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Technical Frequency allocation with minimum path lengths for Scanning Telemetry and Fixed (point-to-point) Terrestrial Radio-Relay services administrated by RA |
1. Introduction
The choice of frequency band for fixed terrestrial (point-to-point) links in the UK depends principally on path length and traffic capacity.
Due to propagation characteristics, longer, high-capacity links can be accommodated only in lower frequency bands. To conserve spectrum in these bands for such links, we operate a ‘minimum path length’ (MPL) policy to select the appropriate frequency band for a given link.
If your link length is below a frequency band’s MPL, we would normally expect you to use a higher band. In the interest of fairness, we must apply MPLs to all operators. If you want to install a link shorter than the MPL, you will have to justify this to us in writing; permission to operate any such short link(s) will be at our discretion.
UK Radio Interface Requirement 2000 (IR2000), available free of charge on our website, sets out MPLs for different types of equipment. We calculate the MPLs based on 99.99% availability, but we will consider other values on a case-by-case basis. In determining the receiver sensitivity level, we assume that systems operate at a bit error rate (BER) of 1 x 10-6.
Digital multiplexing hierarchies relating to the frequency bands we manage may be:
For details of changes
to or restrictions on the use of any band, see the Interface Requirements IR2000
and, for scanning telemetry, IR2037. Both are available free of charge on our
website.
2. Notes on the Frequency Allocations Table
The first column describes each available frequency band, represented by a diagram (not to scale). The frequency band limits are listed below the diagram; frequencies below 10 GHz are represented in MHz, while those above 10 GHz are in GHz. The width of each guard band is shown above the diagram, and is always specified in MHz.
The channel arrangements in some bands are staggered, so that the width and position of the guard bands varies for different channel spacings. In these cases, the variable guard bands are shown in grey on the diagram, and a table underneath gives details of the guard bands for different spacings (with all frequencies in MHz).
The first column also includes the title of the relevant international recommendations for each band, produced by the European Conference of Postal and Telecommunications (CEPT) or the International Telecommunication Union (ITU). You can obtain CEPT recommendations at www.ero.dk (click on ‘ECC deliverables’, then ‘Recommendations’), and ITU recommendations at www.itu.int (click on ‘Publications’).
Finally, the first column contains the channel spacing for duplex operation in each frequency band except the 58 GHz band.
450 MHz band
The 450 MHz band is used for the transmission of telecontrol or telemetry signals as well as data distribution and gathering systems. Before applying for a new or amended licence, please note that we are planning a major programme of frequency changes in the 450 to 470 MHz band. We strongly advise you to read the latest version of information sheet RA 410, available free of charge on our website. At the time of publishing (November 2002), all installed scanning telemetry systems are analogue, but it has recently been agreed that future systems may be digital (a standard for which is yet to be agreed). Please note that digital systems will also be subject to the band realignment programme at the changeover date.
14 GHz band
We are no longer assigning new fixed terrestrial (point-to-point) link applications in the 14 GHz band unless there is absolutely no alternative, and on 31 January 2003 we will close the 14 GHz band to all new assignments. Please see information sheet RA 405, available free of charge on our website, for an indication of how we are assigning systems in the period leading up to closure.
58 GHz band
100 MHz channels
in the ranges 57.0 to 57.1 GHz and 58.9 to 59.0 GHz should not be used until
coexistence studies with the spectrum in adjacent channels have been completed.
Equivalent isotropically radiated power (EIRP) is restricted to 15 dBW in this
band.
