be contained in the
   spreading function.)

   Spurious domain (of an emission): The frequency range beyond the out-of-band
   domain in which spurious emissions generally predominate. (RR)

   Spurious Emission. Emission on a frequency or frequencies which are outside
   the  necessary bandwidth and the level of which may be reduced without
   affecting the corresponding transmission of information. Spurious emissions
   include harmonic emissions, parasitic emissions, intermodulation products
   and frequency conversion products, but exclude out-of-band emissions. (RR)

   Standard Frequency and Time Signal-Satellite Service. A radiocommunication
   service using space stations on earth satellites for the same purposes as
   those of the standard frequency and time signal service.

   Note:  This  service  may  also include feeder links necessary for its
   operation. (RR)

   Standard Frequency and Time Signal Service. A radiocommunication service for
   scientific, technical and other purposes, providing the transmission of
   specified frequencies, time signals, or both, of stated high precision,
   intended for general reception. (RR)

   Standard  Frequency and Time Signal Station. A station in the standard
   frequency and time signal service. (RR)

   Station.  One  or  more  transmitters or receivers or a combination of
   transmitters and receivers, including the accessory equipment, necessary at
   one location for carrying on a radiocommunication service, or the radio
   astronomy service.

   Note: Each station shall be classified by the service in which it operates
   permanently or temporarily. (RR)

   Suppressed Carrier Single-Sideband Emission. A single-sideband emission in
   which the carrier is virtually suppressed and not intended to be used for
   demodulation. (RR)

   Survival Craft Station. A mobile station in the maritime mobile service or
   the aeronautical mobile service intended solely for survival purposes and
   located on any lifeboat, life-raft or other survival equipment. (RR)

   Telecommand. The use of telecommunication for the transmission of signals to
   initiate, modify or terminate functions of equipment at a distance. (RR)

   Telecommunication.  Any  transmission, emission or reception of signs,
   signals, writings, images and sounds or intelligence of any nature by wire,
   radio, optical or other electromagnetic systems. (CS)

   Telegram.  Written matter intended to be transmitted by telegraphy for
   delivery to the addressee. This term also includes radiotelegrams unless
   otherwise specified. (CS)

   Note: In this definition the term telegraphy has the same general meaning as
   defined in the Convention.

   Telegraphy.5  A  form  of  telecommunication  in which the transmitted
   information is intended to be recorded on arrival as a graphic document; the
   transmitted information may sometimes be presented in an alternative form or
   may be stored for subsequent use. (CS)

   5A graphic document records information in a permanent form and is capable
   of being filed and consulted; it may take the form of written or printed
   matter or of a fixed image.

   Telemetry. The use of telecommunication for automatically indicating or
   recording measurements at a distance from the measuring instrument. (RR)

   Telephony. A form of telecommunication primarily intended for the exchange
   of information in the form of speech. (CS)

   Television. A form of telecommunication for the transmission of transient
   images of fixed or moving objects. (RR)

   Terrestrial Radiocommunication. Any radiocommunication other than space
   radiocommunication or radio astronomy. (RR)

   Terrestrial Station. A station effecting terrestrial radiocommunication.

   Note: In these [international Radio] Regulations, unless otherwise stated,
   any station is a terrestrial station. (RR)

   Time Hopping Systems. A time hopping system is a spread spectrum system in
   which the period and duty cycle of a pulsed RF carrier are varied in a
   pseudorandom manner under the control of a coded sequence. Time hopping is
   often  used  effectively  with  frequency  hopping  to  form  a hybrid
   time-division, multiple-access (TDMA) spread spectrum system.

   Transponder. A transmitter-receiver facility the function of which is to
   transmit signals automatically when the proper interrogation is received.
   (FCC)

   Tropospheric Scatter. The propagation of radio waves by scattering as a
   result of irregularities or discontinuities in the physical properties of
   the troposphere. (RR)

   Unwanted Emissions. Consist of spurious emissions and out-of-band emissions.
   (RR)

   [ 49 FR 2368 , Jan. 19, 1984, as amended at  50 FR 25239 , June 18, 1985;  51 FR 37399 , Oct. 22, 1986;  52 FR 7417 , Mar. 11, 1987;  54 FR 49980 , Dec. 4, 1990;
    55 FR 28761 , July 13, 1990;  56 FR 42703 , Aug. 29, 1991;  58 FR 68058 , Dec.
   23, 1993;  62 FR 26242 , May 13, 1997;  65 FR 60109 , Oct. 10, 2000;  66 FR 50840 , Oct. 5, 2001;  68 FR 74330 , Dec. 23, 2003;  70 FR 23039 , May 4, 2005;
    70 FR 46583 , Aug. 10, 2005;  71 FR 15619 , Mar. 29, 2006;  72 FR 31192 , June 6,
   2007;  73 FR 25421 , May 6, 2008;  75 FR 62933 , Oct. 13, 2010;  78 FR 25161 ,
   Apr. 29, 2013;  80 FR 38823 , July 7, 2015]

   return arrow Back to Top

Subpart B—Allocation, Assignment, and Use of Radio Frequencies

   Source:  49 FR 2373 , Jan. 19, 1984, unless otherwise noted.

   return arrow Back to Top


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