Role and Responsibilities of ITU-R Working Party 7C on ... · What is ITU-R Working Party 7C (WP 7C) ? •Working Party 7C (WP 7C) of the ITU-R is concerned with remote sensing services,

EUM/LEO-EPSSG/VWG/19/1118015, v1 Draft, 9 September 20191

Markus Dreis, Chairman of Working Party 7C

Role and Responsibilities of ITU-R Working Party 7C

on Remote Sensing Systems


Content

• WP7C role and responsibilities in ensuring an interference-free environment for remote sensing

• Most important regulatory provisions in the RR• Relevant ITU-R Recommendations, Reports and handbooks

under WP 7C & process for their generation/update • Remote sensing perspective on the World Radiocommunication

Conference 2019 (WRC-19) and outlook to the discussions and possible outcomes.

• Ways for the scientific community to participate and being involved in the process of providing input and feedback to the ITU-R and areas for improvement


What is ITU-R Working Party 7C (WP 7C) ?

• Working Party 7C (WP 7C) of the ITU-R is concerned with remote sensing services, both active and passive, also for meteorological applications,

• as well as with ground based passive sensors and instruments for space weather and space research (including planetary missions).

• Radio Regulations (RR) services concerned: Earth Exploration Satellite Service (EESS) (active or passive), the Space Research Service (active or passive) and the Meteorological Aids Service (MetAids).

• WP 7C defines technical characteristics, protection criteria, applications, spectrum requirements, as well as its benefits.


WP7C role and responsibilities in ensuring an interference-free environment for remote sensing • Get & keep the protection criteria of active and passive

sensors right and up-to-date !• Document the active and passive sensing instrument

characteristics in a comprehensive in a representative manner, for their use in compatibility assessments !

• Compatibility assessments with other radio services ! (As the victim service never only rely on studies of the other services involved !)

• Review RFI cases and take appropriate action to improve the regulatory situation in a band (…can be a (very) long process !)

• Review and propose improvements to the RFI reporting mechanisms !


Most important regulatory provisions in the RR for passive sensors• Primary allocations in the best case covered by RR Footnote 5.340

(All emissions are prohibited !!!)• Resolution 750: mandatory unwanted emission limits for active services

operating adjacent to 5.340 bands (Established at WRC-07, enlarged at the subsequent WRCs-12 & -15, it became a powerful provision to protect passive sensors form unwanted emissions !!!)

• RR Footnote 5.565: Identification of frequency bands for passive sensing between 275 GHz and 1 THz, paving the way for future allocations !

• RR Article 29A pointing to Resolution 673: highlights the importance of Earth observation applications, urging administrations to take into account their spectrum requirements and needs for protection !

• RR Article 9 & 11 and Appendix 4: Allows for advanced publication and notification of passive (& active) sensor frequencies/characteristics.

• RR Article 15 (Interference) and Appendix 10 (Reporting form for harmful interference)


Shared bands between Active and passive services

36-37 GHz:• Shared band with Fixed and Mobile services on a primary basis covered by Resolution 752 (mandatory max

power limits for FS and MS).• WRC-19 will decide on unwanted emission limits to Resolution 750 for NGSO FSS in the band 37.5-39.5 GHz

under Agenda Item 1.6 to protect passive sensors in the 36-37 GHz band.• Similarly, under Agenda Item 1.13, WRC-19 will decide on unwanted emission limits to Resolution 750 to

protect passive sensors in the 36-37 GHz band in case an identification to IMT-2020/5G in the band starting from 37 GHz would be concluded.

18.6-18.8 GHz:• Shared band with the Fixed-Satellite, Fixed and Mobile services with RR FN 5.522A pointing to Art. 21.5A

(power limit for FS) and 21.16.2 (power flux density limit across the 200 MHz BW) as well as RR FN 5.522B limiting the FSS to GSO with an apogee greater than 20000 km.

• RFIs reported, assumed to be from reflections from GSO over large bodies of water, WP 7C is currently studying the issue.

• Initiatives for WRC-23 agenda items to wave the restrictions in RR FN 5.522B and to allow for NGSO FSS for use by ESIMs (Earth stations in motion)

• More details in later slides !


