Users Manual
Table Of Contents
PDP User’s Guide Appendix B:GPR Emissions, Interference and Regulations
B-2
construction. Parties operating this equipment must be eligible for licensing under
the provisions of Part 90 of this chapter.
FCC Interpretation of Operation Restrictions issued July 12, 2002
(FCC Order DA02-1658, paragraph 9)
The regulations contain restrictions on the parties that are eligible to operate
imaging systems (See 47 C.F.R. 5.509(b), 15.511(b), and 15.513(b)). Under the
new regulations, GPRs and wall imaging systems may be used only by law
enforcement, fire and emergency rescue organizations, by scientific research
institutes, by commercial mining companies, and by construction companies. Since
the adoption of the Order, we have received several inquiries from the operators of
GPRs and wall imaging systems noting that these devices often are not operated by
the users listed in the regulations but are operated under contract by personnel
specifically trained in the operation of these devices. We do not believe that the
recent adoption of the UWB rules should disrupt the critical safety services that can
be performed effectively only through the use of GPRs and wall imaging systems.
We viewed these operating restrictions in the broadest of terms. For example, we
believe that the limitation on the use of GPRs and wall imaging systems by
construction companies encompasses the inspection of buildings, roadways, bridges
and runways even if the inspection finds no damage to the structure and
construction does not actually result from the inspection; the intended purpose of
the operation of the UWB device is to determine if construction is required. We also
believe that the GPRs and wall imaging systems may be operated for one of the
purposes described in the regulations but need not be operated directly by one of
the described parties. For example, a GPR may be operated by a private company
investigating forensic evidence for a local police department.
FCC Permitted Mode of Usage
The GPR antenna must be kept on the surface to be in compliance with FCC
regulations. Use of the antenna is not permitted if it is lifted off the surface. Use
as a through-the-wall imaging device is prohibited.
GPR Use Coordination
FCC regulation 15.525(c) (updated in February 2007) requires users of GPR
equipment to coordinate the use of their GPR equipment as described below:
TITLE 47--TELECOMMUNICATION
CHAPTER I--FEDERAL COMMUNICATIONS COMMISSION
PART 15_RADIO FREQUENCY DEVICES
Subpart F_Ultra-Wideband Operation Sec.
15.525 Coordination requirements.
(a) UWB imaging systems require coordination through the FCC before the
equipment may be used. The operator shall comply with any constraints on
equipment usage resulting from this coordination.
(b) The users of UWB imaging devices shall supply operational areas to the FCC
Office of Engineering and Technology, which shall coordinate this information with
the Federal Government through the National Telecommunications and Information
Administration. The information provided by the UWB operator shall include the
name, address and other pertinent contact information of the user, the desired
geographical area(s) of operation, and the FCC ID number and other nomenclature