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 Code of Federal Regulations (Last Updated: November 8, 2024)
 Title 47 - Telecommunication
 Chapter I - Federal Communications Commission
 SubChapter A - General
 Part 2 - Frequency Allocations and Radio Treaty Matters; General Rules and Regulations
 Subpart C - Emissions

  § 2.202 - Bandwidths.

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  • § 2.202 Bandwidths.

    (a) Occupied bandwidth. The frequency bandwidth such that, below its lower and above its upper frequency limits, the mean powers radiated are each equal to 0.5 percent of the total mean power radiated by a given emission. In some cases, for example multichannel frequency-division systems, the percentage of 0.5 percent may lead to certain difficulties in the practical application of the definitions of occupied and necessary bandwidth; in such cases a different percentage may prove useful.

    (b) Necessary bandwidth. For a given class of emission, the minimum value of the occupied bandwidth sufficient to ensure the transmission of information at the rate and with the quality required for the system employed, under specified conditions. Emissions useful for the good functioning of the receiving equipment as, for example, the emission corresponding to the carrier of reduced carrier systems, shall be included in the necessary bandwidth.

    (1) The necessary bandwidth shall be expressed by three numerals and one letter. The letter occupies the position of the decimal point and represents the unit of bandwidth. The first character shall be neither zero nor K, M or G.

    (2) Necessary bandwidths:

    between 0.001 and 999 Hz shall be expressed in Hz (letter H);

    between 1.00 and 999 kHz shall be expressed in kHz (letter K);

    between 1.00 and 999 MHz shall be expressed in MHz (letter M);

    between 1.00 and 999 GHz shall be expressed in GHz (letter G).

    (3) Examples:

    • 0.002 Hz - H002
    • 0.1 Hz - H100
    • 25.3 Hz - 25H3
    • 400 Hz - 400H
    • 2.4 kHz - 2K40
    • 6 kHz - 6K00
    • 12.5 kHz - 12K5
    • 180.4 kHz - 180K
    • 180.5 kHz - 181K
    • 180.7 kHz - 181K
    • 1.25 MHz - 1M25
    • 2 MHz - 2M00
    • 10 MHz - 10M0
    • 202 MHz - 202M
    • 5.65 GHz - 5G65

    (c) The necessary bandwidth may be determined by one of the following methods:

    (1) Use of the formulas included in the table, in paragraph (g) of this section, which also gives examples of necessary bandwidths and designation of corresponding emissions;

    (2) For frequency modulated radio systems which have a substantially linear relationship between the value of input voltage to the modulator and the resulting frequency deviation of the carrier and which carry either single sideband suppressed carrier frequency division multiplex speech channels or television, computation in accordance with provisions of paragraph (f) of this section and formulas and methods indicated in the table, in paragraph (g) of this section;

    (3) Computation in accordance with Recommendations of the International Radio Consultative Committee (C.C.I.R.);

    (4) Measurement in cases not covered by paragraph (c) (1), (2), or (3) of this section.

    (d) The value so determined should be used when the full designation of an emission is required. However, the necessary bandwidth so determined is not the only characteristic of an emission to be considered in evaluating the interference that may be caused by that emission.

    (e) In the formulation of the table in paragraph (g) of this section, the following terms are employed:

    Bn = Necessary bandwidth in hertz

    B = Modulation rate in bauds

    N = Maximum possible number of black plus white elements to be transmitted per second, in facsimile

    M = Maximum modulation frequency in hertz

    C = Sub-carrier frequency in hertz

    D = Peak frequency deviation, i.e., half the difference between the maximum and minimum values of the instantaneous frequency. The instantaneous frequency in hertz is the time rate of change in phase in radians divided by 2

    t = Pulse duration in seconds at half-amplitude

    tr = Pulse rise time in seconds between 10% and 90% of maximum amplitude

    K = An overall numerical factor which varies according to the emission and which depends upon the allowable signal distortion.

