WMO Workshop on Radio Frequencies for Meteorology Meteorological Satellite Services David F. McGinnis U.S. Dept. of Commerce, NOAA 7 October 2002 Geneva, Switzerland

2 Frequency Concerns – Continued Protection of Existing Metsat Allocations World Radiocommunication Conferences WRCs meet about every 3 years to change the Radio Regulations, including frequency allocations Next WRC, in June 2003, has several agenda items concerning metsat allocations

3 World Radiocommunication Conference 2003 Agenda Items of interest to Metsat Communication Links 1.20 Additional worldwide allocations below 1 GHz for non-GEO MSS Additional worldwide allocations between 1-3 GHz for MSS

4 Agenda Item 1.20 Additional MSS Allocations, <1 GHz WMO Position Oppose all proposals for MSS allocations in existing metsat bands below 1 GHz Closely monitor views/proposals from various regional telecommunication groups that might support new MSS allocations in metsat bands, particularly MHz and MHz Support existing CPM text

5 Agenda Item 1.20 Additional MSS Allocations, <1 GHz (cont’d) Draft CPM Text Methods to satisfy the agenda item and their advantages and disadvantages No additional allocation to accommodate the MSS below 1 GHz. Advantage: Fully protects the existing services below 1 GHz. Disadvantage: Does not provide additional MSS spectrum. Regulatory and procedural considerations -- No changes are required to the existing provisions in the Radio Regulations. The Conference may consider the suppression of Resolution 214 (Rev.WRC ‑ 2000).

6 Agenda Item 1.20 Additional MSS Allocations, <1 GHz U.S. Preliminary View -- Additional worldwide allocations for shared non- GSO MSS uplink service use should be made at WRC-03. Studies on sharing with specific systems were planned for completion prior to WRC-03, but none produced

7 Agenda Item 1.20 Additional MSS Allocations, <1 GHz (cont’d) CITEL Preliminary Views Canada -- Currently, there are no Canadian interests for additional allocations on a worldwide basis for the non-GSO MSS with service links operating below 1 GHz. Canada does not support additional allocations on a worldwide basis for the non-GSO MSS with service links operating below 1 GHz. However, Canada could support the conversion of the Region 2 MSS allocation (Earth- to-space) in the MHz and MHz bands to a worldwide allocation subject to footnotes 5.286A, and with proper modifications of 5.286B, S5.286C.

8 Agenda Item 1.20 Additional MSS Allocations, <1 GHz (cont’d) APT Provisional Views General: No new allocation can be supported due to lack of studies in ITU-R Could reconsider after studies on interference mitigation are complete No decision on whether to suppress Res 214 (Rev WRC-2000)

9 Agenda Item 1.31 Additional MSS Allocations 1-3 GHz WMO Position Support Method D in draft CPM text -- “...no additional allocations within the range MHz to accommodate the MSS” Fall back position, support Method A -- “A primary worldwide MSS (Earth-to-space) allocation would be created in the band MHz, with necessary protection of existing services.”

10 Agenda Item 1.31 Additional MSS Allocations 1-3 GHz (cont’d) Draft CPM Text Method A -- A primary worldwide MSS (Earth-to-space) allocation would be created in the band ‑ MHz, with the necessary protection of existing services. Advantages: The MSS would be provided additional spectrum. Protection of the few MetSat main earth stations and radio astronomy stations in the adjacent band will place little constraint on the MSS. Subject to limited sharing constraints with MetSat, MetAids, fixed and mobile services, a global allocation would be available to the MSS (Earth-to- space). Disadvantages: This allocation would be limited to 5 MHz. MSS operations may not be possible in the few countries that continue to use the band MHz for MetAids operations.

11 Agenda Item 1.31 Additional MSS Allocations 1-3 GHz (cont’d) Draft CPM Text (cont’d) Method B -- In addition to the 5 MHz of spectrum identified in Method A, an additional allocation, with spectrum of about 2 MHz, could be created in other bands in the vicinity of the existing allocations around 1.6 GHz taking into consideration the conclusions of studies. Advantages: The spectrum requirement for a total of 7 MHz could be met. Disadvantages: The MSS will be constrained by the requirement to protect existing services in some countries in case sharing proves to be feasible.

12 Agenda Item 1.31 Additional MSS Allocations 1-3 GHz (cont’d) Draft CPM Text (cont’d) Method C -- A worldwide MSS allocation would be created in the band MHz, taking into account that WRC confirmed the requirement for continued protection of MetSat and MetAids services under No Advantages: The MSS would be allocated additional spectrum. Disadvantages: In many countries, MSS operations would be restricted by the operation of a large and increasing number of MetSat earth stations including transportable stations. Protection of existing and future MetSat earth stations would result in a significant coordination burden. The required separation distances would make large areas not available for the MSS. Coordination with transportable MetSat earth stations is not practicable.

13 Agenda Item 1.31 Additional MSS Allocations 1-3 GHz (cont’d) Draft CPM Text (cont’d) Method D -- This option is to make no additional allocations within the range 1670 to 1710 MHz to accommodate the MSS. Advantages: This option would ensure no impact to existing services. Disadvantages: The spectrum requirements for MSS would not be met in this frequency band.

14 Agenda Item 1.31 Additional MSS Allocations 1-3 GHz U.S. Position MSS is not compatible with existing services in the MHz band and no additional MSS allocations should be made in this band. There are no MSS systems operating in this band, and none are currently planned. Remove existing Region 2 allocation for MSS in this band and suppress footnote

15 Agenda Item 1.31 Additional MSS Allocations 1-3 GHz (cont’d) CITEL Preliminary View Canada -- Global allocation in the MHz band could be made to the MSS (Earth-to-space). This allocation would be limited to 5 MHz, although the conference may consider further allocations to satisfy MSS spectrum requirements while taking into account protection of other existing services.

16 Agenda Item 1.31 Additional MSS Allocations 1-3 GHz (cont’d) CITEL Preliminary View Canada (cont’d) -- Does not believe that Region 2 allocation in the band MHz should be suppressed. However, if WRC-2003 is successful in granting additional worldwide MSS allocations, there may not be a requirement for part of the existing allocation in the MHz band

17 Agenda Item 1.31 Additional MSS Allocations 1-3 GHz (cont’d) APT Provisional Views Need to complete studies between WPs 7D and 8D regarding protection of Radio Astronomy Service in MHz Need to appropriately protect existing services if a new allocation is made Need to know actual number of metsat and metaid Earth stations in MHz in order to make informed decision

19 Definition of Terms International Telecommunication Union (ITU) – International organization responsible for worldwide regulation of use of radio frequencies ITU-R – Radio Communication Sector of ITU, responsible for management of the radio spectrum used by various services Study Groups of ITU-R – Responsible for developing draft recommendations, drafting technical bases for Radiocommunication Conferences, and compiling Handbooks

20 Definition of Terms, cont’d Study Group 7 -- Science Services 1) Working Party (WP) 7A -- Dissemination, reception and coordination of standard-frequency and time-signal services, including the application of satellite techniques, on a worldwide basis. 2) WP 7B -- Systems for space operation and space research 3) WP 7C -- Earth exploration and meteorology, including the related use of links in the inter- satellite service. 2) WP 7D Radio astronomy and radar astronomy.

21 Definition of Terms, cont’d World Radiocommunication Conference (WRC) – Meeting, occurring about every 3 years, where new spectrum allocations and revision of radio regulations are approved Conference Preparatory Meetings (CPM) – Meetings held prior to WRCs where technical basis (CPM Report) for next WRC is approved