81 FR 23267 - Incorporating the American National Standard for Compliance Testing of Transmitters Used in Licensed Radio Services (ANSI C63.26-2015) Into the Commission's Rules

FEDERAL COMMUNICATIONS COMMISSION

Federal Register Volume 81, Issue 76 (April 20, 2016)

Page Range		23267-23268
FR Document		2016-09058

In this document, the Commission acknowledges the publication of ANSI C63.26-2015 ``American National Standard for Compliance Testing of Transmitters Used in Licensed Radio Services'' and seeks comment on incorporating it into the Commission's rules by reference as part of an open rulemaking proceeding that addresses its equipment authorization (EA) rules and procedures. The standard was recently published and is now an ``active standard''--that is, the standards association considers it to be valid, current, and approved.

Federal Register, Volume 81 Issue 76 (Wednesday, April 20, 2016)

[Federal Register Volume 81, Number 76 (Wednesday, April 20, 2016)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 23267-23268]
From the Federal Register Online  [www.thefederalregister.org]
[FR Doc No: 2016-09058]


=======================================================================
-----------------------------------------------------------------------

FEDERAL COMMUNICATIONS COMMISSION

47 CFR Parts 2, 22, 24, 25, 27, 90, 95 and 101

[ET Docket No. 15-170; DA 16-348]


Incorporating the American National Standard for Compliance 
Testing of Transmitters Used in Licensed Radio Services (ANSI C63.26-
2015) Into the Commission's Rules

AGENCY: Federal Communications Commission.

ACTION: Proposed rule.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

SUMMARY: In this document, the Commission acknowledges the publication 
of ANSI C63.26-2015 ``American National Standard for Compliance Testing 
of Transmitters Used in Licensed Radio Services'' and seeks comment on 
incorporating it into the Commission's rules by reference as part of an 
open rulemaking proceeding that addresses its equipment authorization 
(EA) rules and procedures. The standard was recently published and is 
now an ``active standard''--that is, the standards association 
considers it to be valid, current, and approved.

DATES: Submit comments on or before May 5, 2016. Reply Comment Date: 
May 16, 2016.

ADDRESSES: Pursuant to sections 1.415 and 1.419 of the Commission's 
rules, 47 CFR 1.415, 1.419, interested parties may file comments and 
reply comments on or before the dates indicated on this document. 
Comments may be filed using the Commission's Electronic Comment Filing 
System (ECFS). See Electronic Filing of Documents in Rulemaking 
Proceedings, 63 FR 24121 (1998).
    Electronic Filers: Comments may be filed electronically using the 
Internet by accessing the ECFS: http://fjallfoss.fcc.gov/ecfs2/.
    Paper Filers: Parties who choose to file by paper must file an 
original and one copy of each filing. If more than one docket or 
rulemaking number appears in the caption of this proceeding, filers 
must submit two additional copies for each additional docket or 
rulemaking number. Filings can be sent by hand or messenger delivery, 
by commercial overnight courier, or by first-class or overnight U.S. 
Postal Service mail. All filings must be addressed to the Commission's 
Secretary, Office of the Secretary, Federal Communications Commission.
    All hand-delivered or messenger-delivered paper filings for the 
Commission's Secretary must be delivered to FCC Headquarters at 445 
12th St. SW., Room TW-A325, Washington, DC 20554. The filing hours are 
8:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. All hand deliveries must be held together with 
rubber bands or fasteners. Any envelopes and boxes must be disposed of 
before entering the building.
    Commercial overnight mail (other than U.S. Postal Service Express 
Mail and Priority Mail) must be sent to 9300 East Hampton Drive, 
Capitol Heights, MD 20743.
    U.S. Postal Service first-class, Express, and Priority mail must be 
addressed to 445 12th Street SW., Washington DC 20554. People with 
Disabilities: To request materials in accessible formats for people 
with disabilities (Braille, large print, electronic files, audio 
format), send an email to [email protected] or call the Consumer & 
Governmental Affairs Bureau at 202-418-0530 (voice), 202-418-0432 
(tty).
    Comments, reply comments, and ex parte submissions will be 
available for public inspection during regular business hours in the 
FCC Reference Center, Federal Communications Commission, 445 12th 
Street SW., CY-A257, Washington, DC 20554. These documents will also be 
available via ECFS. Documents will be available electronically in 
ASCII, Microsoft Word, and/or Adobe Acrobat.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Brian Butler, Office of Engineering 
and Technology, (202) 418-2702, email: [email protected], TTY (202) 
418-2989.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: This is a summary of the Commission's 
(Public Notice) ET Docket No 15-170, released April 1, 2016. The full 
text of this document is available for inspection and copying during 
normal business hours in the FCC Reference Center (Room CY-A257), 445 
12th Street SW., Washington, DC 20554. The full text may also be 
downloaded at: www.fcc.gov. People with Disabilities: To request 
materials in accessible formats for people with disabilities (Braille, 
large print, electronic files, audio format), send an email to 
[email protected] or call the Consumer & Governmental Affairs Bureau at 
202-418-0530 (voice), 202-418-0432 (tty).

