Spectrum Supportability enables a structured transaction to request and receive
timely information for system compatibility, configuration and interference avoidance.
Introduction
The spectrum supportability process facilitates the timely provision of information
leading to compatible systems that use the electromagnetic spectrum in support of national needs
and coalition missions. It allows the Developing/Procuring Authority (DPA) to assess, with a certain
degree of confidence, whether the electromagnetic spectrum necessary to support the operation of
a Spectrum Dependent System (SDS) or Signal Description (SD) is, or will be, available.
The best approach to reduce the risk of spectrum non-compliance in an acquisition or development
project is to conduct a Spectrum Supportability analysis early in the process. This analysis should
include, as a minimum, assessments of the Electro-Magnetic Environment (EME) (what other
systems are expected to co-operate in the same general location); planned operating locations;
host nation regulations and processes; and future plans for worldwide allocations. Ideally, no SDS
shall be purchased or procured without such a spectrum supportability determination. Failure to
consider spectrum issues early enough in the process may result in program delays, additional
costs, less than full operational capability, or in the worst-case useless systems that cannot be
employed and deployed for combat operations. A summary of the Spectrum Supportability process
is illustrated below
Business Process
The Spectrum Supportability Process derives from DoD Directive (DoDD) 4650.1 (2004)
and its reissuance as DoD Instruction 4650.01 (2009). These documents describe
Establishes policy, assigns responsibilities, and provides instructions for management and
use of the electromagnetic spectrum.
The Spectrum Supportability Process can be described in three stages:
-
Information pull:
The process where Development/Procurement Authorities (DPAs)
responsibly research existing information resources in an attempt to identify the best
spectrum based on the combination of desired performance characteristics and potentially
available spectrum and the best existing spectrum dependant technology to satisfy a
capability gap. Information pull is not mandatory but by doing so early in the procurement life
cycle, the DPA will be able to mitigate potential risks before they become critical to the
success of a product.
-
Spectrum Dependent System (SDS) Submission:
This is the formal submission (using the
SSRequest dataset) of a new or modified SDS (TxRx) to the potential HN for supportability.
SSRequests will be processed using the appropriate and approved supportability channels. At
this point in the process the HN is receiving Spectrum Supportability Request with attached
TxRx data about a specific piece of equipment(s) and/or associated antenna data. The
submitting nation or organization should submit all information needed to support its
anticipated training and/or operational requirements in the Host Nation. The Host Nation
provides a response in the form of an SSReply.
-
Host Nation Declaration (HND):
This is the response (using the SSReply dataset) provided
by the HN to the submission of an SDS. When an HN has provided a declaration for an SDS,
the declaration will be applicable until the supportability period has expired, the HND is
revised by the HN, or the guest nation submits a revised SSRequest.
The Spectrum Supportability business process described here is in line with the policy described
in Allied Communication Publication (ACP) 190 U.S. Supplement 1 and DoDD 4650.1.
Data Object
SSRequest
SSRequest contains all parameters describing the system and its usage, for
which Spectrum Supportability is being requested.
Sub-Elements are Configuration, DiagramEndpoint,
DiagramLine, HostNation, Nomenclature,
POCInformation, Project, RelatedSupportability,
Stage, StatusLog, Time, Trunking
Example:
<SSRequest cls="U">
<Serial cls="U">USA::SR:123</Serial>
<EntryDateTime cls="U">2011-12-25T00:00:00Z</EntryDateTime>
<Title cls="U">MIDS LVT</Title>
<Configuration>
<ConfigID cls="U">LOW VOLUME</ConfigID>
<TxRef>
<Serial cls="U">USA::TX:555</Serial>
</TxRef>
</Configuration>
</SSRequest>
See the OpenSSRF Javadoc for more details.
SSReply
SSReply is the XML root for all parameters of a Host Nation Declaration of
Spectrum Supportability. It inherits attributes and sub-elements from element
Common.
Sub-Elements are CommentSource, Configuration, StageLocation
Example:
<SSReply cls="U">
<Serial cls="U">FRA::HD:123</Serial>
<EntryDateTime cls="U">2012-02-25T00:00:00Z</EntryDateTime>
<SSRequestRef cls="U">USA::SR:123</SSRequestRef>
<ReplyingCountry cls="U">FRA</ReplyingCountry>
<SupportabilityCode cls="U">Supported with Restrictions</SupportabilityCode>
<EffectiveDate cls="U">2012-02-25</EffectiveDate>
<CommentSource>
<Source cls="U">CAA</Source>
<Comment idx="1" cls="U">IAW frequency clearance agreement FR MoD/FR CAA.</
Comment>
</CommentSource>
</SSReply>
See the OpenSSRF Javadoc for more details.