Satellite Radio Comes to Peurto Rico

On October 23, 2009, Sirius XM filed an application with the FCC International Bureau to operate repeaters in Peurto Rico for 60 days. The FCC granted this application on November 05. Satellite Radio is coming to Peurto Rico alas! Sirius XM also filed an application for the standard 180 day license to operate repeaters in Peurto Rico on October 30. It is just a formality at this point.

For all those in Peurto Rico, the wait is over. Sit back and enjoy the music.

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XM Receives Grant to Launch and Operate XM5 an In-Orbit Spare

XM Radio has applied for and has been granted permission to launch and operate XM-5 as an in-orbit spare. It will also include the Sirius Satellite Radio frequencies and will be able to serve as a spare for both systems. XM plans to launch in the first quarter of 2010.

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XM Seeks to Expand it Band of Frequencies

XM, the wholly owned subsidiary of Sirius XM Radio, has filed an application to expand it range of frequencies to include the Sirius Satellite Radio band of frequencies. Previously, XM operated in the 2332.5-2345 MHz band, while Sirius operated in the 2320-2332.5. XM now seeks permission to operate over the entire satellite radion band from 2320 MHz to 2345 MHz. The stated purpose is to allow Sirius XM to design, test, and demonstate its terrestrial repeater network in order to optimize the network prior to deployment. Although the repeater networks operate in a different way, this could be the first step towards consolidating the two repeater networks. One also has to wonder if this could be a prelude to moving towards one satellite constellation.

Update: Application granted on May 14, 2009.

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XM Sirius Readies for Launch of Geostationary Satellite

Sirius XM filed an application today with the FCC IB "to use the S- and X-band antennas on its Ellenwood, Georgia earth station (Call sign E080168) to provide launch and early orbit phase (“LEOP”) services to, and in orbit testing (“IOT”) of, its FM-5 satellite (call sign S2710)." The launch of its FM-5 geostationary satellite is scheduled to launch on June 29, 2009 into the 96 degree W.L. orbit. This will be the first geostationary satellite in the old Sirius constellation. The satellite will improve the reception of satellite radio in the US and Canada.

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Satellite Radio In Puerto Rico

As many of you may have surmised, I have been away for a while. I still have a day job. The vast majority of my time has been spent in China over the past year or so. Anyway, this may be a bit of old news. When the merger between XM and Sirius was approved last year, one of the conditions was to bring satellite radio to Puerto Rico. In keeping with this condition, on October 27, 2008, Sirius XM filed an application to operate low powered repeaters (less than 2 KW) in Puerto Rico. These repeaters would be used to bring satellite radio to Puerto Rico, complete with repeaters to fill in the gaps. The FCC is yet to act on this application.

Twenty repeaters are currently planned as follows:

Westernbank World Plaza, 268 Munoz Rivera Avenue, San Juan, PR

Edificio Union Plaza, Avenue Ponce De Leon #416, San Juan, PR

Las Caramelitas, Avenue Ponce De Leon, San Juan, PR

Santa Anna Apartments, Villa Caparra, Avenue Luis Vgoreaux, Guaynabo, PR

PR Telephone Company, 1513 Avenue F.D. Roosevelt, Guaynabo, PR

Plaza Del Prado, CARR 833 Calle Los Filtros, Guaynabo, PR

Monserate Towers, Monserate Avenue I, Carolina, PR

Sona Industrial, Marginal Baldorioty De Castro B-24, Carolina PR

San Anton Apartments, Calle Roman Figueroa Castro, Carolina, PR

Riverside Plaza, 74 Calle Santa Cruz, Bayamon, PR

Torres del Parque, Avenue Federico Motilla 1700, Bayamon, PR

Caribe Hilton, 1 San Geronimo St., San Juan, PR

Pazada, # 2 Avenue De La Constitucion, San Juan, PR

Ashford Imperial, 1302 Ashford Avenue, Condado, San Juan, PR

Coral Beach I, 5859 Avenue Isla Verde, Carolina, PR

Condo Mundo Feliz, Calle Rodriguez Emma #1, Carolina, PR

Cooperativa De Viviendas, Torres De Carolina, Carolina, PR

PR Telephone Company, Power St, Ponce, PR

Condo El Mirador, Avenue University, Ponce, PR

Caguas Tower, Bonneville Terrace, Calle 2, Caguas, PR

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Sirius XM to Test New Modulators

Earlier this month, Sirius XM filed for an experimental application to test new FM modulators. It plans to test up to 500 units nationwide. One has to wonder whether or not Sirius XM will seek volunteers to assist in this quest.

