Notes from the 44th CORF Meeting

May 26-27, 1999

Action items are in italics, appendices are copies of the viewgraphs used by each speaker.

Attendance

CORF members: Paul Steffes, Chair; Darrel Emerson, Mark Jacobson, Michael Klein, Thomas Kuiper, Mark McKinnon. Consultants: Paul Feldman and John Kiebler. NRC Staff: Donald Shapero and Robert L. Riemer. Guests: Richard Barth, spectrum manager, DOC; Joseph Camacho, NTIA; Patrick Crane, NRL; Tomas Gergely, spectrum manager, NSF; Ken Tapping, spectrum manager, DRAO, Canada (by phone); Charles Wende, NASA Office of Space Science; James Hollansworth, NASA Glenn Research Center; David Kunkee, The Aerospace Corporation; Klaus Ruf, IUCAF and CRAF (by phone).

Introductions

Paul Steffes welcomed members of the committee. He reviewed CORF activities and issues over the past year. He mentioned that at the International Telecommunication Union Radio Sector (ITU-R) Working Party 7D two issues were identified that may present problems: the millimeter-wave band for passive sensing, and the consideration of the 1400-1427 MHz band for NGSO feeder downlinks. [Also Study Group 7, Robert Taylor chairs. The Working Parties have been reorganized:

(a) Time and Frequency

(b) Space Science (temporarily Radio Astronomy)

(c) Space Science Passive Sensing

(d) Radio Astronomy (temporarily Special Group for WRC Preparations).]

Several Federal Communications Commission (FCC) Notices of Proposed Rulemaking (NPRM) arose.

--NPRM 98-136. CORF filed Comments regarding Skystation’s planned balloon-borne transceivers.

--NPRM 98-142. CORF filed Comments regarding downlinks next to the 2 cm and 6700 MHz bands.

--NPRM 98-172. Backscatter from Ka band downlinks. CORF was unable to draft comments.

--NPRM 98-153. Ultra-wide-band devices. CORF did not file, but is monitoring this new technology. CORF may need to draft a white paper on this topic.

--NPRM 98-206. Non-geostationary satellite orbit (NGSO) system downlinks in the 10.6-10.7 GHz band, the "European SkyBridge". CORF filed Comments and the FCC endorsed International Telecommunication Union Radio Sector (ITU-R) recommendation 769-1 in its response.

--NPRM 99-81. Downlinks from Mobile Satellite Systems (MSS). CORF filed Comments.

NRC Matters

The committee held its annual balance and composition discussion in closed session. They discussed the membership rotation and the need for reappointments and replacements for several CORF members who would not be continuing.

NSF Report

Tomas Gergely reported (see Gergely’s viewgraphs for details) on satellite coordination issues and other spectrum management issues. The preparations for the next World Radiocommunication Conference (WRC-00) and public education and the NSF videotape on spectrum interference are also discussed below.

World Radiocommunication Conference Preparations

The next World Radiocommunication Conference (WRC) is presently scheduled for Istanbul in summer 2000. The Conference Preparatory Meeting will be in November 1999. The next WRC in 2002-2004 may consider frequencies up to 1000 GHz. Information about U.S. preparations can be found on the NTIA and FCC web sites at www.ntia.gov and www.fcc.gov. Gergely urged CORF members to participate in the WRC process. He said that U.S. delegates must hew to the U.S. position, but non-voting delegates from non-governmental organizations (NGOs), such as IUCAF are free to hold any positions. U.S. delegates must attend for a month, NGO delegates can attend as much as they want. On the domestic side, the U.S. government works through the Interdepartmental Radio Advisory Committee (IRAC) through NTIA through the FCC, the public works through private organizations through the Industry Advisory Committee (IAC) and its working groups. Tom Kuiper wrote an interesting essay on his participation in WRC-97 at dsnra.jpl.nasa.gov/freq_man/wrc97.html.

WRC-00 has on its draft agenda the reconsideration of allocations above 71 GHz, which involves a major review of both radio astronomy and remote sensing spectrum, with the goal of updating the allocations to conform with current requirements. Spectral lines from over 80 molecules lie in this region. In general, passive bands need to be flexible regarding sharing with terrestrial services, e.g., working with adequate buffer zones placed around radio-astronomy mm-wavelength sites.

Gergely urged that radio scientists participate in Task Group 1/5. Some participation is possible by telecon. CORF members should help identify candidates.

Gergely thanked Joseph Camacho at NTIA for his help with 42 GHz protection from unwanted emissions from Fixed Satellite Service (FSS) downlinks. Gergely noted that ITU-R Working Party 4A declared radio astronomy limits to be unachievable.

Gergely noted that Skystation is out of action but that others await.

The spurious emission limits in Appendix S.3 are not sufficient for radio astronomy.

CORF will draft a general informational item for inclusion in the American Astronomical Society newsletter.

Public Education

Gergely announced the release of a fifteen-minute videotape produced for the NSF that describes the scientific use of the radio spectrum and interference problems. Copies are available free and would make useful exhibition at observatory visitor centers and public lectures.

