Google plans mystery experiments at 76-77 GHz

Google filed a highly secretive application with the Federal Communications Commission for an experimental radio authority, via which the company aims to test technology in the 76-77 GHz millimeter-wave band.

That spectrum is authorized for short-range radar applications, including vehicle radars. The Jan 22 filing was uncovered by consulting engineer Steven Crowley. Google asked in a request for confidentiality, which can be accessed by the public, that the FCC treat certain information in its application as confidential and not subject to public inspection. "The designated information constitutes confidential and proprietary information that, if subject to public disclosure, would cause significant commercial, economic, and competitive harm," said the letter. What little can be gleaned from the highly redacted letter indicates that Google wants to conduct an experiment under statutory temporary authority (STA). The company contends granting of this experimental STA "will not adversely impact any authorized user of RF spectrum." Google is seeking authorization for testing across the United States over 24 months, beginning no later than March 1, 2014. Given that the 76-77 GHz band is used for short-range vehicular radar, Google's planned experiments may involve its self-driving car efforts.