SkyTel:

NTIA REPORT 89-241

See other SkyTel MBC douments
on the Scribd MBC Collection for
background of MBC. This
document is presented here to
point out the following: See:

- p. 20: A past plan of the

Federal Emergency Management
Agency to use MBC for a
METEOR BURST SYSTEM ~
I
nationwide "Meteor Burst
Warning/ Communications
Subsystem."
COMMUNICATIONS
- p. 20: MBC for remote pipeline
COMPATIBILITY
monitoring.

- p. 21: MBC for back-up to

satellite communications, and
regular telephone and microwave
systems. David Cohen
William Grant
- p. 23: MBC backpack terminals,
Francis Steeie
and MBC for two-way comms
with trucks.

U.S. DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

Robert A. Mosbacher, Secretary

Alfred C. Sikes, Assistant Secretary

for Communications and Information

MARCH 1989
 ABSTRACT

The t e c h n i c a l and o p e r a t i n g c h a r a c t e r i s t i c s o f meteor b u r s t systems o f

importance f o r spectrum management appl ic a t i ons a r e i d e n t i f i e d . A technical
assessment is included which identifies the most appropriate frequency
subbands within the VHF spectrum t o support meteor b u r s t systems. The
e l e c t r o m a g n e t i c c o m p a t i b i l i t y of meteor b u r s t systems w i t h o t h e r equipments i n
t h e VHF spectrum i s determined u s i n g computerized a n a l y s i s methods f o r b o t h
i o n o s p h e r i c and groundwave p r o p a g a t i o n modes. It i s shown t h a t meteor b u r s t
equipments can cause and a r e s u s c e p t i b l e t o groundwave i n t e r f e r e n c e from o t h e r
VHF equi pments. The report includes t a b 1 es of geographi c a l distance
separations between meteor burst and other VHF equipments which s a t i s f y
i n t e r f e r e n c e t h r e s h o l d c r i t e r i a.

KEY WORDS

Compatibility
Interference
Meteor B u r s t
Spectrum Management

iii
 TABLE OF CONTENTS

Subsection Page

SECTION 1
INTRODUCTION

BACKGROUND ................................................................ 1
OBJECTIVES ................................................................ 2
APPROACH .................................................................. 2

SECTION 2
CONCLUSIONS AND RECOMMENDATIONS

CONCLUSIONS. .............................................................. 4
FREQUENCY USE ............................................................. 4
COMPATIBLE OPERATIONS ..................................................... 5
OTHER ..................................................................... 6
RECOMMENDATIONS ............................................................ 7
SECTION 3
TECHNICAL CHARACTERISTICS OF METEOR BURST SYSTEMS

3.1 INTRODUCTION......................................................... 8
3.2 METEOR TRAIL ELECTROMAGNETIC CHARACTERISTICS......................... 8
3.3 METEOR BURST SYSTEM PROTOCOLS........................................ 11

SECTION 4
FREQUENCY BANDS AND EMISSION CHARACTERISTICS
FOR METEOR BURST COMMUNICATION SYSTEMS

4.1 FREQUENCY BANDS ....................................................... 14

4.2 SPECTRUM STANDARDS .................................................... 17
 TABLE OF CONTENTS
(continued)

Subsection Page
SECTION 5
METEOR BURST AND OTHER VHF SYSTEMS

INTRODUCTION......................................................... 19
METEOR BURST TELEMETRY SYSTEMS....................................... 19
METEOR BURST EMERGENCY COMMUNICATIONS................................ 20
METEOR BURST COMMUNICATION SYSTEMS................................... 21
VHF SYSTEMS.......................................................... 23
SYSTEM CHARACTERISTICS............................................... 26
....................
TELEVISION RECEIVER INTERMEDIATE FREQUENCIES ( IF) 27

SECTION 6
IONOSPHERIC COMPATIBILITY

INTRODUCTION......................................................... 28
METEOR IONIZATION.................................................... 28
SPORADIC E REFLECTIONS............................................... 29
REGULAR F REGION REFLECTIONS......................................... 3 1
SUMMARY OF VHF IONOSPHERIC INTERFERENCE.............................. 3 1
AIRPLANE REFLECTIONS................................................. 32
SECTION 7
GROUNDWAVE COMPATIBILITY

INTERFERENCE PATHS AND CONDITIONS.................................... 33

LAND MOBILE COMMUNICATION SERVICE AREA............................... 36
INTERFERENCE CRITERIA................................................ 37
METEOR BURST SYSTEM COMPATIBILITY WITH LAND MOBILE SYSTEMS........... 38
CORDLESS TELEPHONES AND CHILD MONITORS............................... 50
METEOR BURST TO METEOR BURST COMPATIBILITY........................... 64
 TABLE OF CONTENTS
(continued)

Subsection Page

SECTION 8
APPLICABLE RULES AND REGULATIONS

8.1 ALLOCATIONS.......................................................... 69
8-7 TECHNICAL STANDARDS .................................................. 71
8.3 CHANNELING PLAN ...................................................... 71
8.4 DEFINITION OF METEOR BURST SYSTEMS ................................... 72
8.5 ADJACENT CHANNEL EMISSIONS (UNWANTED EMISSIONS) ...................... 72
8.6 BILATERAL INTERNATIONAL AGREEMENTS ................................... 72

APPENDICES

APPENDIX A: INTERNATIONAL AND NATIONAL RADIO FREQUENCY APPLICATION

TABLE INCLUDING FOOTNOTES FOR THE 30-100 MHz BAND ............ 74

APPENDIX B: FOOTNOTES FOR THE 30-100 MHz BAND ............................ 81

APPENDIX C: NATIONAL REGULATIONS CONCERNING TECHNICAL PARAMETERS

AND OPERATIONS ............................................... 84

APPENDIX D: DESCRIPTION OF THE PRODSIR MODEL ............................. 93

APPENDIX E: GROUND WAVE PROPAGATION MODEL ................................ 96

REFERENCES .
REFERENCES ................................................................ 102
L I S T OF ILLUSTRATIONS

1 Meteor B u r s t System Geometry . F i g u r e 1 shows r a y paths t o

..................
o t h e r i o n o s p h e r i c r e f l e c t o r s a t VHF f r e q u e n c i e s 10

2 Frequency Dependent Terms i n t h e range 40-50 MHz ................. 15

 TABLE OF CONTENTS
( c o n t i nued)
LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS
(continued)

F i gu r e Page

3 Received power vs. d i s t a n c e s e p a r a t i o n between t r a n s m i t t e r

and r e c e i v e r . 10,000 w a t t t r a n s m i t t e r GT = Go = 10 dBi,
ionosphere fo = 13 MHz.......... ................................... 30
4 Groundwave i n t e r f e r e n c e paths between meteor b u r s t and o t h e r
equipments i n t h e 30-50 MHz band.................................. 33

5 El ectromagnetic Envi ronment which in c l udes b o t h a land mobi 1 e

and meteor b u r s t system. When D = Ds i n t e r f e r e n c e p r o t e c t i o n
i s provided... .................................................... 38

6 Meteor B u r s t t o Land Mobile Base S t a t i o n . Mainlobe Meteor

Burst............................................................. 40

7 Meteor B u r s t t o Land M o b i l e Base S t a t i o n . Sidelobe Meteor

Burst............................................................. 42

8 I n t e r f e r e n c e f r o m Meteor B u r s t t o Base Receiver................... 43

Distance Meteor B u r s t t o Base S t a t i o n . Interference t o

Mobi le Recei v e r (Mai nbeam) ........................................ 46

D i s t a n c e Meteor B u r s t t o Base S t a t i o n . I n t e r f e r e n c e t o
M o b i l e Receiver ( O f f - A x i s ) . ....................................... 47

Land M o b i l e Base S t a t i o n t o Meteor B u r s t Receiver ................. 49

Distance Base S t a t i o n t o Meteor B u r s t Receiver.

( I n t e r f e r e n c e Mobi 1 e T r a n s m i t t e r t o Meteor B u r s t
Receiver)......................................................... 51

10 mkW Cordless Telephone, G+ = -10 dBi ........................... 55

Emission Spectra, C a r r i e r and Side Frequencies, 50 kHz Span ....... 57

Emission Spectra, C a r r i e r and Side Frequencies, 10 kHz Span....... 58

Emission Spectra, C a r r i e r and Side Frequencies, 50 kHz Span..... .. 59

Cordless Phone Channels........................................... 61

I n t e r f e r e n c e t o a Cordless Telephone from a Meteor

B u r s t Transmitter................................................. 62

viii
 TABLE OF CONTENTS
(continued)

LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS
(continued )

F i gure Page

19 Received Power from Meteor B u r s t T r a n s m i t t e r , Mainbeam

t o Mainbeam, Meteor B u r s t t o Meteor Burst......................... 65

20 Received P o w e r f r o m M e t e o r B u r s t T r a n s m i t t e r , Mainbeam
t o Side1 obe, Meteor B u r s t t o Meteor Burst.. ....................... 66

21 Received Power from Meteor B u r s t T r a n s m i t t e r , Sidelobe t o

Sidelobe, Meteor B u r s t t o Meteor Burst............................ 67

22 ITU I n t e r n a t i o n a l Radio Frequency Ut i1 iz a t i on d i v i ded i n t o

Three Geographic Regions .......................................... 70

23 XMTR Unwanted Emission Standards.................................. 73

LIST OF TABLES
TABLE

METEOR BURST SYSTEM PROTOCOLS..................................... 13

ADJACENT CHANNEL SPECTRUM......................................... 18

METEOR BURST SYSTEM CHARACTERISTICS............................... 22

EQUIPMENTS.. ...................................................... 34

METEOR BURST SYSTEM............................................... 35

LAND MOBILE SYSTEM (30-50 MHz). .......,............................ 35

INTERFERENCE PROTECTIOB 'TO MOBILE SYSTEMS.. .......................

DISTANCE SEPARATION (D METEOR TO BASE) TO PROVIDE
44

DISTANCE SEPARATION ( D METEOR TO BASE) TO PROVIDE

INTERFERENCE PROTECTION TO METEOR BURST RECEIVERS ................. 52

CORDLESS TELEPHONE TECHNICAL PARAMETERS........................... 53

COCHANNEL SEPARATION DISTANCES (METEOR BURST TO METEOR BURST) ..... 68

 SECTION 1
INTRODUCTION

BACKGROUND

The N a t i o n a l Tel ecommuni c a t ions and I n f o r m a t i o n Admi n i s t r a t i o n (NTIA) , t h e

E x e c u t i v e Branch agency p r i n c i p a l 1y responsi b l e f o r t h e development o f b o t h
. domestic and i n t e r n a t i o n a l telecommunications pol icy, i s a1 so r e s p o n s i b l e f o r
managing t h e Federal Government I s use of t h e r a d i o frequency spectrum. NTIA
e s t a b l i s h e s p o l i c i e s concerning spectrum assignment , a1 l o c a t i o n and use, and
p r o v i d e s t h e v a r i o u s f e d e r a l departments and agencies w i t h guidance t o ensure
t h a t t h e i r conduct o f telecommunications a c t i v i t i e s i s c o n s i s t e n t w i t h t h e s e
policies.1 I n support o f these requirements, NTIA has completed a number o f
spectrum resource assessments (SRAs). The o b j e c t i v e s o f these assessments a r e
to eval uate spectrum use, identify existing or p o t e n t i a1 compati b i 1 it y
problems, provide recommendations to promote efficient use o f the radio
frequency spectrum, and improve spectrum management procedures. This
assessment documents t h e e l ectromagnetic compati b i 1 i t y o f meteor b u r s t systems
i n t h e VHF spectrum.

Recently, t h e r e has been increased i n t e r e s t i n u t i l i z i n g meteor b u r s t

systems f o r 1ong range VHF beyond t h e 1 ine-of - s i ght (BLOS) communications and
telemetry. The l o w e r ionosphere i s d a i l y bombarded worldwide by b i l l i o n s o f
small meteors which, as t h e y b u r n up i n t h e upper atmosphere, create short-
l i v e d ionized t r a i l s . These t r a i l s a r e a b l e t o p r o v i d e a BLOS i o n o s p h e r i c
p r o p a g a t i o n p a t h between ground-based t r a n s m i t t e r s and r e c e i v e r s . A meteor
t r a i l i s a v a i l a b l e t o p r o v i d e a t r a n s m i s s i o n channel between two BLOS l o c a t i o n s
once every 4 t o 20 seconds. The 1 i f e t i m e o f t h e channel i s s h o r t (112 second
duration) allowing only enough time for a "burst" of information t o be
t r a n s m i t t e d b e f o r e t h e meteor t r a i l decays.

'NTIA, Manual o f Regul a t i o n s and Procedures f o r Federal Radi o Frequency

Management, U.S. Department of Commerce, N a t i o n a l Tel ecommuni c a t i o n s and
I n f o r m a t i o n A d m i n i s t r a t i o n , Washington, DC, r e v i s e d September 1988.
 The e x i s t e n c e o f meteor r e f l e c t i o n s a t VHF f r e q u e n c i e s has been known f o r
several decades and t h e r e has been s e v e r a l p a s t experimental programs t o
e x p l o r e t h e u s e f u l n e s s o f meteor r e f l e c t i o n s f o r communication purposes. The
renewed in t e r e s t in meteor burst communications stems from the recent
a v a i l a b i l i t y o f s o l i d s t a t e memory devices which has made i t p o s s i b l e t o s t o r e
i n f o r m a t i o n and t r a n s m i t t h i s i n f o r m a t i o n i n a p a c k e t i z e d d i g i t a l b i t stream
" b u r s t " when a meteor t r a i l channel opens.

Meteor b u r s t systems operate i n t h e l o w e r VHF band i n t h e frequency range

30-100 MHz. The g r e a t e s t use o f meteor b u r s t systems i s expected t o be i n t h e
30-50 MHz frequency range. T h i s spectrum i s a l l o c a t e d predominantly t o t h e
f i x e d and mobi 1 e s e r v i ces. Both c o n v e n t i onal and spread spectrum systems a r e
i n t h e band u t i l i z i n g b o t h analog and d i g i t a l modulations.

OBJECTIVES

The o b j e c t i v e o f t h i s study was t o respond t o a request o f t h e Spectrum

Planning Subcommittee (SPS) o f t h e IRAC t o assess t h e impact t h a t expanded use
o f t h e meteor b u r s t communication systems w i l l have on t h e government VHF
spectrum and i d e n t i f y approaches towards e f f e c t i v e spectrum management o f t h i s
techno1 ogy .

APPROACH

1. The t e c h n i c a l and o p e r a t i o n a l c h a r a c t e r i s t i c s f o r p r e s e n t and expected

f u t u r e meteor b u r s t communications systems' were defined. C u r r e n t usage and
r e g u l a t o r y i s s u e s were documented b o t h i n t h e government and commercial
common c a r r i e r s e c t o r s .

2. The technical and operational characteristics of conventional VHF

government communication equipments were defined, and an assessment was
made o f t h e a v a i l a b l e government VHF spectrum t o support meteor b u r s t
appl ic a t i ons.
3. Meteor Trail Channel Compatibility - An analysis was made of possible
interference from signals ref1 ected from ionized meteor t r a i l s.

4. Groundwave Compatibility - Although meteor burst probe transmitters provide

communi cati on by intermittent meteor ref 1ecti ons, the meteor burst
equipment also continuously propagates groundwave signals. An analysis was
made of the interference potential of the meteor burst groundwave signal t o
cochannel and adjacent channel receivers in the geographical area of the
meteor burst transmitter. A1 so, the possible interference effects of
reflection from h i g h flying a i r c r a f t was examined.

5. Ionospheric Compatibility - The "footprint" and received signal from a

meteor reflection are quite small. Thus, there i s b u t a small chance of
incompatible operati on from the meteor scattering i t s e l f . However, duri n g
certain solar conditions, e.g., Sporadic E, blanketing Sporadic E , F 2
reflection VHF signals intended for meteor burst will also be reflected
from the background ionosphere. During t h e s e c o n d i t i o n s , the received
signal strengths may be significantly larger and persistent relative t o the
112-second duration meteor burst returns. The interference effects of
these modes were assessed.

6. Sharing c r i t e r i a were developed t o help ensure at VHF frequencies

compatible operation between meteor burst systems, as well as other
radiocommunication equipments.
 SECTION 2
CONCLUSIONS AND RECOMMENDATIONS

CONCLUSIONS

The conclusions o f t h i s study a r e grouped i n t o t h r e e areas: frequency

use, compatible o p e r a t i o n s , and o t h e r s .

FREQUENCY USE

1. Meteor b u r s t systems operate i n t h e frequency range 30-100 MHz. It i s

g e n e r a l l y acknowledged t h a t t h e optimum band f o r normal o p e r a t i o n o f meteor
b u r s t systems i s 40-50 MHz. This o p t i m a l i t y stems from t h e i o n o s p h e r i c
r e f 1 e c t i on p r o p e r t - ies o f meteors.

2. The U.S. Government ' a l l o c a t e d subbands i n t h e band 40-50 MHz a r e 40-42 MHz,
46.6-47 MHz and 49.6-50 MHz. The advantages o f o p e r a t i n g meteor b u r s t
systems i n t h e l o w e r subband 40-42 MHz, r a t h e r t h a n t h e upper bands 46/49
MHz, a r e a somewhat l a r g e r meteor s c a t t e r s i g n a l r e t u r n and g r e a t e r channel
t h r o u g h p u t (see S e c t i o n 4.1).

3. Nonl icensed consumer devices, such as cord1 ess telephones , operate

( u n p r o t e c t e d and on a n o n i n t e r f e r e n c e b a s i s ) a1 ong w i t h government systems
i n t h e upper subbands 46 and 49 MHz. F o r t y p e r c e n t o f t h e bandwidth i n
t h e s e bands, (see F i g u r e 17), i s a v a i l a b l e f o r use by these u n l i c e n s e d
devices . Meteor b u r s t systems o p e r a t i n g cochannel may r e c e i ve i n t e r f e r e n c e
when l o c a t e d as f a r as 10 km away from these devices (see F i g u r e 13).

4. When t h e r e i s a u r o r a l absorption, meteor b u r s t systems may advantageously

make use o f t h e upper subbands 46.6-47 MHz and 49.6-50 MHz. Moreover,
during severe ionospheric disturbances and accompanying increased
ionospheric absorption, meteor b u r s t systems operate above 50 MHz. The
o n l y government a l l o c a t e d band i n t h e frequency range 50-100 MHz which
 p e r m i t s t r a n s m i t t e r power g r e a t e r t h a n 1 w a t t i s 74.8-75.2 MHz. T h i s band
is allocated to the Aeronautical Radionavigation Service and is not
a p p r o p r i a t e f o r meteor b u r s t o p e r a t i o n s . However, government o p e r a t ions
may employ f r e q u e n c i e s i n nongovernment a l l o c a t e d bands between 25-2400 MHz
for t a c t i c a l and t r a i n i n g purposes i n accordance w i t h t h e NTIA Manual .^
(See APPENDIX Cd

Although t h e optimum band f o r meteor b u r s t systems i s 40-50 MHz, t h e bands

36-37 MHz and 38.25-39 MHz might a l s o be considered f o r government meteor
b u r s t system use. Based on e l e c t r o m a g n e t i c c o m p a t i b i l i t y c o n s i d e r a t i o n s ,
use o f t h e s e bands i s a c o n s i d e r a t i o n o n l y when t h e meteor b u r s t s i g n a l
r e t u r n s f r o m o t h e r i o n o s p h e r i c modes i s n o t l i k e l y t o cause i n t e r f e r e n c e
and groundwave cornpati b i 1 it y i s a1 so assured.

COMPATIBLE OPERATIONS

The i o n o s p h e r i c s i g n a l r e t u r n s f r o m meteor b u r s t s t a t i o n s have a small

probabi lit y o f causing an i n t e r f e r e n c e outage. When in t e r f e r e n c e does
occur, most likely during a sunspot maximum, real time equipment
adjustments such as power, frequency o r antenna changes a r e r e q u i r e d t o
el i m i n a t e t h e i n t e r f e r e n c e .

