WINNF Specifications

Wireless Innovation Forum (WINNF) Specifications

The Foundational Framework for Citizens Broadband Radio Service

The Wireless Innovation Forum (WINNF) Spectrum Sharing Committee has developed the comprehensive technical standards that serve as the regulatory and operational foundation for the Citizens Broadband Radio Service (CBRS) under FCC Part 96. Key Bridge Wireless, as a certified SAS administrator operating in the 3550–3700 MHz band, depends on these specifications to deliver secure, compliant, and interference-protected spectrum access across the three-tier sharing model.

WINNF documents collectively define the essential architecture, protocols, security, testing, and protection mechanisms required for CBRS deployment. This includes SAS-CBSD and SAS-SAS interfaces (baseline and Release 2 extensions), operational requirements, incumbent and non-federal protections, conformance testing for SAS and CBSD/Domain Proxy, PKI and communications security, CPAS procedures, DPA propagation models, PAL database operations, CPI accreditation, recognized air interfaces, grouping information, and operational security practices.

These normative standards ensure interoperability, protect incumbent users, and provide the extensible framework that enables commercial innovation. For Key Bridge Wireless, the WINNF specifications are the indispensable reference that governs every aspect of our SAS and ESC operations, ensuring fair, dynamic spectrum management and long-term reliability in the shared CBRS band.

How to Navigate the WINNF CBRS Document Set

The WINNF CBRS specifications are layered and interdependent. The diagram below illustrates how the key documents build upon each other, with a focus on the SAS-CBSD interface (the primary path for most implementers and CBSD vendors):

                      FCC Part 96
               (Regulatory & Legal Foundation)
                              |
                              v
                   WINNF-TS-0112
          CBRS Operating Requirements
                 (R1 baseline + R2 updates)
                              |
                 +------------+------------+
                 |                         |
                 v                         v
     WINNF-TS-0016                  WINNF-TS-3002
  SAS ↔ CBSD Protocol            SAS ↔ CBSD Extensions
     (Release 1 core)              (Release 2 features)
   • Registration                 • Enhanced Group Handling
   • Grant/Heartbeat              • Feature Capability Exchange
   • Security basics              • Grant Update
   • Basic operation params       • CPE-CBSD Indicator
                                  • Enhanced Antenna Pattern
                 |                         |
                 +------------+------------+
                              |
                              v
                       Testing & Certification
                 +---------------------------+
                 |                           |
                 v                           v
      WINNF-TS-0061                     WINNF-TS-0122
   SAS Test & Cert                     CBSD/DP Test & Cert
     (SAS as UUT)                       (CBSD/DP as UUT)
   • Protocol conformance             • CBSD behavior & security
   • Interference protection          • Certificate handling
   • IAP / DPA logic                  • Registration / Heartbeat

Supporting Foundations (cross-cutting across SAS-CBSD flow):

• WINNF-TS-0022 - Certificate Policy & PKI
• WINNF-TS-0065 - Communications Security
• WINNF-TS-0247 - CPI Accreditation
• WINNF-SSC-0002 - Recognized Air Interfaces
• WINNF-SSC-0010 - Grouping Information

Quick Navigation Tip:

• If you're implementing a CBSD: Start with TS-0112 > TS-0016 > TS-0122 (for certification).
• If you're testing with a SAS : Start with TS-0112 > TS-0016 > TS-3002 > TS-0061.
• Always cross-reference back to FCC Part 96 for the binding regulatory text.

This layered approach ensures that implementations remain compliant, interoperable, and forward-compatible as the CBRS ecosystem evolves.