[[Page 23268]]

Synopsis

    By this Synopsis, we acknowledge the publication of ANSI C63.26-
2015 ``American National Standard for Compliance Testing of 
Transmitters Used in Licensed Radio Services,'' and seek comment on 
incorporating it into the Commission's rules by reference as part of an 
open rulemaking proceeding that addresses our equipment authorization 
(EA) rules and procedures. Comments and reply comments should be filed 
in the existing EA docket, ET Docket No. 15-170.
    As background, ANSI C63.26 was developed by the ANSI ASC C63 in 
order to provide manufacturers and test laboratories with the reliable 
and consistent measurement procedures necessary to demonstrate that 
transmitters used in licensed radio services comply with the 
Commission's technical requirements. The standard was recently 
published and is now an ``active standard''--that is, the standards 
association considers it to be valid, current, and approved.
    The Commission, in the Notice of Proposed Rulemaking Docket 15-170 
(EA NPRM), initiated an examination of ways to update and modernize the 
rules and procedures associated with the equipment authorization 
program for radiofrequency (RF) devices. In the EA NPRM, the Commission 
acknowledged the then-pending ANSI C63.26 standard, and observed that 
references to the applicable measurement procedures in ANSI C63.26 
could replace measurement procedures set forth in the part 2 equipment 
authorization rules and referred to in many specific licensed service 
subparts. In particular, the Commission noted that section 2.947 of the 
rules states that it will accept data which has been measured in 
accordance with standards or measurement procedures acceptable to the 
Commission and published by national engineering societies.
    ANSI C63.26 is particularly relevant to the testing of digital 
devices, since our existing rules mostly address older analog 
technologies, and the supplemental guidance for digital device 
measurements has generally been provided by OET on an ad hoc basis. 
Moreover, because the standard complements the ANSI C63.10 standard for 
measurement procedures for unlicensed devices (which the Commission 
recently incorporated by reference), the use of ANSI C63.26 would 
facilitate the testing of devices that contain both licensed and 
unlicensed transmitters.
    In the EA NPRM, the Commission asked parties to ``take the ANSI 
C63.26 standards development into account when drafting their 
comments,'' anticipated that it would ``soon have to consider whether 
we should allow for the use of ANSI C63.26 once it has been adopted . . 
. and published,'' and proposed ``to seek comment on incorporating the 
ANSI C63.26 into our rules as soon as the standard becomes final.'' As 
the standard has become final, and through this Public Notice, we seek 
comment on modifying section 2.910 of our rules, 47 CFR 2.910, to 
incorporate ANSI C63.26 by reference. By supplementing the record 
within existing Docket 15-170, the Commission will be able to consider 
the use of ANSI C63.26 as part of its comprehensive review of the EA 
process.
    In addition to commenting on the potential adoption of ANSI C63.26 
generally, commenters should address how the Commission would 
incorporate the standard into our existing rules, as discussed in the 
NPRM. For example, what are the specific part 2 measurement procedures 
that ANSI C63.26 would replace, and which individual service rules 
should be replaced with cross-references to part 2 (and, by extension, 
ANSI C63.26)? These filings should be made in ET Docket No. 15-170 
within the pleading cycle time period listed above.
    Incorporation by Reference. The OFR recently revised the 
regulations to require that agencies must discuss in the preamble of 
the rule ways that the materials the agency incorporates by reference 
are reasonably available to interested persons and how interested 
parties can obtain the materials. In addition, the preamble of the rule 
must summarize the material. 1 CFR 51.5(b). In accordance with OFR's 
requirements, the discussion in this section summarizes ANSI standards. 
Copies of the standards are available for purchase from these 
organizations: The Institute of Electrical and Electronic Engineers 
(IEEE), 3916 Ranchero Drive, Ann Arbor, MI 48108, 1-800-699-9277, 
http://www.techstreet.com/ieee; and the American National Standards 
Institute (ANSI), 25 West 43rd Street, 4th Floor, New York, NY 10036, 
(212) 642-4900, http://webstore.ansi.org/ansidocstore.
    ANSI C63.26-2015, ``American National Standard for Compliance 
Testing of Transmitters Used in Licensed Radio Services,'' is ANSI 
approved and was published on January 15, 2016. The IBR previously 
proposed in 80 FR 46900 (2015) would also include this standard in 
multiple rule sections.
    This standard, ANSI C63.26-2015, covers the procedures for testing 
a wide variety of licensed transmitters; including but not limited to 
transmitters operating under parts 22, 24, 25, 27, 90, 95 and 101 of 
the FCC Rules, transmitters subject to the general procedures in part 2 
of the FCC Rules and procedures for transmitters not covered in the FCC 
Rules. The standard also addresses specific topics; e.g., ERP/EIRP, 
average power measurements and instrumentation requirements.