7. Meteor b u r s t master s t a t i o n s may be b o t h a source (probe s i g n a l s ) and

r e c e p t o r t o VHF groundwave i n t e r f e r e n c e . The s e p a r a t i o n d i s t a n c e s between
equipments f o r compatible cochannel s h a r i n g ( j o i n t simul taneous o p e r a t i o n )
with land mobile operations are i n the range 90-320 km. When t h e
equipments are on a d j a c e n t channels t h e s e p a r a t i o n d i s t a n c e s a r e i n t h e
range 7-60 km. TABLES 7 and 8 o f t h i s r e p o r t i n c l u d e numerical values f o r
these separation distances f o r a v a r i e t y o f interference situations.

bid., S e c t i o n 7.15.3.
 Meteor b u r s t remote s t a t i o n s a r e s u s c e p t i b l e t o groundwave i n t e r f e r e n c e
from o t h e r VHF equipments. The s e p a r a t i o n d i s t a n c e s f o r cochannel use a r e
90-250 km and f o r adjacent channel use 10-38 km. See TABLE 8 o f t h e r e p o r t
f o r the required separation distances for simultaneous o p e r a t i o n . The
s i g n a l s t r a n s m i t t e d from remote meteor b u r s t s t a t i o n s a r e i n t e r m i t t e n t and
u n l i k e l y t o a f f e c t t h e i n t e l l i g i b i l i t y o f o t h e r VHF systems. Thus, t h e y a r e
n o t judged t o be an i n t e r f e r e n c e problem.

Adaptive d a t a r a t e meteor b u r s t systems, when t h e y extend t h e i r bandwidths

i n t o a d j a c e n t channels, a r e more 1ik e l y t o encounter i n t e r f e r e n c e . This
w i l l be p a r t i c u l a r l y t r u e i f t h e adapted bandwidth expands into an
u n l icensed d e v i c e (e.g., cord1 ess phone) channel .
The v i d e o I F frequency i n U.S. t e l e v i s i o n r e c e i v e r s i s a t 45.75 MHz w i t h a
bandwidth of 6 MHz (43.75-48.75 MHz) and t h e audio I F i s a t 41.25 with a
200 kHz bandwidth. I n t e r f e r e n c e f r o m meteor b u r s t systems t o t e l e v i s i on
has n o t been r e p o r t e d b u t i s of concern (see Section 5.7). It i s a1 so
noted t h a t t h e Allocation Table (see APPENDIX A) does n o t p r o t e c t TV
f r e q u e n c i e s f o r government bands i n 40-50 MHz.

The 20 kHz c h a n n e l i n g p l a n f o r t h e 30-50 MHz band (NTIA ManualY3 see

Appendix C ) i s a good guide f o r meteor b u r s t probe s i g n a l s t o f o l l o w and
h e l p s assure e l e c t r o m a g n e t i c compati b i 1 i t y w i t h o t h e r systems u s i n g t h e VHF
spectrum. The i n t e r m i t t e n t meteor burst s i g n a l s which have a d a p t i ve
bandwidths greater than 20 kHz are an appropriate exception to the
c h a n n e l i n g p l a n (see S e c t i o n 7.1).

OTHER

12. At the present time, within the United States, there are several
o p e r a t i o n a l meteor b u r s t systems and a number of experimental and t r a i n i n g

^bid., S e c t i o n 4.3.6.
 systems. The applications, usage, and techno1 ogy for meteor burst systems
are undergoing conti nual change and improvement.

13. The SNOwpack TELemetry (SNOTEL) meteor burst system i s an example of an

effective and e f f i c i e n t use of the spectrum. Daily, data transfer from 550
remote terminals t o a master station i s accomplished by time shared use of
a single frequency. Meteor burst systems are also being effectively used
in A1 aska for communication purposes.

14. There i s expected t o be much greater use of meteor burst systems outside
the United States, Meteor burst systems can be used advantageously a t
geographical locations where the i nf rastructure of t e l ecommunicati on
equipments i s not fully developed.

RECOMMENDATIONS

The following are recommendat ions based on the findings of t h i s report,

NTIA management wi 11 eval uate these recommendations t o determine i f they' can or
should be impl emented from a pol icy , regulatory , or procedural vi ewpoi n t .
Any
action t o impl ement these recommendati ons wi 11 be v i a separate correspondence
modifying established rules, regulations and procedures. The recommendations
are as follows.

The Spectrum Planning Subcommittee (SPS) and the Frequency Assignment

Subcommi t t e e (FAS) should u t i l ize the conclusions and results of t h i s
study when assessing spectrum management situations involving meteor
burst systems,

The SPS should continue t o monitor meteor burst system usage and
technology.

NTIA should use t h i s study in the planning of frequency bands t h a t

support meteor burst communication systems.
 SECTION 3
TECHNICAL CHARACTERISTICS OF METEOR BURST SYSTEMS

3.1 INTRODUCTION

T h i s s e c t i o n d e s c r i b e s t h e o p e r a t i o n of a meteor b u r s t system. Those

technical c h a r a c t e r i s t i c s which may a f f e c t t h e e l e c t r o m a g n e t i c compati b i 1 it y
and spectrum management of meteor b u r s t systems a r e d i scussed and ' e x p l a i ned.
These i n c l u d e power, frequency, emission spectrum, and p r o t o c o l s o f o p e r a t i o n .

3.2 METEOR TRAIL ELECTROMAGNETIC CHARACTERISTICS

Every day, b i l l i o n s o f meteors e n t e r t h e E a r t h ' s upper atmosphere (around

100 km) and b u r n up. The b u r n i n g up o f each meteor produces an i o n i z e d
trail. Radio waves w i t h frequencies i n t h e l o w e r VHF spectrum (30-100 MHz) can
be r e f l e c t e d from t h e s e meteor t r a i l s as a beyond t h e l i n e - o f - s i g h t (BLOS)
p r o p a g a t i o n mode f o r d i s t a n c e s up t o 2000 km. To p r o v i d e a communication
channel between two s t a t i o n s , t h e meteor t r a i l must be s p a t i a l l y l o c a t e d i n t h e
common volume o f t h e antenna p a t t e r n s o f two s t a t i o n s . The antennas used w i t h
meteor b u r s t systems u s u a l l y have half-power beamwidths of about 30 degrees.

A meteor b u r s t communication l i n k f u n c t i o n s i n t h e f o l l o w i n g manner. A

probe signal is sent repeatedly i n t o t h e upper atmosphere from a master
station. A remote s t a t i o n w a i t s and l i s t e n s f o r t h e probe t o be r e f l e c t e d by a
meteor t r a i l . When t h e remote s t a t i o n r e c e i v e s t h e probe s i g n a l i t sends a
message back t o t h e master t h a t a communication channel i s open. The master
acknowledges t h e remote and t h e "handshake" i s complete. The master and remote
commence communication i n h a l f or full duplex mode and c o n t i n u e t o o p e r a t e
u n t i 1 t h e meteor t r a i 1 decays and t h e channel c l o s e s ( a p p r o x i m a t e l y 112-second
duration). The master then r e t u r n s t o t r a n s m i t t i n g t h e probe s i g n a l , b e g i n n i n g
t h e process anew.
 The magnitude of the signal received from an underdense meteor t r a i l
reflection, see Sugar 1 9 6 4 , ~i s

~$1 = '
P G G
f3
2
S ( C ) exp [ - T ( c ) ~ I e x p ( - ~ t )

where
p@) = received power
p~ = transmitter power
GT, Go = antenna gain
f = frequency
S ( C) T ( S) = geometric and physical dependent factors

to
-
-
"
7-
and U ( 6 ) = geometric and physical dependent factors.

The time dependence e - l o in Equation (1) accounts for the observed fact that
the shape of the meteor return i s a decaying exponential in time. The Equation
(1) shows that the factors which determine the signal return for a meteor burst
system are PT, GT, Go, f , and geometric and physical dependent factors,
Operationally, some representative values for the parameters in Equation 1 are
PT = 300 watts, GT = GR = 10 dBi and f in the range 40-50 MHz. The
communi cati on performance depends not only on P o ( t ) , b u t i s a1 so dependent upon
the required ( E b / N o ) for the particular digital modulation utilized and No the
noise level in the vicinity of the receiver. Examples of the modulations used
are PSK and FSK b o t h coherent and incoherent. -
Examples of peak returns from underdense meteor scatter, shown in Weitzen
and ~ a l s t o n , vary
~ from -112 dBm t o -95 dBm. A typical return from an

^sugar, G.R. Radio Propagation by Ref 1 ecti on from Meteor Trai 1 s , Proceedi ngs
IRE, Vol. 52, pp. 116-136, 1964.
^ ~ e i t z e n , J . A. and W e T. Ralston, Meteor Scatter: An overview, IEEE
Transactions on Antennas and Propagation, December 1988.
individual underdense meteor for t h i s study will be assumed t o have a return o f
-110 dBm. Typical noise powers for a 16 kHz occupied bandwidth in the
40-50 MHz frequency range are: man-made suburban (-106 dBm), and galactic
noise (-120 dBm). Since the man-made noise and the typical meteor burst signal
are comparable i n magnitude, whenever possible, meteor burst receivers are
placed a t low noise sites.
The times between available meteor channel openings are random and
distributed exponentially with time as a Poisson process. The coherence
bandwidth of the meteor scatter i s quite large, up t o 1 MHz. Some meteor burst
systems take advantage of this large coherence bandwidth and during a burst
expand thei r transmit and receive bandwidth t o optimi ze the throughput possi bl e
during the burst. A diagram of a meteor burst system i s shown in Figure 1.
The diagram shows the ray paths t o the meteor t r a i l along with ray paths t o
other ionospheric reflectors which may be prevalent a t VHF frequencies. The .
maximum range for a meteor burst path i s 2000 kilometers. This maximum distance
i s fixed by the ray path geometry over a curved earth t o a meteor t r a i l a t an
altitude of 100 km. Meteors can be categorized as either underdense (electron
densities < loÑ el ectrons/meter) or overdense (electron densities > 1014
electrons/meter). The underdense meteors are more common and provide the
majority of the communication channel s.

Figure 1. Meteor Burst System Geometry. Figure 1 shows ray paths to the
meteor scatters along w i t h ray paths t o other ionospheric
ref1 ectors at VHF frequencies.
3.3 METEOR BURST SYSTEM PROTOCOLS

There a r e a t p r e s e n t t h r e e b a s i c equipment c o n f i g u r a t i o n s f o r meteor

burst systems. These are one-to-one communication, networking, and
broadcast. For b o t h one-to-one and n e t w o r k i n g t h e master s t a t i o n t r a n s m i t s
r e p e a t e d l y a probe s i g n a l of frequency fi. The remote s t a t i o n l i s t e n s f o r t h e
master and when i t d e t e c t s a s i g n a l i n t e n d e d f o r i t , sends back a s i g n a l ( a t
frequency fi o r a d i f f e r e n t frequency f 2 ) t o t h e master s t a t i o n . The master
detects the signal and r e t u r n s an acknowledgment t o the remote. This
completes t h e handshake and communications can proceed. I n t h e "broadcast"
mode. t h e master sends a message r e p e a t e d l y w i t h o u t acknowledgment from t h e
remotes. The message i s repeated a s u f f i c i e n t number o f t i m e s t o , h o p e f u l l y ,
assure r e c e p t i o n .

It i s apparent t h a t for all equipment c o n f i g u r a t i o n s t h e d u t y c y c l e

(on-time) f o r t h e master s t a t i o n i s q u i t e h i g h and t h e d u t y c y c l e f o r t h e
remotes i s small (one-to-one and n e t w o r k i n g ) o r zero (broadcast modes),

The above d e s c r i b e s t h e general o p e r a t i n g p r i n c i p l e f o r a meteor b u r s t

system. Based upon t h e s e gener-a1 p r i n c i p l es, a1 ong w i t h c e r t a i n v a r i a t i o n s i n
o p e r a t i o n , a t l e a s t f i v e d i f f e r e n t o p e r a t i n g p r o t o c o l s have been considered t o
e f f e c t i v e l y u t i l i z e meteor b u r s t channels f o r communication. TABLE 1 l i s t s
t h e s e p r o t o c o l s and t h e i r c h a r a c t e r i s t i c s . P r o t o c o l ( 1 ) i s used f o r d a t a
a c q u i s i t i o n s such as d e t e r m i n i n g snow depth a t a remote s i t e . Meteor b u r s t
systems o p e r a t i n g w i t h t h i s p r o t o c o l a f t e r t h e handshake has t a k e n p l a c e
operate on a h a l f - d u p l e x basis. Protocol ( 2 ) i s a communication system
protocol. Once the handshake has taken place, communication on two
f r e q u e n c i e s t a k e s p l a c e i n a f u l l duplex manner. The communication c o n s i s t s
o f i n d i v i d u a l packets o f a d i g i t a l message which m i g h t be voice. A variation
on p r o t o c o l ( 2 ) i s t h a t found i n p r o t o c o l ( 3 ) . I n t h i s protocol, before the
handshake t a k e s place, b o t h t h e master and remote a r e c o n t i n u a l l y t r a n s m i t t i n g
probe s i g n a l s . The advantage o f such a system i s t h a t d a t a t r a n s m i s s i o n can
start quicker and t h e channel i s used more e f f e c t i v e l y . However, this
r e q u i r e s t h e remote t o be on c o n t i n u a l l y . It i s our understanding t h a t t h i s
p r o t o c o l i s n o t b e i n g used i n t h e U n i t e d S t a t e s b u t may be under c o n s i d e r a t i o n
f o r use elsewhere i s t h e world. T h i s p r o t o c o l s h a l l n o t be considered f u r t h e r
here.

P r o t o c o l (4) i s a p p l i c a b l e t o a d a p t i v e d a t a r a t e systems. I n an a d a p t i v e
d a t a r a t e system, d u r i n g t h e handshake and afterwards, a q u a n t i t a t i v e measure
i s made o f t h e magnitude o f t h e s i g n a l f r o m t h e meteor t r a i l . Based upon t h i s
measure, t h e d a t a r a t e ( K b l s ) and t h e t r a n s m i t t e r and r e c e i v e r bandwidth a r e
a l t e r e d t o send t h e optimum d a t a r a t e t h e meteor t r a i l can support. The use
of adaptive data rates and a correspondingly larger bandwidth has the
p o t e n t i a l t o improve t h e t h r o u g h p u t f o r a meteor b u r s t system by a f a c t o r o f
10 (see Reference 5 on page 9). Both a d a p t i v e and non-adaptive system
o p e r a t i o n s a r e i d e n t i c a l p r i o r t o a handshake. Once t h i s handshake has taken
place, t h e p r o t o c o l ( 4 ) i n c l u d e d t h e a b i l i t y t o adapt t h e system parameters
such as bandwidth and d a t a r a t e s .

P r o t o c o l ( 5 ) i s a broadcast meteor b u r s t mode. The p r o t o c o l ( 1 ) t o ( 4 )

a r e one-to-one. I n p r o t o c o l (5), t h e master s t a t i o n r e p e a t e d l y t r a n s m i t s i t s
message, on a s i n g l e frequency f1 t o N remotes hoping t h a t over a s u f f i c i e n t
t i m e p e r i o d , a meteor b u r s t channel w i l l open t o a l l N o f t h e remotes. The
remotes a r e i n a r e c e i v e mode only.
 TABLE 1

METEOR BURST SYSTEM PROTOCOLS

1 Protocol Purpose Before Handshake A f t e r Handshake

1. Data A c q u i s i t i o n Master on Master on b u t a l t e r n a t i n g

Hal f -Dupl ex Remote o f f Remote on b u t a1 t e r n a t i ng
f 1 9 f2
If1 - f 2 \ ;1 MHz

' 2. Communication Master on Master on

F u l l -0upl ex Remote o f f Remote on
f 1 9 f2
If, - f,l - 1 MHz

3. Communi c a t i o n Master on Master on

F u l l -Dupl ex Remote on Remote on
f l s f2
-
Ifl f21 1- 1 MHz

4. Communication I n 20 kHz channel I n 20 kHz channel

F u l l -Dupl ex Master on Master on
Adapt ive Remote o f f Remote on
Data Rate
Beyond 20 kHz Beyond 20 kHz
channel channel
Master o f f Master on
Remote o f f Remote on

5. Broadcast Master on Master on

Remote o f f Remote o f f
 SECTION 4
FREQUENCY BANDS AND EMISSION CHARACTERISTICS
FOR METEOR BURST COMMUNICATION SYSTEMS

4.1 FREQUENCY BANDS

The general bounds on t h e frequency of o p e r a t i o n f o r meteor-burst systems

fall i n the range 30-100 MHz. The complete i n t e r n a t i o n a l and n a t i o n a l
frequency a l l o c a t i o n s f o r t h i s frequency range a r e i n c l u d e d i n APPENDIX A o f
t h i s report. A d d i t i o n a l r u l e s and r e g u l a t i o n s f r o m t h e NTIA Manual r e l a t i n g
t o frequency use f o r systems i n t h i s range a r e found i n APPENDICES B and C.
Under normal ionospheric conditions n c l u d i ng
(i auroral absorption ) , t h e
1 optimum frequency band f o r meteor b u r s t systems i s 40-50 MHz. The optimum
frequency range (40-50 MHz) i s t h u s a 10 MHz frequency segment. Within t h i s
optimum band, t h e U.S. Government subbands a r e 40.0-42.0 MHz, 46.6-47 MHz, and
49.6-50 MHz.

The peak s i g n a l power r e t u r n from a meteor t r a i l v a r i e s as f"3 and t h e

'average t i m e d u r a t i o n o f a meteor r e f l e c t i o n v a r i e s as f-^. Combining t h e s e
two factors together and i n c l u d i n g t h e fact that galactic noise (which
determines t h e r e q u i r e d thresh01 d s i g n a l ) v a r i e s as f'**^, t h e i n f o r m a t i o n
d u t y c y c l e ( I p ) f o r a meteor b u r s t system has a frequency dependence o f

where Ir= i n f o r m a t i o n d u t y c y c l e (CCIR Report 251-4)

= p r o p o r t i o n o f t i m e a g i v e n s i g n a l / n o i s e r a t i o i s exceeded.

F i g u r e 2 p l o t s t o g e t h e r each of t h e s e frequency dependent terms over t h e

optimum frequency range 40-50 MHz. Each of t h e terms i n F i g u r e 2 has been
n o r m a l i z e d t o a v a l u e o f 1 a t f = 4 0 Megahertz so t h a t a comparison can be made
among t h e v a r i a b i l i t y o f t h e terms i n t h e range 40-50 MHz. It can be seen
1.OO

-95

.90

.85

-80

.75

-70
Average Burst Length
.65 f2

.60

-55
-1,2.7 Throughput Informat ion
duty c y c l e )
.50 ' 1
40 42 44 46
FREQUENCY (MHz)
48
7 Peak Power Return

Figure 2. Frequency Dependent Terms i n t h e range 40-50 MHz.

that the Information Duty Cycle, In,which is directly related t o the
throughput o f t h e meteor channel i s about two t i m e s l a r g e r a t 40 MHz t h a n t h e
t h r o u g h p u t a t 50 MHz. The peak s i g n a l power l e v e l i s a l s o about two t i m e s
l a r g e r a t 40 MHz than a t 50 MHz. Similarly, t h e average t i m e d u r a t i o n o f a
1
meteor s i g n a l i s about ly times l a r g e r a t 40 MHz t h a n a t 50 MHz. Thus, under
regular ionospheric c o n d i t i o n s and c o n s i d e r i n g t h o s e parameters o f meteor
b u r s t systems which a r e frequency dependent, i t can be concluded t h a t i t i s
advantageous t o operate i n t h e l o w e r ranges of t h e 40-50 MHz band.

As discussed earlier, t h e r e a r e cases when n o n r e g u l a r and d i s t u r b e d

i o n o s p h e r i c c o n d i t i o n s d i c t a t e t h e use o f h i g h e r frequencies . One example i s
the occurrence of auroral scatter in high latitude operations (e.g.,
~l
aska) .^ When occasional a u r o r a l s c a t t e r i s present, t h e r e i s c o n s i d e r a b l e
f a d i n g and m u l t i p a t h . These a u r o r a l e f f e c t s can u s u a l l y be overcome by
o p e r a t i n g a t h i g h e r frequencies.