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XM Patent Application for Sending and Receiving Images

Today, XM had a patent application published for a "System and method for sending and receiving images via wireless audio channels". The application applies not only to satellite radio but to all digital radio including HD Radio and Digital AM. It is not related to real time video. It appears that still images are captured from digital cameras or video recorders or other sources and encoded into the audio stream as 120 X 120 to 176 X 220 pixel images. The images are synchronized to the relevant audio to create a picture show.

The only question is, "What took you so long?" It seems like an obvious application and we thought it would have been done on the latest generation of the Stilleto.

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US Electronics Makes Commonsense Proposal

Last week, US Electronics make a commonsense proposal on the open sourcing of satellite radio receivers. It is difficult to argue with this proposal or its benefits to consumers. Left to the merged entity, satellite radio will do what benefits satellite radio. With open sourcing, the consumer wins. Actually, it is not a bad deal for satellite radio either. It gets them out of the design of the satellite radio receivers and lets them focus on what they do best, producing great entertainment.

First, US Electronics proposes the following restrictions:

1. Sirius shall not directly or indirectly engage in the design, manufacture or distribution of satellite radio receivers.

2. Sirius shall not enter into exclusive agreements with any manufacturer, distributor, retailer, partner or auto manufacturer that limits the availability of hardware capable of receiving SDARS signal by consumers.

3. Sirius shall not participate in setting, influence or seek to influence, directly or indirectly, the retail price paid by consumers to acquire any satellite radio receiver or ancillary hardware used to support the operation of a satellite radio receiver except through mechanisms allowed pursuant to D.2., below.

All of these conditions are necessary for open sourcing to work. Next, US Electronics would require that satellite radio publish the technical requirements to use the satellite radio chipsets. Basic stuff. Manufacturers have got to know how to use the chipsets.

US Electronics also proposes to make any subsidies available on a non-discriminatory basis. Satellite radio would not be allowed to favor any manufacturer in any way. No manufacturer is at a disadvantage. Sales and marketing would also be made on a non-discriminatory basis.

Finally, although not specific on this point, they propose a means of monitoring and enforcing open sourcing. Without enforcement, the requirement has no bite. Whatever the means of enforcement, it must be better that the enforcement of the interoperable receivers, which never happened in any practical way.

We find little fault with this proposal and urge the Commission to accept it.

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Wistron-Neweb Unveils New Stratus 5 Radio

Wistron-Neweb received certification for its new Stratus 5 Sirius Satellite Radio today (FCC ID NKRUPASV5). It has been a long while since we have seen a new receiver. We didn't expect to see any new radios until the merger decision was made. The receiver is strictly for the Sirius Satellite Radio signals and has NO provisions for receiving the XM signals.

User Manual
External Photos 1
External Photos 2
Internal Photos 1
Internal Photos 2

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Sirius' Application to Launch New Non-Geostationary Satellite Dismissed

Yesterday, CD Radio's (aka Sirius Satellite Radio) application to launch a new non-geostationary satellite was dismissed. The reason for dismissal was because Sirius failed to provide adequate information for the end of life disposal of the satellite. Sirius can reapply. The Commission advised Sirius to provide the following information when it resubmits its application:

First, we ask that Satellite CD Radio provide additional information concerning its post-mission disposal plans for the FM-6 satellite as part of any future filing. As part of its current application, Satellite CD Radio proposes to dispose of the FM-6 satellite at end of life by circularizing the orbital altitude of the satellite to an operational perigee of approximately 46,325 kilometers.’ In any future filing, Satellite CD Radio should confirm the inclination of the disposal orbit, as well as provide any information it has supporting the long-term stability of the disposal orbit.

Second, space station antennas in the fixed-satellite service must be designed to provide a crosspolarization isolation such that the ratio of the on axis co-polar gain to the cross-polar gain of the antenna in the assigned frequency band shall be at least 30 dB within its primary coverage area.’ Although Satellite CD Radio states in its Attachment A to its application that the cross polarization isolation of the satellite feeder link receiver antenna will exceed 30 decibels (dB) within the -3 dB gain contour of the receive frequency, this value stated as 25 dB in its schedule S filling. We request that Satellite CD Radio confirm the actual cross-polar isolation of its antenna as part of any future filing.