Federal Communications Commission.
Ronald T. Repasi,
Deputy Chief, Office of Engineering and Technology.
[FR Doc. 2016-09058 Filed 4-19-16; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 6712-01-P

Federal Register / Vol. 81, No. 76 / Wednesday, April 20, 2016 / Proposed Rules 23267

section 4 of the ESA or result in the consumption of water and organisms is filings must be addressed to the
destruction or adverse modification of 4000 micrograms per liter. Commission’s Secretary, Office of the
such species’ critical habitat; [FR Doc. 2016–09025 Filed 4–19–16; 8:45 am] Secretary, Federal Communications
(D) Will not extend to drinking water BILLING CODE 6560–50–C
Commission.
intakes and sources; All hand-delivered or messenger-
(E) Will not otherwise interfere with delivered paper filings for the
the designated or existing uses of the FEDERAL COMMUNICATIONS Commission’s Secretary must be
receiving water or downstream waters; COMMISSION delivered to FCC Headquarters at 445
(F) Will not promote undesirable 12th St. SW., Room TW–A325,
aquatic life or result in a dominance of 47 CFR Parts 2, 22, 24, 25, 27, 90, 95 Washington, DC 20554. The filing hours
nuisance species; and 101 are 8:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. All hand
(G) Will not endanger critical areas deliveries must be held together with
[ET Docket No. 15–170; DA 16–348]
such as breeding and spawning grounds, rubber bands or fasteners. Any
habitat for state-listed threatened or Incorporating the American National envelopes and boxes must be disposed
endangered species, areas with sensitive Standard for Compliance Testing of of before entering the building.
biota, shellfish beds, fisheries, and Transmitters Used in Licensed Radio Commercial overnight mail (other
recreational areas; Services (ANSI C63.26–2015) Into the than U.S. Postal Service Express Mail
(H) Will not contain pollutant Commission’s Rules and Priority Mail) must be sent to 9300
concentrations that are lethal to mobile, East Hampton Drive, Capitol Heights,
migrating, and drifting organisms AGENCY: Federal Communications
MD 20743.
passing through the mixing zone; Commission.
(I) Will not contain pollutant ACTION: Proposed rule. U.S. Postal Service first-class,
concentrations that may cause Express, and Priority mail must be
significant human health risks SUMMARY: In this document, the addressed to 445 12th Street SW.,
considering likely pathways of Commission acknowledges the Washington DC 20554. People with
exposure; publication of ANSI C63.26–2015 Disabilities: To request materials in
(J) Will not result in an overlap with ‘‘American National Standard for accessible formats for people with
another mixing zone; Compliance Testing of Transmitters disabilities (Braille, large print,
(K) Will not attract aquatic life; Used in Licensed Radio Services’’ and electronic files, audio format), send an
(L) Will not result in a shore-hugging seeks comment on incorporating it into email to fcc504@fcc.gov or call the
plume; and the Commission’s rules by reference as Consumer & Governmental Affairs
(M) Is free from: part of an open rulemaking proceeding Bureau at 202–418–0530 (voice), 202–
(1) Substances that settle to form that addresses its equipment 418–0432 (tty).
objectionable deposits; authorization (EA) rules and Comments, reply comments, and ex
(2) Floating debris, oil, scum, and procedures. The standard was recently parte submissions will be available for
other matter in concentrations that form published and is now an ‘‘active public inspection during regular
nuisances; and standard’’—that is, the standards business hours in the FCC Reference
(3) Objectionable color, odor, taste, or association considers it to be valid, Center, Federal Communications
turbidity. current, and approved. Commission, 445 12th Street SW., CY–
(h) Dissolved oxygen criteria for class DATES: Submit comments on or before A257, Washington, DC 20554. These
A waters throughout the State of Maine, May 5, 2016. Reply Comment Date: May documents will also be available via
including in Indian lands. The 16, 2016. ECFS. Documents will be available
dissolved oxygen content of Class A ADDRESSES: Pursuant to sections 1.415 electronically in ASCII, Microsoft Word,
waters shall not be less than 7 ppm (7 and 1.419 of the Commission’s rules, 47 and/or Adobe Acrobat.
mg/L) or 75% of saturation, whichever CFR 1.415, 1.419, interested parties may FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
is higher, year-round. For the period file comments and reply comments on Brian Butler, Office of Engineering and
from October 1 through May 14, in fish or before the dates indicated on this Technology, (202) 418–2702, email:
spawning areas, the 7-day mean document. Comments may be filed Brian.Butler@fcc.gov, TTY (202) 418–
dissolved oxygen concentration shall using the Commission’s Electronic 2989.
not be less than 9.5 ppm (9.5 mg/L), and Comment Filing System (ECFS). See
the 1-day minimum dissolved oxygen Electronic Filing of Documents in SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: This is a
concentration shall not be less than 8 Rulemaking Proceedings, 63 FR 24121 summary of the Commission’s (Public
ppm (8.0 mg/L). (1998). Notice) ET Docket No 15–170, released
(i) Waiver or modification of Electronic Filers: Comments may be April 1, 2016. The full text of this
protection and improvement laws for filed electronically using the Internet by document is available for inspection
waters throughout the State of Maine, accessing the ECFS: http:// and copying during normal business
including in Indian lands. For all waters fjallfoss.fcc.gov/ecfs2/. hours in the FCC Reference Center
in Maine, the provisions in Title 38 of Paper Filers: Parties who choose to (Room CY–A257), 445 12th Street SW.,
Maine Revised Statutes 363–D do not file by paper must file an original and Washington, DC 20554. The full text
apply to state or federal water quality one copy of each filing. If more than one may also be downloaded at:
Lhorne on DSK5TPTVN1PROD with PROPOSALS