3. Frequency allocations
|
450 MHz |
Data |
Cell structure |
Basic parameters |
|
 |
1200
to 9600
|
Six channels per 25 km radius cell, giving two channels per utility. 12 channels per 12-cell cluster, giving a co-channel re-use distance of 150 km. A potential channel re-use of 23 times across the UK. |
1) System availability approaching 99%; and 2) a co-channel-to-interference ratio of 22 dB. |
|
|
1.4 GHz |
Minimum bit rate |
Minimum |
Polarisation |
Radio channel arrangements |
 |
9.6, 64, 192, 256 and 704 |
N/A |
V or H |
960 x 0.025 MHz for 9.6 kbit/s; |
|
2048 and 4096 |
30 |
V or H |
48
x 0.5 MHz for 2048 kbit/s; 24 x 1 MHz for 2048 kbit/s; and 12 x 2 MHz for 4096 kbit/s. |
|
|
4 GHz |
Minimum bit rate |
Minimum |
Polarisation |
Radio channel arrangements |
 |
34, 2 x 34 and 51 |
24.5 |
V or H |
18 x 15 MHz |
|
140/155 |
16 |
V or H |
9
x 30 MHz
|
|
|
Lower 6 GHz |
Minimum
bit rate |
Minimum |
Polarisation
options |
Radio channel arrangements |
 |
140/155
|
16 |
V
or H
|
8 x 29.65 MHz |
|
311
|
16
|
V
and H
|
8
x 29.65 MHz Co-channel dual polarised operation
|
|
|
Upper 6 GHz |
Minimum
bit rate |
Minimum |
Polarisation |
Radio channel arrangements |
 |
311 |
16 |
V and H [1] |
8 x 40 MHz Co-channel dual polarised operation |
|
311
|
16
|
V
or H [2]
|
8
x 40 MHz Alternate channel arrangement
|
|
|
622 |
16 |
V or H [2] |
||
|
7.5 GHz |
Minimum
bit rate |
Minimum |
Polarisation |
Radio channel arrangements |
 |
8, 2 x 8, 34, 2 x 34 and 51 |
15.5 |
V or H |
32
x 7 MHz for 8 and 2 x 8 Mbit/s |
|
140/155
|
9.5
|
V
or H
|
8
x 28 MHz
|
|
|
10 and 14 (video trunking) |
15.5 |
V or H |
8
x 28 MHz
|
|
13 GHz |
Minimum
bit rate |
Minimum |
Polarisation |
Radio channel arrangements |
 |
2, 2 x 2, 8, 2 x 8, 34, 2 x 34 and 51 |
9.5 |
V
or H
|
128
x 1.75 MHz for 2 and 2 x 2 Mbit/s;
64 x 3.5 MHz for 2 x 2 and 8 Mbit/s; 32 x 7 MHz for 8 and 2 x 8 Mbit/s; 16 x 14 MHz for 2 x 8 and 34 Mbit/s and 8 x 28 MHz for 2 x 34 and 51 Mbit/s |
|
140/155
|
5.5
|
V
or H
|
8
x 28 MHz
|
|
|
10 and 14 (video trunking) |
9.5 |
V or H |
8
x 28 MHz
|
|
|
14 GHz |
Minimum
bit rate |
Minimum |
Polarisation |
Radio channel arrangements |
 |
2, 2 x 2, 8, 2 x 8, 34 and 2 x 34 |
9.5 |
V or H |
62
x 1.75 MHz for 2 and 2 x 2 Mbit/s; |
|
140/155
|
5.5
|
V
or H
|
2
x 28 MHz
|
|
|
10 and 14 (video trunking) |
9.5 |
V
or H
|
4
x 28 MHz
|
|
15 GHz |
Minimum
bit rate |
Minimum |
Polarisation |
Radio channel arrangements |
 |
2,
2 x 2, 8,
2 x 8, 34, 2 x 34 and 51 |
9.5
|
V
or H
|
64
x 1.75 MHz for 2 and 2 x 2 Mbit/s
32 x 3.5 MHz for 2 x 2 and 8 Mbit/s 16 x 7 MHz for 8 and 2 x 8 Mbit/s 8 x 14 Mhz for 2 x 8 and 34 Mbits and 4 x 28 MHz for 34, 2 x 34 and 51 Mbit/s |
|
140/155
|
5.5
|
V
or H
|
4
x 28 MHz
|
|
|
23 GHz |
Minimum
bit rate |
Minimum |
Polarisation |