The t r a n s m i s s i o n equations f o r t h e meteor b u r s t process i t s e l f y i e l d a

throughput -
-2.7 s i g n a l r e t u r n
-
f 3 and average b u r s t l e n g t h f-
2
- .
T h i s would suggest, for an u n d i s t u r b e d ionosphere, t h e use o f as l o w a
frequency as p o s s i b l e , i.e., below 40 MHz. However, when frequencies below 40
MHz a r e used o t h e r i o n o s p h e r i c modes such as Sporadic E, ionscatter, and F
region r e f l e c t i o n become more l i k e l y . These modes have a much g r e a t e r
possibility o f occurrence as frequency decreases below 40 MHz. When t h e s e
modes a r e p r e v a l e n t , t h e i r s i g n a l s t r e n g t h s w i l l t e n d t o exceed o r mask t h e
meteor s i g n a l return. These modes, a l t h o u g h a bonus, a r e c h a r a c t e r i z e d by
m u l t i p a t h e f f e c t s which a r e o f t e n t i m e s l e s s t h a n advantageous f o r r e l i a b l e
communications. Nevertheless, the operation of meteor b u r s t systems at
frequencies below 40 MHz should be considered. From an interference
p e r s p e c t i v e , t h e b e s t times a r e t h o s e when o t h e r i o n o s p h e r i c propagation modes
a r e l e s s l i k e l y t o occur.

' ~ e i t z e n , J.A., M.J. Sona and R.A. Scof i d i o, " C h a r a c t e r i z i n g t h e Mu1t i p a t h and
Doppler Spreads o f t h e H i g h - L a t i t u d e Meteor B u r s t Communication Channel,"
IEEE Transactions on Communication, Vol. COM-35, No. 10, October 1987.
 The COMET system operated successfully in the early 60's using
f r e q u e n c i e s between 35-40 MHZ*~ The government bands i n t h e range 35-40 MHz
a r e t h e f i x e d and m o b i l e bands 36-37 MHz and 38e25-39 MHz. Although t h e
optimum band f o r meteor b u r s t i s g e n e r a l l y agreed t o be 40-50 MHz, t h e s e bands
between 35-40 MHz should be considered f o r meteor b u r s t use, p a r t i c u l a r l y i f
t h e r e i s frequency c o n g e s t i o n and groundwave i n t e r f e r e n c e i n t h e 40-50 MHz
frequency region.

The o p e r a t i o n o f a meteor b u r s t system a t frequencies above 50 MHz

results i n l e s s throughput and l o n g e r w a i t t i m e s f o r t r a n s m i s s i o n of a
message. Under most i o n o s p h e r i c c o n d i t i o n s , t h e d e l e t e r i o u s e f f e c t on meteor
b u r s t systems o f D r e g i o n a b s o r p t i o n i s under 1 dB and n o t even i n c l u d e d i n
d e t e r m i n i n g system parameters f o r a meteor b u r s t system. D u r i n g t h e times o f
a s e v e r e l y d i s t u r b e d ionosphere s i g n i f i c a n t D r e g i o n a b s o r p t i o n p r e v a i l s . The
a b s o r p t i o n has a f'^ frequency dependence which means t h a t t h e use o f h i g h e r
VHF f r e q u e n c i e s w i l l have l e s s l o s s due t o a b s o r p t i o n . Thus d u r i n g a
severely d i s t u r b e d (man-made o r n a t u r a l ) ionosphere, meteor b u r s t systems
will operate above 50 MHz. I n t h e frequency range 50-100, MHz, the only .
government band p e r m i t t e d w i t h t r a n s m i t t e r powers greater than 1 watt is
74.8-75.2 MHz. T h i s band i s a1 1ocated t o t h e A e r o n a u t i c a l Radi onavi g a t ion
Service and is not appropriate f o r meteor burst system use. However,
government operat i o n s may employ f r e q u e n c i e s i n non-government a1 located bands
between 25-2400 MHz f o r t a c t i c a l and t r a i n i n g purposes i n accordance w i t h t h e
NTIA Manual (see Ref. I ) , Sections 7.15.3-7 (see APPENDIX C).

4.2 SPECTRUM STANDARDS

D i g i t a l modulations a r e used f o r meteor b u r s t systems. The necessary

bandwidths f o r t h e s e modulations a r e found i n Appendix J o f t h e NTIA Manual*
For a given c l a s s of emission (modulation t y p e ) t h e necessary bandwidth i s t h e
width of the frequency band which is just sufficient to ensure the

7 ~ a r t h o l o m e , P i e r r e J. and I r m f r i e d M. Vogt, "Comet -

A New Meteor B u r s t
System I n c o r p o r a t i n g ARQ and D i v e r s i t y Reception ," IEEE Trans. on Comm., Vol a
COM-16 No. 2, pp. 268-278, A p r i l 1968.
t r a n s m i s s i o n of i n f o r m a t i o n a t t h e r a t e ( b i ts/second f o r d i g i t a l m o d u l a t i o n )
and w i t h t h e qua1 i t y r e q u i red.

Another measure o f bandwidth i s t h e occupied bandwidth. The occupied

bandwidth f o r telecommunication equipment i s t h e w i d t h o f a frequency band
such t h a t , below t h e l o w e r and above t h e upper frequency l i m i t s , t h e mean
powers e m i t t e d a r e each equal t o a s p e c i f i e d percentage B/2 o f t h e t o t a l mean
power o f a g i v e n emission. Unless o t h e r w i s e s p e c i f i e d by t h e C C I R , t h e v a l u e
o f B/2 should be t a k e n as 0.5%. I n p r a c t i c e , a l l reasonable e f f o r t s h a l l be
afforded t o maintain the occupied bandwidth as close to the necessary
bandwidth as p r a c t i c a l . Meteor b u r s t system designers have i n q u i r e d what
spectrum properties of meteor burst signals are of importance for
e l e c t romagneti c compati b i 1 ity. Each probe s i g n a l f o r a meteor b u r s t s t a t i on
should f o l l o w t h e NTIA c h a n n e l i n g p l a n f o r assignments i n t h e 30-50 MHz band
(NTIA Manual (see Ref. 1) S e c t i o n 4.3.6, APPENDIX (C) of t h i s r e p o r t ) . Probe
s i g n a l s can f i t i n t o one channel of t h e 30-50 MHz channel plan. Each channel
has a frequency w i d t h o f 20 kHz. The probe s i g n a l spectrum, outside the
channel bandwidth, should obey t h e c o n s t r a i n t s shown i n TABLE 2.

TABLE 2

ADJACENT CHANNEL SPECTRUM

Id. A t t e n u a t ion
5 kHz < fd < 10 kHz 83 l o g ( f d l 5 ) dB

10 kHz < f d < 250% BW 29 l o g ( f d 2 / l l ) o r 50 dB,

whichever i s l e s s

f d > 250% BW Land, Fixed, Mobi 1 e

50 + 10 l o g (unmodulated c a r r i e r power) dB

P o r t a b l e 43 + 10 l o g (unmodulated c a r r i e r
power) dB

where fd = d e v i a t i o n from c a r r i e r frequency.

These c o n s t r a i n t s a r e designed t o 1 i m i t a d j a c e n t channel i n t e r f e r e n c e

from and t o m o b i l e systems. Also, l a n d ( f i x e d and m o b i l e ) r e c e i v e r s i n t h e
30-50 MHz frequency r e g i o n have f o r a d j a c e n t channel s e l e c t i v i t y a standard i n
t h e NTIA Manual o f 80 dB.
 SECTION 5

METEOR BURST AND OTHER VHF SYSTEMS

5.1 INTRODUCTION

The use o f meteor burst systems are either for telemetry or for
communications. Meteor b u r s t t e l e m e t r y systems a r e used t o t r a n s m i t from a
remote s t a t i o n back t o a master s t a t i o n environmental and o t h e r d a t a measured
a t t h e remote s t a t i o n . Communication meteor b u r s t systems p r o v i d e a low d a t a
r a t e BLOS l i n k between t h e master and remote s t a t i o n s . I n t h e United States,
t h e major users o f t h e VHF spectrum i n t h e frequency range 30-100 MHz a r e l a n d
mobile, b r o a d c a s t i n g and a e r o n a u t i c a l r a d i o n a v i g a t i o n . Also u s i n g t h e VHF
spectrum a r e u n l icensed low power communication devices such as cord1 ess
telephones which operate i n accordance w i t h P a r t 15 o f t h e FCC Rules and
Regul a t ions .

5.2 METEOR BURST TELEMETRY SYSTEMS

Probably t h e l a r g e s t meteor b u r s t system i s t h e SNOWPACK Telemetry System

(SNOTEL) operated by t h e S o i l Conservation S e r v i c e o f t h e U n i t e d S t a t e s
Department of Agriculture. This system, begun in 1977, measures and
transmits, on a d a i l y basis, snowpack and p r e c i p i t a t i o n d a t a from l o c a t i o n s
t h r o u g h o u t t h e West. About 550 s t a t i o n s a r e i n o p e r a t i o n w i t h t h e remote
s i t e s powered by s o l a r panels. Master s t a t i o n s a r e i n Boise, Idaho and Ogden,
Utah. The SNOTEL system i s an example o f an- e f f e c t i v e and e f f i c i e n t use o f
t h e VHF spectrum s i n c e o n l y a s i n g l e frequency i s used t o communicate w i t h a l l
550 remote s t a t i o n s ,

Another system used t o g a t h e r t e l e m e t r y d a t a i s t h e Alaska Meteor B u r s t

Communication System (AMBCS) . T h i s system i s used by f i v e government agenci es
t o g a t h e r data: N a t i o n a l Weather S e r v i c e (remote weather data) , Bureau o f
Land Management ( s u r v e y i n g camps). Soi 1 Conservation S e r v i c e (water resources
data), U.S. Geological Survey ( s t r e a m and water gauging), and t h e Corps o f
Engineers (accumul a t e environmental data). The master station is in
 Anchorage, Alaska. The t r a n s m i t t e r and r e c e i v e r f r e q u e n c i e s a r e separated
about 1 MHz t o p e r m i t f u l l duplex o p e r a t i o n .

Another p o s s i b l e f u t u r e use of t h e meteor b u r s t system may be t o m o n i t o r

p i p e l ines. These envi ronmental d a t a g a t h e r i n g meteor b u r s t o p e r a t i o n s usual l y
o p e r a t e w i t h 300-500 w a t t master s t a t i o n s and 300 w a t t s remote. They operate
i n t h e l o w e r p a r t o f t h e 40 MHz band w i t h 20 kHz bandwidth channels.

5.3 METEOR BURST EMERGENCY COMMUNICATIONS

The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) has developed t h e concept

f o r a Meteor B u r s t Warning/Communications Subsystem (MBWCS). The FEMA MBWCS
concept, which i s complementary t o t h e land1 ine o r i e n t e d N a t i o n a l Warning
System (NAWAS), i s t o i n c l u d e 10 r e g i o n a l meteor b u r s t (MB) master s t a t i o n
t e r m i n a l s (MST) , MB t r a n s c e i v e r s a t t h e Emergency Operations Centers (EOC) o f
t h e 48 contiguous s t a t e s , and MB warning r e c e i v e r s a t 5000 designated warning
, p o i n t s ( i n c l u d i n g 2600 c u r r e n t NAWAS warning p o i n t s ) throughout t h e Nation.
I

Coded n a t i o n a l warning messages, i n j e c t e d by HF r a d i o o r l a n d l i n e f r o m t h e

National Warning Center (NWC) or A1 t e r n a t e NWC, will be acknowl edged,
automatically converted t o short preformatted messages, and broadcast t o
a d j a c e n t master s t a t i o n s , S t a t e EOCs, and warning r e c e i v e r s . The MBWCS a l s o
wi 11 p r o v i d e two-way p o i n t - t o - p o i n t communications between a d j a c e n t master
stations, and master s t a t i o n s and S t a t e EOCs w i t h i n designated areas. The
system i s nonadaptive.

The equipment c h a r a c t e r i s t i c s f o r t h e system are:

Transmitters: Master S t a t i o n s - 10
S t a t e EOCs - 48 ( T r a n s c e i v e r s )
Power - 1 kW
Modul a t i on - B i -phase s h i f t keyed (BPSK)
Warning-Omni - Communications ( P t - P t )

Receivers : At Master S t a t i o n s s i t e s - 2-4 (approx. 24 t o t a l )

S t a t e EOCs - 48 ( T r a n s c e i v e r s )
A t Warning P o i n t s - 5000
Messages : Data Rate - 4000 bps
Format - A S C I I coded t e l e t y p e ( P t - P t ) B i n a r y (Warning)

Frequency: 40-50 MHz (Three f r e q u e n c i e s f o r t h e system; each MST w i l l

t r a n s m i t on one and r e c e i v e on two frequencies. Each EOC w i 11
use one t r a n s m i t and one r e c e i v e frequency.

5.4 METEOR BURST COMMUNICATION SYSTEMS

Meteor b u r s t communication systems operate by t r a n s m i t t i n g packets o f

d i g i t i z e d i n f o r m a t i o n d u r i n g t h e channel openings. The advantage o f meteor
b u r s t i s t h a t i t can p r o v i d e r e l i a b l e communications f o r l o w - r a t e data and
slow t e l e t y p e s t o and from remote s i t e s where o t h e r modes o f communication
(sate1l i t e , microwave, and t e l e p h o n e ) a r e u n a v a i l a b l e o r may be l o s t i n an
emergency. Previously, HF has been used i n t h e s e c i rcumstances, b u t HF
frequencies must b e ' changed regularly and at times HF signals can b e
u n a v a i l a b l e f o r l o n g p e r i o d s o f t i m e due t o t h e variances o f t h e i o n o s p h e r i c
properties. Meteor b u r s t systems, although i n t e r m i t t e n t , u t i l i z e a r e l i a b l e
s t a t i o n a r y communication channel.

Meteor b u r s t system u s e r s choose t r a n s m i t t e r power antenna s i z e , r e c e i v e r

thresh01 d, frequency, and data rate dependi ng upon the communication
requirement. F o r example, lower data r a t e s a r e used when t h e message w a i t i n g
t i m e i s more i m p o r t a n t t h a n t h e amount o f data t o be t r a n s m i t t e d i n a g i v e n
amount o f time.

Meteor b u r s t systems have found a p l a c e i n Alaska t o p r o v i d e a t h i n r o u t e

low data r a t e communication system f o r p r i v a t e users. The company, Alascom,
provides long distance communication links across Alaska. The company
operates a meteor b u r s t communication system as a sate1 l i t e back-up. The FCC
(1988) p r o v i s i o n on t h e use a r e t h e a l l o w e d frequencies 42.4, 44.10, 44.2, and
45.9 MHz. The base s t a t i o n power i s l i m i t e d t o 2000 w a t t s f o r base s t a t i o n s
and 500 w a t t s f o r remote s t a t i o n s . Cochannel base s t a t i o n s o f d i f f e r e n t
l i c e n s e e s a r e t o b e l o c a t e d 150 m i l e s apart. (A waiver o f t h e distance
s e p a r a t i o n requirements i s p o s s i b l e i f a c o o p e r a t i v e s h a r i n g arrangement can
b e reached.) The emi s s i o n i s t o a1 low f o r PSK o r FSK k e y i n g and t h e maximum
a u t h o r i z e d b a n d w i d t h i s 20 kHz.

Meteor b u r s t r e s e a r c h i s p r o c e e d i n g towards i m p r o v i n g t h e u n d e r s t a n d i n g
o f t h e p r o p a g a t i o n mechani sm and improvi ng t h e techno1 ogy and t e c h n i ques (see
Reference 5). There i s c u r r e n t l y c o n s i d e r a b l e t e s t i n g o f meteor b u r s t systems
t o determine t h e bounds on t h e communication c a p a b i l i t i e s (e.g., throughput,
w a i t t i m e ) o f meteor-burst systems. Some of t h e t e s t i n g experiments have been
carried out at high latitudes since meteor burst technology has both
a p p l i c a t i o n s and advantages a t h i g h l a t i t u d e s . Another s u b j e c t o f i n t e r e s t i s
t h e a p p l i c a t i o n o f meteor b u r s t s c a t t e r f o r s h o r t range RLOS communication
d i s t a n c e s l e s s t h a n 400 km.^

Meteor b u r s t communication systems i n 1987 have advanced t o i n c l u d e t h e

communication c a p a b i l i t i e s shown i n TABLE 3.^

TABLE 3

METEOR BURST SYSTEM CHARACTERISTICS

(SOURCE: See Reference 9)

A d a p t i v e Data Rates
Forward E r r o r C o r r e c t i o n
Networki ng
8000 C h a r a c t e r Message Lengths
Average Throughput: 300 Words Per M i n u t e
Message Wait Time: 1.5 Minutes

The meteor burst technology is continually improving and much has

happened d u r i n g t h e p a s t f i v e years. It i s t h e r e f o r e d i f f i c u l t t o e x t r a p o l a t e

Qeitzen, J.A., Communicating V i a Meteor B u r s t a t S h o r t Ranges, IEEE

T r a n s a c t i o n s on Communications, Vol. COM-35, No. 11, November 1987.

~ o r ~ a nE.J.,
, "Meteor B u r s t Communications: An Update," S i g n a l , pp. 55-61,
March 1988.
into the future the expected numbers and uses for meteor burst systems in the
United States. One area in which progress has been made i s in the size and
complexity of the meteor burst equipments Backpack terminals with easy set u p
are now feasibl e. Another application i s t o provide two-way communication
with trucks (see Mickelson, 1989) .lo he FCC has authorized such a system t o
be operated on motor c a r r i e r service frequencies. The number of mobile units
i s expected t o be in the tens of thousands,

5.5 VHF SYSTEMS

The U.S. VHF spectrum from 30-110 MHz i s divided into 26 bands. These
bands general ly a1 ternate between excl usi ve government and excl usi ve non-
government bands as seen in APPENDIX A c There are only two bands that are
shared between government and nongovernment from 30 t o 50 MHz, and these are
shared radio astronomy allocations. From 50-110 MHz, there are four shared
bands, which are a l l in the 73-75.4 MHz spectrum region. These shared bands
between government and nongovernment include radio astronomy from 73-74.6 MHz,
fixed and mobile between 74.6 and 74.8 MHz and 75.2 t o 75.4 MHz, and
aeronautical radionavigation from 74.8 t o 75.2 MHz.
In the 30 t o 40 MHz band, the greatest use by government i s for land
mobile systems. The station class ML (a land mobile s t a t i o n ) has the greatest
number of assignments. In the 40 t o 50 MHz band, the greatest number of
assignments for a given station class i s t o ML. The meteor burst
communi cati on system, which is comprised of the Department of Agricul ture ' s
SNOTEL network, makeup the major assignments for the second most used station
class in t h i s band--FXH. The FXH designator "is a fixed station used for the
automatic transmission of either hydrological or meteorological data, or both.
Most uses in t h i s band are for land mobile systems, although aeronautical
mobile and maritime mobile are also in use.

^ ~ i c k e lson, K. D. Tracking 64,000 vehicles with meteor s c a t t e r radio, Mobi 1e

Radio Techno1 ogy, pp 24-38, January 1989.
 I n t h e band from 50 t o 100 MHz, t h e major use i s by t h e p r i v a t e s e c t o r .
w i t h amateur, TV b r o a d c a s t i ng, and FM r a d i o b r o a d c a s t i n g b e i n g major spectrum
allocations. The major government requirement in this band is for
aeronautical r a d i o n a v i g a t i o n i n t h e sub-band 74.8-75.2 MHz (78 p e r c e n t o f
assignments) t o t h e RLA s t a t i o n c l a s s , which i s f o r a e r o n a u t i c a l marker beacon
stations. Various t y p e s o f m o b i l e s t a t i o n s make up t h e g r e a t e s t p o r t i o n o f
t h e remaining assignments.

Nongovernment a l l o c a t i o n s from 30 t o 40 MHz a r e m a i n l y t o l a n d m o b i l e

( s i x subbands) and one subband t o e x c l u s i v e r a d i o astronomy and one secondary
a l l o c a t i o n a l s o t o r a d i o astronomy shared w i t h l a n d m o b i l e primary. There i s
a wide v a r i e t y o f communication s e r v i c e s i n these bands. There a r e f o u r
s e r v i c e t y p e s under t h e l a n d m o b i l e a l l o c a t i o n t h a t assignments are made t o i n
t h e 30 t o 40 MHz band. These a r e i n d u s t r i a l , land transportation, public
s a f e t y , and domestic p u b l i c .