“Weaker” regulatory provisions in the RR for passive sensors (in parts of the allocation to EESS (passive) • Different regulatory status in sub-bands of allocations for passive sensors at 10.6-10.7 GHz

and 31.3-31.8 GHz10.6-10.7 GHz:• 10.68-10.7 GHz covered by RR FN 5.340 (all emissions are prohibited)• 10.6-10.68 GHz shared band with Fixed and Mobile services on a primary basis covered by

Resolution 751 (urge administrations to take all reasonable steps to comply with contained max power levels for FS and MS)

31.3-31.8 GHz:• 31.3-31.5 GHz covered by RR FN 5.340 (all emissions are prohibited)• 31.5-31.8 GHz with RR FN 5.546 (primary allocation to the FS and MS in 28 countries in

Region 1)


Insufficient regulatory provisions in the RR for passive sensors

• Lack of allocation to EESS (passive) in the 6/7 GHz range, e.g. for sea surface temperature measurements performed by existing instruments

• Status: RR Footnote 5.458: In the band 6425-7075 MHz, passive microwave sensor measurements are carried out over the oceans. In the band 7075-7250 MHz, passive microwave sensor measurements are carried out. Administrations should bear in mind the needs of the Earth exploration-satellite (passive) and space research (passive) services in their future planning of the bands 6425-7075 MHz and 7075-7250 MHz. (New rule of procedure (RoP) clarifies that there is no allocation to the EESS (passive) and SRS (passive).

• Solution: Improvement of the regulatory status. It would be extremely difficult to get a proposal for a WRC agenda item supported !


Relevant ITU-R Recommendations, Reports and handbooks (1)• 44 RS-Series Recommendations

• 3 Frequency bands and bandwidth• 10 Performance and interference criteria• 11 Characteristics • 17 Sharing and compatibility• 3 Others

• 25 RS-Series Reports• 4 Frequency bands and spectrum requirements• 2 Performance and interference criteria• 3 Characteristics • 13 Sharing and compatibility• 3 Others

• 2 RS-Series Handbooks

BTkP e


Relevant ITU-R RS-Series Recommendations (1)

• RECOMMENDATION ITU-R RS.2017-0 (08/2012) (Performance and interference criteria for satellite passive remote sensing)

• Measurement sensitivities (expressed as a temperature differential Te) are used as performance criteria

• Permissible interference levels are set at 20% of the derived minimum discernible power change (P = k Te B)

• The maximum interference levels in Table 2 of RS-2017 should be used in any interference assessment or sharing studies

• These maximum interference levels should not be exceeded for more than the specified percentage of sensor viewing area or a percentage of measurement time.



• RECOMMENDATION ITU-R RS.1861-0 (01/2010) (Typical technical and operational characteristics of Earth exploration satellite service (passive) systems using allocations between 1.4 and 275 GHz)

• Provides a representative set of sensor characteristics of different sensors and sensor types for each band allocated to EESS (passive). This list is not exhaustive!!!

• Technical and operational parameters presented in Annex 1 of this Recommendation should be taken into account in studies considering EESS (passive) systems using allocations between 1.4 and 275 GHz



• RECOMMENDATION ITU-R RS.2106-0 (07/2017) (Detection and resolution of radio frequency interference to Earth exploration-satellite service (passive) sensors)

• To improve the RFI reporting mechanism for passive sensors, this Recommendation recommends to Administrations operating EESS passive sensors which encounter RFI to use the information in this Recommendation and its RFI reporting form in recording and reporting the RFI instance to the administration with jurisdiction over the transmitting stations which are causing the interference.

• The attached RFI reporting form to this recommendation should be provided in addition to the form in Appendix 10 of the Radio Regulations and is intended for use by administrations to report additional detailed information on interference to EESS passive sensors.


Relevant ITU-R RS-Series Reports

• REPORT ITU-R RS.2431-0 (09/2018) (Technical and operational characteristics of EESS (passive) systems in the frequency range 275-450 GHz)

• This Report provides the technical and operational characteristics of EESS (passive) sensors in the frequency range 275-450 GHz used in the sharing and compatibility studies between EESS (passive) remote sensing, and land-mobile and fixed services applications under WRC-19 Agenda Item 1.15.

• REPORT ITU-R RS.2456-0 (06/2019) (Space weather sensor systems using radio spectrum)

• In view of a possible WRC-23 Agenda Item, this Report provides a summary of space weather sensor systems using radio spectrum which are used for detection of solar activity and the impact of solar activity on the Earth, its atmosphere and its geospace. Annex 1 to the Report provides a categorisation of selected RF-based sensors with regard to their support of current space weather products.