standards applicable to waters in Maine, docket or rulemaking number appears in www.fcc.gov. People with Disabilities:
including designated uses, criteria to the caption of this proceeding, filers To request materials in accessible
protect existing and designated uses, must submit two additional copies for formats for people with disabilities
and antidegradation policies. each additional docket or rulemaking (Braille, large print, electronic files,
(j) Phenol criterion for the protection number. Filings can be sent by hand or audio format), send an email to fcc504@
of human health for Maine Waters messenger delivery, by commercial fcc.gov or call the Consumer &
outside of Indian lands. The phenol overnight courier, or by first-class or Governmental Affairs Bureau at 202–
criterion to protect human health for the overnight U.S. Postal Service mail. All 418–0530 (voice), 202–418–0432 (tty).

VerDate Sep<11>2014 14:51 Apr 19, 2016 Jkt 238001 PO 00000 Frm 00080 Fmt 4702 Sfmt 4702 E:\FR\FM\20APP1.SGM 20APP1

23268 Federal Register / Vol. 81, No. 76 / Wednesday, April 20, 2016 / Proposed Rules

Synopsis ANSI C63.26 is particularly relevant Incorporation by Reference. The OFR
to the testing of digital devices, since recently revised the regulations to
By this Synopsis, we acknowledge the
our existing rules mostly address older require that agencies must discuss in the
publication of ANSI C63.26–2015
analog technologies, and the preamble of the rule ways that the
‘‘American National Standard for
supplemental guidance for digital materials the agency incorporates by
Compliance Testing of Transmitters
device measurements has generally been reference are reasonably available to
Used in Licensed Radio Services,’’ and provided by OET on an ad hoc basis. interested persons and how interested
seek comment on incorporating it into Moreover, because the standard parties can obtain the materials. In
the Commission’s rules by reference as complements the ANSI C63.10 standard addition, the preamble of the rule must
part of an open rulemaking proceeding for measurement procedures for summarize the material. 1 CFR 51.5(b).
that addresses our equipment unlicensed devices (which the In accordance with OFR’s requirements,
authorization (EA) rules and Commission recently incorporated by the discussion in this section
procedures. Comments and reply reference), the use of ANSI C63.26 summarizes ANSI standards. Copies of
comments should be filed in the would facilitate the testing of devices the standards are available for purchase
existing EA docket, ET Docket No. 15– that contain both licensed and from these organizations: The Institute
170. unlicensed transmitters. of Electrical and Electronic Engineers
As background, ANSI C63.26 was In the EA NPRM, the Commission (IEEE), 3916 Ranchero Drive, Ann
developed by the ANSI ASC C63 in asked parties to ‘‘take the ANSI C63.26 Arbor, MI 48108, 1–800–699–9277,
order to provide manufacturers and test standards development into account http://www.techstreet.com/ieee; and the
laboratories with the reliable and when drafting their comments,’’ American National Standards Institute
consistent measurement procedures anticipated that it would ‘‘soon have to (ANSI), 25 West 43rd Street, 4th Floor,
necessary to demonstrate that consider whether we should allow for New York, NY 10036, (212) 642–4900,
transmitters used in licensed radio the use of ANSI C63.26 once it has been http://webstore.ansi.org/ansidocstore.
services comply with the Commission’s adopted . . . and published,’’ and ANSI C63.26–2015, ‘‘American