Assi gnments under in d u s t r i a1 in c l ude businesses such as c o n s t r u c t i o n

companies, p l umbi ng compani es, we1 1 d r i 11 ing compani es, p e t r o l eum and gas
pipe1 ine companies, companies i n v o l ved i n f o r e s t products, and almost any
Ã

business t h a t has a r a d i o dispatched v e h i c l e . There a r e a few assignments i n

t h e 30-40 MHz band t o l a n d t r a n s p o r t a t i o n s e r v i c e s . However, assignments t o
1 and t r a n s p o r t a t i o n i n c l u d e bus l i n e s , r a p i d t r a n s i t systems, metro area
transit authorities, trucking companies, and air transit companies.
Assignments t o domestic publ i c s e r v i c e s i n c l ude r a d i o paging systems, radio
telephone systems, and t e l ephone answering s e r v i c e s . Assi gnments under publ ic
safety include police and highway patrol, emergency vehicles such as
ambul ances and paramedi c teams, c i t y and r u r a l f ir e departments, h i ghway
mai ntenance vehi c l es, s t a t e parks and r e c r e a t i o n areas, and 1ocal government
vehicles. There are Federal Government assignments i n some o f t h e s e p u b l i c
safety subbands, p a r t icul a r l y those departments and agencies with 1 aw
enforcement responsi b i 1 it i e s so t h e y can communicate w i t h l o c a l and s t a t e 1aw
enforcement personnel and o f f i c e s .

The 40 t o 50 MHz band f o r nongovernment a l l o c a t i o n s i s t o l a n d m o b i l e i n

two subbands from 42 t o 46 MHz and from 47 t o 49.6 MHz. The assignments a r e t o
t h e same four a c t i v i t i e s under l a n d m o b i l e as g i v e n above f o r t h e 30 t o 40 MHz
band. There a r e assignments i n t h i s band t o t h e l a n d t r a n s p o r t a t i o n s e r v i c e s
and t o power companies under t h e i n d u s t r i a l allocation. There a r e a l s o
assignments to the experimental station classes such as experimental
development, experimental research, and experimental c o n t r a c t s t h a t a r e used
m a i n l y f o r new system development. The 40 t o 50 MHz band i s used e x t e n s i v e l y
by t h e pub1 ic s a f e t y s e r v i c e s in c l u d i ng 1ocal p o l i c e departments, h i ghway
p a t r o l , f i r e s t a t i o n v e h i c l e s , ambulances, and highway maintenance v e h i c l e s .

There is an a1 l o c a t i o n t o i n d u s t r i a1 , s c i e n t i f i c and medical (ISM)

equipment i n t h e subband 40.66-40.70 MHz. I n d u s t r i a1 h e a t i n g equipment e m i t s
r a d i a t i o n i n t h e band 40,66-40.70 MHz. Meteor b u r s t r e c e i v e r s o p e r a t i n g i n
i n d u s t r i a l areas may be i n c l o s e p r o x i m i t y t o these i n d u s t r i a l devices.

A l s o a l l o c a t e d i n p o r t i o n s o f t h e band 40-50 MHz are low power u n l i c e n s e d

communication devices. These i n c l ude cord1 ess telephones and c h i 1d m o n i t o r s .
Cordless telephone use i s i n c r e a s i n g d r a m a t i c a l l y . For example, 3,343,511
c o r d l e s s telephones were imported i n 1985; i n 1986 t h e number i n c r e a s e d t o
5,377,999; and i n 1987 t h e t o t a l number imported was 8,666,473.ll

The 50 t o 100 MHz band i s d i v i d e d i n t o t e n subbands; s i x a r e t o e x c l u s i v e

nongovernment use and f o u r a r e shared w i t h government. From 50 t o 73 MHz i s
exclusively non-government with amateur a1 l o c a t i ons from 50 t o 54 MHz,
t e l e v i s i o n b r o a d c a s t i n g from 54 t o 72 MHz, and f i x e d and m o b i l e from 72 t o 73
MHz.

The spectrum from 73 t o 75.4 MHz i s shared e q u a l l y between government and

non-government. From 73 t o 74.6 MHz, t h e a l l o c a t i o n i s t o r a d i o astronomy.
From 74.6 t o 74.8, t h e a l l o c a t i o n i s t o f i x e d and m o b i l e coequal primary. The
subband from 74.8 t o 75.2 MHz i s a l l o c a t e d t o a e r o n a u t i c a l r a d i o n a v i g a t i o n ,
and t h e subband from 75.2 t o 75.4 MHz i s a l l o c a t e d t o f i x e d and m o b i l e a g a i n
coequal primary.
The spectrum from 75.6 to 108 MHz is allocated t o non-government
exclusive services. From 75.4 t o 76 MHz, t h e a l l o c a t i o n i s t o non-government
f i x e d and m o b i l e coequal primary; 76 t o 88 MHz i s a l l o c a t e d t o t e l e v i s i o n
broadcasting; and 88 t o 108 MHz i s a l l o c a t e d t o FM r a d i o broadcasting.

ll~ureau o f t h e Census, p r i v a t e compunicati on, 1988.

25
 Nongovernment uses a r e v a r i e d and in c l ude publ ic s a f e t y , indust r i a1 , and
experimental f r o m 50 t o 57 MHz w i t h many TV assignments a t 57 MHz. Between 57
and 63 MHz, t h e r e a r e about t h e same d i s t r i b u t i o n o f assignments as i n t h e 50
t o 57 MHz subband w i t h many TV assignments a t 63 MHz. From 63 t o 69 MHz, t h e
assignments are mainly to i n d u s t r i a1 business with some experimental
development assignments. There a r e many TV assignments a t 69 MHz. From 69.1
t o 74.6 MHz, t h e r e a r e many assignments t o t h e i n d u s t r i a l manufacturing.
There are a l s o many assignments t o p u b l i c s a f e t y s e r v i c e s i n c l u d i n g p o l i c e ,
highway p a t r o l , f i r e f i g h t i n g vehicles, and o t h e r emergency v e h i c l e s . A t 75
MHz, t h e r e a r e many assignments t o t h e AR s t a t i o n d e s i g n a t o r which i s assigned
f o r aeronautical radionavigation. From 75.1 t o 78.5, t h e assignments a r e t o
industrial, publ i c safety, domestic publ i c , 1and transportation, and
experimental. A t 79 MHz t h e r e a r e a number of TV assignments, and from 79.1
t o 84.5, t h e assignments a r e m a i n l y t o i n d u s t r i a l s e r v i c e s . From 85 t o 88
MHz, t h e assignments a r e t o TV stations, and from 88 t o 108 MHz, the
assignments a r e t o t h e Broadcasting s e r v i c e f o r FM r a d i o s t a t i o n s .

Frequencies i n t h e band 40.66-40.70 MHz may be a u t h o r i z e d t o government

and nongovernment stations on a secondary b a s i s f o r the t r a c k i n g of, and
t e l emeteri ng o f s c i e n t i f i c d a t a from ocean buoys and w i l d 1 i f e (U.S. Footnote
I

210). The operat'ion i n this band i s s u b j e c t t o t h e t e c h n i c a l standards

s p e c i f i e d i n ( a ) S e c t i o n 8.2.42 o f t h e NTIA Manual (see APPENDIX C f o r t h e
t e x t ) o r S e c t i o n 5.108 o f t h e FCC's Rules.

The f r e q u e n c i e s 36.25 and 41.71 MHz may be a u t h o r i z e d t o government and

nongovernment stations in the Petroleum Radio Service for oil spill
containment and cleanup o p e r a t i o n s . The use of t h e s e frequencies i s l i m i t e d t o
t h e i n l a n d and c o a s t a l waterway regions. (See APPENDIX C f o r t h e t e x t . )

5.6 SYSTEM CHARACTERISTICS

Major systems i n t h e 30 t o 100 MHz band a r e m a i n l y l a n d m o b i l e and o t h e r

f i x e d and mobi 1e t y p e s f o r b o t h government and nongovernment. Concerning VHF
technical parameters, r e c e i v e r s e n s i t i v i t i e s a r e around 0.5 vV/m f o r most
1 and m o b i l e systems. Powers range from t e n t h s o f a w a t t f o r c e r t a i n remote
c o n t r o l and remote sensing systems t o 100 W f o r l a n d m o b i l e systems ( a few
h i g h e r ) w i t h meteor b u r s t systems r u n n i n g up t o 10,000 We There a r e a few
s p e c i a l i z e d r a d a r systems used by NOAA f o r research i n wind s t u d i e s and
a u r o r a l s c a t t e r t h a t range i n power from 10 t o 40 kW. NASA has a system t h a t
operates around 50 MHz t h a t can t r a n s m i t 400 kW and supports i t s deep space
probes. The NSF has a 200 kW t r a n s m i t t e r a t Arecibo, Puerto Rico, used t o
support research experiments.

5.7 TELEVISION RECEIVER INTERMEDIATE FREQUENCIES ( IF)

The v i d e o I F i n U.S. t e l e v i s i o n s i s a t 45.75 MHz w i t h a bandwidth o

MHz (43.75-48.75 MHz) and t h e audio I F i s a t 41.25 MHz w i t h a 200 KHz
bandwidth.

The FCC in its Report and Order 83-348 authorizing meteor burst
o p e r a t i o n s i n Alaska noted t h a t t h e meteor b u r s t t r a n s m i t t e r f r e q u e n c i e s t h e y
were proposing t o authorize fell within the passband o f television IF
frequencies. l2Accordingly, t h e y decided t o i s s u e meteor b u r s t g r a n t s on a
developmental g r a n t b a s i s . The FCC s t a t e d i n t h e Report and Order t h a t " w h i l e
it i s .true that no reported interference complaints have been received
r e g a r d i n g Government o r experimental nongovernment operat i o n s i n A1 aska, our
experience w i t h t h i s band i n d i c a t e s t h a t i t i s p o s s i b l e t o have i n t e r f e r e n c e
t o t e l e v i s i o n r e c e i v e r s as was developed i n FCC docket 8 0 - 1 8 9 ~ ' ' ~ ~

I n t e r f e r e n c e t o t e l e v i s i o n i s o f concern, b u t i t i s a l s o noted t h a t t h e
A l l o c a t i o n Table (APPENDIX A) does n o t p r o t e c t TV r e c e i v e r I F f r e q u e n c i es.

^FCC, Report and Order 83-348 Amendment of P a r t s 2, 22, and 90 o f t h e FCC

~ u l e s and Regulations t o Provide for t h e Use of Meteor B u r s t
.
Communi c a t i o n s J u l v 22. 1983.

^FCC Docket 80-189 A u t h o r i z e d t h e Use o f C e r t a i n 40-50 MHz Frequencies f o r

One-way Signal i n g (Meteor B u r s t ) , J u l y 28, 1981.
 SECTION 6
IONOSPHERIC COMPATIBILITY

6.1 INTRODUCTION

T h i s s e c t i o n i s t h e compati b i 1 it y assessment f o r ionospheri c propagated

modes.

C C I R Report 259-6 i d e n t i f i e s t h o s e i o n o s p h e r i c r e f 1 e c t e d s i g n a l s which

may l e a d t o i n t e r f e r e n c e a t frequencies between 30 and 300 M H ~ . The
~ ~ most
I I'

p r e v a l e n t of these i n t e r f e r e n c e s i g n a l s are r e f l e c t i o n s o r s c a t t e r from: (1)

meteor i o n i z a t i o n , (2) Sporadic E r e f l e c t i o n and s c a t t e r , and ( 3 ) regular
F-layers. Because t h e maximum p r o p a g a t i o n range o f t h e s e types o f i o n o s p h e r i c
s i g n a l s can extend t o ranges o f 500-4000 km, there i s the potential f o r
i n t e r f e r e n c e over l a r g e geographical areas. The most 1 ik e l y occurrences o f
each o f t h e s e i n t e r f e r e n c e sources i s t i m e (e.g., diurnal, seasonal, and
y e a r l y ) dependent and a1 so spat ia1 l y dependent ( i .e., 1ow-1 a t i t u d e , temperate,
equatorial). The a c t u a l times o f occurrences o f each o f t h e s e i n t e r f e r e n c e
s i g n a l s can o n l y be p r e d i c t e d s t a t i s t i c a l l y . Each o f t h e s e d i f f e r e n t t y p e s o f
i o n o s p h e r i c 'propagated i n t e r f e r e n c e s i g n a l s wi 11 be considered s e p a r a t e l y .

6.2 METEOR IONIZATION

Experimentally, i t has been found t h a t t y p i c a l r e c e i v e d s i g n a l s from

meteor t r a i l s r e f l e c t i o n have s i g n a l magnitudes o f -110 dBm w i t h r e t u r n s
separated on an average of 4 t o 20 seconds. The average d u r a t i o n o f a s i g n a l
is .58 seconds.15 D u r i n g t h e t i m e s of meteor showers, t h e average t i m e
between meteor r e f l e c t i o n i s l e s s .

^CCIR Report 259-6, VHF Propagation by Regular Layers, Sporadic E o r o t h e r

Anomalous I o n i z a t i on, Doc. X V I P I enary , (1986a).

150ettinq, J .D., An A n a l y s i s o f Meteor B u r s t Communicati ons f o r M i l i t a r y

 Based upon t h e above s i g n a l characteristics, i t i s apparent t h a t an
i n t e r f e r i n g s i g n a l from a meteor t r a i l i s s h o r t l i v e d and might cause a t most
a s h o r t i n t e r r u p t i o n t o a wanted s i g n a l . M i l l e r and L i c k l i d e r have determined
t h e impact o f s h o r t i n t e r r u p t i o n on p e r c e n t word a r t i c u l a t i o n index.16 The
impact depends upon two parameters; t h e n o i s e t i m e f r a c t i o n which i s t h e d u t y
f a c t o r o f t h e n o i s e and t h e number o f i n t e r r u p t i o n s p e r second. The t y p i c a l
meteor b u r s t s i g n a l d e s c r i b e d above has a n o i s e t i m e f a c t o r = (.58/4) = È1
and the number of i n t e r r u p t i o n s / s e c o n d = ( 1 / 4 ) = .25. The p e r c e n t word
a r t i c u l a t i o n i n d e x f o r t h i s i n t e r f e r e n c e would be about .95 which i s more t h a n
acceptable f o r most, i f n o t a1 1, communication purposes. Moreover, the
t y p i c a l s i g n a l r e t u r n o f -110 dBm i s a r e l a t i v e l y weak s i g n a l on a p a r w i t h
g a l a c t i c n o i s e l e v e l s and i s u n l i k e l y t o cause i n t e r f e r e n c e t o o t h e r VHF
systems such as l a n d mobile. The p o s s i b i l i t y o f i n t e r f e r e n c e i s f u r t h e r
reduced s i n c e each meteor a c t s as a d i r e c t i o n a l antenna and focuses t h e energy
it radiates to the ground in a small "footprint" with dimensions of
5 x 40 km. It i s concluded t h a t meteor s c a t t e r s i g n a l s a r e n o t a 1 i k e l y
source o f i n t e r f e r e n c e t o o t h e r users o f t h e VHF spectrum.

tiÈ SPORADIC E REFLECTIONS '

The p o t e n t i a l f o r meteor b u r s t s t a t i o n s i g n a l s which a r e r e f l e c t e d from

Sporadic E i o n i z a t i o n t o cause i n t e r f e r e n c e can be assessed by use o f t h e CCIR
recommended Sporadic E f i e l d s t r e n g t h c a l c u l a t i o n method.^ This c a l c u l a t i o n
method was used t o compute expected s i g n a l r e t u r n s from Sporadic E i o n i z a t i o n
f o r t h e equipment parameters: P-r = 10 kw, GT = GR = 10 dBi. Figure 3 plots
t h e c a l c u l a t e d expected r e c e i ved power as a f u n c t i on of t r a n s m i t t e r frequency
and s e p a r a t i o n d i stance between t h e t r a n s m i t t e r and r e c e i ver. The c r i t i c a l
frequency o f Sporadic E was 13 MHz f o r t h e c a l c u l a t i o n s . F i g u r e 3 shows t h a t
t h e s i g n a l powers from Sporadic E r e t u r n s a r e o f t h e same o r d e r o f magnitude
( i .e., -110 dBm) as meteor t r a i l r e t u r n s .

f i l l e r and J . C. L i c k l i d e r , I n t e l l i g i b i l i t y o f I n t e r r u p t e d Speech, Journal

A c o u s t i c a l S o c i e t y o f America, Vol. 22, No. 2, March 1950.

~ C I R Recommendation 534-2, Methods for Calculating Sporadi c-E Field

Strength, Doc. X V I Plenary, 1986b.
 The maximum percentage o f time for Sporadic E reflections at VHF
frequencies i s i n t h e range o f 1 t o 8% w i t h t h e p r o b a b i l i t y o f occurrence
decreasing w i t h frequency . Wei tzen, e t a1 ., has c h a r a c t e r i zed Sporadi c E
r e t u r n s as an unstable, s l o w l y f a d i n g h i g h throughput channel which i s b e s t
considered as a "bonus" channel t o t h e more s t a b l e meteor b u r s t channel (see
Reference 6),

6.4 REGULAR F REGION REFLECTIONS

When t h e s o l a r c y c l e i s a t a maximum, VHF s i g n a l s up t o 60 MHz can

propagate t o l o n g d i s t a n c e v i a r e f l e c t i o n from F l and F2 l a y e r s i n both
temperate and low l a t i t u d e s (see Reference 14). These ionospheric s i g n a l s can
o r i g i n a t e from a number o f i n t e r f e r e n c e sources in c l u d i ng VHF-TV, 1and mobi le ,
and meteor b u r s t . The d u r a t i o n o f i n t e r f e r e n c e from F r e f l e c t i o n s can range
up t o a couple o f hours. However, t h e occurrence times are random and t h e
t i m e percentage o f occurrence i s small, (about I % ) , making i t d i f f i c u l t t o
develop spectrum management procedures f o r t h i s k i n d o f i n t e r f e r e n c e . Some
outage t i m e due t o ionospheric i n t e r f e r e n c e must be expected.

6.5 SUMMARY OF VHF IONOSPHERIC INTERFERENCE

The common qua1 i t y o f ionospheric i n t e r f e r e n c e f o r frequencies above

30 MHz i s t h a t t h e times o f occurrence are random w i t h a r e l a t i v e l y low
probability of causing a communication outage. The probability of
i n t e r f e r e n c e w i l l be g r e a t e s t d u r i n g t h e times o f h i g h sunspot a c t i v i t y . It
i s concluded t h a t i t i s not necessary t o develop s p e c i f i c c o m p a t i b i l i t y
c r i t e r i a f o r ionospheric propagated VHF i n t e r f e r e n c e t o o r from meteor b u r s t
equipment. Real t i m e equipment adjustments such as power, frequency o r
antenna changes are requi red t o sol ve these i n t e r f e r e n c e problems.
6.6 AIRPLANE REFLECTIONS

The s i g n i f i c a n c e of aircraft r e f l e c t i o n s of meteor b u r s t s i g n a l s i s

brought into question i n t u i t i v e l y when it is considered t h a t commerci a1
t e l e v i s i o n p i c t u r e s commonly f l u t t e r when a i r c r a f t approach a r e c e i v e r antenna
location. Commercial channels 2, 3, 4, 5, and 6 a r e approximately i n t h e same
frequency range as meteor b u r s t systems.

A t d i s t a n c e s l e s s t h a n 160 k i l o m e t e r s , i n t e r f e r e n c e s i g n a l s f r o m meteor
b u r s t probe t r a n s m i t t e r s may be r e c e i v e d from a i r p l a n e r e f l e c t i o n s . These
signals, due t o t h e movement o f t h e a i r p l a n e , have a g r e a t amount o f f a d i n g
and l a s t f o r j u s t seconds. The number and how o f t e n these a i r p l a n e echoes
occur will depend upon t h e density of aircraft i n the sky and their
trajectories. It i s concluded t h a t , i n general, a i r p l a n e r e f l e c t i o n s a r e n o t a
s i gni f i c a n t i n t e r f e r e n c e problem.
 SECTION 7
GROUNDWAVE COMPATIBILITY

7.1 INTERFERENCE PATHS AND CONDITIONS

I n t e r f e r e n c e t o and from meteor b u r s t systems propagate as groundwave

s i g n a l s. F i g u r e 4 shows t h e p o s s i b l e groundwave i n t e r f e r e n c e paths between
meteor b u r s t and o t h e r common equipments i n the 30-50 MHz band. Each path
i n c l u d e s an arrow showing t h e d i r e c t i o n o f t h e i n t e r f e r e n c e from source t o
receptor. These equipments can be grouped w i t h respect t o i n t e r f e r e n c e as
shown i n TABLE 4.

