FCC Approves New Spectrum For Vehicle Radar Systems
Print this Article | Send to Colleague
![](http://www.naylornetwork.com/naf-nwl/assets2016/ajit_pai.jpg)
The decision expands the band that vehicle radars can operate to five GHz of spectrum and will improve lane departure warning, blind spot detection systems, automatic braking and pedestrian detection, the FCC said.
In 2016, some 20 automakers reached a voluntary agreement with U.S. auto safety regulators to make collision-avoiding braking systems standard equipment by 2022, a move that could eliminate one million crashes a year.
FCC Chairman Ajit Pai said the agency was giving automakers "the bandwidth needed" to allow "proven technologies that enable services like collision avoidance, blind spot monitoring, and lane change assistance" and allow for "new innovations."
Automakers will exit some other smaller portions of spectrum used for some radar systems as part of the expansion after 2022, the FCC said. The vote harmonizes vehicle spectrum with European rules that could allow automakers to bring technologies to the U.S. market faster, the FCC said.
The decision will also lead to improved aviation safety by boosting foreign object debris detection radars on airport runways and aircraft wingtip radars that can help avoid collisions with objects while moving on airport grounds.