    Nc = Number of baseband telephone channels in radio systems employing multichannel multiplexing

    P = Continuity pilot sub-carrier frequency (Hz) (continuous signal utilized to verify performance of frequency-division multiplex systems).

    (f) Determination of values of D and Bn for systems specified in paragraph (c)(2) of this section:

    (1) Determination of D in systems for multichannel telephony:

    (i) The rms value of the per-channel deviation for the system shall be specified. (In the case of systems employing preemphasis or phase modulation, this value of per-channel deviation shall be specified at the characteristic baseband frequency.)

    (ii) The value of D is then calculated by multiplying the rms value of the per-channel deviation by the appropriate factors, as follows:

    Number of message circuits Multiplying factors Limits of X (Pavg (dBmO))
    More than 3, but less than 12 4.47 × [a factor specified by the equipment manufacturer or station licensee, subject to Commission approval]
    3.76 antilog (X + 2 log10 Nc)
    At least 12, but less than 60 - - - - - - - - - - - - - X: −2 to + 2.6.
    20
    3.76 antilog (X + 4 log10 Nc)
    At least 60, but less than 240 - - - - - - - - - - - - - X: −5.6 to −1.0.
    20
    3.76 antilog (X + 10 log10 Nc)
    240 or more - - - - - - - - - - - - - X: −19.6 to −15.0.
    20

    Where X represents the average power in a message circuit in dBmO; Nc is the number of circuits in the multiplexed message load; 3.76 corresponds to a peak load factor of 11.5 dB.

    (2) The necessary bandwidth (Bn) normally is considered to be numerically equal to:

    (i) 2M + 2DK, for systems having no continuity pilot subcarrier or having a continuity pilot subcarrier whose frequency is not the highest modulating the main carrier;

    (ii) 2P + 2DK, for systems having a continuity pilot subcarrier whose frequency exceeds that of any other signal modulating the main carrier, unless the conditions set forth in paragraph (f)(3) of this section are met.

    (3) As an exception to paragraph (f)(2)(ii) of this section, the necessary bandwidth (Bn) for such systems is numerically equal to 2P or 2M + 2DK, whichever is greater, provided the following conditions are met:

    (i) The modulation index of the main carrier due to the continuity pilot subcarrier does not exceed 0.25, and

    (ii) In a radio system of multichannel telephony, the rms frequency deviation of the main carrier due to the continuity pilot subcarrier does not exceed 70 percent of the rms value of the per-channel deviation, or, in a radio system for television, the rms deviation of the main carrier due to the pilot does not exceed 3.55 percent of the peak deviation of the main carrier.

    (g) Table of necessary bandwidths:

