Spectrum Bridge points out that the IEEE 802.19 Wireless Coexistence Working Group is launching a new project (802.19.1), to develop a standard for devices operating in the TV white space.
TV white spaces are those not utilized by TV broadcasts or other licensed devices. For operation in the TV band, the FCC requires no interfere with local broadcasters. In order to insure that, white space devices need to know what transmitters are nearby and whether potential interference exists. Whitespace radios must automatically move to another channel if it detects an interference problem.
There are already several projects for development of standards for wireless networks operating in the TV white space.
- The IEEE 802.22 Working Group has been developing a standard for wireless regional area networks (WRANs) in the TV white space.
- Recently the IEEE 802.11 working group initiated a project to develop an amendment to the 802.11 WLAN standard for operation in the TV white space.
- The 802.11 TGaf specification held their first meeting on January 18, 2010, at the IEEE 802 Wireless Interim in Los Angeles. It would modify both the 802.11 physical layers (PHY) and the 802.11 Medium Access Control Layer (MAC), to meet the legal requirements for channel access and coexistence in the TV White Space.
- 802.11y standard specifies “dependent station enablement (DSE)” where low cost devices (clients or access points) can operate under the supervision of a more intelligent device that consults FCC-mandated databases and provides sophisticated sensing. While the scope of 802.11y was limited to operation in the US 3650-3700 MHz band in the US, it may be extended to other frequencies, too, such as 5 GHz or white spaces.
- Spectrum Bridge deployed the world’s first TV white spaces network (showmywhitespace.com) along with partners including Microsoft and Dell, who contributed to the project.
- Google wants to be the database provider, but some object to Google on the grounds that it has a stake in the game. Google may want to use those frequencies itself.
There still doesn’t seem to be full consensus, on how many entities should be recruited for the database network, and what specific roles they should play. The public can offer feedback on White Space issues through February 3, and reply to comments through February 18. Further instructions are available from the FCC.
You can find out what TV White Spaces channels are available in your area – directly from your iPhone — for free.
Created by Spectrum Bridge, their “ShowMyWhiteSpaces” is the first iPhone application for locating available TV White Spaces channels anywhere in the US.
On October 22, 2009, high-level executives from Microsoft met officials of the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India to demonstrate how vacant spectrum can be used to provide broadband services at a fraction of the cost incurred by existing players. Researchers at Redmond have been working on this technology for more than two years and call the technology White-Fi.
They believe it can be a game changer for India and the United States.