Update: Sirius has since refiled: Narrative, Tech Description, Technical Supplement

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OT: Enforcement Bureau Issues Major Notices of Apparent Liability

The Enforcement Bureau (EB) of the FCC has issued numerous high dollar notices of apparent liability (NAL) "for failure to place the required Consumer Alert label immediately adjacent to and clearly associated with television receiving equipment" warning them that certain TVs were analog only and would require converters after February 17, 2009. Here are some samples:

CompUSA $168,000
Fry's Electronics $384,000
Target $296,000
Best Buy $280,000
Circuit City $712,000
Wal-Mart/Sam's $992,000
Sears Roebuck $1,096,000

In addition, the EB hit numerous manufacturers with NALs for failure to comply with V-Chip requirements:

Polaroid $775,000
Proview Technology $300,000
Precor Incorporated $357,900
Syntax-Brillian $1,277,100


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OT: Commercial Mobile Alert System First Report and Order

Yesterday, April 09, 2008, the FCC adopted the Commercial Mobile Alert System First Report and Order (CMAS First Report and Order). The purpose of the CMAS is to provide warning messages to the public on mobile devices, such as cell phones. At present, participation is voluntary. In its release today, the Commission described the system as follows:

Wireless carriers that choose to participate in the CMAS will transmit text-based alerts to their subscribers. As technology evolves, the CMAS may eventually include audio and video services to transmit emergency alerts to the public. To ensure that people with disabilities who subscribe to wireless services receive these emergency alerts, the FCC adopted rules that will require wireless carriers who participate in the CMAS to transmit messages with both vibration cadence and audio attention signals.

Consumers can expect to receive three types of messages via their cell phones and other mobile devices from participating wireless carriers, including:

· Presidential Alerts - national emergency-related alerts delivered to the American public that would preempt any other pending alerts;

· Imminent Threat Alerts - alerts with information on emergencies that may pose an imminent risk to people’s lives or well-being; and

· Child Abduction Emergency/AMBER Alerts - alerts related to missing or endangered children due to an abduction or runaway situation.

The participating wireless carriers will be required to comply with Order within 10 months after the Commission designates an agency to collect and transmit the alerts to the wireless carriers.

You can read the Report and Order at statements here:

http://hraunfoss.fcc.gov/edocs_public/attachmatch/FCC-08-99A1.pdf
http://hraunfoss.fcc.gov/edocs_public/attachmatch/FCC-08-99A2.pdf
http://hraunfoss.fcc.gov/edocs_public/attachmatch/FCC-08-99A3.pdf
http://hraunfoss.fcc.gov/edocs_public/attachmatch/FCC-08-99A4.pdf
http://hraunfoss.fcc.gov/edocs_public/attachmatch/FCC-08-99A5.pdf
http://hraunfoss.fcc.gov/edocs_public/attachmatch/FCC-08-99A6.pdf


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Sirius to Launch New NGSO Satellite

Sirius recently filed an application for authority to launch and operate a new non-geostationary orbit satellite (NGSO, FM-6). The satellite will replace TWO existing NGSO satellites (FM-1 and FM-2) that are currently in operation. FM-6 would be placed half way between the where FM-1 and FM-2 operate today. The launch is expected to take place in 2010. Sirius has already been granted authority to launch a geostationary satellite (FM-5). This will significantly alter its existing satellite constellation. It will eventually operate with two non geostationary satellites (FM-3, FM-6) and one geostationary satellite (FM-5). Sirius explains it as follows:

The enhanced geographic coverage anticipated from the successful launch of FM-5, coupled with satellite technology advancements included on FM-5 and FM-6, will allow Sirius to reduce its GSO constellation from three to two satellites.

FM-6 will have twice the transmit power of FM-1 and FM-2.

In the appplication, there is this little nugget of information concerning its overlay modulation currently used for backseat video:

The digital stream throughput is 1.35 Mb/s. The additional transmission capacity will be used for providing subscribers with more audio channel programming and data and is currently providing three compressed video channels primarily for vehicle back seat viewing. Each video is compressed to approximately 255kb/s.

This gives us some ideas on what we might see for the number of audio channels. Presently, music is compressed to 44 kbps; voice, 20 kbps; and 16 kbps for low quality audio such as traffic and weather. The above implies spare capacity of 585 kbps, enough for 13 more music channels.


