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Chapter 3

DOD Spectrum Management

3-1. Introduction

The DOD and each military service have their own spectrum management agencies. This chapter identifies and describes the functions of these agencies.

3-2. The DOD

The deputy under secretary for command, control, communications, and intelligence (C3I) is responsible for DOD spectrum management policy. Within the US&P, the three military services representatives coordinate spectrum management through the IRAC. Outside the US&P, these services coordinate spectrum management through military channels.

3-3. Military Communications-Electronics Board

The Military Communications-Electronics Board (MCEB) is the main coordinating agency for signal matters among DOD components, between the DOD and other government departments and agencies, and between DOD and foreign nations. (See Figure 3-l.) The MCEB functions under the policies and directives of the Secretary of Defense and the Joint Chiefs of Staff (JCS). The MCEB guides the DOD in preparing and coordinating technical directives and agreements and in allocating spectrum allotments from the NTIA. DOD directives state that DOD components will obtain MCEB guidance before assuming contractual obligations for developing or procuring telecommunications equipment purposely designed to radiate or receive electromagnetic energy. Table 3-1 lists the members comprising the MCEB.

3-4. The Joint Frequency Panel

The joint frequency panel (JFP) is the principal DOD coordinating agency for spectrum management. This panel works closely with the IRAC's FAS. The JFP reviews, develops, coordinates, and implements DOD directives, studies, reports, and recommendations for the MCEB. Study areas include RF engineering and management, radio wave propagation, and EMC. With the addition of the Coast Guard, membership in the JFP is the same as the MCEB.

3-5. DOD Area Frequency Coordinators

DOD area frequency coordinators (AFCs) coordinate field use of RFs within designated frequency ranges and geographic areas. Frequencies used in these areas must be coordinated with the appropriate DOD AFC before making a frequency assignment. See Appendix C for additional information.

3-6. Electromagnetic Compatibility Analysis Center

The Electromagnetic Compatibility Analysis Center (ECAC) advises and assists the Secretary of Defense, the JCS, military departments, other DOD components, and civilian agencies on EMC matters. The ECAC maintains the data bases and mathematical and computer analysis techniques for investigating DOD and interservice EMC problems.

3-7. Army Spectrum Management

The Army spectrum manager in the office of DISC4 has the functional responsibility for Army spectrum management. The Communications-Electronics Services Office and close coordination with major Army commands directly support the Army spectrum manager. (See AR 5-12.)

The Communications-Electronics Services Office provides the major coordination and frequency planning at the Department of the Army (DA) level with the Army spectrum manager. It also supervises the operation of the Army Frequency Management Office-Continental United States (AFMO-CONUS) at Fort Sam Houston, Texas which consolidated the regional frequency coordination offices in 1989. Army participation in the national radio regulatory structure is accomplished at departmental levels with the NTIA, the FCC, and other federal departments through the IRAC and its subcommittees.

Army spectrum management is decentralized through major commands, posts, camps, stations, and operating forces. United States Army Information Systems Command (USAISC) personnel manages frequency assignment requirements locally at posts, camps, and stations. This is normally done through the Director of Information Management (DOIM) and forwarded to AFMO-CONUS or the Communications-Electronics Services Office for action. The installation manager is the first level of coordination for spectrum managers at CONUS Army installations. Coordination includes frequency, equipment, power, emission, and location.

By OMB and DOD directives, frequency allocation for Army development and acquisitions must document frequency supportability before procurement. This is done through the JF-12 process using DD Form 1494 and nationally through the IRAC's SPS. This task is delegated to the United States Army Materiel Command (AMC), and by it, to the Army Communications-Electronics Command (CECOM). Because of its impact with operational frequency assignment, the plans and engineering branch of the Communications-Electronics Services Office participates in the allocation to equipment process with CECOM. Frequency allocations to equipment defines the frequency characteristics of equipment being procured and indicates its frequency supportability. Operating this equipment requires the additional step of frequency assignment for use in the intended operational environment. EMC is the process of predicting and controlling potential interference in allocations planning for new equipment and for frequency sharing of the equipment in its operating environment.

Figure 3-2 shows the Army organization for spectrum management.

3-8. Unified/Specified Commands, Treaty Organizations, and Other Foreign Areas

The electromagnetic spectrum is a natural resource within any sovereign nations boundaries and can be used only with that nation's consent. Except forced entry, the Status of Forces Agreement (SOFA) made with host nations defines frequency provisions and procedures to be followed in all frequency and radio regulatory matters.

Unified commands are normally established for missions requiring significant assigned components of two or more services. Specified commands are normally established for missions requiring a force consisting primarily of units from a single service. The highest command present controls spectrum management. The MCEB provides policy guidance. Unified and specified commanders, subject to host nation agreements, have overall management and control responsibility for all US military electromagnetic spectrum use within their operational zones. Through the Combined Communications-Electronics Board (CCEB), direct military channels have been established between the US and the United Kingdom, Canada, New Zealand, and Australia. Unified and specified commanders make frequency assignments for certain intracommand communications provided--

• Coordination has been accomplished with the government of the host nation, with local US government agencies such as the FAA, the FCC, or Army, and DOD AFCs.
• National or international protection is neither desired nor required.
• NTIA and FCC jurisdictional areas are not involved.
• Harmful interference with authorized users registered with the NTIA, the IFRB, or the host nation will not result.

The Allied Radio Frequency Agency (ARFA) is responsible for all North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) plans, policies, and signal requirements engineering. The US has a permanent ARFA representative at Headquarters, United States Commander-in-Chief Europe (USCINCEUR). A deputy representative (at NATO headquarters in Brussels, Belgium) is the contact point for all US signal requirements at ARFA headquarters.

In Korea, the US Forces Korea, J6 is responsible for US military frequency management. He has direct liaison with the Korean government through the Joint Military Frequency Committee. This committee handles spectrum matters for all allied forces in the Republic of Korea.

There is no equivalent to the ARFA or the Joint Military Frequency Committee in other treaty organizations. Each military department's headquarters plans spectrum use and forwards such plans to other administrations through diplomatic or military channels.

3-9. Electromagnetic Environmental Effects

The increasing electromagnetic density of users and the higher powers in weapon radar systems and communications have impacts on electronic controls and devices that may cause malfunctions, desensitization, and other undesired effects. These include detonation of firing squibs, explosives, or harmful effects on personnel. This is electromagnetic environmental effects (E3). In view of its significant impacts and threats to safety, this area previously included in spectrum management was established as a separate program in 1989.

Army E3 matters are defined in Interim Guidance for the E3 Program. It was published by the Army Acquisition Executive. The E3's goal is to ensure that material will accomplish its intended mission in the electromagnetic environment created by strong radio/radar emitters (friendly and hostile), electrical noise pulses, or natural effects in peace and war.