Recent Activities of the Committee on Radio Frequencies (CORF)

1. Recent Activities of the Committee on Radio Frequencies (CORF) Steven C. Reising* Associate Professor and Director Microwave Systems Laboratory Colorado State University Steven.Reising@ColoState.edu *With extensive contributions from other members of the U.S. National Research Council’s Committee on Radio Frequencies (CORF) and Spectrum Study Committee

2. Committee on Radio Frequencies (CORF) The committee: • Standing Committee of The U.S. National Academies’ Board on Physics and Astronomy • Deals with radio-frequency requirements and interference protection primarily through filing comments under the aegis of the National Academy of Sciences in public proceedings of the FCC and NTIA. • Coordinates the views of U.S. scientists and acts as a channel for representing the interests of U.S. scientists. • Is supported by NASA and NSF.

3. Committee on Radio Frequencies (CORF) Membership (10 University, 2 Federal Government) Jeffrey Piepmeier, Chair, NASA Goddard Space Flight CenterAna P. Barros, Duke University Steven W. Ellingson, Virginia Tech Kenneth Kellermann, National Radio Astronomy Observatory David G. Long, Brigham Young University Darren McKague, University of Michigan James M. Moran, Harvard-Smithsonian Center for Astrophysics Melinda Piket-May, University of Colorado at Boulder Alan E.E. Rogers, Massachusetts Institute of Technology/Haystack Observatory Steven C. Reising, Colorado State University Liese van Zee, Indiana University Lucy Ziurys, University of Arizona

4. Submissions to U.S. FCC • February 5, 2007 In response to FCC NPRM on Recommendations approved by the Advisory Committee for WRC-07, CORF discusses the importance of the scientific observations performed only in the Earth Exploration Satellite Service (EESS) bands at 36.0-37.0 GHz and the need to protect such observations. CORF also urges the Commission to reinstate a mandatory power limit in Document WAC/151 in order to protect that EESS band.

5. Submissions to U.S. FCC • August 13, 2007 In response to FCC NPRM on an amendment to Part 90 of the FCC’s Rules, CORF notes its concern about the potential impact of proposed permanent fixed microwave operations in the 4940-4990 MHz band on RAS. CORF recommends that if the FCC decides to authorize such permanent fixed operations, it should enact rules requiring prior frequency coordination of such operations, in order to protect RAS observations.

6. Submissions to U.S. FCC • August 16, 2007 In response to FCC NPRM on an amendment to Parts 2 and 35 of the FCC’s Rules to allocate spectrum and adopt service rules and procedures to govern the use of Vehicle-Mounted Earth Stations in certain frequency bands allocated to the Fixed Satellite Service, CORF discusses the importance to RAS observations at 14.47-14.50 GHz and supports portions of the FCC’s proposal, as modified by CORF, to protect RAS observations in this band with coordination requirements.

7. Submissions to U.S. FCC • July 21, 2009 In response to FCC NOI on “A National Broadband Plan for Our Future,” CORF addresses issues regarding a proposed “spectrum inventory” and discusses the need to recognize and protect the passive scientific use of the spectrum in connection with any such inventory.  CORF also addresses the potential impact of cognitive radio technologies on passive scientific use of the spectrum.

8. Submissions to U.S. FCC • November 5, 2009 In response to FCC NOI on “Fostering Innovation and Investment in the Wireless Communications Market,” and “A National Broadband Plan for Our Future,” CORF notes that the initial comments in response to the NOI did not address the passive scientific use of the spectrum, and so CORF discusses the unique value, innovation and vulnerability of passive scientific use of the spectrum, and the impact on issues of interference protection and spectrum efficiency raised in the NOI.

9. CORF Colloquium in Santiago, Chile (1 of 2) • CORF convened a colloquium in Santiago, Chile on August 10-11, 2009 to bring together scientists, engineers, spectrum managers, and civil servants who are interested in the scientific use of the electromagnetic spectrum. • Purpose • To generate awareness of spectrum protection issues affecting the region • To conduct outreach as well as to educate CORF itself on spectrum management concerns in South and Central America. • Instigate interest in a Region 2 RAS & EESS scientific advisory body

10. CORF Colloquium in Santiago, Chile (2 of 2) • Presentations from Chile, Argentina, Mexico, and the U.S. • CORF members discussed future plans to increase communication on RAS and EESS spectrum management topics among scientists in CITEL countries, particularly Latin American nations. • Site visit to the ALMA Operations Support Facilities (2900 m altitude) and Array Operations Site (5000 m altitude)

14. Chair’s Remarks at Fall 2009 Meeting (1 of 2) This has been a busy year for CORF. This is our third in-person meeting, counting the Chile symposium. This is an exciting time for CORF. Looking back over the year, I find there are three major areas in which we are currently active or need to be active in the near future: 1. WRC-12 views document: With the delay of the WRC from '11 to '12, we fortunately have the opportunity for our views document to have an impact. Most of our meeting this weekend will be dedicated to preparing the Request-for-Information and preparing the way for the Views Committee to produce the document. 2. "CORF of the Americas:" The major outcome of the Chile meeting was the clear interest in a pan-American science advisory committee. This interest comes in large part from the RAS community, however, there is likely opportunity for EESS as well. We will be working in the future towards this goal.

15. Chair’s Remarks at Fall 2009 Meeting (2 of 2) 3. Changing how scientific spectrum is used: We are seeing, both from the soon-to-be-released spectrum study (which we will hear of the outcome today) and in the review comments of our FCC filings, a need to change our approach to science spectrum usage and policy. I'm convinced if we keep the status-quo, some day we will not be able to access, for example, the 1400 MHz allocation. It might take 20, 50, or 100 years, but it is clear that we need revolutionize our process. No doubt, this process will be lengthy, but now is the time to act. Because we represent EESS and RAS within one committee, CORF is in a unique position to take leadership on this within the U.S. Jeffrey Piepmeier, Chair Committee on Radio Frequencies

16. Spectrum Management for Science in the 21st Century • Published by The National Academies in February 2010. • Covers EESS, RAS, and new technologies that may motivate future new approaches to spectrum management. • Chapters: • Introduction • The Earth Exploration-Satellite Service • The Radio Astronomy Service • Technology and Opportunities for the Mitigation of Radio Frequency Interference • Findings and Recommendations • PDF is available for free download at http://www.nap.edu/catalog.php?record_id=12800

17. Spectrum Management for Science in the 21st Century Briefings • White House Office of Science & Technology Policy • Congressional Staff • FCC • NTIA • NASA • NSF • NOAA • NPOESS (now IPSS) Most were very successful—FCC & NTIA had a more tempered reception

18. Future CORF Activities • “Views on the WRC-12” to be released July 1, 2010 • Visit to FCC staff and commissioners • Continued fall and spring meetings • Will likely continue to hold session for international dialogue at spring meetings • Next CORF pan-American colloquium under discussion

19. Please Visit the CORF Web Site at its new address: http://sites.nationalacademies.org/BPA/BPA_048819