Frequency spectrum for integration of unmanned aircraft

• CNPC is a critical enabler for UAS integration into the NAS, and protected aviation spectrum is a necessity for the CNPC link. • AM(R)S allocations (WRC-07 and WRC-12) meet the 34 MHz spectrum requirement for LOS terrestrial CNPC. • The 54 MHz spectrum requirement for BLOS satellite CNPC is not currently met. Agenda Item 1.5 for WRC-15 has been established to study the use of commercial FSS bands to provide CNPC. • Regulatory issues (ICAO conditions) and compatibility issues must be addressed in the ITU-R studies leading to WRC-15. • The regulatory issues are mainly resolved through the service agreements between UAS and satellite operators meeting ICAO requirements (SARPS). • Preliminary results for compatibility studies show that protection criteria can be met for both UAS and terrestrial systems in the FSS bands. • Technology development and validation and standards development processes required for use of UAS CNPC spectrum are proceeding.