Relevant ITU-R Handbooks (1)

• Use of Radio Spectrum for Meteorology: Weather, Water and Climate Monitoring and Prediction (Edition 2017)

• Chapter 1 – General structure of meteorological systems • Chapter 2 – Meteorological satellite service (MetSat)• Chapter 3 – Meteorological aids service• Chapter 4 – Meteorological Radars• Chapter 5 – Passive and active spaceborne remote sensing for

meteorological activities• Chapter 6 – Other radiocommunication systems for meteorological

activities


Relevant ITU-R Handbooks (2)

• Earth Exploration–Satellite Service (Edition 2011)• Chapter 1 – Introduction to the earth exploration-satellite service• Chapter 2 – Earth exploration-satellite telemetry, tracking, and

command functions and technical implementations• Chapter 3 – Earth exploration-satellite service science data Downlink

functions and technical implementation• Chapter 4 – Spaceborne active microwave sensors operating in the

Earth exploration-satellite service (active)• Chapter 5 – Spaceborne passive microwave sensors operating in the

Earth exploration-satellite service (passive)• Chapter 6 – Societal benefits of the earth exploration-satellite service


Process for generation/update of ITU-R Recommendations, Reports and Handbooks The ITU is contribution driven !!! This means if YOU want to achieve something YOU have to contribute !!! Don’t be shy !!! • Working Methods in ITU-R Resolution 1-7 (Annex 1: Working Methods of ITU-R & Annex 2: Documentation of ITU-R)

• Formally, work on a new subject is initiated through a Study Question to be adopted by the responsible Study Group approved by the Radiocommunication Assembly . However, studies on topics within the scope of the Study Group may be undertaken even without a Study Question (Nos. 149 and 149A of the Convention and Resolution ITU-R 5). This means, if there is an issue that YOU would like to discuss in the framework of an ITU-R Study Group, bring it forward to the concerned Working Party as long as it is in the scope of this Working Party !!!

• Study Question: A statement of a technical, operational or procedural study, generally seeking a Recommendation, Report or Handbook (see Resolution ITU-R 5). Each Question shall indicate in a concise form the reason for the study and specify the scope of the study as precisely as possible. It should also, to the extent practicable, include a work programme (i.e. milestones for the progress of the study and expected date of completion) and indicate the form in which the response should be prepared (e.g. as a Recommendation or other text).

Definition of ITU-R Recommendations, Reports and Handbooks: • ITU-R Recommendation: Answer to a Question, part(s) of a Question or topics within the scope of a Study Group which normally provides

recommended specifications, requirements, data or guidance for recommended ways of undertaking a specified task; or recommended procedures for a specified application, and which is considered to be sufficient to serve as a basis for international cooperation in a given context in the field of radiocommunications.

• ITU-R Report: Technical, operational or procedural statement, prepared by a Study Group on a given subject related to a current Question or the results of studies without Questions.

• ITU-R Handbook: A text which provides a statement of the current knowledge, the present position of studies, or of good operating or technical practice, in certain aspects of radiocommunications, which should be addressed to a radio engineer, system planner or operating official who plans, designs or uses radio services or systems, paying particular attention to the requirements of developing countries. It should be self-contained, require no familiarity with other ITU Radiocommunication texts or procedures, but should not duplicate the scope and content of publications readily available outside ITU.


Currently ongoing work in Working Party 7C• Working document towards a preliminary revision of Recommendation ITU-R RS.2105 – Typical technical and operational

characteristics of earth exploration-satellite service (active) systems using allocations between 432 MHz and 238 GHz (Source: Document 7C/379, Annex 1)

• Preliminary draft revision of Recommendation ITU-R RS.1166-4 – Performance and interference criteria for active spaceborne sensors (Source: Document 7C/379, Annex 2)

• Preliminary draft new Recommendation ITU-R RS.[EESS_SAR-RNSS] – Evaluation of the potential for pulsed interference from new spaceborne synthetic aperture radar sensors in the earth exploration-satellite (active) service to radionavigation-satellite service receivers in the 1 215-1 300 MHz band (Source: Document 7C/379, Annex 3)

• Preliminary draft new Report ITU-R RS.[EESS_SAR-RNSS] - Representative system characteristics and examples of evaluating interference into receiving earth stations in the radionavigation-satellite service (space-to-Earth) from spaceborne synthetic aperture radar sensors in the Earth exploration-satellite (active) service in the 1 215-1 300 MHz band (Source: Document 7C/379, Annex 4)

• Preliminary draft revision of Recommendation ITU-R RS.1861 – Typical technical and operational characteristics of Earth exploration-satellite service (passive) systems using allocations between 1.4 and 275 GHz (Source: Document 7C/379, Annex 5)

• Working document towards a preliminary draft new Report ITU-R RS.[GROUND_PASS_SENSORS] – Technical and operational characteristics of ground-based passive radiometers in the 22 and 1 000 GHz frequency range (Source: Document 7C/379, Annex 6)

