FCC white space detection devices fail at FedEx Field

The August 9th Buffalo Bills vs. Washington Redskins preseason game at FedEx Field was just one of the most recent testing grounds for FCC white space detection devices.  The results were nothing short of disturbing.  The only moderately forgiving headline I’ve seen so far is from CNET, “White space tests get mixed results”.  However one look at CNET’s home page alone is a testament to the abundance of ad revenue they generate from proponents of the white space coalition.

In short the white space devices were unable to detect the switching on and off of wireless microphones and that’s if they even managed to accuratelly sense the wireless transmission in the first place.  They also were not effective in detecting occupied and unoccupied TV channels.  Even though NFL events are large in terms of spectators and venues they by no means rank near the top in terms of wireless traffic for the duration of the game.  In a press release given on Sunday August 10th Mark Brunner, Shure’s senior director of public and industry relations, had this to say.

“The FCC’s tests of prototype white space devices at FedEx Field prior to Saturday’s game between the Redskins and the Bills conclusively shows that spectrum sensing white space devices will cause harmful interference to wireless microphones during live events.  Simply stated, the prototype devices were unable to consistently identify operating wireless microphones or distinguish occupied from unoccupied TV channels.  More troubling, the devices failed to detect the presence of wireless micropohones when switched on, an occurrence that takes place multiple times during any NFL game.”

“Given the poor performance of these sensing devices there is no reason to believe that the other proposed protections, such as beacons, will be any more capable of providing reliable and robust interference protection to wireless microphone transmissions.  These tests reveal fundamental deficiencies of sensing devices, issues that cannot be pushed off with a promise to resolve these problems at some later time during certification testing.”

“Shure appreciates the FCC, the NFL and ESPN acknowledging the importance of wireless micropohones and agreeing to conduct these tests today.  Wireless microphones are critical to the players, referees and fans.  If these sensing devices cannnot be counted on, then the FCC must put them on the bench.”

In the coming months the amount of test data becoming available from the FCC will increase exponentially.  Two events that were included in the testing were the Democratic and Republican conventions where each event employs the use of hundreds of wireless frequencies operating simultaneously.  A smaller theatre in New York recently hosted a series of FCC tests as well.  The FCC is also planning visits to Nashville and Lollapolooza in Chicago which will provide a wealth of valuable data.  As February ’09 encroaches upon us the next few months will prove to be some of the most significant times for our industry in decades. 

Other white space related articles:

The FCC and White Spaces

FCC (OET) White Spaces Testing Updates

by Jason Levert