Safety, policy, and integration intertwine in UAS spectrum use

May 4, 2021 | AUVSI News

As more unmanned aerial systems (UAS) enter the airspace and take on increasingly advanced operations, concerns about preserving spectrum and improving coordination have also grown. During today’s XPONENTIAL 2021 breakout sessions, attendees heard insights on spectrum policy from a panel of experts, including representatives from the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), the Federal Communications Commission (FCC), and the unmanned systems industry.

Panelists’ comments made clear that the use of spectrum by drone operators touches on all three pillars of assured autonomy: prioritizing system safety, supporting sound public policy, and enabling the seamless integration of unmanned systems.

The foundational issue faced by the UAS industry is that access to licensed spectrum is critical for the safe development, deployment, and expansion of advanced operations. As moderator Melissa Glidden Tye, Associate General Counsel, Emerging Technologies at Verizon, summarized: “Until agencies are able to put together necessary regulatory frameworks, we won’t see the benefits we are all striving toward in expanded and continued operations of UAS.”

While the FCC is cognizant of the need to address the issue, the agency does not currently have rules in place clarifying which licenses may be used for UAS operations. Because spectrum users affect others’ use, spectrum licensing requires collaboration from numerous federal agencies and non-governmental bodies. Multiple organizations have studied this issue and proposed recommendations, but a concerted effort that combines industry and government expertise is needed to resolve this challenge.

Michael Weiler, Manager for Spectrum Engineering Services, Technical Operations at the FAA, offered a path forward. He recommended that the UAS industry seek to consistently provide input to federal regulators about what industry’s needs and priorities are so that regulators can focus their attention on the most important issues. By collaborating to understand where shared challenges lie, FAA will be able to identify ways to integrate UAS into national airspace in a way that supports safety.

As the drone industry evolves, the way drones use spectrum will also evolve. Stakeholder discussions taking place now will serve both industry and regulators in the years ahead as growing appetite for UAS and expanded spectrum drive economic advancements.