1. WRC-12 A.I. 1.3
Eric ALLAIX
DGAC-DSNA

2. Summary WRC Agenda Item 1.3 Resolution 421 What is UAS?
What are we talking about?
Invites 1 and 2 of Resolution 421
UAS applications
LOS spectrum requirements
BLOS spectrum requirements
Candidate frequency bands
Current status of work in ITU-R
Possible regulatory actions
“Protected spectrum” Why?
Examples of risks using “non-safety” frequency allocations for satellite communications with UAS
ICAO position on AI 1.3
6-7th October 2011

3. WRC-12 Agenda Item 1.3
=> to consider spectrum requirements and possible regulatory actions, including allocations, in order to support the safe operation of unmanned aircraft systems (UAS), based on the results of ITU‑R studies, in accordance with Resolution 421 (WRC‑07)
6-7th October 2011

4. Resolution 421 - Invites ITU-R
to conduct in time for WRC‑12 the necessary studies leading to technical, regulatory and operational recommendations to the Conference, enabling that Conference to decide on appropriate allocations for the operation of UAS
that the studies referred to in invites ITU‑R 1 should include sharing and compatibility studies with services already having allocations in those bands
to produce a report or a recommendation, as appropriate, on how to accommodate the radiocommunication requirements for UAS payloads
6-7th October 2011

5. UAS: Unmanned Aircraft System
What is UAS?
UAS: Unmanned Aircraft System
An aircraft and its associated elements which is operated with no pilot on-board.
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6. What are we talking about?
Pilot
ATC relay (satellite)
Sense and Avoid relay (satellite)
ATC (satellite)
Command and control (satellite)
Sense and Avoid
ATC
Command and control
ATC
Sense and Avoid
ATC relay
Remote pilot
6-7th October 2011

7. Invites 1 and 2 of Resolution 421
Spectrum requirements and possible regulatory actions, including allocations, for safe operation of UAS Sharing and compatibility studies have to be completed with services already having allocations in the bands identified
Identification of the UAS applications
How much spectrum will be required in particular by taking into account the technical characteristics and the protection requirements?
Identification of current allocations that can accommodate UAS
Identification of additional frequency allocations if required
Ensuring compatibility with existing radiocommunication services
What possible regulatory actions will be required by the Conference?
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8. UAS applications
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9. LOS spectrum requirements
34 MHz for links 1 and 2 below
ATC
Control Station
1. Remote Pilot to UA
2. UA to Remote Pilot 1 2
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10. BLOS spectrum requirements
56 MHz for links 1, 2, 3 and 4 below
ATC UA
Control Station (mobile or fixed) or Gateway station (to which remote pilots are connected) 1 4 3 2
Satellite
Forward link:
1: Remote Pilot to satellite
2: Satellite to UA
Return link:
3: UA to satellite
4: Satellite to Remote Control Station
6-7th October 2011

11. Candidate frequency bands (1/2)
For LOS requirements :
960 –1 164 MHz
Report ITU-R M concludes that portion(s) of the existing AM(R)S allocation in the band 960-1 164 MHz can be used in some countries to support some UAS terrestrial spectrum requirements but cannot be used to meet the entire 34 MHz terrestrial spectrum requirement for UAS operations.
5 000–5 150 MHz and GHz
Studies are ongoing in WP 5B in these bands.
6-7th October 2011

12. Candidate frequency bands (2/2)
For BLOS requirements :
MHz
Report ITU-R M concludes that this band can be used to support the entire UAS satellite spectrum requirements ensuring the protection criteria for MLS.
12/14 and 20/30 GHz
A Preliminary draft new report ITU-R M.[UAS-CNPC-CHAR] is under study in WP 5B. The purpose of this Report is to give examples of technical characteristics for the UAS CNPC links in certain frequency bands. But no technical studies have been done in these frequency bands
6-7th October 2011

13. CURRENT STATUS OF WORK IN ITU-R (1/4)
ITU-R M.2171:
Characteristics of unmanned aircraft systems and spectrum requirements to support their safe operation in non‑segregated airspace
ITU-R M.2204:
Characteristics and spectrum considerations for sense and avoid systems use on unmanned aircraft systems
ITU-R M.2205:
Results of studies of the AM(R)S allocation in the band  164 MHz and of the AMS(R)S allocation in the band 5 030‑5 091 MHz to support control and non-payload communications links for unmanned aircraft systems
6-7th October 2011

14. CURRENT STATUS OF WORK IN ITU-R (2/4)
Draft new Report ITU-R M.[UAS-BANDS-NEW- ALLOC MHz] :
Frequency band study to support the line of sight Control and Non-Payload Communications (CNPC) link(s) for Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS) within new allocations in the band MHz
Preliminary draft new Report ITU-R M.[UAS-BANDS- NEW-ALLOC AND MHz] :
Frequency band study to support the line of sight control and non- payload communications (CNPC) links for unmanned aircraft systems (UAS) within new allocations in the bands and MHz
6-7th October 2011