F i g u r e 4. Groundwave i n t e r f e r e n c e paths between meteor b u r s t and o t h e r

equipments i n t h e 30-50 MHz band. The dashed path ( v i a t h e
meteor s c a t t e r ) i s t h e wanted path.
 TABLE 4

EQUIPMENTS

Equipments Susceptible t o Meteor B u r s t Master S t a t i o n

(Probe Signal ) I n t e r f e r e n c e

Land Mobile Base S t a t i o n Receivers

Land Mobi 1e Mobi 1e S t a t i o n Recei vers
Cordl ess Tel ephone Receivers
Master and Remote S t a t i o n Meteor Burst Receivers

Equipment Which May Cause I n t e r f e r e n c e t o Meteor Burst

(Master o r Remote) Receivers

Land Mobi 1e Base S t a t i o n Transmitters

Land Mobile mobile S t a t i o n Transmitters
Cordl ess Telephone Transmitters
Master S t a t i o n Meteor B u r s t Transmitters (Probe S i gnal s )

Transmissions from meteor b u r s t remote t e r m i n a l s a r e not included i n

TABLE 4 as a source o f VHF i n t e r f e r e n c e . Meteor b u r s t remote s t a t i o n s
t r a n s m i t o n l y when addressed and o n l y d u r i n g t h e s h o r t t i m e periods o f meteor
burst t r a i l s . Based on t h e work o f M i l l e r and L i c k l i d e r (see Reference 16),
these s i g n a l s w i l l not a f f e c t t h e i n t e l l i g i b i l i t y o f o t h e r VHF signals.

The s i gnal c h a r a c t e r i s t i c s f o r adaptive data r a t e meteor b u r s t systems

have already been described. The probe s i g n a l s f o r adaptive data r a t e systems
are expected t o be incl uded i n a VHF 20 kHz channel. The probe s i gnal s f o r
both adaptive and non-adaptive meteor b u r s t systems are i d e n t i c a l and have t h e
same interference characteristics. When the signal adapts to the
c h a r a c t e r i s t i c s o f t h e meteor t r a i l channel, i t expands i t s bandwidth. The
expanded s i g n a l o u t s i d e t h e channel bandwidth of t h e probe s a t i s f i e s t h e
M i l l e r and L i c k 1 i d e r c r i t e r i a f o r i n t e l l i g i b i l i t y and i s , therefore, not
considered a p o s s i b l e source o f i n t e r f e r e n c e .
 TABLES 5 and 6 show t h e t e c h n i c a l parameters f o r t h e meteor b u r s t and
l a n d m o b i l e equipments used l a t e r i n t h e s i m u l a t i o n s . The antenna g a i n f o r
t h e meteor b u r s t t r a n s m i t t e r s i g n a l s i n t h e groundwave d i r e c t i o n depend upon
t h e r a d i a t i o n angle A o f t h e meteor b u r s t antennas. A meteor b u r s t antenna
f o r a 1000 km p a t h and d i r e c t e d t o meteors a t 100 km a l t i t u d e w i l l u t i l i z e a
r a d i a t i o n angle A o f about 9 degrees. The beamwidth o f t h e meteor b u r s t
antenna i s  15 degrees. Thus, t h e meteor b u r s t antenna g a i n f o r groundwave
s i g n a l s can be w e l l approximated by t h e meteor b u r s t mainbeam g a i n of 10 dB.

TABLE 5

METEOR BURST SYSTEM

Transmit Power 300, 1000, 2000, 10000 w a t t s

Antenna Gain G = G = 10 dBi , Side1 obe = 0 dBi
Wanted Signal -110 dBm, Eb/No = 10 dB
I Protocol Master: continuous o p e r a t i on
I
I Remote: Transmit when probed
Channel Bandwidth 16 kHz necessary bandwidth
20 kHz channel spacing (probe s i g n a l s )
Modulation D i g i t a l , e.g., PSK, FSK
T r a n s m i t t e r Hei g h t 15 meters

TABLE 6

LAND MOBILE SYSTEM (30-50 MHz)

Base T r a n s m i t t e r Power 100 w a t t s

Mobi 1e T r a n s m i t t e r Power 50 watts.
Antenna Gain GT = G n = 0 dBi
Operation H a l f -Dupl ex
Channel Bandwidth 16 kHz necessary bandwidth
Modul a t ion Analog frequency m o d u l a t i o n
Maximum Frequency d e v i a t ion = ± kHz
Successful Communication
s
P (Ã-
> 17 dB) = 90% a t r = 28 km
T r a n s m i t t e r Hei ght-Base 10 meters
T r a n s m i t t e r Hei ght-Mobi 1e 3 meters
 The dominant p r o p a g a t i o n mode f o r a meteor b u r s t system operated a t h i g h
e l evat ion angl es and f o r c o r r e s p o n d i n g l y s h o r t e r d i s t a n c e s ( 1 ess t h a n 200 km)
would be by troposcatter and not meteor reflection. The interference
c h a r a c t e r i s t i c s o f systems which a r e i n t e n d e d f o r t r o p o s c a t t e r p r o p a g a t i o n
modes are n o t considered f u r t h e r i n t h i s r e p o r t s i n c e under t h e s e c o n d i t i o n s
t h e systems cease t o be intended f o r meteor b u r s t communications and become
i n s t e a d t r o p o s c a t t e r systems,

7.2 LAND MOBILE COMMUNICATION SERVICE AREA

Government 1 and m o b i l e systems i n t h e 30-50 MHz band u s u a l l y a r e a base

s t a t i o n communicating w i t h m o b i l e s t a t i o n s which a r e moving randomly around
t h e base s t a t i o n , The communication range, rm= R, o f t h e l a n d mobil e system
i s t y p i c a l l y defined as t h e r a d i a l d i s t a n c e , rm, from t h e base s t a t i o n where
t h e p r o b a b i l i t y of t h e base s t a t i o n ' s s i g n a l a c h i e v i n g a SIN -
> = 17 dB i s
90%, M a t h e m a t i c a l l y t h i s i s

The 1 7 dB S/N t h r e s h o l d i s t h e combination o f an unfaded 11 dB RF p r o t e c t i o n

r a t i o and 6 dB t o account f o r Rayleigh f a d i n g . It was found u s i n g b o t h t h e
PRODSIR (see APPENDIX D) s i m u l a t i o n and r e f e r e n c e t o t y p i c a l m o b i l e system
o p e r a t i o n a l ranges t h a t a r e p r e s e n t a t i v e v a l u e f o r R i s 28 k i l o m e t e r s . I n the
s i m u l a t i o n s t o account f o r t h i s communication range, a1 1 mobiles a r e c o n f i n e d
t o operate between t h e r a d i i rm = 1 t o rm = 28 k i l o m e t e r s . It has been
reported t h a t somewhat 1a r g e r communication ranges a r e u t i l ized b y some
Government systems. A somewhat l a r g e r communication range would have o n l y a
s l i g h t e f f e c t on t h e l a t e r r e s u l t s o f t h i s study.
7.3 INTERFERENCE CRITERIA

The i n t e r f e r e n c e RF p r o t e c t i o n r a t i o f o r l a n d m o b i l e systems used i n t h e

s i m u l a t i o n s i s an S / I = 17 dB. The value o f t h e p r o t e c t i o n r a t i o i s 17 dB,
s i n c e t h e d i g i t a l s i g n a l s from t h e meteor b u r s t t r a n s m i t t e r a r e assumed t o
have t h e i n t e r f e r e n c e c h a r a c t e r i s t i c s o f noise. The c r i t e r i a f o r c o m p a t i b l e
communication f o r t h e l a n d m o b i l e system i n meteor b u r s t i n t e r f e r e n c e i s

P (S/I -
> 17 dB) = 90% over t h e coverage area r = 1 t o 28 km (4)

A d i f f e r e n t i n t e r f e r e n c e c r i t e r i a i s used f o r meteor b u r s t r e c e i v e r s . The

i n t e r f e r e n c e thresh01 d i s

where

S,T = mean values o f S ( s i g n a l ) and I ( i n t e r f e r e n c e )

(SIT) = required 511 i n i n t e r f e r e n c e

The a n a l y s i s i n S e c t i o n 3 has shown t h a t a t y p i c a l usable r e c e i v e d peak

power, Pr(t=O), r e t u r n f o r meteor b u r s t o p e r a t i o n i s -110 dBm. A usable ?/Ti
i s approximately 10 dB f o r QPSK, BER = and T[ t h e t h r e s h o l d n o i s e power.
N(dBm) = 7 - (SIN) o r -110 dBm - (10 dB) = -120 dBm.18 The compatibility
c r i t e r i a i s an assurance t h a t t h e r e c e i v e d i n t e r f e r e n c e power i s s u b s t a n t i a l l y
below the noise power. This is achievable w i t h an I / N = -6 dB and a
corresponding i n t e r f e r e n c e t h r e s h o l d = -120 dBm - 6 = 126 dBm. Thus, when
determining separation distances to protect meteor burst receivers, the
i n t e r f e r e n c e c r i t e r i a i s t o assure t h a t t h e magnitude o f t h e mean i n t e r f e r e n c e
does n o t exceed t h e t h r e s h o l d -126 dBm.

^COX, D.C., Uni versa1 D i g i t a l P o r t a b l e Radio Communications, Proceedings o f

t h e IEEE, pp. 436-476, A p r i l 1987.
 When meteor b u r s t and l a n d mobile systems operate on adjacent channels.
t h e equipments can be placed g e o g r a p h i c a l l y c l o s e r t o g e t h e r due t o the O f f
Frequency R e j e c t i o n associated w i t h o p e r a t i o n on adjacent channels.^ When
t h e s i g n a l i s analog and t h e i n t e r f e r e n c e i s d i g i t a l ( i . e e , meteor b u r s t t o
l a n d mobile i n t e r f e r e n c e ) t h e i n t e r f e r e n c e i s reduced 56 dB t o account f o r O f f
Frequency R e j e c t i o n OFR ( ~ =f 20 kHz) = 56 Conversely, when t h e s i g n a l
is d i g i t a l and t h e i n t e r f e r e n c e i s analog ( i * e m 9l a n d mobile t o meteor b u r s t
i n t e r f e r e n c e ) t h e OFR i s 80 dB.

7.4 METEOR BURST SYSTEM COMPATIBILITY WITH LAND MOBILE SYSTEMS

An e l ectromagneti c envi ronment whi ch in c l udes both a land mobi le system

and meteor b u r s t equipment i s i l l u s t r a t e d i n F i g u r e 5. The base and meteor
b u r s t s t a t i o n a r e separated a d i s t a n c e D. The minimum d i s t a n c e s e p a r a t i o n
which permits both systems t o operate w i t h o u t i n t e r f e r e n c e i s D=De.

BURST

Figure 5 e Electromagnetic Environment which i n c l u d e s both a l a n d mobile and

meteor b u r s t system. When 0 = Ds i n t e r f e r e n c e p r o t e c t i o n i s
provided.

^CCIR Report 654-2, Methods f o r C a l c u l a t i n g I n t e r f e r e n c e Power i n Adjacent

Bands and Channels, Doc. X V I Plenary, 1986e.

^CCIR Report 903-1, D i g i t a l Transmission i n t h e Land Mobile Service, Doc. X V I

P l enary , 1986d.
 Computer models were used t o s i m u l a t e t h e e l e c t r o m a g n e t i c environments t o
find values of Ds f o r v a r i o u s i n t e r f e r e n c e s i t u a t i o n s . Four i n t e r f e r e n c e
s i t u a t i o n s a r e p o s s i b l e and each s i t u a t i o n has a d i f f e r e n t r e q u i r e d minimum
separation distance, Ds. These are: (1) meteor-burst master station
t r a n s m i t t e r i n t e r f e r e n c e t o a mobi l e base r e c e i v e r , ( 2 ) meteor-burst master
station transmitter interference t o a mobile s t a t i o n receiver, (3) base
station transmitter interference to a meteor-burst receiver (master or
remote), and ( 4 ) m o b i l e s t a t i o n t r a n s m i t t e r i n t e r f e r e n c e t o a meteor-burst
r e c e i ver.

The PRODSIR computer model (see APPENDIX D f o r a d e s c r i p t i o n ) developed

by L. A. B e r r y Y z 1 was used t o s i m u l a t e t h e above i n t e r f e r e n c e s i t u a t i o n s and
compute t h e p r o b a b i l i t i e s i n equations 3-5. The propagation model i s d e s c r i b e d
i n APPENDIX E. The PRODSIR model used as i n p u t s t h e t e c h n i c a l parameters

I found i n TABLES 5 and 6 t o compute t h e p r o b a b i l i t i e s P(S/N) and P ( S / I ) .

Case 1 Meteor Burst Master Station Transmitter Interference to a Base Station

Recei ver

The d e s i r e d s i g n a l , S, i n t h i s case i s t h e s i g n a l from a randomly l o c a t e d

m o b i l e s t a t i o n r e c e i v e d a t t h e base s t a t i o n . The m o b i l e i s l o c a t e d i n t h e
range 1 -
< rm-
< 28 km. The i n t e r f e r i n g s i g n a l , I, i s t h e groundwave s i g n a l
from t h e meteor b u r s t t r a n s m i t t e r . The meteor b u r s t t r a n s m i t t e r and t h e l a n d
m o b i l e base s t a t i o n a r e separated a d i s t a n c e D (see F i g u r e 5).

The PRODSIR s i m u l a t i o n model f i r s t c a l c u l a t e s t h e probabi 1 i t y d e n s i t y

f u n c t i o n ( p d f ) o f t h e p a t h l e n g t h 9 rm9f r o m t h e m o b i l e t o t h e base. Then,
a f t e r p e r f o r m i n g some i n t e r m e d i a t e c a l c u l a t i o n s (see F i g u r e 24, APPENDIX D) ,
t h e PRODSIR model computes t h e p r o b a b i l i t y P(y -
> 17 dB). s
There are two possible interference conditions depending upon the
r a d i a t i o n d i r e c t i o n o f t h e mainlobe o f t h e meteor b u r s t antenna r e l a t i v e t o
t h e l a n d m o b i l e system. The base s t a t i o n r e c e i v e r i s e i t h e r i n t h e mainlobe
= 10 dB) o r s i d e l o b e (Gt = 0 dB) of t h e meteor b u r s t antenna. Figure 6
(G t

err^, L.A., P r o b a b i l i s t i c T r a d e o f f f o r E f f i c i e n t Spectrum Use w i t h a "CB"

Example, OT Report 77-117, O f f i c e o f Telecommunications, 1977.
-00 Separation Distance (km)

Figure 6 . Meteor Burst t o Land Mobile Base S t a t i o n .

Main1 obe Meteor Burst
i
i > 17 dB)
p l o t s P(^I - f o r t h e mainbeam case and f o r meteor b u r s t t r a n s m i t t e r
powers o f 300, 1000, 2000, and 10,000 watt:; as a f u n c t i o n of separation
d i s t a n c e D. The c r i t e r i a f o r successful communication i n t h e meteor b u r s t
s
d i g i t a l i n t e r f e r e n c e i s P(T -
> 17 d ~ =) .9. For t h i s i n t e r f e r e n c e c r i t e r i a , t h e
minimum s e p a r a t i o n d i s t a n c e s , D = Ds, can be read from F i g u r e 6 f o r each o f
t h e meteor b u r s t t r a n s m i t t e r powers. These are: 300 watts, Ds = 180 km; 1000
watts, Ds = 220 km; 2000 watts, Ds =250 km, and 10,000 w a t t s Ds = 320 km.

F i g u r e 7 shows P(+ > 17 dB) = -9 f o r t h e same s i t u a t i o n except t h e l a n d

m o b i l e system i s i n t h e s i d e l o b e o f t h e meteor b u r s t antenna p a t t e r n . The
meteor b u r s t t r a n s m i t t e r powers and t h e i r a s s o c i a t e d s e p a r a t i o n d i s t a n c e s f o r
t h i s s i t u a t i o n are: 300 watts, Ds = I 3 0 km; 1000 watts, Ds = I 5 0 km; 2000
w a t t s , Ds = I 7 5 km, and 10,000 w a t t s Ds = 220 km.

Another i n t e r f e r e n c e p o s s i b i 1 it y i s when t h e i n t e r f e r i n g d i g i t a l meteor

burst station is on the adjacent channel to the land mobile station
receiver. From S e c t i o n 7.3 t h e Off-Frequency R e j e c t i o n (OFR) i s 56 dB f o r
t h i s situation. T h i s OFR was accounted f o r i n t h e computer modeling by
. r e d u c i n g t h e i n t e r f e r i n g power from t h e meteor b u r s t t r a n s m i t t e r by 56 dB and
t h e n sinull a t i ng t h e environment u s i n g t h e PRODSIR model. The p r o b a b i l i t y
P(Ts >- 17 dB) i s shown i n F i g u r e 8 f o r t h e v a r i o u s meteor b u r s t power and

~1 antenna p o i n t i n g d i r e c t i o n s . The a d j a c e n t channel s e p a r a t i o n d i s t a n c e s D a r e

o b t a i n e d from F i g u r e 8 and a r e l i s t e d i n TABLE 7.

Case 2 Meteor Burst Master Station Transmitter Interference t o a Mobile

Receiver

The d e s i r e d s i g n a l , S, f o r t h i s case i s t h e s i g n a l from t h e base s t a t i o n

t r a n s m i t t e r t o a m o b i l e r e c e i v e r a t a r a d i u s r = rm. The i n t e r f e r e n c e ,
I ( r m m ) , i s t h e s i g n a l a t t h e m o b i l e from t h e meteor b u r s t t r a n s m i t t e r . The
propagation d i s t a n c e , rmm,(see F i g u r e 5) from the meteor b u r s t s t a t i o n t o t h e
mobile s t a t i o n receiver i s
.60
100 ~ e p a r iiton D i stance (km) 1000

Figure 7. Meteor Burst t o Land Mobile Base S t a t i o n

Sidelobe Meteor Burst
10 Separation Distance (krn) 100
w o e ~ i t e o r~ u r xto
t and MOW^ B ~ Station
Ã
(Meteor Burrt on Adjacent C h u m e l )

Figure 8. I n t e r f e r e n c e from Meteor Burst t o Base Receiver.

 TABLE 7

DISTANCE SEPARATION ( D , METEOR TO BASE) TO PROVIDE

INTERFERENCE PROTECTION TO MOB I F SYSTEMS

Di stance Distance
Sepa r a t ion Sepa r a t ion
Cochannel Adjacent
Channel

Case 1 A Meteor B u r s t M a s t e r S t a t i o n
(Main Beam) I n t e r f e r e n c e t o
Base S t a t i o n Recei v e r
300 w a t t s
1000 w a t t s
2000 w a t t s
10000 w a t t s

Case 16 Meteor B u r s t Master S t a t i o n

( S i d e l obe) I n t e r f e r e n c e t o
Base S t a t i on Recei v e r
300 w a t t s
1000 w a t t s
2000 w a t t s
10000 w a t t s ,

Case 2A Meteor B u r s t Master S t a t i o n

(Main Beam) I n t e r f e r e n c e t o
Mobile S t a t i o n Receiver
300 w a t t s
1000 w a t t s
2000 w a t t s
10000 w a t t s

Case 26 Meteor B u r s t M a s t e r S t a t i o n
( S i d e l obe) I n t e r f e r e n c e t o
Mobile S t a t i o n Receiver
300 w a t t s
1000 w a t t s
2000 w a t t s
10000 w a t t s
where

D = t h e s e p a r a t i o n d i s t a n c e between t h e base and meteor b u r s t

stations

r,,, = r a d i a l d i stance base t o mobi 1e

0 = angle between D and rm(See F i g u r e 5)

The PRODSIR model i n c l u d e s a Vonte Car10 s u b r o u t i n e t o c a l c u l a t e t h e

p r o b a b i l i t y d e n s i t y f u n c t i o n ( p d f ) o f rme The pdf of t h e base t o m o b i l e
t r a n s m i s s i o n distance, rm, i s a l s o determined i n t h e PRODSIR program. The
b a s i s f o r t h e d e t e r m i n a t i o n o f t h e p d f s i s t h e assumption t h a t t h e p r o b a b i l i t y
t h a t an area c o n t a i n s a m o b i l e s t a t i o n i s p r o p o r t i o n a l t o t h e s i z e o f t h e
area.