• Working document towards a preliminary draft new Report – Analysis of interference received by EESS (passive) sensors [in the 18.6 18.8 GHz band] [caused by surface water reflections (Source: Document 7C/379, Annex 7)

• Review of Recommendations, Reports and Opinions under the purview of Working Party 7C (Source: Document 7C/379, Annex 8)


Remote sensing perspective on the WRC-19 and outlook to the discussions and possible outcomes (1)On the WRC-19 agenda there are three items with possible unwanted emissions

into passive sensing bands (AI 1.6, 1.13 and 9.1.9), requiring the establishment of appropriate unwanted emission limits: Agenda Item 1.13: Spectrum for IMT-2020/5G under study in the following

bands 24.25-27.5 GHz, 31.8-33.4 GHz, 37-43.5 GHz, 45.5-50.2 GHz, 50.4-52.6 GHz, 66-76 GHz and 81-86 GHz;

Agenda Item 1.6: Development of a regulatory framework for non-GSO FSS satellite systems that may operate in the bands 37.5-39.5 GHz (space-to-Earth), 39.5-42.5 GHz (space-to-Earth), 47.2-50.2 GHz (Earth-to-space) and 50.4-51.4 GHz (Earth-to-space);

Agenda Item 9.1.9: Possible allocation of the frequency band 51.4-52.4 GHz to the fixed-satellite service (FSS) (Earth-to-space).


WRC-19 agenda items with possible unwanted emissions into passive sensing bands (AI 1.6, 1.13 and 9.1.9) (2) - graphical overview

3 GHz(FSS)

1 G

Hz(

FSS)

1 G

Hz(

FSS)

WRC-19 Agenda Items 1.6 and 9.1.9: Bands for use by satellite systems in the fixed satellite service (FSS)

EESS passive bands that may be impacted by excessive unwanted emissions from IMT-2020/5G systems (WRC-19 AI 1.13) and/or future FSS systems (AI 1.6 and 9.1.9).

2 G

Hz(

FSS)


Instruments on EUMETSAT/ESA and Copernicus satellites

EESS (passive) band

AI 1.13 (IMT-2020/5G)

AI 1.6 (NGSO FSS) &(GSO FSS)

AI 9.1.9 (FSS)

AMSU (Metop)MWS (Metop-SG)MWI (Metop-SG)AMR (Jason-2/3)MWR (Sentinel-3)AMR-C (Jason-CS)

23.6-24 GHz 24.25-27.5 GHz

AMSUMWS, MWI

31.3-31.8 GHz 31.8-33.4 GHz

MWR 36-37 GHz 37-43.5 GHz 37.5-39.5 GHzAMSUMWS, MWI

50.2-50.4 GHz 47.2-50.2 GHz 50.4-52.6 GHz

47.2-50.2 GHz50.4-51.4 GHz

AMSUMWS, MWI

52.6-54.25 GHz 50.4-52.6 GHz 51.4-52.4 GHz

AMSU, MHS (Metop)MWS, MWI

86-92 GHz 81-86 GHz

WRC-19 agenda items with possible unwanted emissions into passive sensing bands (AI 1.6, 1.13 and 9.1.9) (2) – most critical discussion areas at WRC-19 !!!


Remote sensing perspective on the WRC-19 and outlook to the discussions and possible outcomes (2) Agenda Item 1.13: Most controversial at WRC-19 will be the discussions on the

unwanted emission limits for IMT-2020/5G in the band 24.25-27.5 GHz to protect the passive band 23.6-24 GHz.

There is a large spread among the six ITU regional groups on the actual numbers for unwanted emission limits proposed (see summary table below without “guarantee”).

With such a spread in values it is obvious that it will be difficult to compromise on a limit on a global basis that would still provide the necessary level of protection for passive sensors.

CEPT CITEL RCC *) APT **) ATU ASMG ***)BS -42

dBW/200 MHz -28dBW/200 MHz

[-49] (Russia at CPM)

[-28 to -37][-35 to -42]

-32dBW/200 MHz

No limits in Radio Regs.

UE -38dBW/200 MHz

-28 dBW/200 MHz

[-45](Russia at CPM)

[-24 to -33][-31 to -38]

-28dBW/200 MHz

No limits in Radio Regs.

*) RCC will have itsfinal meeting in Sept to conclude on limits !