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IBM Patent Application for Satellite Radio Receiver

We came across this interesting IBM patent application this morning:

United States Patent Application	20080064325
Kind Code	A1
Bates; Cary Lee ; et al.	March 13, 2008

---

SATELLITE RADIO RECEIVER THAT DISPLAYS INFORMATION REGARDING ONE OR MORE CHANNELS THAT ARE NOT CURRENTLY BEING LISTENED TO

Abstract

A satellite radio receiver includes a display that displays information regarding one or more channels that are not currently being listened to. For a music channel, this information may include the name of the artist, the song title, time left in the song, etc. For a news channel, this information may include the news currently being discussed, the name of the news program, the time remaining, etc. For a sports channel, this information may include the name of the channel, a description of the sporting event, the time remaining, etc. The preferred embodiments include different ways to select which channels are "favorites" and therefore displayed on the display. One way is to keep track of which channels are most frequently listened to, and to display information regarding those channels.

---

Inventors:	Bates; Cary Lee; (Rochester, MN) ; Nelson; Eric John; (Rochester, MN) ; Santosuosso; John Matthew; (Rochester, MN)
Correspondence Name and Address:	MARTIN & ASSOCIATES, LLC P.O. BOX 548 CARTHAGE MO 64836-0548 US
Assignee Name and Adress:	INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION New Orchard Road Armonk NY 10504
Serial No.:	941477
Series Code:	11
Filed:	November 16, 2007

U.S. Current Class:	455/3.02
U.S. Class at Publication:	455/003.02
Intern'l Class:	H04H 20/00 20080101 H04H020/00

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Sirius Proposes to Test New Equipment and Services

Sirius has filed for an experimental license "to research, design and demonstrate prototype satellite radio equipment for use in its satellite digital audio radio services (“SDARS”) system and to research, design and demonstrate new services or enhancements to its existing services." Sirius would conduct experiments at its engineering labs in Vernon, NJ, and Lawrenceville, NJ.

Sirius describes the purpose as:

Sirius continuously seeks to update its technology that it uses and the services that
it offers to consumers. Thus, Sirius needs the capability to test new and prototype
equipment or service enhancements to ensure that they function correctly before
commercial production or deployment. The production of SDARS equipment and the
introduction of new services are both expensive undertakings, and Sirius needs the
capability to test its technology before expending these resources.

There aren't any clues as to what the new equipment and services might include. All we know is that it is entirely within the Sirius band.


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OT: Into the Fray

We go to the ends of the world to bring you news that's important (actually, we have day jobs). Tomorrow we begin our journey into the "largest annual human migration in the world". Reports are not encouraging. It's into the fray and hope for the best. Shouldn't be too bad (famous last words); everyone is trying to get out of Shanghai, not in to it. It's the Lunar New Year in China, the biggest holiday of the year and it is when everybody goes home. Southern China is having some of the worst weather in decades, but it is also affecting other areas. Just another adventure.

If you are over that way, there is a good chance you will find us at the Big Bamboo enjoying the best cheeseburger in the world. And if any of you have favorite spots in Shanghai, let us know and we will check it out.

We will be in contact. Internet access is good, although slow at time.

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Sirius to Boost Power

Today, Sirius filed an application requesting to boost the power to 2,000 Watt for the repeaters at the following locations. Currently, these repeaters operate from 150 to 800 Watt. This should improve the repeater reach considerably. Lately, the Commission has routinely granted authority for repeaters operating at or below 2,000 Watt.

Ann Arbor, MI 2 555 East William Street, Ann Arbor, MI 48104
Bridgeport, CT 2 10 Middle Street, Bridgeport CT 06604
Columbia, SC 1 1301 Gervais Street, Columbia, SC 29201
Des Moines, IA 1 666 Grand Avenue, Des Moines, IA 50309
Flint, MI 1 120 East First Street, Flint, MI 48502
Grand Rapids, MI 1 11 Monroe Avenue, Grand Rapids, MI 49503
Jackson, MS 1 210 E. Capitol Street, Jackson, MS 39201
Los Angeles, CA 1 7700 Irvine Center Drive, Irvine, CA 92618
Madison, WI 1 122 West Washington Avenue, Madison, WI 53703
Mobile, AL 1 31 N. Royal Street, Mobile, AL 36602
Naples, FL 1 3600 Prospect Avenue, Naples, FL 34104
Paramus, NJ 2 590 Industrial Avenue (aka 590 Valley Health Plaza), Paramus, NJ 07652
Raleigh-Durham, NC 1 300 West Morgan Street, Durham, NC 27701
Waterbury, CT 1 117 Pine Street, Waterbury, CT 06710
West Palm Beach, FL 2 1601 Belvedere Road, West Palm Beach, FL 33406

One could see where the WCS Coalition might take Sirius' language in the application the wrong way:

In addition, WCS licensees will have an opportunity to comment on the STA during the public notice period; as a result, Sirius has not notified the WCS licensees in the affected MSAs prior to filing this request. Therefore, Sirius respectfully requests that the Commission promptly grant its proposed modifications to its STA.


