[Code of Federal Regulations]

[Title 47, Volume 2]

[Revised as of October 1, 2004]

From the U.S. Government Printing Office via GPO Access

[CITE: 47CFR25.132]



[Page 283-284]

 

                       TITLE 47--TELECOMMUNICATION

 

                    CHAPTER I--FEDERAL COMMUNICATIONS

                         COMMISSION (CONTINUED)

 

PART 25_SATELLITE COMMUNICATIONS--Table of Contents

 

                   Subpart B_Applications and Licenses

 

Sec. 25.132  Verification of earth station antenna performance standards.



    (a) All applications for transmitting earth stations in the C and 

Ku-bands not subject to the certification requirement in Sec. 25.129 

must be accompanied by a certificate pursuant to Sec. 2.902 of this 

chapter from the manufacturer of each antenna that the results of a 

series of radiation pattern tests performed on representative equipment 

in representative configurations by the manufacturer which demonstrates 

that the equipment complies with the performance standards set forth in 

Sec. 25.209. The licensee must be prepared to demonstrate the 

measurements to the Commission on request in the course of an 

investigation of a harmful interference incident.

    (b)(1) In order to demonstrate compliance with Sec. 25.209 (a) and 

(b), the following measurements on a production antenna performed on 

calibrated antenna range, as a minimum, shall be made at the bottom, 

middle and top of each allocated frequency band and submitted to the 

Commission:

    (i) Co-polarized patterns for each of two orthogonal senses of 

polarizations in two orthogonal cuts of the antenna.

    (A) In the azimuth plane, plus and minus 7 degrees and plus and 

minus 180 degrees.

    (B) In the elevation plane, zero to forty-five degrees.

    (ii) Cross-polarization patterns in the E- and H-planes, plus and 

minus 9 degrees.

    (iii) Main beam gain.

    (2) The FCC envelope specified in Sec. 25.209 shall be superimposed 

on each



[[Page 284]]



pattern. The minimum tests specified above are recognized as 

representative of the performance of the antenna in most planes although 

some increase in sidelobe levels should be expected in the spar planes 

and orthogonal spar planes.

    (c) The tests specified in paragraph (b) of this section are 

normally performed at the manufacturer's facility; but for those 

antennas that are very large and only assembled on-site, on-site 

measurements may be used for product qualification data. If on-site data 

is to be used for qualification, the test frequencies and number of 

patterns should follow, where possible, the recommendations in paragraph 

(b) of this section, and the test data is to be submitted in the same 

manner as described in paragraph (a) of this section.

    (d) For each new or modified transmitting antenna over 3 meters in 

diameter, the following on-site verification measurements must be 

completed at one frequency on an available transponder in each frequency 

band of interest and submitted to the Commission.

    (1) Co-polarized patterns in the elevation plane, plus and minus 7 

degrees, in the transmit band.

    (2) Co-polarized patterns in the azimuth and elevation planes, plus 

and minus 7 degrees, in the receive band.

    (3) System cross-polarization discrimination on-axis. The FCC 

envelope specified in Sec. 25.209 shall be superimposed on each 

pattern. The transmit patterns are to be measured with the aid of a co-

operating earth station in coordination with the satellite system 

control center under the provisions of Sec. 25.272.

    (e) Certification that the tests required by paragraph (c) of this 

section have been satisfactorily performed shall be provided to the 

Commission in notification that construction of the facilities has been 

completed as required by Sec. 25.133.

    (f) Antennas less than 3 meters in diameter and antennas on simple 

(manual) drive mounts that are operated at a fixed site are exempt from 

the requirements of paragraphs (c) and (d) of this section provided that 

a detailed technical showing is made that confirms proper installation, 

pointing procedures, and polarization alignment and manufacturing 

quality control. These showing must also include a plan for periodic 

testing and field installation procedures and precautions.

    (g) Records of the results of the tests required by this section 

must be maintained at the antenna site or the earth station operator's 

control center and be available for inspection.



[58 FR 13419, Mar. 11, 1993, as amended at 69 FR 5710, Feb. 6, 2004]



    Effective Date Note: At 69 FR 5710, Feb. 6, 2004, Sec. 25.132 was 

amended by revising the first sentence of paragraph (a). This sentence 

contains information collection and recordkeeping requirements and will 

not become effective until approval has been given by the Office of 

Management and Budget.