Using t h e s e pdfs, t h e PRODSIR model was used t o c a l c u l a t e t h e p r o b a b i l i t y

P(S/I -
> 17 dB) shown i n F i g u r e 9. Using t h e c r i t e r i a P ( S / I -
> 17 dB) = .9 as a
b a s i s f o r successfu1 communi c a t i o n , t h e s e p a r a t i on d i stances f o r t h e v a r i ous
examples o f meteor b u r s t t r a n s m i t t e r power a r e 300 w a t t s , Ds = l5Okm;, 1000
watts, Ds = I 9 0 km; 2000 w a t t s , Ds = 200 km, and 10,000 watts, Ds = 250km.
When t h e m o b i l e r e c e i v e r i s i n t h e s i d e l o b e o f t h e meteor b u r s t antenna
p a t t e r n 9 t h e p r o b a b i l i t y shown i n F i g u r e 1 0 i s P ( S / l -
> 17 dB) and t h e minimum
-
s e p a r a t i o n d i s t a n c e s f o r t h e i n t e r f e r e n c e c r i t e r i a P ( S / I > 17 dB) = .9 a r e 300
watts Ds = 110 km, 1000 w a t t s 9 Ds = 130 km, 2000 w a t t s , Ds = 150 km and
10,000 w a t t s Ds = 190 km. The s e p a r a t i o n distances, I&, t o p r o t e c t m o b i l e
systems a r e summarized i n TABLE 7.

A d i f f e r e n t i n t e r f e r e n c e p r o t e c t i o n c r i t e r i a i s a p p l i e d when t h e meteor
b u r s t t r a r ~ s m i t t e r and t h e m o b i l e r e c e i v e r a r e on a d j a c e n t channels. The
a d j a c e n t channel s e p a r a t i o n d i s t a n c e s between meteor b u r s t t r a n s m i t t e r s and
m o b i l e r e c e i v e r s a r e approximately t h e same d i s t a n c e s determined i n Case 1
above f o r a base s t a t i o n r e c e i v e r . The r e q u i r e d s e p a r a t i o n d i s t a n c e Ds (base
t o meteor b u r s t distance, (see F i g u r e 5) t o p r o v i d e i n t e r f e r e n c e p r o t e c t i o n t o
a m o b i l e r e c e i v e r l o c a t e d a t t h e maximum communication range (28 km) i s found
b y adding t h e Case 1 a d j a c e n t channel d i s t a n c e s t o 28 km. For example, the
s e p a r a t i o n d i s t a n c e f o r a 1000 w a t t meteor b u r s t t r a n s m i t t e r (mainbeam) i s
18 km + 28 km = 46 km. Other d i s t a n c e s e p a r a t i o n s a r e l i s t e d i n TARLE 7.
88 SEPARATION DISTANCE (km)
IW

Figure g e Distance Meteor Burst to Base Station.

Interference to Mobile Receiver
(Mainbearn)
ZOO SEPARATION DISTANCE (km) 1000

Figure 10. Distance Meteor Burst to Base Station

Interference to Mobile Receiver (Off-Axis)
Case 3 Base Station Interference t o a Meteor Burst Receiver

Cases 1 and 2 involve interference from a meteor burst transmitter t o

mobile and base station receivers- Cases 3 and 4 consider the opposite
situation which i s interference from land mobile equipments t o a meteor burst
receiver (see Figure 5) a The wanted signal for Cases 3 and 4 i s the typical
meteor burst peak return = -110 dBm*
The interference signal I $ in Case 3 i s the unwanted groundwave signal
from a land mobile base station received at the meteor burst station. From
Equation 5Â the interference threshold for a meteor burst receiver i s a mean
-
peak interference signal Im = -126 dBme
-
Figure 11 plots the mean peak received interference$ Im(D) when the
interference i s received in the mainbeam of the meteor burst antenna. D i s
the separation between the base station and the meteor burst station. The
minimum separation D = Ds i s when I,.,, = -126 dBm- Reading from the figure
Ds = 350 kilometers* Figure 11 also plots $,(Dl for the condition of
reception of the interference in the sidelobe of the meteor burst antenna.
From the figure* the minimum separation distance i s Ds = 225 km.
When the digital meteor burst receiver and the analog base station
transmitter are on separate b u t adjacent channels there i s an adjacent
channel off frequency rejection of 80 dB and the interference threshold i s
(-120 dBm) + 80 dBm = -40 dBma Applying t h i s interference threshold the
required separation distances, Ds9 for adjacent channel operation are less
than I0 km for a11 cases (mainbeam or sidelobe)

Case 4 Mobile Transmitter Interference t o a M t e o r Burst Receiver

The wanted signal, S, for t h i s case9 as i n Case 3 Â i s a meteor reflected

signal w i t h magnitude I = -110 dBme The interference signal I Â i s the
groundwave signal transmitted from a mobile station received at the meteor
burst station (see Figure 5 ) - The interference distance$ r,, from mobile t o
meteor burst i s given in Equation 6 @ The threshold for interference i s a mean
peak interference signal, T = -126 dBm. The PRODSIR model was used t o
m
 100
SEPARATION DISTANCE kml

Figure ll,, Land Mobile Base Station to Meteor Burst Receiver.

 -
calculate
burst stations.
Tmm
The lmm
-
versus t h e s e p a r a t i o n d i s t a n c e , D, between t h e base and meteor
i s computed by t a k i n g i n t o c o n s i d e r a t i o n a l l p o s s i b l e
va1 ues o f rm and 0 < rm-
i n t h e r e s p e c t i v e ranges 1 - < 0-
< 28 and 0 - < be
F i g u r e 12 plots the mean i n t e r f e r e n c e , I ,from the mobile under the
c o n d i t i o n t h a t a l l mobiles a r e i n t h e mainbeam r e c e i v i n g p a t t e r n o f t h e meteor
burst. The o f f a x i s p l o t i n F i g u r e 12 i s f o r t h e same m o b i l e meteor b u r s t
c o n f i g u r a t i o n , except t h a t a l l mobiles a r e i n t h e s i d e l o b e o f t h e meteor b u r s t
receiving pattern. The s e p a r a t i o n d i s t a n c e s , D=&, when I,,,,,, -126 dBm a r e
f o r t h e mainbeam Ds = 150 km and Ds = 100 km f o r t h e s i d e l o b e c o n d i t i o n .

The separation distances, Ds, for adjacent channel operation are

determined u s i n g a d i f f e r e n t i n t e r f e r e n c e p r o t e c t i o n c r i t e r i a . The c r i t e r i a
i s based on p r o v i d i n g i n t e r f e r e n c e p r o t e c t i o n t o t h e meteor b u r s t r e c e i v e r
from a mobile transmitter located at the maximum communication range
r = 28 km. When a m o b i l e t r a n s m i t t e r and a meteor b u r s t r e c e i v e r a r e on
adjacent channels t h e i n t e r f e r e n c e t h r e s h o l d f o r t h e meteor b u r s t r e c e i v e r i s
-126 dBm + ( 8 0 dBm) = -46 dBm. The m o b i l e t o meteor b u r s t s e p a r a t i o n d i s t a n c e
which s a t i s f i e s t h i s i n t e r f e r e n c e t h r e s h o l d i s 10 km o r l e s s f o r b o t h mainbeam
and s i d e l o b e c o n d i t i o n s . Adding t h e two d i s t a n c e s t o g e t h e r (see F i g u r e 5 ) t h e
s e p a r a t i o n d i s t a n c e Ds (base t o meteor b u r s t d i s t a n c e ) i s 28 + 10 = 38 km.
The s e p a r a t i o n d i s t a n c e s f o r Cases 3 and 4 a r e t a b u l a t e d i n TABLE 8.

7.5 CORDLESS TELEPHONES and CHILD MONITORS

The c o r d l e s s t e l e p h o n e i n d u s t r y i n t h e U n i t e d States has been granted use

o f t e n 20 kHz channels i n t h e 46.6-47.0 MHz band and t e n 20 kHz channels i n
t h e 49.6-50.0 MHz band. These bands a r e a l l o c a t e d f o r government use and t h e
c o r d l e s s telephones o p e r a t e on t h e c o n d i t i o n of n o t causing i n t e r f e r e n c e t o
t h e government s e r v i c e s n o r r e c e i v i n g p r o t e c t i o n from them.

The t e c h n i c a l parameters f o r a c o r d l e s s telephone assumed f o r t h i s study

a r e shown i n TABLE 9. The l o s s f a c t o r ( - 7 dB) i s considered t o be t h e minimum
v a l u e expected f o r t h i s parameter.
 100
SEPARATION DISTANCE (km)
(BASE STATION TO METEOR BURST TERMINAL)

Figure 12. Mean Interference Signal , 7 , Mobile Transmitter to Meteor

Burst Receiver.
 TABLE 8

DISTANCE SEPARATION ( D METEOR TO BASE) TO PROVIDE

INTERFERENCE PROTECTION TO METEOR BURST RECEIVERS

Base S t a t i o n I n t e r f e r e n c e
t o a Meteor B u r s t Receiver

Base S t a t i o n I n t e r f e r e n c e
t o a Meteor B u r s t Receiver
through i t s Sidelobes

Mobi 1e T r a n s m i t t e r I n t e r f e r e n c e
t o a Meteor B u r s t Receiver
through i t s Mainbeam

through i t s Sidelobe
 TABLE 9

CORDLESS TELEPHONE TECHNICAL PARAMETERS

Power 10 mW

Antenna Gain GT = Gn -10 dBi

Loss F a c t o r -7 dB
(Building, Foliage)

Mean Propagation Loss 35 + 85 l o g (Ds)

.O1 km < Ds -
< 10 km
Propagation Loss o o = 7 dB

The t e c h n i c a l speci f i c a t i ons and o t h e r regu 1a t i ons p e r t a i n i ng t o cord1 ess

telephones a r e c o n t a i n e d i n S e c t i o n 15.223-15.237 o f t h e FCC Rules. The FCC
Rules state that cordless telephones may not interfere with radio
communi c a t i o n s and must accept any i n t e r f e r e n c e received, i n c l u d i n g t h a t which
may cause u n d e s i r a b l e operation. The FCC Rules do n o t s p e c i f y a maximum
o p e r a t i n g power b u t i n s t e a d s p e c i f y t h a t t h e f i e l d s t r e n g t h o f t h e c a r r i e r
frequency s h a l l n o t exceed 10,000 vV/m a t 3 meters.

The NTIA Rules and a l s o t h e FCC R e g u l a t i o n s a l s o p e r m i t a t c e r t a i n

f r e q u e n c i e s in t h e 49.82-49.90 MHz 1ow power comrnuni c a t i o n devi ces t o operate.
(See APPENDIX C o f t h i s r e p o r t f o r t h e NTIA r e g u l a t o r y r u l e s r e l a t i n g t o t h e
use o f low power communication equipments i n t h i s band.) Like cordless
telephones, emissions on t h e c a r r i e r frequency a r e n o t p e r m i t t e d t o exceed
lO,OOOpV/m measured a t 3 meters. The p a r t i c u l a r f r e q u e n c i e s a r e 49.83,
49.845, 49.860, 49.875, and 49.890 MHz. A t y p i c a l equipment o f t h i s t y p e i s a
c h i l d monitor. I n a d d i t i o n t o p o s s i b l e i n t e r f e r e n c e t o meteor b u r s t systems,
an a d d i t i o n a l problem i s t h a t o f i n t e r f e r e n c e between c o r d l e s s telephones and
c h i 1d monitors.
 The C C I R l i s t s a t y p i c a l power o f 10 mW f o r c o r d l e s s telephones and t h i s
was used i n simul a t i o n models t o determine s e p a r a t i o n d i s t a n c e s 22
F i g u r e 13 p l o t s the expected signal received from a cordless telephone
t r a n s m i t t e r o r c h i l d monitor. They a r e r e c e i v e d e i t h e r by t h e main beam (Curve
A) o r s i d e l o b e ( c u r v e B) o f t h e meteor b u r s t antenna. The p l o t s were made
u s i n g t h e PRODSIR model and t h e parameters found i n Table 9. The r e c e i v e d
power i s p l o t t e d as a f u n c t i o n o f t h e d i s t a n c e s e p a r a t i o n , D, between t h e
cordless telephone and meteor burst. F i g u r e 13 shows that a cordless
telephone o r c h i l d monit.or s i g n a l may exceed t h e meteor b u r s t i n t e r f e r e n c e
t h r e s h o l d o f -120 dBm when t h e c o r d l e s s telephone i s l o c a t e d a t a d i s t a n c e up
t o 10 km away from t h e meteor b u r s t r e c e i v e r . The minimum s e p a r a t i o n d i s t a n c e
i s t h u s D =10 km.

HirstSz3 while undertaking a meteor burst experimental program

encountered i n t e r f e r e n c e a t 49.89 MHz. E x t e n s i v e t e s t s r e v e a l ed t h a t t h e
source o f i n t e r f e r e n c e was a c h i l d m o n i t o r l o c a t e d 1.6 t o 3.2 km ( 1-2 m i l e s )
from t h e meteor b u r s t r e c e i v e r . The measured r e c e i v e d power from t h e c h i l d
m o n i t o r was -97 dBm w i t h a 6 meter r e c e i v e r antenna. D u r i n g t h e measurements,
i n an e f f o r t t o maximize t h e i n t e r f e r e n c e , t h e meteor b u r s t r e c e i v e r antenna
was raised t o 12 meters and i t s azimuth (bearing) varied t o obtain t h e
strongest return. Under t h e s e c o n d i t i o n s , t h e r e c e i v e d s i g n a l moved up t o -85
dBm. This measured d a t a has been p l o t t e d ( o v e r t h e i n d e t e r m i n a t e range
between 1.6 t o 3.2 km.) on t h e F i g u r e 13. The measured d a t a and s i m u l a t i o n
r e s u l t s a r e s i m i l a r l y suggesting t h a t t h e s i m u l a t i o n i s an a p p r o p r i a t e model

To a i d i n t h e t e c h n i c a l assessment o f i n t e r f e r e n c e p r o b a b i l i t y , i t was
decided t o measure a t NTIA/ITS t h e r a d i a t i o n c h a r a c t e r i s t i c s o f a c o r d l e s s
telephone and a n u r s e r y monitor. R e p r e s e n t a t i v e o f f - t h e - s h e 1 f models of
c o r d l e s s telephones and n u r s e r y m o n i t o r s were used i n t h e measurements. The
measurement sites were two fields south of the Radio Building at the
Department o f Commerce i n Boulder, CO, and t h e f i e l d s t r e n g t h meter (Potomac
I n s t r u m e n t s ) was s e l ected because o f a v a i l a b i lity. The c e n t e r o f t h e v e r t i c a l

2 2 ~ ;~ ~ ~ , DOC.
X V I Plenary, C C I R Report AM/8.

^Hi r s t , P r i v a t e Communication, MITRE Corporation, 1988.

3 s
(0 n(0
7 E
sot'
v m
recei vi ng (measurement) dipole was mai ntai ned about 2 meters above the ground
as was the vertical monopole of the cordless telephone ( t o reduce coupling or
reflection interference). In order t o determine near region characteristics.
measurements were made at approximately 1 meter path increments out t o 30
meters. In addition, measurements were performed a t 1000 meters in order t o
obtain information on range 1imits.
The measurements for both the cordless telephone and the child monitor at
close range display variations due t o 1 / R 3 1 / ~ ^ ,and 1 / ~ ^components. A t
distances greater than a few meters, the spatial variation smooths out.
The measured f i e l d strength from the cordless telephone a t 1000 meters
was for a series of measurements from 2 t o 6 uV/m. The cordless phone was
clearly audible a t t h i s range. A t t h i s range, the PRODSIR model for a 10 mW
transmitter ( G t = -10 dB) predicts (converting the reduced powers a t a
separation distance of one km in Figure 13) the received f i e l d strength by a
meteor burst station t o be in the range 3-9-uV/m. The predicted and measured
results are similar.
The f i e l d strength fr.om the child monitor a t 1000 meters was measured
under two operating conditions. I n i t i a l l y , the power cord was wound into a
coil of 3 centimeters i n diameter. Under t h i s condition ( 5 repeated
attempts), no signal was audible or could be separated from noise. When the
power cord was suspended into a vertical position (length about a meter), the
monitor was clearly audible and the f i e l d strength was observed t o be s l i g h t l y
over 1 uV/m. I t i s conjectured that the power cord when extended acted as an
antenna and a consequential greater received power.
To further provide information for assessment of potential interference
by cord1 ess telephones, two different models were coup1 ed (antenna separations
about 30 cm) t o a spectrum analyzer. The emission spectra obtained are shown
i n Figures 14, 15, and 16. Figure 14 shows the emission spectra of the f i r s t
model giving the c a r r i e r frequency and side frequency peaks w i t h and without
modulation. Peak frequencies are separated by about 5.3 and 5.4 kHz, and peak
levels are separated by about 9 t o 20 dBm when there i s no modulation. I t i s
interesting t h a t w i t h dialing or voice modulation relative peak val ues are
similar, although values between peaks change noticeably. In Figure 15 the
 CARRIER ONLY

WITH DIALING

WITH VOICE MODULATION '

Figure 14. Cordless teleohone emission spectra f o r Model 1. The

The spectra include the carrier frequency and side
frequency peaks with and without modulation (50 kHz
span).
57
 CARRIER ONLY
.

WITH DIALING

WITH VOICE MODULATION

F i g u r e 15. Emission s p e c t r a f o r Model 1. The frequency span

has been decreased from 5.0 kHz t o 10 kHz.
58
 CARRIER ONLY

WITH DIALING

WITH VOICE MODULATION

Figure 16. Emission spectra f o r Model 2. The freauency span

i s 50 kHz.
59
emission s p e c t r a o f o n l y t h e c e n t e r peak frequency i s shown. Here t h e
r e s o l u t i o n bandwidth has been changed from 1 kHz t o 100 Hz and t h e span has
been decreased from 50 t o 10 kHz. The e f f e c t s o f v o i c e modulation a r e q u i t e
e v i d e n t here.

The emission s p e c t r a o f model 2 i s shown i n F i g u r e 16. Frequency peaks

a r e separated b y 5.5 t o 5.9 kHz, and frequency peak l e v e l s a r e separated f r o m
10 t o 20 dBm. Modulation e f f e c t s hy d i a l i n g o r voice are s i m i l a r t o those
observed w i t h t h e f i r s t model .
The o p e r a t i o n o f meteor b u r s t equipment i n t h e U n i t e d S t a t e s i s o f t e n
found i n remote areas such as Alaska and non-urban areas where i t i s l e s s
l i k e l y f o r low power communication equipment t o b e o p e r a t i n g . However, w i t h
i n c r e a s i n g widespread use of c o r d l e s s telephones i t becomes more 1 i k e l y t h a t
even in remote areas, meteor b u r s t systems wi 11 experience i n t e r f e r e n c e
s i gnals f rom u n l icensed devices. The c o r d l ess frequency channel ing p l a n i s
shown i n F i g u r e 17. F o r t y p e r c e n t o f t h e spectrum i n t h e bands 46 and 49 MHz
i s occupied b y c o r d l e s s operations.

Consider, an a d a p t i v e meteor b u r s t system t r a n s m i t t i n g i n 46/49 MHz w i t h

a probe s i g n a l occupying a non-cordless channel. When a meteor channel
becomes avai l a b l e , t h e meteor b u r s t t r a n s m i t t e r and r e c e i v e r w i 11 a d a p t i v e l y
extend t h e i r bandwidth, f o r example, t o 100 kHz. T h i s e x t e n s i o n w i l l most
l i k e l y i n c l u d e one o f t h e c o r d l e s s channels which a r e o f t e n occupied. Thus,
i f c o r d l e s s o p e r a t i o n s a r e w i t h i n t h e 10 km s e p a r a t i o n d i s t a n c e from t h e
meteor b u r s t r e c e i v e r , i t becomes p r o b a b l e t h a t a d a p t i ve r a t e o p e r a t i o n wi 11
encounter i n t e r f e r e n c e from one o r more c o r d l ess telephones.

