Proposed Rule Change for Broadcasting Procedures and Rules Part 3 (BPR-3)

TAC-02-01

Proposed Rule Change for Broadcasting Procedures and Rules Part 3 (BPR-3)

The purpose of this note is to outlines the principles for harmonizing the technical rules for the 3rd and 4th adjacent channels in FM broadcasting.

Considering:

-That the test[1] conducted on the current FM receivers by the Certification and the Engineering Bureau of Industry Canada have indicated that the protection ratios for the 3rd and 4th adjacent channel are almost identical for all field strength levels,

-That over 75-80% of receivers (a distribution representing the types and numbers of receivers tested) can tolerate better than −40 dB field strength differential (D/U) for the 3rd and 4th adjacent channels at all field strength levels before experiencing interference.

-That 85% of high-end and car receivers can tolerate −55 dB field strength differential (D/U) for the 3rd and 4th adjacent channels at all field strength levels before experiencing interference.

-That current Industry Canada technical rules do not specify separation distances for the 4th adjacent channel.

-That numerous co-located 4th adjacent channel stations and a limited number of actual co-located 3rd adjacent channel stations in Canada have experienced no documented technical problems.

-That for the 2nd adjacent channel, the FCC uses −40 dB field strength differential (D/U) for the 2nd adjacent channel.

-That the protected contour for most classes of stations in the US is the 60dBµV/m (1mV/m).

It is proposed to harmonize domestically[2] the technical rules for the 3rd and 4th adjacent channels as follows:

-The Department will allow co-location of the 3rd adjacent channel with differential in ERP that does not exceed 30 dB for the same EHAAT (60dBu contour equivalence can be used for different antenna heights).

-When the 100 dBu contour of the 3rd and 4th adjacent channels intersects the area between the 80 dBu and the service contour of the related incumbent station, the Department will consider the applicant responsible for remedying any complaints of interference to the service of the incumbent inside the 100 dBu contour of the applicant’s assignment. The department will not consider the incumbent responsible for complaints of interference inside its own 100dBu contour.

-The Department will delete the current rules requiring a ratio of D/U=−40dB at the service contour of the station on the 3rd adjacent channel.

-The Department will require a ratio of D/U = −40dB at the service contour of the station on the 2nd adjacent channel.

-The protected contour of new stations will be the 60dBµV/m (1mV/m) contour as calculated by F(50,50) propagations curves.

[1]“Report on the FM Broadcast project 3rd and 4th Adjacent channel Interference Measurement”, Certification and Engineering Bureau, August 14, 2000.

[2]Separation distances required for the 3rd adjacent channel relative to a US assignments/allotments remain the same as per the current Canada/US Agreement on FM broadcasting.