15. CURRENT STATUS OF WORK IN ITU-R (3/4)
Preliminary draft new Report ITU-R M.[UAS-BANDS- NEW-ALLOC MHz] :
Frequency band study to support line of sight control and non- payload communications (CNPC) links for unmanned aircraft systems (UAS) within new allocations in the band MHz
Preliminary draft new Report ITU-R M.[UAS-BANDS- NEW-ALLOC GHz] :
Frequency band study to support line of sight control and non- payload communications (CNPC) links for unmanned aircraft systems (UAS) within new allocations in the band GHz
6-7th October 2011

16. CURRENT STATUS OF WORK IN ITU-R (4/4)
Preliminary draft new Report ITU-R M.[UAS-CNPC- CHAR] :
Examples of technical characteristics for unmanned aircraft control and non-payload communications (CNPC) links
Bands for LOS
960-1 164 MHz
5 000-5 150 MHz
Bands for BLOS:
MHz (space-to-Earth), MHz (space-to- Earth and Earth‑to-space) and MHz (Earth-to- space)
MHz
12/14 GHz
20/30 GHz
6-7th October 2011

17. Possible regulatory actions (1/3)
CPM-11 report has been published
7 methods are proposed to satisfy this agenda item:
5 methods for the satellite component
1 method for the terrestrial component
1 method, covering both terrestrial and satellite components
All the allocations have to be used in such a way that the systems envisaged for UAS control and non- payload radiocommunications comply with ICAO SARPs
Any method or a combination of these methods described in the CPM-11 report may be used.
6-7th October 2011

18. Possible regulatory actions (2/3)
Method B proposes new AM(R)S allocations for the terrestrial component.
Method C proposes no change to the Table of Frequency Allocations (RR Article 5) for frequency bands for which the studies have not been completed (for both terrestrial and satellite components, ).
6-7th October 2011

19. Possible regulatory actions (3/3)
Five methods for the satellite component:
Method A1 proposes the use of the current AMS(R)S allocations for both links (unmanned aircraft to satellite and unmanned aircraft control station (mobile and fixed) to satellite);
Method A2 proposes the use of the current MSS, AMSS and AMS(R)S allocations for both links (unmanned aircraft to satellite and unmanned aircraft control station (mobile and fixed) to satellite) and FSS allocations (only for the fixed unmanned aircraft control station to satellite link) in accordance with the Radio Regulations;
Method A3 proposes the use of the current FSS allocations by adding a new footnote pointing toward a WRC Resolution/Recommendation (except frequency bands covered by Appendices 30, 30A and 30B to the Radio Regulations);
Method A4 proposes to restrict the communication link between unmanned aircraft and satellite to AMS(R)S allocations, to confirm the use of AMS(R)S allocations for the radiocommunication link between unmanned aircraft control station and the satellite and to allow the use of the FSS allocations for this link (except frequency bands covered by Appendices 30, 30A and 30B to the Radio Regulations);
Method A5 proposes new AMS(R)S allocations.
6-7th October 2011

20. “Protected Spectrum”, why?
Introduction of UAS into non-segregated airspace must not reduce the current level of safety
ITU regulations provide special measures for the protection of safety communications
Those special measures are applicable to the AM(R)S, AMS(R)S and ARNS allocations used by all ICAO standardized C/N/S systems
Such measures are not applicable to other non-safety allocations, in particular to FSS, and consequently such allocations cannot be used for UAS without affecting the level of safety
6-7th October 2011

21. Examples of risks using “non-safety” frequency allocations for satellite communications with UAS
Potential
Interference
UAS control
Service regulated by
State A
State C
Unmanned Aircraft flying over territory
of State B
Uncertain jurisdiction and responsibility for interference mitigation
Special measures in ITU Radio Regulations cannot be used for protection and interference mitigation
In a shared frequency allocation scenario, uncertain priority of access to UAS control
Majority of FSS allocations are not fully co-ordinated. In case incompatible assignments are made in two separate States, then UAS control is not afforded any protection against interference
In case of interference resolution, the UAS control service may be treated equally or lower than a television broadcast service
6-7th October 2011

22. ICAO position
To support, based on the results of studies identified in Resolution 421, any modification to existing allocations, or new allocations required to accommodate UAS operations in non-segregated airspace while maintaining the safety and regularity of flight of all types of aircraft.
Accordingly, to ensure that allocations used, in particular, for UAS command and control, ATC relay and sense and avoid in non-segregated airspace are in the AM(R)S, AMS(R)S and/or ARNS and do not adversely affect existing aeronautical systems
To oppose the use of this agenda item to seek new spectrum allocations to meet payload requirements.
6-7th October 2011

23. THANK YOU FOR YOUR ATTENTION
6-7th October 2011