SOURCEFORGE » RALF » 2014 Dimensioning and budgeting of TM/TC link

h1. Issues encountered

* Regulatory issues 

As described before, we chose to consider the frequency band 5091-5150 MHz for the allocation request, which is a band allocated to the service MBA (Mobile Aeronautical) for user DEF (Defence Ministry). 

When we finally reached the responsible of the frequency office of DGSIC (Direction Générale des Systèmes d'Information et de Communication), Dominique PIZZOL, he warned us on the use of MBA service frequencies: the 5091-5150 MHz band is under the management of DGAC (ie for air traffic control en-route). An exemption request seems hardly possible for our project, and globally the MBA service is not adapted for drone-like communication like ours.

However, Mr PIZZOL oriented us towards the generic service for mobile communication (MBO). This service covers a major part of the RF spectrum, and we need to know the characteristics of our equipment in order to select a suitable bandwidth.

In addition to that, we were informed that the entity DEF wouldn't be in charge of the frequency allocation for our application, but we should turn to the ARCEP (Agence de Régulation des Communications et des Postes).

* Application requirements issues

We have few possibilities for the aircraft antenna type due to its embedded nature: it is most likely to be omnidirectional. With a minimum requiered range of 50 km, the emitter should transmit with enough power, leading to "RF pollution". The available power in the 5091-5150 MHz band would be around 25mW which is not sufficient to provide a 50 km range.