**) APT still discusses the two options with the ranges of limits !

***) support ITU-R Rec. with -32 for BS & -28 for UE!


Remote sensing perspective on the WRC-19 and outlook to the discussions and possible outcomes (3) Agenda Item 1.6: Development of a regulatory framework for non-GSO FSS satellite systems to

coexist among non-GSO FSS and with GSO FSS is highly complex.

In addition there is the undisputed need for the establishment of appropriate unwanted emission limits to protect passive sensors in the bands 36-37 GHz and 50.2-50.4 GHz, the later being most crucial. Only it might be difficult to agree on the appropriate limits. It is possible that WRC-19 will only agree on preliminary limits to be reviewed and revisited at WRC-23 !!!

Compatibility studies taking into account the aggregation effect of potential unwanted emissions of GSO and NGSO FSS indicated that the existing unwanted emission limits in Resolution 750 might be insufficient to protect passive sensors in the band 50.2-50.4 GHz from GSO FSS in the adjacent bands.

Although, not explicitly covered by the Agenda Item, there seem to be enough support in and from the regional groups to discuss this issue at WRC.19. Only it will be difficult to agree on the appropriate limits as it will be claimed that not enough results of compatibility studies are available. Therefore, it is highly likely that WRC-19 will only agree on preliminary limits to be reviewed and revisited at WRC-23 !!!


Outlook to WRC-23 potential agenda items of interest

• Review of the preliminary unwanted emission limits for NGSO as well as for GSO FSS around 50/52 GHz as a result of WRC-19 Agenda Item 1.6.

WRC-19 Agenda Item 10:• Triggered by the interest of the commercial satellite operators to review the

regulatory conditions for KA-Band to allow for non-GSO FSS ESIM (Earth stations in motion), CEPT proposes to review the entire technical and regulatory conditions pertaining to the 18.6-18.8 GHz frequency band to address possible new FSS usage and the protection of EESS (passive)

• Potential establishment of conditions for the use of the 81–86 GHz band allocated to FSS to ensure compatibility with passive services at 86-92 GHz

• Possible new primary frequency allocation to EESS (passive) in the frequency range 231.5 – 252 GHz

• Space Weather (regulatory considerations)


18.6-18.8 GHz: Next hot topic !!!

• Regulatory Situation: Shared band with the Fixed-Satellite, Fixed and Mobile services with RR FN 5.522A pointing to Art. 21.5A (power limit for FS) and 21.16.2 (power flux density limit across the 200 MHz BW) as well as RR FN 5.522B limiting the FSS to GSO with an apogee greater than 20000 km.

• WRC-23: Initiatives for WRC-23 agenda items to wave the restrictions in RR FN 5.522B and to allow for NGSO FSS for use by ESIMs (Earth stations in motion). • CEPT proposes a WRC-23 Agenda Item for non-GSO FSS ESIMs in Ka-Band including a review the entire

technical and regulatory conditions pertaining to the 18.6-18.8 GHz frequency band to address possible new FSS usage and the protection of EESS (passive). This means the entire regulatory framework will be for review !

• RFI cases reported, assumed to be from reflections from GSO over large bodies of water, WP 7C is currently studying the issue. • Working document towards a preliminary draft new Report – Analysis of interference received by EESS (passive) sensors [in

the 18.6 18.8 GHz band] [caused by surface water reflections] (Source: Document 7C/379, Annex 7)

• Recommendation ITU-R RS.1449 from the year 2000 requires a revision ! (Feasibility of sharing between the FSS (space-to-earth) and the earth exploration-satellite (passive) and space research (passive) services in the band 18.6-18.8 GHz)

• A lot of work ahead of the community for the next study period until WRC-23 !!!


Ways for the scientific community to participate and being involved in the process of providing input and feedback to the ITU-R and areas for improvement

• It is important to report instances of RFI !!!• Consult RECOMMENDATION ITU-R RS.2106-0 and use the

contained reporting form in addition to RR Appendix 10• Inputs to ITU-R Working Party 7C on cases of RFI, e.g. at 18.6-

18.8 GHz• Participate to Working Party 7C (and 7B) meetings and provide

contributions !!!• Establish a good cooperation with your Administration and raise

awareness on issues of interest/concern !!! (Often administrations are not aware that there is interest in their country.)

• To compensate for the [sometimes/often(take your pick)] lack of political support against market forces, we (as the scientific community) have to do more (than others) to defend our interests, which is usually public interest !!!


Questions ?

Thank you very much for your attention !!!

Documents

Role and Responsibilities of ITU-R Working Party 7C on ... · What is ITU-R Working Party 7C (WP 7C) ? •Working Party 7C (WP 7C) of the ITU-R is concerned with remote sensing services,