3D Wireless: The Promise and Challenges of Next-Generation Space and Airborne Wireless Systems

Tags: Spectrum Policy / Technology Policy

A wave of innovation in airborne and orbiting systems—from drones to new thousand-satellite constellations—poses difficult questions of who is in charge and how to coordinate increasingly complex operations to prevent harm. This conference will focus on the intersection of new air and space technologies with spectrum policy.

Communication platforms will be located at a range of altitudes from ground level to geostationary orbit and beyond and be governed by national and international bodies with different interests and expertise. The coordination of these systems to prevent both physical collision and radio interference is becoming exponentially more complex, both technically and institutionally.

We will explore next-generation space and airborne wireless systems under three headings:

  • Innovation. New technologies and business models are emerging, like lightweight drones, affordable flat antennas, a private spaceflight industry, and much more. What are the driving factors and critical uncertainties that will determine their maturation? Will the new approaches coexist with, or disrupt, established models?
  • Challenges. Are there new hazards to contend with, or new wrinkles to old ones? What are the challenges of coordinating both the objects and their operators to avoid collisions? Are there problematic overlaps between governing institutions at the national level, the international level, and between national and international agencies?
  • Solutions. New technologies will both compete and cooperate with the old; how can entrepreneurs and regulators find the optimum balance? Different technologies, such as terrestrial and satellite broadband, have different value propositions and replacement timescales; how should regulators give all their due?

READ MORE for a full conference summary and background.

This conference is prefaced by an optional pre-conference tutorial, which will provide an introductory overview of the technology, business, and regulatory questions that will inform the conference discussion.

A report on this conference by Alex Vetras and Daniel Insulza is available. (pdf)

If you need any accommodations, such as an ASL interpreter, CART, or alternate format versions of printed materials, please contact Susanna Weller at Susanna.Weller@colorado.edu or (303) 492-5442, and we will gladly make any necessary arrangements.

Sessions

10/04/17 12:00pm - 12:45pm
Setting the Stage: A Primer

@ Wolf Law, Room 301

10/04/17 1:00pm - 1:15pm
Welcome and Introduction
  • JP de Vries
    Director Emeritus and Distinguished Advisor, Silicon Flatirons
  • Bobby Braun
    Dean, College of Engineering and Applied Science, University of Colorado Boulder
10/04/17 1:15pm - 1:45pm
Keynote
  • Julius Knapp
    Former Chief, Office of Engineering and Technology (retired), Federal Communications Commission
10/04/17 1:45pm - 2:45pm
Innovation
  • David Reed — Moderator
    Faculty Director, Interdisciplinary Telecom Program, University of Colorado Boulder
  • Larry Alder — Panelist
    Vice President, Product Definition, OneWeb, Ltd
  • Cory Dixon — Panelist
    IRISS Chief Technologist, Grand Challenge Integrated Remote and In Situ Sensing, University of Colorado Boulder
  • Steve Lanning — Panelist
    Director, Advanced Analytics, ViaSat
  • Phil Larson — Panelist
    Assistant Dean, Chief of Staff, College of Engineering and Applied Science, University of Colorado Boulder
10/04/17 2:45pm - 3:00pm
Break

10/04/17 3:00pm - 4:00pm
Challenges
  • M. Anne Swanson — Moderator
    Partner, Wilkinson Barker Knauer, LLP
  • Joe Cramer — Panelist
    Regional Director, Spectrum Regulatory Affairs, The Boeing Company
  • Skip Miller — Panelist
    Founder and Chief Executive Officer, UASUSA
  • Brennan Price — Panelist
    Senior Principal Engineer, Regulatory Affairs, EchoStar Corporation
  • Michael Tseytlin — Panelist
    Director of Engineering, Facebook
10/04/17 4:00pm - 4:15pm
Break

10/04/17 4:15pm - 5:15pm
Solutions
  • Anna Gomez — Moderator
    Partner, Wiley Rein LLP
  • Thomas W. Hazlett — Panelist
    H. H. Macaulay Endowed Professor, Clemson University
  • Julius Knapp — Panelist
    Former Chief, Office of Engineering and Technology (retired), Federal Communications Commission
  • Jennifer L. Richter — Panelist
    Partner, Akin Gump Strauss Hauer & Feld LLP
  • Jennifer Warren — Panelist
    Vice President, Civil & Regulatory Affairs, Lockheed Martin Corporation
10/04/18 5:15pm - 5:45pm
Wrap-up Panel
  • JP de Vries — Moderator
    Director Emeritus and Distinguished Advisor, Silicon Flatirons
  • Anna Gomez — Panelist
    Partner, Wiley Rein LLP
  • David Reed — Panelist
    Faculty Director, Interdisciplinary Telecom Program, University of Colorado Boulder
  • M. Anne Swanson — Panelist
    Partner, Wilkinson Barker Knauer, LLP
10/04/17 5:45pm - 6:45pm
Reception

Please note: Per university alcohol policy, only registered guests will be admitted to the reception.

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