Google, Microsoft, HP launch white spaces database effort
The FCC did not fully trust the spectrum-sensing technology that will be built into so-called "white spaces" wireless devices, but it did approve their use in unused bits of the TV band so long as each device queried a special geolocation database before transmitting. White spaces backers including Dell, HP, Google, Microsoft, and Motorola have today announced the formation of the White Spaces Database Group to address the issue.
When the FCC voted to allow the controversial devices back in November 2008, it wanted to make absolutely sure that the signals did not interfere with television broadcasts or wireless microphones. It conditioned approval on a "belt-and-suspenders" approach to dealing with interference, one that used spectrum-sensing technology to find open channels but backed up its own sensing with a geographic database of known broadcasters.
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