IEEE Geoscience and Remote Sensing Magazine - December 2021 - 294

research missions and space radiocommunication
systems for NASA programs.
He assisted, for example, in efforts to obtain
spectrum authorization from the
National Telecommunications and Information
Administration (NTIA) to enable
NASA's Tracking Data Relay Satellite System
(TDRSS) to provide support for commercial
programs, and he eventually got
involved in international spectrum management
work, attending various technical
meetings of the International Telecommunication
Union Radiocommunication Sector
(ITU-R).
His first foray into supporting remote
Tom led efforts to improve the interFIGURE
1. Thomas von Deak was
a fierce advocate of frequency
spectrum use for remote sensing
applications.
TOM BECAME PASSIONATE
ABOUT SPECTRUM
MANAGEMENT FOR REMOTE
SENSING SYSTEMS AND
THEIR PROTECTION FROM
RADIO-FREQUENCY
INTERFERENCE.
sensing spectrum management came in
various groups that were studying the effects of ultrawideband
communications systems and their possible impact
on space radiocommunication systems and remote sensing
systems, especially passive remote sensing systems. As a
U.S. delegate to many World Radiocommunication Conferences
(WRCs), including those in 2003, 2007, 2012, 2015,
and 2019, Tom contributed vital work in the area of protecting
passive sensors from out-of-band (OOB) emissions.
At the 2003 WRC, for example, he represented NASA on
two key issues related to ensuring
the long-term protection
of TDRSS forward-link
spectrum and shielding passive
service bands from adjacent
band interference. Both
matters were hotly debated
and required long hours of
negotiation. Considered to
be the most contentious topic
of the conference that year,
the TDRSS issue was fully
resolved, ensuring long-term
access for space missions, notably the Space Transport System
and the International Space Station. The U.S. head of
delegation recognized Tom in writing for his contributions.
Tom continued to devote time and energy to remote
sensing, particularly spaceborne passive microwave sensors
providing the ability to obtain all-weather, day and
night, global observations of Earth and its atmosphere. He
organized and cochaired an international workshop on
Earth exploration-satellite service (EESS) wideband downlink
spectrum to examine how to best utilize the 8,025-
8,400-MHz band for downlinking Earth remote sensing
data in a cooperative manner. He developed the agenda
and solicited papers/presenters from across all aspects of
the EESS community (government and private sector EESS
service providers-ground station operators, foreign and
domestic, as well as federal regulators). Many of the attendees
wrote to say that the workshop was the best they had
participated in.
294
ference environment for passive sensors
through the development of and advocacy
for inputs to task groups of the ITU-R. He
coordinated NASA interests with other U.S.
government agencies, such as NOAA and
the National Science Foundation. He supported
the NTIA in drafting a proposal to
WRC 2003 on agenda item 1.8.2. The proposal
met with opposition from active service
interests but underscored the need to
find a means for protecting passive service
operations from adjacent band interference.
His efforts culminated in the WRC
2007 decision to mandate specific protections
in the radio regulations for certain
passive sensing frequency bands that are critical to weather
forecasting and climate studies.
Delegations to WRCs represent national commercial
and not-for-profit interests. Participating as a U.S. delegate
requires not only expertise and the ability to converse
clearly on highly technical subjects but strong negotiating
skills, gained largely from experience. Through many years,
Tom was responsible for various WRC agenda items of
interest to NASA, working on important studies and texts
for the ITU-R Conference Preparatory Meeting (CPM) reports
that form the basis of members' proposals to the WRC.
As part of that work, he was active in the Organization
of American States Inter-American Telecommunication
Commission (CITEL). At CITEL, he was a U.S. delegate and
spokesperson for several WRC proposals that were important
to NASA and remote sensing. Tom was also detailed
for some time to the NASA Systems Engineering Office,
Space Communications and Navigation division, at NASA
Headquarters. In this role, he provided valuable input in
systems planning and engineering for NASA's communication
networks.
Although he had a great deal of experience in various
aspects of telecommunication and radiocommunication,
especially using satellites and other space assets, Tom became
passionate about spectrum management (Figure 1)
for remote sensing systems and their protection from radiofrequency
interference (RFI). He took on many roles, assisting
the NASA remote sensing spectrum manager at various
international venues, such as ITU-R Working Party 7C,
which deals with remote sensing systems. He also participated
in the Space Frequency Coordination Group, which
includes more than 30 of the world's civil space agencies.
He represented NASA on the World Meteorological Organization
subgroup on RF issues as a subject matter expert in
active and passive remote sensing systems.
Tom strongly believed in mentoring and sharing knowledge.
He developed content for training classes to provide
information to developing-country regulators on
the use of spaced-based remote sensing, the value of
spectrum regulations, and the importance of protecting
IEEE GEOSCIENCE AND REMOTE SENSING MAGAZINE DECEMBER 2021
IEEE Geoscience and Remote Sensing Magazine - December 2021

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of IEEE Geoscience and Remote Sensing Magazine - December 2021
