IEEE Geoscience and Remote Sensing Magazine - December 2021 - 281

17.7-18.6 GHz and 18.8-19.3 GHz are adjacent to the band
18.6-18.8 GHz, which is allocated to the EESS (passive).
Instruments, such as the Advanced Microwave Scanning
Radiometer 2 (AMSR-2) and global precipitation measurement
microwave imager (GPM-GMI) sensor, operating at
18.6-18.8 GHz are already experiencing interference from
reflections off the ocean surface of broadcast signals from
geostationary satellites, so particular attention needs to be
paid to this issue.
AI 1.17: INTERSATELLITE LINKS AT 11.7-12.7,
18.1-18.6, 18.8-20.2, AND 27.5-30 GHz
This agenda item calls for studies on provisions to allow
satellite-to-satellite links to be operated in several frequency
bands allocated to fixed satellite services. Some of these
bands are adjacent to 18.6-18.8 GHz, where EESS (passive)
systems also operate. Similarly to AI 1.16, there are concerns
for interference due to reflection off Earth's surface as well
as from the direct path to the remote sensing sensor.
AI 1.18: SPECTRUM NEEDS AND POTENTIAL
NEW ALLOCATIONS TO THE MOBILE SATELLITE
SERVICE FOR FUTURE DEVELOPMENT OF
NARROWBAND MOBILE SATELLITE SYSTEMS
This agenda item calls for consideration of new allocations
to the mobile satellite service to be used by low-data-rate
systems for the collection and management of data from
terrestrial devices in the following bands:
◗ 1,695-1,710 MHz in Region 2
◗ 2,010-2,025 MHz in Region 1
◗ 3,300-3,315 MHz, 3,385-3,400 MHz in Region 2.
The main concern for scientific services is that the frequency
band 1,695-1,710 MHz is allocated to the meteorological
satellite service and is primarily used for downlink
of meteorological data from non-GSO meteorological satellites
to ground stations around the world, thus potentially
affecting other regions beside Region 2. Also, this frequency
band is allocated to the meteorological aids on a primary
basis in all three regions.
The frequency band 3,100-3,300 MHz, adjacent to 3,300-
3,400 MHz, is allocated on a secondary basis to the EESS (active),
with a potential for out-of-band interference affecting
active remote sensing instruments operating in this band.
AI 1.19: NEW PRIMARY ALLOCATION TO THE
FIXED SATELLITE SERVICE IN THE
SPACE-TO-EARTH DIRECTION IN THE FREQUENCY
BAND 17.3-17.7 GHz IN REGION 2
Remote sensing has primary EESS (active) allocation in the
17.2-17.3-GHz band, and new fixed satellite service operations
at 17.3-17.7 GHz could potentially result in increased adjacent
band interference.
AI 9.1.a: SPACE WEATHER SENSORS
Resolution 657 (WRC-19) calls for studies on technical and
operational characteristics, spectrum requirements, and
DECEMBER 2021 IEEE GEOSCIENCE AND REMOTE SENSING MAGAZINE
appropriate radio service designations for space weather
sensors to achieve appropriate recognition and protection
in the RR without placing additional constraints on incumbent
services.
No regulatory action is to be taken at WRC-23 as an
outcome of this agenda item. ITU-R WP 7C has prepared
a comprehensive Report ITU-R RS.2456, " Space Weather
Sensor Systems Using Radio Spectrum. "
The following two other documents are under development:
◗ spectrum requirements and applicable radio service
designations for receive-only space weather sensors that
provide data critical for predictions and warnings
◗ interference criteria of receive-only space weather sensors.
AI 9.1.d: PROTECTION OF EARTH EXPLORATIONSATELLITE
SERVICE (PASSIVE) AT 36-37 GHz
A preliminary study was performed for WRC-19 Agenda
Item 1.6 on the protection of EESS (passive) sensors operating
in the band 36-37 GHz from space stations on non-GSO
in large constellations at 37.5-38 GHz. As a result, WRC-19
invited the ITU-R to conduct further analyses on this topic.
The nearby EESS (passive) 36-37-GHz band is critical
for satellite passive microwave measurements primarily
of precipitation and sea ice. AMSR-2, GMI, and WindSat
operate in this band, and the planned European Space
Agency mission Copernicus Imaging Microwave Radiometer
will also use it. OOBEs into 36-37 GHz can arise in
several ways:
◗ reflections off Earth's surface, particularly from the
ocean and ice
◗ direct coupling into the sensor receiving antenna
◗ interference with cold-sky calibration.
THE FREQUENCY ALLOCATIONS IN REMOTE
SENSING TECHNICAL COMMITTEE AND THE IEEE
GEOSCIENCE AND REMOTE SENSING SOCIETY
VIEWS ON WRC-23 AGENDA ITEMS DOCUMENT
The Frequency Allocations in Remote Sensing (FARS) Technical
Committee was established by the IEEE Geoscience
and Remote Sensing Society (GRSS) in 2000. It is intended
as a means for the GRSS community to discuss spectrum
management issues that affect the remote sensing field and
defend the interests of the remote sensing community in
matters relevant to frequency allocations. Its membership
includes scientists and engineers working in remote sensing
at a variety of institutions worldwide.
The mission of the FARS Technical Committee is to serve
as an interface between the GRSS and the radio-frequency
regulatory world by
◗ educating the remote sensing community on spectrum
management processes and issues
◗ promoting the development of radio-frequency interference
detection and mitigation technology
◗ organizing technical sessions at conferences, workshops,
and so on regarding the preceding processes, issues,
and technologies
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IEEE Geoscience and Remote Sensing Magazine - December 2021

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