European SCIENCE FOUNDATION’S Committee on Radio Astronomy Frequencies

Klaus Ruf, European Committee on Radio Astronomy Frequencies, explained the spectrum management structure in Europe. CRAF is composed of representatives from 16 countries. The CEPT (which is similar in some respects to the FCC) is composed of 42 member states, and the European Science Foundation has 62 members. CRAF met in April 1999.

--One of the main topics was the negotiation with Iridium. The European Milestone Review Committee pushed CRAF into an agreement.

--Ruf reported on the European preparation for WRC-00.

--CRAF has a professional spectrum manager, who is already reporting that he is overwhelmed.

--Ruf described interference monitoring in Europe.

--He explained that at Working Party 7D, a proposal was tabled for a new ITU-R recommendation on the percentage of time interference could be tolerated.

--The OH workshop: all four frequencies are in trouble. 1610 MHz is in better shape in Europe than in the United States, though.

--The need for public education continues to be important.

IUCAF

Klaus Ruf also reported on IUCAF:

--IUCAF is now chaired by (former CORF member) Willem Baan, who is the new director at Dwingeloo/Westerbork.

--The IUCAF website is www.nfra.nl/iucaf/.

--Ruf mentioned that the International Union of Radio Science’s (URSI) Commission E on Electromagnetic Noise and Interference will meet in Toronto in August 1999.

--IUCAF will have an exhibit at WRC-00 on the proposed international Atacama Large Millimeter Array.

--The International Council for Science (ICSU) will provide funds for developing countries’ radio astronomy.

--Former CORF member J. Richard Fisher, NRAO-Green Bank, is sponsoring a workshop on spectrum monitoring. Another workshop will be held at the URSI General Assembly.

--A question arose regarding NASA’s Hydrostar soil moisture and salinity measurement system, which operates at 1400 MHz. Ruf sent a letter to B. Younes at NASA to alert them to the concerns.

NASA OFFICE OF EARTH SCIENCE

Charles Wende, manager, mission operations and planning for the Earth Observing Systems program, provided a report from the NASA Office of Earth Science (see Wende’s viewgraphs for details). He discussed the use of 1400-1427 MHz for ocean salinity measurements using the Hydrostar satellite. There was concern about this, see above.

James Hollansworth, NASA Glenn Research Center, discussed GNSS, GPS, GLONASS, and other navigational systems. Global navigation systems are of increasing value to scientists, e.g., GPS will be used for navigation in space. A Joint Working Group has been established. He asked CORF’s help in protecting GPS and GNSS, which have important scientific uses, from MSS, for example. It is on the WRC-00 agenda, but the FCC has no action. CORF member Tom Kuiper suggested adding scientific use of GPS to CORF’s charge. Inmarsat has proposed adding SS into the GPS band at 1559-1610 MHz.

Hollansworth described DARS—Digital Audio Radio Service broadcasting: e.g., Worldspace’s Afristar satellite. A Caribbean satellite is planned, which will affect the U.S. The system operates under an experimental license, in an unusual case, where a broadcast originating in France is beamed to a satellite over Africa, under FCC license. Protection is needed for the Deep Space Network and the NAIC planetary radar. Meteorological needs 115-122 GHz

Above 275 GHz. Molecular, sub-millimeter lines give guidelines for allocations. Dick THOMPSON noted that Rec. 314 of WP7D has a list.

CANADIAN-MEXICAN-U.S. REGIONAL ISSUES

Ken Tapping, Dominion Radio Astrophysical Observatory, Canada, participated in a discussion by telephone. He reported on the agreement with Iridium and Canada, a 5-year license condition with renewal dependent on satisfying ITU-R RA 769-1R. 769, the -238 d BW/m2/Hz limit for interference for radio astronomy.

--Preparation for WRC-00 is underway. Tapping is concerned, as CORF is, about 71-275 GHz being under consideration.

--Tapping is concerned about Iridium and similar systems.

--Task Group 1/5 and Working Party 8D need input from radio scientists.

--Claims by Final Analysis that they can meet radio astronomy limits with filtering, even though they will operate in a band next to the 1400 MHz band.

--He supports formation of a regional frequency management organization.

--Brian Andrew is the local representative in Ottawa at the Canadian National Research Council.

National TELECOMMUNICATIONS and INFORMATION ADMINISTRATION

Joseph Camacho, National Telecommunication and Information Administration (see viewgraphs), describing his work on the "Green Book". CORF members should send him corrections and updates before the end of the year. The new Radio Astronomy Spectrum Planning Options report. He noted that the Radio Astronomy Service hasn’t added to its available bandwidth since the era of "the molecular explosion".

Richard Barth noted that in just the past decade, MSS has emerged. The pressure on the spectrum continues to increase.