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Honda Files Application to Test Race Car Telemetry System

Honda has filed an experimental application to test a data telemetry system made by McLaren Electronic Systems. Honda intends to test the system at the following locations.

• February 19-21, 2008 – Sebring, FL – LAT 27.5025 LONG -81.4505
• March 10-15, 2008 – Sebring, FL – LAT 27.5025 LONG -81.4505
• April 3-5, 2008 – St. Petersburg, FL – LAT 27.4554 LONG -82.3752
• April 17-19, 2008 – Long Beach, CA – LAT 33.7706 LONG -118.1820
• April 24-26, 2008 – Houston, TX – LAT 29.7594 LONG -95.3594
• April 29-30, 2008 – Toole, UT – LAT 40.5454 LONG -112.3002
• May 15-18, 2008 – Toole, UT – LAT 40.5454 LONG -112.3002
• June 8-10, 2008 – Lexington, OH – LAT 40.6826 LONG -82.5906
• July 9-12, 2008 – Lakeville, CT – LAT 41.9516 LONG -73.4377
• July 16-19, 2008 – Lexington, OH – LAT 40.6826 LONG -82.5906
• August 6-12, 2008 – Elkhart Lake, WI – LAT 43.8436 LONG -87.9767
• August 28-30, 2008 – Detroit, MI – LAT 42.3474 LONG -83.0604
• October 1-4, 2008 – Braselton, GA – LAT 34.1389 LONG -83.7812
• October 15-18, 2008 – Salinas, CA – LAT 36.6011 LONG -121.6729

A brief search seems to indicate that this might be for the LeMans racing series. I've camped out in the middle of the real 24 Hours of Le Mans when I lived in France, but I have no familiarity with these events. We don't know if this might be something new for Honda or old news.

The initial response from the FCC is that this application appears to be for ongoing operations and asks whether it can be licensed under other FCC rules.

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HobbyTron Receives Citation

HobbyTron received an official citation from the FCC for marketing apparently illegal FM transmitters in the US and failing to provide information to a Letter of Inquiry (LOI) from October 22, 2007. The models affected include the R-FM30B-WT, R-FM100B-WT, and UX-150 transmitters (apparently made by Ramsey Electronics in the US and Canakit in Canada). Some of these transmitters have a range of over a mile. HobbyTron (Gibson Tech Ed, Inc.) had previously been issued a Notice of Apparent Liability for Forfeiture for repeated and willful violation of the the same rule.

In an apparent attempt to get around the rules, HobbyTron offers these kit for "export". In order to by the kits, the purchaser has to sign a form acknowledging that the transmitter will be used in accordance to the applicable laws and may exceed the legal limits and may not be authorized in the US. The purchaser also has to agree to hold Hobbytron harmless.

HobbyTron responded to the LOI on November 15, 2007 but did not comply with the Commission's requests. It made a half-hearted attempt at answering the FCC and basically said that if the Commission didn't like the response to let them know. In its response, they cited the form above to relieve them of any responsibility. Obviously, the FCC is not buying this.

HobbyTron faces forfeitures of $11,000 for each device or for each day in violation. It has 20 days to respond to the LOI.

These types or FM transmitter have given satellite radio a bad reputation in the past. They interfere with radio stations and reception of FM radio by listeners and are abusive.

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The FCC International Bureau Issues a Flurry of Grants

The FCC International Bureau issues three minor satellite radio grants today. First, the Commission granted authority for XM to operate two low powered replacement repeaters in Pittsburgh and Philadelphia. The first was due to a building being demolished around December 12, 2007. The other was due to a building demolished in July 2005.

XM was also granted authority to operate a very low powered repeater in its new Vienna, Va. location, where, among other things, it will have a Listener Care center. The WCS Coalition initially objected to it but later withdrew its objections.

Not to be left out, Sirius was granted authority for a short, 30 day authority to operate a low powered repeater and 2 signal boosters at trade shows in the last half of March. Sirius intends to demonstrate its services at MERA 2008 in Louisville, Ky.; the New York Auto Show 2008; and MATS 2008, also in Louisville.

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