    Description of emission Necessary bandwidth Designation of emission
    Formula Sample calculation
    I. NO MODULATING SIGNAL
    Continuous wave emission N0N (zero)
    II. AMPLITUDE MODULATION
    1. Signal With Quantized or Digital Information
    Continuous wave telegraphy Bn = BK, K = 5 for fading circuits, K = 3 for non-fading circuits 25 words per minute; B = 20, K = 5, Bandwidth: 100 Hz 100HA1A
    Telegraphy by on-off keying of a tone modulated carrier Bn = BK + 2M, K = 5 for fading circuits, K = 3 for non-fading circuits 25 words per minute; B = 20, M = 1000, K = 5, Bandwidth: 2100 Hz = 2.1 kHz 2K10A2A
    Selective calling signal, single-sideband full carrier Bn = M Maximum code frequency is: 2110 Hz, M = 2110, Bandwidth: 2110 Hz = 2.11 kHz 2K11H2B
    Direct-printing telegraphy using a frequency shifted modulating sub-carrier single-sideband suppressed carrier Bn = 2M + 2DK, M = B ÷ 2 B = 50, D = 35 Hz (70 Hz shift), K = 1.2, Bandwidth: 134 Hz 134HJ2B
    Telegraphy, single sideband reduced carrier Bn = central frequency + M + DK, M = B ÷ 2 15 channels; highest central frequency is: 2805 Hz, B = 100, D = 42.5 Hz (85 Hz shift), K = 0.7 Bandwidth: 2.885 Hz = 2.885 kHz 2K89R7B
    2. Telephony (Commercial Quality)
    Telephony double-sideband Bn = 2M M = 3000, Bandwidth = 6000 Hz = 6 kHz 6K00A3E
    Telephony, single-sideband, full carrier Bn = 2M M = 3000, Bandwidth: 3000 Hz = 3 kHz 3K00H3E
    Telephony, single-sideband suppressed carrier Bn = M−lowest modulation frequency M = 3000, lowest modulation frequency is 3000 Hz, 2700 Hz Bandwidth: 2700Hz = 2.7 kHz 2K70J3E
    Telephony with separate frequency modulated signal to control the level of demodulated speech signal, single-sideband, reduced carrier Bn = M Maximum control frequency is 2990 Hz, M = 2990, Bandwidth: 2990 Hz = 2.99 kHz 2K99R3E
    Telephony with privacy, single-sideband, suppressed carrier (two or more channels) Bn = Nc M−lowest modulation frequency in the lowest channel Nc = 2, M = 3000 lowest modulation frequency is 250 Hz, Bandwidth: 5750 Hz = 5.75 kHz 5K75J8E
    Telephony, independent sideband (two or more channels) Bn = sum of M for each sideband 2 channels, M = 3000, Bandwidth: 6000 Hz = 6 kHz 6K00B8E
    3. Sound Broadcasting
    Sound broadcasting, double-sideband Bn = 2M, M may vary between 4000 and 10000 depending on the quality desired Speech and music, M = 4000, Bandwidth: 8000 Hz= 8 kHz 8K00A3E
    Sound broadcasting, single-sideband reduced carrier (single channel) Bn = M, M may vary between 4000 and 10000 depending on the quality desired Speech and music, M = 4000, Bandwidth: 4000 Hz= 4 kHz 4K00R3E
    Sound broadcasting, single-sideband, suppressed carrier Bn = M−lowest modulation frequency Speech and music, M = 4500, lowest modulation frequency = 50 Hz, Bandwidth: 4450 Hz = 4.45 kHz 4K45J3E
    4. Television
    Television, vision and sound Refer to CCIR documents for the bandwidths of the commonly used television systems Number of lines = 525; Nominal video bandwidth: 4.2 MHz, Sound carrier relative to video carrier = 4.5 MHz 5M75C3F
    Total vision bandwidth: 5.75 MHz; FM aural bandwidth including guardbands: 250,000 Hz 250KF3E
    Total bandwidth: 6 MHz 6M25C3F
    5. Facsimile
    Analogue facsimile by sub-carrier frequency modulation of a single-sideband emission with reduced carrier Bn = C−N ÷ 2 + DK, K = 1.1 (typically) N = 1100, corresponding to an index of cooperation of 352 and a cycler rotation speed of 60 rpm. Index of cooperation is the product of the drum diameter and number of lines per unit length C = 1900, D = 400 Hz, Bandwidth = 2.890 Hz = 2.89 kHz 2K89R3C
