Echodyne Gets FCC Waiver for Ground-Based Drone Detection, Pending Rulemaking

Echodyne got an FCC waiver of rules to allow ground-based radiolocation use of its EchoGuard radar (see 1810110029), pending the outcome of the company's rulemaking petition for rules for such secondary use of the 24.45-24.65 GHz band, said a Wireless Bureau order in Thursday's Daily Digest and on docket 17-352. The product could detect drones at prisons and stadiums, or surveil borders. The company agreed to AT&T-proposed conditions to follow the Part 87 regulatory framework and have only fixed deployments at specific locations, the bureau said. "U.S. Border Patrol and In-Q-Tel support Echodyne’s request, on the grounds that grant of a waiver would enhance security as unmanned aircraft proliferate in U.S. airspace." Such drone detection "is an important public safety function" and "facilitating the deployment of new, more effective technology to protect critical infrastructure and other sensitive areas furthers the public interest," the bureau ruled. It said FAA and the company came up with the conditions in this order. The waiver lasts five years, during which the manufacturer can sell up to 15,000 units to nonfederal users. The FAA and Echodyne didn't comment. AT&T declined to comment.