Please explain the purpose of operation: |
GPR radar testing
There are three components to NIITEKs testing operations for which the requested STA application would apply.
First, NIITEK must operate the GPR during two phases of testing and development at its laboratories located in Dulles, Virginia, known as the Ladbrook facility. During the development and laboratory testing phase, the GPR will continue to be operated inside NIITEKs sensor development laboratory. Shielding will be used around the GPR to ensure that radiation levels outside of the lab are attenuated below the FCC requirements as defined in 47 CFR ยง15.509. During the system integration testing phase, the GPR will be operated in NIITEKs system lab to confirm proper integration with other components of the System. During this phase, the GPR parameters are not typically measured. Thus, the GPR can be operated with enclosures placed around and over the panels for shielding. NIITEK may also perform system testing in the surrounding parking lot of the Ladbrook facility. Such testing would only involve surface laid objects, and, thus, would not require full power operation. Consequently, system testing in the surrounding parking lot would involve lower transmitted power, or a cover placed over the antenna, to attenuate the signal within FCC parameters.
Second, NIITEK will mount the GPR on vehicles for testing on NIITEKs property surrounding the Ladbrook facility. During such testing, the GPR antenna will either be in a reduced power mode, or will be covered by an attenuation cover, to ensure that all emissions are below the Part 15 parameters. During testing, the antenna will be intentionally operated about 10 inches above the ground with the center line or focus of the beam directed into the ground. A background subtraction process will occur roughly once an hour lasting roughly 10 seconds during which time the GPR antenna will be approximately 1.2 meters above the ground, and directed at about a 65 degree angle to the ground.
Third, during production of the GPR at its Charlottesville, Virginia production facilities, NIITEK must operate the GPR to ensure proper operational use. Testing will occur inside the production facilities, and involve both GPR performance tests and system tests. GPR performance testing is done in one lab where the performance parameters of the radar are carefully measured. This laboratory will have shielding on the walls and ceiling at a reasonable distance to allow for proper operation of the GPR to ensure that all emissions are below the Part 15 parameters. System integration testing will also be performed on each system built in a second lab. This testing will be accommodated with either an enclosure around the radar to attenuate the transmitted spectrum or through a reduction in transmitted power to ensure the transmitted spectrum is below the FCC limits.
NIITEK requires an extension of the STA for operation of the GPR as described above in order to ensure that the GPR functions properly; to upgrade the GPR in order to detect new devices and other emerging threats to U.S. forces in the Middle East; and to demonstrate proper operation of the GPR when integrated with the System as used by the U.S. Army. |