    Analogue facsimile; frequency modulation of an audio frequency sub-carrier which modulates the main carrier, single-sideband suppressed carrier Bn = 2M + 2DK, M = N/2, K = 1.1 (typically) N = 1100, D = 400 Hz, Bandwidth: 1980 Hz = 1.98 kHz 1K98J3C
    6. Composite Emissions
    Double-sideband, television relay Bn = 2C + 2M + 2D Video limited to 5 MHz, audio on 6.5 MHz frequency modulated subcarrier deviation = 50 kHz: C = 6.5 × 106 D = 50 × 103 Hz, M = 15,000, Bandwidth: 13.13 × 106 Hz = 13.13 MHz 13M2A8W
    Double-sideband radio relay system Bn = 2M 10 voice channels occupying baseband between 1 kHz and 164 kHz; M = 164,000 bandwith = 328,000 Hz = 328 kHz 328KA8E
    Double-sideband emission of VOR with voice (VOR = VHF omnidirectional radio range) Bn = 2Cmax + 2M + 2DK, K = 1 (typically) The main carrier is modulated by: - a 30 Hz sub-carrier - a carrier resulting from a 9960 Hz tone frequency modulated by a 30 Hz tone - a telephone channel - a 1020 Hz keyed tone for continual Morse identification. Cmax = 9960, M = 30, D = 480 Hz, Bandwidth: 20,940 Hz = 20.94 kHz 20K9A9W
    Independent sidebands; several telegraph channels together with several telephone channels Bn = sum of M for each sideband Normally composite systems are operated in accordance with standardized channel arrangements, (e.g. CCIR Rec. 348-2) 3 telephone channels and 15 telegraphy channels require the bandwidth 12,000 Hz = 12 kHz 12K0B9W
    III-A. FREQUENCY MODULATION
    1. Signal With Quantized or Digital Information
    Telegraphy without error-correction (single channel) Bn = 2M + 2DK, M = B ÷ 2, K = 1.2 (typically) B = 100, D = 85 Hz (170 Hz shift), Bandwidth: 304 Hz 304HF1B
    Four-frequency duplex telegraphy Bn2M + 2DK, B = Modulation rate in bands of the faster channel. If the channels are synchronized: M = B ÷ 2, otherwise M = 2B, K = 1.1 (typically) Spacing between adjacent frequencies = 400 Hz; Synchronized channels; B = 100, M = 50, D = 600 Hz, Bandwidth: 1420 Hz = 1.42 kHz 1K42F7B
    2. Telephony (Commercial Quality)
    Commercial telephony Bn = 2M + 2DK, K = 1 (typically, but under conditions a higher value may be necessary For an average case of commercial telephony, M = 3,000, Bandwidth: 16,000 Hz = 16 kHz 16K0F3E
    3. Sound Broadcasting
    Sound broadcasting Bn = 2M + 2DK, K = 1 (typically) Monaural, D = 75,000 Hz, M = 15,000, Bandwidth: 18,000 Hz = 180 kHz 180KF3E
    4. Facsimile
    Facsimile by direct frequency modulation of the carrier; black and white Bn = 2M + 2DK, M = N ÷ 2, K = 1.1 (typically) N = 1100 elements/sec; D = 400 Hz, Bandwidth: 1980 Hz = 1.98 kHZ 1K98F1C
    Analogue facsimile Bn = 2M + 2DK, M = N ÷ 2, K = 1.1 (typically) N = 1100 elements/sec; D = 400 Hz, Bandwidth: 1980 Hz = 1.98 kHz 1K98F3C
    5. Composite Emissions (See Table III-B)
    Radio-relay system, frequency division multiplex Bn = 2P + 2DK, K = 1 Microwave radio relay system specifications: 60 telephone channels occupying baseband between 60 and 300 kHz; rms per-channel deviation 200 kHz; pilot at 331 kHz produces 200 kHz rms deviation of main carrier. Computation of Bn:D = (200 × 1033 × 3.76 × 1.19), Hz = 0.895 × 106, P = 0.331 × 106 Hz; Bandwidth: 2.452 × 106 Hz 2M45F8E
