FCC rejects pleas to restrict ultrawideband

The U.S. Federal Communications Commission (FCC) will let stand largely unchanged its rules for the use of UWB (ultrawideband) technology after it reviewed fourteen petitions for reconsideration, the agency announced Thursday.

UWB technology can be used for high-speed, short-range wireless communication, such as in wireless LANs, as well as for radar imaging of objects underground or behind walls. It uses a wide range of radio frequencies, sending short-duration pulses that dart around other traffic traversing the same airwaves. The FCC last year issued rules for the unlicensed use of UWB devices with some restrictions.

Objections to UWB have been raised on the grounds that widespread use of the technology could interfere with GPS (Global Positioning System), satellite TV and other transmissions.

After reviewing the petitions, the agency denied the requests that sought further restrictions on UWB operations. It granted some requests for minor changes that did not increase the potential for UWB interference with other radio transmissions, according to an FCC statement.

The FCC believes UWB products could be introduced in the next 12 to 18 months. It will continue to review the potential impact of UWB devices on various radio services to determine what other rule changes may be needed, the statement said.

The agency will allow the use of ground-penetrating radar only for law enforcement, firefighting, emergency rescue, commercial mining, and construction purposes. It will allow wall-penetrating radar only for law enforcement, firefighting and rescue operations in emergencies.

Also Thursday, the agency denied a request that it review the approval of a UWB transmitter from Time Domain. A coalition of companies and associations had filed the application for review, which involved a transmit-only radio designed for use by UWB application developers. The transmitter complies with all the FCC rules, the agency said.