The FCC has released a Second Report and Order (FCC 11-160) that became effective on December 21, 2011 amending Part 15 BPL Rules and test guidelines. The new test guidance in the Second report and Order, Appendix D supersedes the previous test guidance published in the BPL Report and Order (FCC 04-245), Appendix C.

The Second Report and order establishes an alternative procedure for determining site-specific extrapolation factors and adopts a definition for the ?slant-range distance? for overhead power lines used in the BPL measurement guidelines. The Slant Range Distance is defined in updated Section 15.3(hh). The measurement standard in Section 15.31(f)(3) provides two measurement techniques. The first method permits use of the slant range distance in conjunction with the 40 dB/decade extrapolation factor when the measurement distance is below the 30 meter reference distance specified in the radiated emission limits of Section 15.109 and Section 15.209. The second (alternative) method uses a site-specific extrapolation factor derived from straight-line best-fit measurements. A minimum of four measurements at different distances must be used to calculate the effective field strength at each measurement point along the power line. Details and examples are provided in the Appendix D of the Second report and Order Measurement Guidelines.

Further, the Second Report and order modifies the rules to increase the required notch-filtering capability for systems operating below 30 MHz from 20 dB to 25 dB. The new 25 dB notch depth is required for all Access BPL devices manufactured, imported, marketed, or installed on or after the transition date of May 21, 2013.