Committee on Radio Frequencies (CORF) Board on Physics and Astronomy November 4, 2006
CORF s Mission CORF represents the interests of U.S. scientists who use radio frequencies for research (radio astronomers and remote sensing researchers) Interference protection primarily through filing comments with the FCC Interface with international orgs. such as ITU, IUCAF, URSI.
Membership Members Karen St. Germain, Chair, NPOESS Integrated Program Office David DeBoer, Vice Chair, SETI Institute Steven W. Ellingson, Virginia Tech David G. Long, Brigham Young University James M. Moran, Harvard-Smithsonian Center for Astrophysics Jeffrey Piepmeier, NASA Goddard Space Flight Center Melinda Piket-May, University of Colorado at Boulder Steven C. Reising, Colorado State University Daniel Smythe, Massachusetts Institute of Technology Paul A. Vanden Bout, National Radio Astronomy Observatory Lucy Ziurys, University of Arizona Consultants Paul Feldman, Esq., Fletcher, Heald and Hildreth Michael Davis, SETI Institute A. Richard Thompson, National Radio Astronomy Observatory Staff Donald C. Shapero, Director, Board on Physics and Astronomy Brian Dewhurst, Senior Program Associate David B. Lang, Research Associate
Can the Value of the Scientific Spectrum be Quantified? 34.9 MHz of spectrum is allocated exclusively to the passive services between 100 MHz and 2 GHz (less than 1 % of total), (presumably the commercially most valuable portion of the spectrum) Spectrum auctions below 2 GHz brought in ~$500 M/MHz in this range (20 yr leases) A somewhat larger fraction of the spectrum is allocated to radio astronomy (shared with other passive applications) at higher frequencies. However, in the absence of auctions or other mechanisms of valuation, it is difficult to price this spectrum, even tentatively Based on the above, radio astronomy spectrum is valued at ~ $17.5 B» from T. Gergely, NSF
30 GHz 300 GHz 3 GHz 30 GHz 300 MHz 3 GHz 30 MHz 300 MHz 3 MHz 30 MHz Exclusive Passive Primary Secondary Shared Primary Footnote Radio Astronomy Dave Frequency DeBoer, Allocations SETI Institute in the United States
Recent Activities Recent meeting Oct 16-17 at Very Large Array in Socorro, NM Published the Handbook on Frequency Allocations and Spectrum Protections for Scientific Uses Initiated Spectrum Study Preparing for upcoming filing with FCC re remote sensing
CORF Meeting Overview Preparations for WRC in late 2007 in Geneva Progress of the Extended VLA and spectrum needs Development of the Long Wavelength Array The future of the Handbook
The Handbook Provides radio astronomers, remote sensing scientists, agency spectrum managers, and relevant commercial interests with a compact, comprehensive guidebook of radio spectrum allocations, protections, and needs for Radio Astronomy and Earth Remote Sensing Gives sub-technical descriptions of the exciting scientific astronomical and Earth science research enabled by access to the radio spectrum Derivative RAS and EESS brochures nearly complete to promote knowledge and understanding of spectrum needs and protection for the passive services
Spectrum Study Charge The committee will prepare a report exploring the scientific uses of the radio spectrum which will: Portray the science that is currently being conducted using the radio spectrum; Identify the spectrum requirements necessary to conduct research; Identify potential future uses and associated spectrum requirements; and Advise spectrum policy-makers on the value to the nation of accommodating scientific uses of the spectrum, recognizing the need to balance multiple communities.
The Spectrum Study Study should look forward and identify trends in changing scientific practice. What spectrum will be needed to support these practices?
Work Plan A 15 member committee including 12 scientists drawn from the fields that use the radio spectrum will meet 4 times. The committee will also include 3 members familiar with policy and competing government and commercial needs, including an economist. After the second meeting an interim report based on the first bullet in the Statement of Task will be issued, which will be disseminated to relevant communities for comment. The committee will also engage in information gathering sessions at society meetings such as the AGU and the AAS.
Committee Structure Radio Astronomy science One (co-chair?) Two Three Four Radio Astronomy tech One Two Remote Sensing science One (co-chair?) Two Three Four Remote Sensing tech One Two Other Sci/Tech Policy Communications Policy? Economics
BPA Considerations Who should be nominated to serve on this study, particularly co-chairs? Should this study be considered a part of the Physics 2010 suite?