Federal COMMUNICATIONS Commission

Thomas Derenge, FCC, discussed several items of interest:

--Docket 98-206, the SkyBridge non-geostationary satellite orbit (NGSO) Fixed Satellite System (FSS) operating in the 10.7-12.7 GHz band, which is next to the 10.68-10.7 GHz band. Derenge referred to ITU-R Recommendation 769-1 in the FCC decision, which CORF applauded. The Radio Astronomy Service should participate in the international WRC-00 preparations and the WRC itself.

--Interference to Kitt Peak RAS channel 37 spectrum from the DTV channel 36 broadcast from Mesa, Arizona.

--Medical telemetry allocation has been approved on an unlicensed basis in TV channels 4-46, which includes RAS channel 37. The maximum permitted field strength is 200 microvolts at 3 m in one channel. Anyone using channel 37 within 36 km of an observatory must register with the NSF spectrum manager. The American Hospital Association asked for permission to use more powerful devices, which operate at 608-613 MHz. The FCC and NTIA are coordinating their response and how to treat protection for RAS. Gergely warned that CORF may have to file Comments on the NPRM, if they are issued.

--The American National Standards Institute’s (ANSI) National Council for Information Technology Standards is developing standards on two-way tag readers that could affect RAS at 13.36-13.41 GHz.

--The ITU WRC-97 Recommendation 66: Task Group 1/5 is deliberating on combining Out-of-Band Emissions (defined as within 2.5 times the bandwidth) with Spurious Emissions (defined as more than 2.5 times the bandwidth). U.S. satellite operators oppose combining them for fear of then having to meet the Out-of-Band Emission limits. Rob Hayes at NTIA is the contact for this.

--Paul Steffes noted that Docket 99-81 regarding MSS feeder links at 10.7-11.5 GHz did not cite ITU-R 769-1. Derenge said that someone else wrote them.

--CORF should brief the new FCC commissioners and their staffs, the Office of Technology, and meet with Thomas Tycz. .

Regarding high-frequency for wireless LANs, WENDE noted that JPL found they would interfere with each other before they would harm Radio Astronomy.

Automobile radar third harmonic, the use of oxygen band to absorb makes re-use attractive.

OTHER REMOTE SENSING ISSUES

Paul Steffes discussed remote sensing issues:

--18.6-18.8 GHz is the highest priority problem for remote sensing. The Earth Exploration Satellite System EESS (passive) has a worldwide allocation from 18.6-18.8 GHz. David Kunkee added that 31.3-31.8 GHz and 36-37 GHz also have problems.

--John Zuzek, Glenn Research Center, is the chair of Working Party 7C, which deals with remote sensing issues. Charles Wende in Vice Chair. WP7C allocations above 71 GHz for WRC-99

--Mark Jacobson said that he is now using submillimeter for atmospheric remote sensing, above 100 GHz and higher. Steffes asked if there was any protection for upward-looking submillimeter detectors? It may be on the agenda for WRC-02 or -04. Richard Barth said that action by the ITU-R on issues is begun by formally asking a Question. He cited the experience with wind profilers, where the World Meteorological Organization formally asked the ITU-R for frequencies. Maybe a modification of the Working Party 7C charge is needed.

--Gergely added that radio astronomy from space may also be in a similar situation.

--NASA millimeter- and micrometer-wave remote sensing are involved in FCC Docket 98-172, namely, limits on backscatter from satellite downlinks at 18.6-18.8 GHz. The WRC Conference Planning Meeting is dealing with it now.

UPCOMING ISSUES FOR CORF

Paul Feldman, CORF’s telecommunications attorney from Fletcher, Heald & Hildreth, reported on issues for CORF to monitor. These included:

--Millimeter-wave/vehicular radar.

--47 GHz "stratospheric telecommunications service"/Sky Station.

--Satellite downlinks in the 15 GHz, 6 GHz, and 2 GHz bands.

--Ku-band satellite downlinks (ET Docket No. 98-206).

--Global mobile PCS hand unit uplinks (IB Docket No. 99-67). CORF files Comments on June 21, 1999.

--2 GHz MSS (IB Docket No. 99-81). CORF filed Comments on June 24, 1999.

--17 GHz BSS downlinks.

--24 GHz unlicensed fixed terrestrial services.

--2 GHz space, EES, and space research links.

--24 GHz traffic safety devices.

--402-405 MHz medical implant devices.

--Recent Iridium request on MSS L-band use.

Other Action Items

The Committee went into closed session and discussed the committee’s operation and structure. The goal is to be an efficient and effective advocate for scientific users of the spectrum.

The committee discussed the structure of the previous version of the CORF Views.

Kuiper suggested creating a table of scientific research using active and passive bands. E.g., deep-space network radio occultation and geodesy using differential GPS. The Space Frequency Coordination Group (SFCG) is working on this.

--The CORF Views should include an estimate of interference levels in the passive bands.

--CORF’s Radio Astronomy Observatories data on the web needs revision. Tom Kuiper offered to suggest a list of the minimum data needed. A map should be added.

--Data communications issues may need to be included in CORF’s charge.