Radio channel arrangements |
 |
2,
2 x 2, 8, 2 x 8, 34 and 51
|
4
|
V
or H
|
168 x 3.5 MHz for 2, 2 x 2 and 8 Mbit/s 83 x 7 MHz for 8 and 2 x 8 Mbit/s 41 x 14 MHz for 2 x 8, 34 and 51 Mbit/s 20 x 28 MHz for 34 and 51 Mbit/s |
|
140/155
|
2
|
V
or H
|
20
x 28 MHz 10 x 56 MHz
|
|
|
311
|
2
|
V
or H
|
10
x 56 MHz
|
|
|
3.5
and 10 (video surveillance)
|
4
|
V
or H
|
20
x 28 MHz
|
|
|
10 and 14 (video trunking) |
4 |
V
or H
|
20
x 28 MHz
|
| 26 GHz |
Minimum
bit rate |
Minimum |
Polarisation |
Radio channel arrangements |
 |
2,
2 x 2, 8, 2 x 8, 34 and 51 |
3
|
V
or H |
256
x 3.5 MHz for 2, 2 x 2 and 8 Mbit/s; 128 x 7 MHz for 8 and 2 x 8 Mbit/s; 64 x 14 MHz for 2 x 8, 34 and 51 Mbit/s and 32 x 28 MHz for 34 and 51 Mbit/s |
| 140/155 |
2 |
V
or H |
32
x 28 MHz; and 16 x 56 MHz |
|
| 311
|
2
|
V
or H |
16
x 56 MHz |
|
| 31 GHz |
Analogue baseband (MHz) |
Minimum |
Polarisation |
Radio channel arrangements |
 |
FM
in 28 MHz |
N/A |
V or H |
38 x 28 MHz |
|
32 GHz |
Minimum
bit rate |
Minimum |
Polarisation |
Radio channel arrangements |
 |
2,
2 x 2, 8, 2 x 8, 34 and 51
|
2
|
V
or H
|
216
x 3.5 MHz for 2, 2 x 2 and 8 Mbit/s;
108 x 7 MHz for 8 and 2 x 8 Mbit/s; 54 x 14 MHz for 2 x 8, 34 and 51 Mbit/s; 27 x 28 MHz for 34 and 51 Mbit/s |
|
140/155
|
1.5
|
V
or H
|
27
x 28 MHz; and
12 x 56 MHz |
|
|
38 GHz |
Minimum
bit rate |
Minimum |
Polarisation |
Radio channel arrangements |
 |
2,
2 x 2, 8, 2 x 8, 34 and 51
|
1
|
V
or H
|
320
x 3.5 MHz for 2, 2 x 2 and 8 Mbit/s;
160 x 7 MHz for 8 and 2 x 8 Mbit/s; 80 x 14 MHz for 2 x 8, 34 and 51 Mbit/s; 40 x 28 MHz for 34 Mbit/s |
|
140/155
|
1
|
V
or H
|
40
x 28 MHz and
20 x 56 HHz |
|
|
311
|
1
|
V
or H
|
20
x 56 MHz
|
|
52 GHz |
Minimum
bit rate |
Minimum |
Polarisation
options |
Radio channel arrangements |
 |
2,
2 x 2, 8, 2 x 8, 34 and 51
|
N/A |
V
|
144
x 3.5 MHz for 2, 2 x 2 and 8 Mbit/s; |
|
140/155
|
N/A
|
V
|
9
x 56 MHz
|
|
|
55 GHz |
Minimum
bit rate |
Minimum |
Polarisation |
Radio channel arrangements |
 |
2, 2 x 2, 8, 2 x 8, 34 and 51 |
N/A |
V
|
144
x 3.5 MHz for 2, 2 x 2 and 8 Mbit/s; |
|
140/155
|
N/A
|
V
|
9
x 56 MHz
|
|
|
58 GHz |
Minimum
bit rate |
Minimum |
Polarisation |
Radio channel arrangements |
 |
Time Division Duplex (TDD) |
N/A |
V |
36
x continuous 50 MHz; |
|
Analogue
Video Security
|
N/A
|
V
|
36
x continuous 100 MHz
|
4. Contact information
Fixed Terrestrial & Satellite
Links Unit
Radiocommunications Agency
Wyndham House
189 Marsh Wall
London E14 9SX
Tel: 020 7211 0300
Fax: 020 7211 0113
To download information sheets RA405 or RA410, visit our website and click on 'Publications'. To download UK Radio Interface Requirements IR2000 and IR2037, visit our website and click on 'Publications', then 'Interface Requirements'.
RA 143 (Rev9)
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