technical requirements. The standard proposed ‘‘to seek comment on National Standard for Compliance
was recently published and is now an incorporating the ANSI C63.26 into our Testing of Transmitters Used in
‘‘active standard’’—that is, the standards rules as soon as the standard becomes Licensed Radio Services,’’ is ANSI
association considers it to be valid, final.’’ As the standard has become approved and was published on January
current, and approved. final, and through this Public Notice, we 15, 2016. The IBR previously proposed
The Commission, in the Notice of seek comment on modifying section in 80 FR 46900 (2015) would also
Proposed Rulemaking Docket 15–170 2.910 of our rules, 47 CFR 2.910, to include this standard in multiple rule
(EA NPRM), initiated an examination of incorporate ANSI C63.26 by reference. sections.
ways to update and modernize the rules By supplementing the record within This standard, ANSI C63.26–2015,
and procedures associated with the existing Docket 15–170, the Commission covers the procedures for testing a wide
equipment authorization program for will be able to consider the use of ANSI variety of licensed transmitters;
radiofrequency (RF) devices. In the EA C63.26 as part of its comprehensive including but not limited to transmitters
NPRM, the Commission acknowledged review of the EA process. operating under parts 22, 24, 25, 27, 90,
the then-pending ANSI C63.26 standard, In addition to commenting on the 95 and 101 of the FCC Rules,
and observed that references to the potential adoption of ANSI C63.26 transmitters subject to the general
applicable measurement procedures in generally, commenters should address procedures in part 2 of the FCC Rules
ANSI C63.26 could replace how the Commission would incorporate and procedures for transmitters not
measurement procedures set forth in the the standard into our existing rules, as covered in the FCC Rules. The standard
part 2 equipment authorization rules discussed in the NPRM. For example, also addresses specific topics; e.g., ERP/
and referred to in many specific what are the specific part 2 EIRP, average power measurements and
licensed service subparts. In particular, measurement procedures that ANSI instrumentation requirements.
the Commission noted that section C63.26 would replace, and which
2.947 of the rules states that it will individual service rules should be Federal Communications Commission.
accept data which has been measured in replaced with cross-references to part 2 Ronald T. Repasi,
accordance with standards or (and, by extension, ANSI C63.26)? Deputy Chief, Office of Engineering and
measurement procedures acceptable to These filings should be made in ET Technology.
the Commission and published by Docket No. 15–170 within the pleading [FR Doc. 2016–09058 Filed 4–19–16; 8:45 am]
national engineering societies. cycle time period listed above. BILLING CODE 6712–01–P
Lhorne on DSK5TPTVN1PROD with PROPOSALS

VerDate Sep<11>2014 14:51 Apr 19, 2016 Jkt 238001 PO 00000 Frm 00081 Fmt 4702 Sfmt 9990 E:\FR\FM\20APP1.SGM 20APP1

Document Created: 2016-04-20 01:51:48
Document Modified: 2016-04-20 01:51:48

Category		Regulatory Information
Collection		Federal Register
sudoc Class		AE 2.7: GS 4.107: AE 2.106:
Publisher		Office of the Federal Register, National Archives and Records Administration
Section		Proposed Rules
Action		Proposed rule.
Contact		Brian Butler, Office of Engineering and Technology, (202) 418-2702, email: [email protected], TTY (202) 418-2989.
FR Citation		81 FR 23267
CFR Citation		47 CFR 101 47 CFR 2 47 CFR 22 47 CFR 24 47 CFR 25 47 CFR 27 47 CFR 90 47 CFR 95