    Radio-relay system frequency division multiple Bn = 2M + 2DK, K = 1 Microwave radio relay relay systems specifications: 1200 telephone channels occupying baseband between 60 and 5564 kHz; rms per channel deviation 200 kHz; continunity pilot at 6199 kHz produces 140 kHz rms deviation of main carrier. Computation of Bn:D = (200 × 103 × 3.76 × 3.63) = 2.73 × 106; M = 5.64 × 106 Hz; P = 6.2 × 106 Hz; (2M + 2DK<2P; Bandwidth 16.59 × 106 Hz 16M6F8E
    Radio-relay system, frequency division multiplex Bn = 2P Microwave radio relay system specifications: Multiplex 600 telephone channels occupying baseband between 60 and 2540 kHz; continuity pilot at 8500 kHz produces 140 kHz rms deviation of main carrier. Computation of Bn:D = (200 × 103 × 3.76 × 2.565) = 1.93 × 106 Hz; M = 2.54 × 106 Hz; 2DK)≤2P Bandwidth: 17 × 106 Hz 17M0F8E
    Unmodulated pulse emission Bn = 2K ÷ t, K depends upon the ratio of pulse rise time. Its value usually falls between 1 and 10 and in many cases it does not need to exceed 6 Primary Radar Range resolution: 150 m, K = 1.5 (triangular pulse where t≃tr, only components down to 27 dB from the strongest are considered) Then t = 2 × range resolution ÷ velocity of light = 2 × 150 ÷ 3 × 108 = 1 × 10−6 seconds, Bandwidth: 3 × 106 Hz = 3 MHz 3M00P0N
    6. Composite Emissions
    Radio-relay system Bn = 2K ÷ t, K = 1.6 Pulse position modulated by 36 voice channel baseband; pulse width at half amplitude = 0.4 us, Bandwidth: 8 × 106 Hz = 8 MHz (Bandwidth independent of the number of voice channels) 8M00M7E
    Radio-relay system Bn = 2K/t
    K = 1.6    		 Pulse position modulated by 36 voice channel baseband: pulse width at half amplitude 0.4 μS; Bn = 8 × 106 Hz = 8 MHz (Bandwidth independent of the number of voice channels) 8M00M7E
    Composite transmission digital modulation using DSB-AM (Microwave radio relay system) Bn = 2RK/log2S Digital modulation used to send 5 megabits per second by use of amplitude modulation of the main carrier with 4 signaling states
    R = 5 × 106 bits per second; K = 1; S = 4; Bn = 5 MHz    		 5M00K7
    Binary Frequency Shift Keying (0.03 <2D/R <1.0);
    Bn = 3.86D + 0.27R
    (1.0 <2D/R <2)
    Bn = 2.4D + 1.0R    		 Digital modulation used to send 1 megabit per second by frequency shift keying with 2 signaling states and 0.75 MHz peak deviation of the carrier
    R = 1 × 106 bps; D = 0.75 × 106 Hz; Bn = 2.8 MHz    		 2M80F1D
    Multilevel Frequency Shift Keying Bn = (R/log2S) + 2DK Digital modulation to send 10 megabits per second by use of frequency shift keying with four signaling states and 2 MHz peak deviation of the main carrier
    R = 10 × 106 bps; D = 2 MHz; K = 1; S = 4; Bn = 9 MHz    		 9M00F7D
    Phase Shift Keying Bn = 2RK/log2S Digital modulation used to send 10 megabits per second by use of phase shift keying with 4 signaling states
    R = 10 × 106 bps; K = 1; S = 4; Bn = 10 MHz    		 10M0G7D
    Quadrature Amplitude Modulation (QAM) Bn = 2R/log2S 64 QAM used to send 135 Mbps has the same necessary bandwidth as 64-PSK used to send 135 Mbps;
    R = 135 × 106 bps; S = 64; Bn = 45 MHz    		 45M0W
    Minimum Shift Keying 2-ary:
    Bn = R(1.18)
    4-ary:
    Bn = R(2.34)    		 Digital modulation used to send 2 megabits per second using 2-ary minimum shift keying
    R = 2.36 × 106 bps; Bn = 2.36 MHz    		 2M36G1D

    [28 FR 12465, Nov. 22, 1963, as amended at 37 FR 8883, May 2, 1972; 37 FR 9996, May 18, 1972; 48 FR 16492, Apr. 18, 1983; 49 FR 48698, Dec. 14, 1984; 68 FR 68543, Dec. 9, 2003]