How to Request a PAL Grant

This guide explains how to request a Priority Access License (PAL) grant in the CBRS band using the standard SAS-CBCD protocol (WINNF-TS-0016).

Overview

PAL grants provide protected access on licensed 10 MHz channels within a PAL geographic area. They receive higher interference protection than GAA and are prioritized over GAA.

Key Differences from GAA Grants:

• Requires a valid PAL ID associated with the CBSD location
• Channel availability limited to licensed PAL channels
• Higher protection → more reliable operation

Key Bridge SAS Note:

If you own a PAL, we automatically enroll your devices as PAL-eligible when they register — there is no further action needed by the user. We also automatically generate and manage your PAL Protection Areas (PPAs) for you. Pre-registration of PAL membership is required by all SASs per the protocol, but with Key Bridge, this happens seamlessly in the background.

Prerequisites

• CBSD located within a valid PAL license boundary
• PAL ID (from FCC auction or secondary market) provided to Key Bridge (once, during account setup)
• Standard registration complete (cbsdId obtained)

Step 1: Initial PAL Setup (One-Time)

• Provide your PAL ID(s) to Key Bridge support during onboarding
• We handle enrollment and PPA creation automatically

Tip: No per-device action required — automatic on first registration.

Step 2: Request PAL Grant

Use standard GrantRequest. Eligibility is automatic if location matches your PAL.

Options:

• Request specific PAL channel (recommended for predictability)
• Or request full band — SAS will prefer your PAL channel if available

Example: Specific PAL Channel Request

{
  "grantRequest": [
    {
      "cbsdId": "SAS123/CBSD-001",
      "operationParam": {
        "operationFrequencyRange": {
          "lowFrequency": 3550000000,
          "highFrequency": 3560000000
        },
        "maxEirp": 37.0
      },
      "measReport": {
        "rcvdPowerMeasReports": [
          {
            "measFrequency": 3550000000,
            "measBandwidth": 10000000,
            "measRcvdPower": -60.5
          }
        ]
      }
    }
  ]
}

Example: Full Band Request (SAS Assigns PAL if Eligible)

{
  "grantRequest": [
    {
      "cbsdId": "SAS123/CBSD-001",
      "operationParam": {
        "operationFrequencyRange": {
          "lowFrequency": 3550000000,
          "highFrequency": 3700000000
        },
        "maxEirp": 37.0
      }
    }
  ]
}

Step 3: Process GrantResponse

Look for channelType: "PAL" on success.

Example Successful PAL Grant

{
  "grantResponse": [
    {
      "grantId": "GRANT-PAL-123",
      "channelType": "PAL",
      "operationParam": {
        "operationFrequencyRange": {
          "lowFrequency": 3550000000,
          "highFrequency": 3560000000
        },
        "maxEirp": 37.0
      },
      "grantExpireTime": "2027-01-07T12:00:00Z",
      "response": {
        "responseCode": 0,
        "responseMessage": "Success"
      }
    }
  ]
}

Step 4: Activate and Maintain

• Standard heartbeat process (same as GAA)
• PAL grants have longer typical duration and higher protection

Best Practices & Tips

• Request specific PAL channel for predictability
• Combine with multi-grant: Use PAL as primary; place at least one GAA grant in the upper 50 MHz (3650-3700 MHz) if located in a DPA neighborhood — provides resilient fallback during activations
• Include measurements — improves coexistence with neighbors
• Monitor grantExpireTime — PAL grants align with license term
• Key Bridge SAS: Automatic enrollment and PPA management simplify PAL operations

Common Issues & Troubleshooting

Next Steps

• Share PAL ID(s) with Key Bridge support if not already done
• Test PAL grant request in sandbox

[Image placeholder: PAL vs GAA protection diagram]