Cordless telephones and other low power equipments cannot claim

p r o t e c t i o n from meteor b u r s t i n t e r f e r e n c e . Nevertheless, it was o f i n t e r e s t
t o s i m u l a t e t h e i n t e r f e r e n c e impact of a meteor b u r s t t r a n s m i t t e r on nearby
low power communication devices. F i g u r e I S shows as a f u n c t i o n o f s e p a r a t i o n
distance, D, t h e expected c o r d l e s s phone r e c e i v e d s i g n a l power f r o m meteor
b u r s t t r a n s m i t t e r s w i t h power 300-10,000 watts.
46.7 46.8 46.9

Base Transmit Frequencies (MHz)

49.7 49.8 49.9

Handset Transmit Frequencies <MHz)

Figure 17. Cordless Phone Channels.

 DI STANCE

Figure 18. I n t e r f e r e n c e t o a Cordless Telephone from a Meteor

Burst Transmitter.
 The power, W, d e l i v e r e d t o a r e c e i v e r w i t h no l o s s and a VSWR o f 1 i s

where E = f i e l d strength
f = frequency
G = r e c e i v e r antenna g a i n

Assuming t h e s e n s i t i v i t y o f a c o r d l e s s phone i s .5 vV/m and u s i n g Equation 7,

t h e n o i s e t h r e s h o l d f o r a c o r d l e s s telephone i s -94.51 dBm. The i n t e r f e r e n c e
t h r e s h o l d f o r a c o r d l e s s phone i s assumed t o be equal t o t h e n o i s e t h r e s h o l d
-94.51 dBm. F i g u r e 18 shows t h e r e q u i r e d s e p a r t i o n d i s t a n c e s D = Ds t o a v o i d
possible interference. The s e p a r a t i o n s are:

Meteor B u r s t Separation
Power D i stance

I 300 w a t t s ( o f f ax1 s ) 1 20 km 1
1,000 w a t t s ( o f f a x i s )
300 w a t t s (on a x i s )
1,000 w a t t s (on a x i s )
10,000 w a t t s (on a x i s )

It should be remembered t h a t up t o 40 dB a d d i t i o n a l s i g n a l a t t e n u a t i o n
would be r e a l i z e d i f t h e c o r d l e s s telephone r e c e i v e r i s l o c a t e d i n s i d e a
b u i l d i n g r a t h e r t h a n o u t s i d e o r a d j a c e n t t o an o u t s i d e w a l l
7.6 METEOR BURST TO METEOR BURST COMPATIBILITY

One p o s s i b l e frequency assignment s t r a t e g y would be t o make a v a i l a b l e one

or more frequency channels for meteor b u r s t use. The FCC has a l r e a d y
implemented t h i s f o r t h e S t a t e o f Alaska. W i t h i n Alaska, t h e FCC has made
a v a i l a b l e t h e f r e q u e n c i e s 42.40, 44.10, 44.20, and 45.90 MHz f o r assignment
for meteor burst communications to fixed stations in the Rural Radio
Service. * The maximum t r a n s m i t t e r power i s l i m i t e d t o 2,000 watts f o r a
central office. I n o r d e r t o assure compatible cochannel o p e r a t i o n s , these
c e n t r a l o f f i c e s t a t i o n s ( u n l e s s a waiver i s granted) must be l o c a t e d a t l e a s t
150 m i l e s a p a r t (240 km)o

Meteor b u r s t systems, i f operated on t h e same frequency channel, whether

d e d i c a t e d o r n o t , r e q u i r e d i s t a n c e s e p a r a t i o n , Ds, t o a v o i d mutual groundwave
in t erference.

The s i m u l a t i o n model was used t o c a l c u l a t e mean r e c e i v e d powers as a

function- o f separation distances f o r t h r e e meteor b u r s t t o meteor b u r s t
coup1 ing conditions : (1) mainbeam to mai nbeam coup1 ing ( F i g u r e 19)
( 2 ) mainbeam t o s i d e l o b e c o u p l i n g ( F i g u r e 20), and ( 3 ) s i d e l o b e t o s i d e l o b e
( F i g u r e 21). The t e c h n i c a l parameters used i n t h e s i m u l a t i o n s , as b e f o r e , a r e
found i n TABLE 5. The i n t e r f e r e n c e t h r e s h o l d i s a mean s i g n a l level =
-126 dBm.

TABLE 10 shows the required separation distances for the range o f

t r a n s m i t t e r power 300 w a t t s t o 10,000 watts.

 ¥ F C C Rules and Regulations, Sect i o n 22.601 and Sect i o n 1.106.

F i g u r e 19. Received Power from Meteor B u r s t T r a n s m i t t e r ,
Mainbeam t o Mainbeam, Meteor B u r s t t o Meteor
Burst.
Figure 20. Received Power from Meteor B u r s t T r a n s m i t t e r ,
Mainbeam t o Sidelobe, Meteor B u r s t t o Meteor
Burst.
Figure 21. Received Power from Meteor Burst Transmitter,
Sidelobe to Sidelobe, Meteor Burst to Meteor
Burst,
 TABLE 10

COCHANNEL SEPARATION DISTANCES (METEOR BURST TO METEOR BURST)

Transmitter
Power Coupl ing Separation Distance (km)

300 w a t t s Mai nbeam t o Mai nbeam

1,000 w a t t s Mai nbeam t o Mai nbeam
2,000 w a t t s Mai nbeam t o Mai nbeam
10,000 w a t t s Mai nbeam t o Mai nbeam

300 w a t t s Mai nbeam t o S i d e l obe

1,000 w a t t s Mai nbeam t o S i d e l obe
2,000 w a t t s Mai nbeam t o S i d e l obe
10,000 w a t t s Mai nbeam t o S i d e l obe

300 w a t t s S i d e l obe t o S i d e l obe

1,000 w a t t s S i d e l o b e t o Sidelobe
2,000 w a t t s S i d e l obe t o S i d e l obe
10,000 w a t t s S i d e l obe t o S i d e l obe
 SECTION 8

APPLICABLE RULES AND REGULATIONS

8.1 ALLOCATIONS

The International Telecommunication Uni on (ITU) , Geneva, Switzerland,

r e g u l a t e s i n t e r n a t i o n a l r a d i o frequency u t i l i z a t i o n which, f o r admi n i s t r a t i ve
purposes, has been divided into three geographic regions as shown in
F i g u r e 22. W i t h i n t h e U n i t e d States, NTIA r e g u l a t e s frequency usage f o r
government agencies, and t h e Federal Communi c a t i o n s Commi s s i on (FCC) performs
this function for nongovernment radio frequency users. The current
i n t e r n a t i o n a l and n a t i o n a l r a d i o frequency a l l o c a t i o n t a b l e f o r t h e 30 t o
100 MHz and a d j a c e n t bands i s g i v e n i n APPENDIX A w i t h a p p r o p r i a t e f o o t n o t e s
i n APPENDIX B e

I n t e r n a t i o n a l l y , t h e 30 t o 100 MHz band i s d i v i d e d i n t o 15, 22, and 18

subbands i n r e g i o n s 1, 2, and 3, r e s p e c t i v e l y . , Throughout t h e t h r e e regions,
p r i m a r y a1 l o c a t i o n s t o f i x e d and m o b i l e prledominate, followed by primary
a1 l o c a t i ons t o broadcasting. I n a d d i t i o n , t h e r e a r e some p r i m a r y a1 l o c a t i ons
to amateur, space r e s e a r c h / o p e r a t i on, radio astronomy , and aeronautical
r a d i onavi g a t i on. Secondary a l l o c a t i o n s a r e t o r a d i o astronomy and t o f i xed
and mobile. The international regulations also include footnotes which
p r o v i de, i n c e r t a i n instances, a d d i t i o n a l p r i m a r y a1 l o c a t i o n s t o b r o a d c a s t i n g ,
fixed, mobile, aeronautical radionavi gation, and amateur s e r v i c e s . Some
secondary a l l o c a t i o n s a r e made t o f i xed and mobile, and p r o t e c t i o n i s g i v e n t o
r a d i o astronomy .
Within the United states, t h e 30 t o 100 MHz band i s d i v i d e d i n t o 29
subbands f o r both government and nongovernment allocations. Within the
government, t h e f i x e d and m o b i l e a l l o c a t i o n s a r e p r i m a r y i n some subbands and
secondary in others. Government has no allocations in 13 o f the 29
subbands. U. S. f o o t n o t e s p r o v i d e f o r p r o t e c t i o n t o r a d i o astronomy, for
t e l e m e t e r i n g s e r v i c e s i n c o n n e c t i o n w i t h ocean buoys and w i l d l i f e , and f o r
stations i n t h e petroleum r a d i o service.
Figure 22. ITU International Radio Frequency Utilization divided into
Three Geographic Regions.
 Nongovernment p r i m a r y a1 l o c a t i o n s a r e t o l a n d mobi 1e, broadcasting, f i x e d
and mobil e, a e r o n a u t i c a l r a d i o n a v i g a t i on, r a d i o astronomy, and amateur. The
o n l y secondary a l l o c a t i o n i s t o r a d i o astronomy. Out of 29 subbands, 7 have
no nongovernment allocations. Footnotes provide for such services as
f a c s i m i 1e, remote c o n t r o l , pub1 i c s a f e t y r a d i o , f i x e d s e r v i c e on a secondary
b a s i s , and f o r meteor b u r s t communications i n Alaska on a p r i m a r y b a s i s .

8.2 TECHNICAL STANDARDS

A1 l government radio systems adhere t o c e r t a i n t e c h n i c a l standards.

Technical standards for government are given i n Chapter 5 of the NTIA
Manual. APPENDIX C, which has been e x t r a c t e d from t h e manual, gives frequency
t o l e r a n c e s and l e v e l s o f unwanted emissions t h a t a r e a p p l i c a b l e t o t h e 30 t o
100 MHz band. Technical standards f o r w i l d l i f e and ocean buoy t r a c k i n g and
t e l e m e t r y are g i v e n i n APPENDIX C. To a v o i d harmful i n t e r f e r e n c e w i t h U.S.
Army t e s t i n g , s i g n a l s a t 20 t o 54 MHz must n o t exceed 50 MV p e r meter w i t h i n a
25 km (15 m i ) r a d i u s o f F t . Huachuca, AZ.

8.3 CHANNELING PLAN

The c h a n n e l i n g p l a n f o r t h e 30 t o 50 MHz band, as i t appears i n Chapter 4

( S e c t i o n 4-3.7) o f t h e Manual (see Reference 1) i s g i v e n i n APPENDIX C. The
channels a r e 20 kHz wide a l l o w i n g a necessary bandwidth f o r b o t h analog and
d i g i t a l s i g n a l s o f 16 kHz. Assignments w i t h necessary bandwidths up t'o 40 kHz
may be a u t h o r i z e d under c e r t a i n c o n d i t i o n s . The necessary bandwidth i s a
measure o f t h e bandwidth necessary t o t r a n s m i t t h e s i g n a l and i s t h e w i d t h o f
the frequency band which is just sufficient to ensure transmission of
i n f o r m a t i o n a t t h e r a t e and w i t h t h e q u a l i t y r e q u i r e d .
8.4 DEFINITION OF METEOR BURST SYSTEMS

The NTIA Manual ( S e c t i o n 6.1.1) and t h e FCC Rules and R e g u l a t i o n s d e f i n e

Meteor B u r s t Communicati ons as communications b y t h e p r o p a g a t i o n of radio
signals r e f l e c t e d by ionized t r a i l s .

8.5 ADJACENT CHANNEL EMISSIONS (UNWANTED EMISSIONS)

An i m p o r t a n t c o n s i d e r a t i o n f o r land-mobi l e o p e r a t i o n s i s t h a t land-mobi l e
o p e r a t i o n s i n a d j a c e n t channels do n o t i n t e r f e r e . T h i s i s accomplished by
1i m i t i ng t h e emi s s i on spectrum (power s p e c t r a l densities) of land mobi l e
o p e r a t i o n i n a d j a c e n t channels. S e c t i o n 5.6 o f t h e NTIA Manual i n c l u d e s a
c h a r t and Table (see F i g u r e 23) d e f i n i n g t h e l i m i t s i n t h e band 30-50 MHz on
t h e power o f any unwanted emission on a frequency removed f r o m t h e center o f
t h e a u t h o r i z e d bandwidth a displacement fd.

d A t t e n u a t i o n (30-50 MHz)

5 kHz < f d -
< 10 kHz 83 l o g ( f d / 5 ) dB

29 l o g ( f d 2 / 1 1 ) o r 50 dB,
whichever i s l e s s

8.6 B ILATERAL INTERNATIONAL AGREEMENTS

By mutual agreement, t h e U n i t e d S t a t e s and Canada c o o r d i n a t e t h e use o f

r a d i o f r e q u e n c i e s from 32 t o 50 MHz a l o n g t h e i r mutual borders. The terms o f
t h e i r agreements a r e g i v e n i n arrangement 0 o f Chapter 3 i n t h e NTIA Manual
and i n ITU RR222.
 AtoB) - /SÃ FOR S < f 5 10 KHZ
83 LOGU
IM ALL BAUOS

A(o8Ã - SO * 10 L O 6 Py FOR f > 2501 8W

I F Lmo, FIXED, OR MOBILE STATION

F i g u r e 23. T r a n s m i t t e r Unwanted E m i s s i o n s S t a n d a r d s .
 APPENDIX A
INTERNATIONAL AND NATIONAL RAD I0 FREQUENCY APPLICATION TABLE
INCLUDING FOOTNOTES FOR THE 30-100 MHz BAND
 TABLE A-1
INTERNATIONAL AND NATIONAL RADIO FREQUENCY APPLICATION TABLE FOR THE 30-100 MHz BAND
(Page 1 o f 6 )
.,
INTERNATIONAL UNITED STATES

Rqlon 1 Region 1 Rrglon 3 Band National Non-govern men^ Remarks

milt MHz Allocation Allocation
1

i
2B.OO-29.70 AMATEUR
AMATEUR AMATEUR-SATELLITI
AMATEUR-SATELLITE
1,
29.7-30.005 LAND MOBILE Industrial
FIXED I

1
MOBILE FIXED 29.11-29.88 Aeronautical
fixed
Inlernatlonal fixed public

FIXED See Section 4.3.6 of h e

MOBILE NTIA Manual for
Channeling Plan.

I
FIXED 29.92-29.99 Aeionautlcal
fixed
Iniernttlonal fixed public
I
30.00-30.56 MOBILE See Section 4.3.6 of he
30.005-30.01 NTIA Manual for
SPACE OPERATION (aatelllte Identificillon) Channeling Plan.
FIXED
MOBILE
SPACE RESEARCH

30.01-37.5 LAND MOBILE Induildal

FIXED b n d transportdon
MOBILE Public utety

FIXED See Section 4.3.6 of the

MOBILE NTIA Manual tor
Channeling Plan.
 TABLE A - l
INTERNATIONAL AND NATIONAL RADIO FREQUENCY APPLICATION TABLE FOR THE 30-100 MHz BAND
(Page 2 o f 6)

INTERNATIONAL UNTIED STATES

land Noil-Government
IHx Allocation

L A N D MOBILE 13.00-33.01 h d
IraniportJtion
NO124 13.01-33.1 1 Public ufety
83.11-33.41 Industrial
13.41-34,00 Public ufety

See Section 4.1.6 of the

MOBILE M I A M a n 4 for
Channeling Plan.

LAND MOBILE 33.00-35.19 Industrid

35.19-35.69 Domestic
Public/Industrid/
Public ufety
33.69-36.00 Industrial

FIXED See Section 4.3.6 of the

MOBILE NTIA Manual for

L LAND MOBILE
Channeling Plan.

37.00-37:01 Industria!
37.01-37.41 Public ufety
37.43-37.5 Industrial

37.5-38.25
FIXED
MOBILE
Radio Astronomy
Radio Astronomy
I LAND MOBILE
Radio Astronomy
1 2 0 5 9 NO124
37.50-37.89 Industrial
31.89-38.00 Public mfety

FIXED RADIO ASTROMONY See Section 4.1.6 of the

MOBILE M I A Manual for
RADIO ASTRONOMY Channeling Plan.

38.25-39.986 FIXED See Section 4.3.6 of the

FIXED MOBILE NTIA Manual for
MOBILE ~ h ~ n e l Plan.
i n ~
 TABLE A-1
INTERNATIONAL AND NATIONAL RADIO FREQUENCY APPLICATION TABLE FOR THE 30-100 MHz BAND
(Page 3 o f 6)

INTERNATIONAL UNITED STATES

-
Region I Region 1 Region 3 Band Notions Von-Government Remarks
MHz MHz MHz MHz Provisi01
1 2
-

FIXED
A N D MOBILE
40124
r
Public ufety

NTIA Manual for

MOBILE Channeling Plan.
Space Research
(ISM 40.68 Â 0.02 MHz)
40.02-40.98
FIXED
MOE!LE
Â¥^l
-4 541

40.98-41.015
FIXED
MOBILE
Space Research

549 550 551

41.015-44 42.00-42.95 Public mfety

FIXED 42.9543.19 Induntrial
MOBILE 43.1943.69 Domestic
publicAndustrial/
Public safety
63.69-44.61 Land
tnniportillon
(4.61-46.60 Public mfe~y

FIXED
MOBILE [XED See Section 4.3.6 of the
OBILE tTIA Manual for
3)anneling Plan.
 TABLE A-1
INTERNATIONAL AND NATIONAL RADIO FREQUENCY APPLICATION TABLE FOR THE 30-100 MHz BAND
(Page 5 o f 6 )
INTERNATIONAL UNITED STATES

Region I Region 2 Region 3 Band Government Non-Gomnment Remarks

MHz MHz MHz MHz Allocation Allocation
I 3 4 S

74.6-74.8
FIXED
FIXED
MOBILE
' FIXED
MOBILE
MOBILE
564 565 567
568 571 572 572 566 568 571 572
-
I----
74.8-75.2 AERONAUTICAL AERONAUTICAL 75 MHz Marker beacons.
AERONAUTICAL RAD1ONAVIOATION RADlONAVlOATlOF RADIONAVIOAT101N
572

75.2-87.5 75.2-75.4 FIXED FIXED

FIXED FIXED MOBILE MOBILE
MOBILE except MOBILE
aeronmlica! mobile

75.4-76 75.447 FIXED 75.42-75.98 Operational

FIXED FIXED MOBILE fixed
MOBILE MOBILE

76-88 BROADCASTINO Television broadcasting

BROADCASTING
Fixed
Mobile
573 574 577 579

87.5-100
BROADCASTING

581 582 r-
88-100
BROADCASTINO
37-100
FIXED
MOBILE
BROADCASTINO
 TABLE A - l
INTERNATIONAL AND NATIONAL RADIO FREQUENCY APPLICATION TABLE FOR THE 30-100 MHz BAND
(Page 6 of 6)

INTERNATIONAL
II UNITED STATES

Region I Rdon 2 Region 3

MHt MHz MHz

1-108
BROADCASTING

108-117.975
AERONAUTICAL RADIONAVIOATION 1 108-117.975
I
US93 AERONAUTICAL
RADIONAVIOATION 1
AERONAUTICAL
RADIONAVIOAT10N
 APPENDIX B
FOOTNOTES TO THE ALLOCATIONS
US74-In the bands 25.55-25.67. 73-74.6. 406.1-410, US210ÑUs of frequencies in the bands 40.66-40.70
608-6 14, 1400- 1427, 1660.5-1 670, 2690-2700, and and 216-220 MHz may be authorized to Govem-
4990-5000 MHz and in the bands 10.68-10.7, ment and non-Govenunent stations on a second-
15.35-15.4, 23.6-24, 31.3-31.8, 86-92.105-116. and ary basis for the tracking of, and telemetering of
217-231 GHz, the radio astronomy service shall scientific data from, ocean buoys and wildlife.
be protected from extraband radiation only to the Air-borne wildlife telemetry in the 216-220 MHz
extent such radiation exceeds the level which band will be limited to the 216.000-216.100 MHz
would be present if the offending station were portion of the band. Operation in these two bands
operating in compliance with the technical stand- is subject to the technical standards specified in
ards or criteria applicable to the service in which (a) Section 8.2.42 of the NTIA Manual for Gov-
it operates. eminent use, or (b) in Section 5.108 of the Corn-
mission's Rules for non-Government.
USSl-The band 38-38.25 MHz is used by both Gov-
eminent and non-Government radio astronomy
observatories. No new fixed or mobile assign- US220ÑTh frequencies 36.25 and 41.71 MHz may be
ments are to be made and Government stations in authorized to Government stations and non-Gov-
the band 38-38.25 MHz will be moved to other eminent stations in the Petroleum Radio Service,
bands on a case-by-case basis, as required, to pro- for oil spill containment and cleanup operations.
tect radio astronomy observations from harmful The use of these frequencies for oil spill contain-
interference. As an exception however, low pow- ment or cleanup operations is limited to the
ered military transportable and mobile stations inland and coastal waterways regions.
used for tactical and training purposes will con-
tinue to use the band. To the extent practicable, US273-In the 74.6-74.8 MHz and 75.2-75.4 MHz
the latter operations will be adjusted to relieve bands, stations in the fixed and mobile services
such interference as may be caused to radio as- are limited to a &um power of 1 watt from
tronomy observations. In the event of harmful the mmmitter into the antenna trammkion line-
interference from such local operations, radio as-
tronomy observatories may contact local military
commands directly, with a view to effecting
relief. A list of military commands, areas of co-
ordination, and points of contact for purposes of
relieving interference may be obtained upon re-
quest from the Office of the Chief Scientist, Fed-
era! Communications Commission, Washington,
D.C 20554.
NG2-FacsimiIe bmadczsthg stations may be author-
ized in the band 88-108 MHz.
US93ÑI the conterminous United States; the fre-
quency 108.0 MHz may be authorized for use by NG3ÑContro stations in the domestic public radio
services may be authorized frequencies in the
VOR test facilities, the operation of which is not band 72-73 and 75.4-76 MHz on the condition
essential for the safety of life or property, subject
that harmful interference will not be caused to
to the condition that no interference is caused to
the reception of FM broadcasting stations operat- operational fixed stations.
ing in the band 88-108 MHz. In the event that
such interference does occur, the licensee or
other agency authorized to operate the facility
shall discontinue operation on 108 MHz and shall
not resume operation until the interference has
been eliminated or the complaint otherwise satis-
fied. VOR test facilities operating on 108 MHz
will not be protected against interference caused
by FM broadcasting stations operating in the
band 88-108 MHz nor shall the authorization of a
VOR test facility on 108 MHz preclude the Com-
mission from authorizing additional FM broad-
casting stations.
NG49ÑTh following frequencies may be authorized
on a secondary basis for low-power (1 watt
input) mobile operations in the Manufacturers
Radio Service subject to the condition that no
interference is caused to the reception of televi-
sion stations operating on channels 4 and 5 and
that their use is limited to a manufacturing facili-
tY:
MHz MHz MHz MHz MHz
72.02 72.10 72.18 1126 72.34
Further, the following frequencies may be au-
thorized on a primary basis for mobile operations
in the Special Industrial Radio Service, Manufac-
turers Radio Servicc and RaiIroad Radio S e ~ c e
subject to the condition that no interference is
caused to the reception of television stations op-
erating on channels 4 and 5; and that their use is
limited to a railroad yard, mauufacruring plank
or s h i h industriai facility.
M . MRz MHz MHz MHz
72.44 72.52 . 72.60 75-48 75.56
72.48 72.56 75.44 75.52 - 75.60
NG56Ñ the bands 72.0-73.0 and 75.4-76.0 MHz.
the use of mobile radio remote control of models
is on a secondary basis to all other fixed and
mobile operations. Such operations are subject to
the condition that interference will not be caused
to common carrier domestic public stations, to
remote control of industrial equipment operating
in the 72-76 MHz band, or to the reception of
television signal on channels 4 (66-72 MHz) or 5
(76-82 MHz). Television interference shall be
considered to occur whenever reception of regu-
larly used television signals is impaired or de-
stroyed, regardless of the strength of the televi-
sion signal or the distance to the television sta-
tion
NGS9-The frequencies 37.60 and 37.85 MHz may be
authorized only for use by base, mobile, and
operational fixed stations participating in an inter-
connected or coordinated power service utility
SYstem.
~~124~-h-thePublic Safety Radio Service allocation
within the bands 30-50 MHz, 150-174 MHz and
450-470 MHz. Police Radio Service licensees are
authorized to operate low powered radio trans-
mitters on a secondary non-interference basis in
accordance with the provisions of Section 2.803
and 90.19 (0(5) of the Rules.
NG128ÑI the band 535-1605 kHz, AM broadcast
licensees or permittees may use their AM carrier
on a secondary basis to transmit signals intended
for both broadcast and non-broadcast purposes.
In the band 88-108 MHz, FM broadcast licensees
or permittees are permitted to use subcarriers on
a secondary basis to transmit signals intended for
both broadcast and non-broadcast purposes. In
the bands 54-72, 76-88. 174-216 and 740-890
MHz, TV broadcast licensees or permittees are
permitted to use subcarriers on a secondary basis
for both broadcast and non-broadcast purposes.
NG129ÑI Alaska, the bands 76-88 MHz and 88-100
MHz are also allocated to the Fixed service on a
secondary basis. Broadcast stations operating in
these bands shall not cause interference to non-
Government fixed operations authorized prior to
January 1, 1982.
NGI4l-The frequencies 42.40 MHz and 44.10 MHz
are authorized on a primary basis in the State of
Alaska for meteor burst communications by f m d
stations in the Rural Radio Service operating
under the provisions of Part 22 of this Chapter.
The frequencies 44.20 MHz and 45.90 MHz are
authorized on a primary basis in Alaska for
meteor burst communications by fixed private
radio stations operating under the provisions of
Part 90 of this Chapter. The private radio station
frequencies may be used by Common Carrier sta-
tions on a secondary, noninterference basis and
the Common Carrier frequencies may be used by
private radio stations for meteor burst communi-
cations on a secondary, noninterference basis.
Users shall cooperate to the extent practical to
minimize potentiai interference. Stations utilizi~g
meteor burst communications shall not cause
harmful interference to stations of other radio
services operating in accordance with the alloca-
tion table.
 APPENDIX C
NATIONAL REGULATIONS CONCERNING TECHNICAL PARAMETERS AND OPERATIONS
 5.1 TABLE OF FREQUENCY TOLERANCES 0, The tolerance for aeronautical stations in the
AND UNWANTED EMISSIONS Aeronautical Mobile (R) service is 10 Hz.
(k) The indicated tolerance applies to new equip-
ment after 1/1/87. A tolerance of 30 pprn applies to
other equipment.
(I) For AIA emissions the tolerance is 10 ppm.
BAUD: 29.7 to 100 MHt
1. Fixed Stations
. I I (m)For ship station transmitters in the band 26.175-
27.5 MHz, on board small craft, with a carrier power
1.1 10 W or less..^.^ DAB not exceeding 5W operating in or near coastal waters
1.2 above 10 W ..-.-..--....-...- D.&C and utilizing A3E or F3E and G3E emissions, the
2. Land Stations frequency tolerance is 40 ppm.
2.1 10 W or lo&.--....--. D,E
2. above 10 W ..-....-...--- D.E
50 ppm applies to wildlife telemetry with mean
power output less than 0.5W.
3. Mobile Stations
3.1 10 W or Icn--- ......-- D.E.C ( O ) The indicated tolerance applies to new equip*
3.2 above 10 W ..---.- DZC ment after 1/1/87. A tolerance of 1000 Hz applies to
4. Radionavigation Stations
5. Bmadcdng Stations
-... D other equipment.
5.1 other than TV (v) In the case of television stations of:
5.1.1 10 W or less D (1) 50W (vision peak envelope power) or less in
5.1.2 above 10 W.. D the band 29.7-100 MHz;
5.2 TV Sound and Vision. D (2) 100W (vision peak envelope power) or less in
6. Earth Stations .-.-....-- D
7. Space Stations. ..- -..--..... D the bank 100-965 MHz;
and which receive their input from other television
EAMfc I00 to 470 MHz
. I I stations or which serve small isolated communities, it
1. Fxed Stations
1.1 d 100-406 MHz........ ---J D.E
may not, for operational reasons, be possible to main-
tain this tolerance. For such stations, this tolerance is
1000 Hz.
(Q) See Part 5.6.
(=) T his tolerance is applicable to all transmitters,
5.1.1 Frequency Tolerances and Unwanted Emissions
including survival craft stations, after Jan 1, 1983.
The letters A thru N in Section 5.1.3 refer to the ( ) Except for the RR Appendix 18 Maritime Mobile
levels of unwanted emissions. frequencies, where the tolerance is 20 pprn except for
Units for frequency tolerance are (± parts per transmitters put in service after January 1, 1973, a
m.iIlion (ppm) unless otherwise stated. tolerance of 10 pprn shall apply, and this tolerance
The power shown for the various categories of shall be applicable to all transmitters after January 1,
stations is the peak enbelope power for single-side- 1983.
band transmitters and the mean power for all other (): Outside band 156-174 MHz, for transmitters used
transmitters, unless otherwise indicated. (RR) by on-board communications stations, a tolerance of 5
ppm shall apply.
5.1.2 Notes For Frequency Tolerance (u) For transmitters used by on-board communica-
If the emergency transmitter is used as the re- tions stations, a tolerance of 5 pprn applies.
serve transmitter for the main transmitter, the toler- ()' The indicated tolerance applies to new equip-
ance for ship station transmitters applies. ment after 1/1/87. A tolerance of 20 pprn applies to
(b' In the area covered by the North American other equipment.
(") The indicated tolerance applies to new equip-
Regional Broadcasting Agreement (NARBA), the tol-
erance of 20 Hz may continue to be applied. meat after 1/1/87. A tolerance of 400 pprn applies to
(=) 20 Hz is applicable to other than Aeronautical
othef equipment.
Mobile (R) frequencies. (It> For transmitters for system M(NTSC) the toler-
(d) Travelers Information Stations (TIS)have a tol-
ance is 1000 Hz. However, for low power transmit-
erance of 100 Hz. ters using this system note (p) applies.
( y ) The indicated tolerance applies to new equip-
(*) The indicated tolerance applies to new equip-
ment after 1/1/87. A tolerance of 50 Hz applies to ment after 1/1/87. A tolerance of 800 pprn applies to
other equipment. other equipment.
(l) For 10-10.5 GHz, the indicated tolerance applies
(fl For AIA emissions the tolerance is 50 ppm.
(l) The indicated tolerance applies to new equip-
to new equipment after 1/1/87. A tolerance of 2500
ment after 1/1/87. A tolerance of 50 pprn applies to ppm applies to other equipment.
other eauiument.
The indicated tolerance applies to new equip- 5.1.3 Levels of Unwanted Emissions
ment after 1/1/87. A tolerance of 200 pprn applies to For purposes of this Manual, the term "authorized
other equipment. bandwidth" is defined as the necessary bandwidth
(I) The indicated tolerance applies to new equipment (bandwidth required for the transmission and recep-
after 1/1/87. A tolerance of 300 pprn applies to other tion of intelligence) and does not include allowance
equipment. for transmitter drift or doppler shift. See, in addition,
85
Chapter 6 for the definitions of special terms includ-
ing authorized bandwidth and mean power.
A. The mean power of any unwanted emissions
supplied to the antenna transmission line, as compared
with the mean power of the fundamental, shall be in
accordance with the following:
1. On any frequency removed from the assigned
frequency by more than 100 percent, up to and in-
cluding 150 percent of the authorized bandwidth, at
least 25 decibels attenuation:
2. On any frequency removed from the assigned
frequency by more than 150 percent, up to and in-
cluding 300 percent of the authorized bandwidth, at
least 35 decibels attenuation: and
3. On any frequency removed from the assigned
frequency by more than 300 percent of the authorized
bandwidth, for transmitters with mean power of 5
kilowatts or greater, at least 80 decibels attenuation;
and for transmitters with mean power less than 5
kilowatts, at least 43 plus 10 log10 (mean power of the
fbndamental in watts) decibels attenuation (iSes950
microwatts absolute level), except that
For transmitters of mean power of 50 kilo-
watts or greater and which operate over a frequency
range approaching an octave or mart% a minimum
attenuation of 60 decibels shall be provided and every
effort should be made to attain at least 80 decibels
attenuation.
b. For hand-portable equipment of mean power
less that 5 watts, the attenuation shall be at least 30
decibels, but every effort should be made to attain 43
plus 10 log10 (mean power of the fundamental in
watts) decibels attenuation (i.e., 50 microwatts abso-
lute level).
c. For mobile transmitters, any unwanted emis-
sions shall be at least 40 decibels below the ftmdamen-
tal without exceeding the value of 200 rnilliwatts, but
every effort should be made to attain 43 plus I0 log10
(mean power of the fundamental in watts) decibels
attenuation (Le., 50 microwatts absolute level).
d. When AlA, FIB, or similar types of nar-
rowband emissions are generated in an SSB transmit-
ter, the suppressed carrier may fall more than 300
percent of the authorized bandwidth from the as*
signed frequency. Under these conditions, the s u p
pressed carrier shall be reduced as much as practica-
ble and shall be at least 50 decibels below the power
of the fundamentaI emissions
BsUnwanted emision standards for fixed SSBASB
stations in the band 2-30 MHz are contained in Sec-
tion 5.4.1.
C. Unwanted emission standards for mobile SSB
stations in the band 2-30 MHz are contained in Sec-
tion 5.5.1.
D. The mean power of any emission supplied to the
antenna transmission h e as compared with the mean
power of the fundamentai. shall be in accordance
with the following:
1. On any frequency removed from the assigned
frequency by more than 75 percent, up to and inciud-
ing 150 percent, of the authorized bandwidth, at least
25 decibels attenuation:
2. On any frequency removed from the assigned
frequency by more than 150 percent, up to and in-
eluding 300 percent, of the authorized bandwidth, at
least 35 decibels attenuation; and
3. On any frequency removed from the assigned
frequency by more than 300 percent of the authorized
bandwidth:
a. For transmitters with mean power of 5 kilo-
watts or greater, attenuation shall be at least 80 deci-
bels.
b. For transmitters with mean power less than
5 kilowatts, spurious output shall not exceed 50
microwatts except for frequency modulated maritime
mobile radiotelephone equipment above 30 MHz as
follows:
(1) The mean power of modulation products
falling in any other international maritime mobile
channel shall not exceed 10 microwatts for mean
transmitter power 20 watts or less.
(2) The mean power of any other unwanted
emission on any discrete frequency within the intern-
tionai maritime mobile band shall not exceed 2.5
microwatts for transmitters with mean power of 20
watts or less.
(3) For maritime mobile transmitters of mean
power above 20 watts, these 2.5 and 10 microwatt
limits may be increased in proportion to the increase
of the mean power of the transmitters above this 20
watts.
E. Unwanted emission standards for FM stations
are contained in the following parts:
Pan of
Manual
I?. Unwanted emission standards for radionavigation
radars and radiolocation radars are found in Part 5.3.
5.6 VISED AND MOBILE/LAND MOBILE, FM
OPERATIONS (30-50, 162-174. and 406.1420
MHz Bands)
These standards do not apply to:
Military equipment used for tactical and/or
training operations.
FM wireless microphone systems whose
mean output power does not exceed 0.1 watt
Equipment operating on splinter channels.
(See Section 5.2.1).
0 Fixed stations equipment with multichannel
emissions.
-
5.6.1 Standard: The following is for fixed and
mobile/land mobile service employing fixed,
land, mobile and portable stations using FM or
PM emissions in the ban& 30-50, 162-174, and
406.1-420 MHz with necessary bandwidth of
16 kHz."
A. Transmitter
1. Frequency tolwance ppm
 Station Class 30-50 162-174 406-420 3. Frequency Deviation for all station classes and
Land. FX.- 5 5 15
frequency bands shall not exceed k 5 kHz.
Mobil- 5 5 5 Measurement Methods. The prescribed meas-
Portable. 20 5 5 urement method to be used is given in the latest
revision of Electronic Industries Association (EIA)
Standard RS-15Z ' '
-
um Standards for Lmd
2 unwanted Emhsion9: The power of any un- Mobile Communications F M or PM Transmitters, 25-
wanted emission on any frequency removed from the 470 MHz," !a
center of the authorized bandwidth (BW) by a dis- B. Receiver
placement frequency (fd) shall be attenuated below 1, Frequency tolerance ppm:
the unmodulated carrier power (PZ) in accordance Band MHz)
with the following and Figure 5.6.1 A2.
Land.FX- 5 5 15
Mobile. , 5 5 5
Portable- 20 25 5

2. Spurious Response ~ttentuation:

Band (MHz)
Station Class 30-50 162-174 406-420
w m
Mobile- 85 dB 85 dB 85 dB
Portable- 60 dB 60dB 50 dB

3. Adjacent Channel Selectivity:

Band (MHz)
Station Class 30-50 162-174 406-420
Land. FX.
Mobile- 80dB 80dB 80 dB
Portable- 50 dB 70 dB 60dB

4. Intel-modulation Attenuation:

SUtion CJhn 3UO 162-174 406-420

Figure 5.6.1 A 2
Land. FX-
Mobile- 60dB 700 70 dB
ft Attenuation - . . . - . . e ' IbanoP 50 dB 50 dB 50 dB
5 kHz < fd< 10 kHz 83 log (f&) dB
10 kHz < fd< 250% B W 30-50 MHz & 162-174 MHz: 29
log (Ga/lI) or 50 dB which. 5. Conducted Spurious Emissions:
ever is less All station classes and all bands -80 dBW
406-420 MHz: 116 log (w6.1) Measurement Method. The prescribed meas-
or 50 + 10 log (pZ) or 70 dB urement method is given in the latest revision of Elec-
whichever is less tronic Industries Association (EIA) Standard -204,
fd>250% BW Land. Fixed, Mobile 50 + 10 "Minimum Standads for Land Mobile thnmunica-
log (pa dB ( i 10 don FM or PM Receivers, 25470 MHz."
microwatts absulate)
Poruble 43 + 10 log 0 dB
(Le. 50 inicrowttt aixolutc)
"Measurement Method-An unmodulated standard input signal
"Copic* of these stmdards may be obtained from the Electronic
source,adjustedto the standard input frequency as speaTied in EIA
Industria AMOciation, 2001 Eye Street, N.W., Washington. D.C RS-204, shall be connected to the receiver under test and adjusted
20006. for an output of 20 dB above the receiver specified sensitivity. The
n b h ~ * 1 4 1 0 ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ @ 8 center & ~frequency
0 f of the IF pasiband shall be measured with equip-
7 W/kHz of necoury bandwidth n specified in footnote US 117. ment having a degree of accuracy of at lent five time* the mini-
*The spicing of channels (adjacent channel spwing) is 20 kHz mum tolerance to be measured.
in the 3Q-50 MHz bud and 25 kHz in the 162-174 and 406-420
MHzbudl.
87
4 A 6 ChumeIing P h for Assignments in the Band EXCEPTIONS
29.89-50 MHz Exceptions to the above conditions and limitations
This plan is a guide for identifying the center fre- will be considered by the FAS on a case-by-case
quencies normally used for assignments with neces- basis.
sary bandwidths equal to or less than 16 kHz.
CONDITIONS AND LIMITATIONS
I . Nanvwband Operations. Assignments with neces-
sary bandwidths equal to or less than 16 kHz (nar-
rowband assignments) may be authorized on the
center frequencies shown in this plan and on qualified
interstitial channels. A "qualified interstitial channel"
is one which
a. Has a center frequency which falls exactly
halfway between two adjacent center frequencies
shows in this plan,
b. does not overlap an all-government-agencies
(AGA) channel,
G will result in more efficient use of the spec-
trum,and
do has been properly coordinated with all affect-
ed agencies.
2. Wideband Operations. Assignments with neces-
sary bandwidths greater than 16 kHz (wideband as"
signments) may also be authorized in this band, pro-
vided such assignments:
a. Do not exceed 40 kHz of necessary bandwidth,
b, do not overlap an all-government-agenciea
(AGA) channel,
c. are positioned between the center frequcacies
shown in this plan when this will result in more
efficient use of the spectrum, *

d. have been properly coordinated with all affect-

ed agencies, and
e. are needed to satisfy requirements which
cannot be accommodated with narrowband state-of-
theart equipment, or
E are in direct support of military tactical and
training operations which conform to the conditions
and limitations of Section 7.15.4.
3. Use of Coded Squelch. Coded squelch (squelch
control techniques) will be used whenever this tech-
nique will promote more efficient use of the spectrum;
e.g. use of fewer frequencies, sharing of frequencies,
reduction or elimination of interfcxcaec, etc.
8.2.42 Wildlife and Ocean Buoy Tracking and Telem-
etering
Pursuant to footnote US210 to the National Table
of Frequency Alloca*ions, the use of frequencies in
the bands 40.66-40.70 and 216-220 MHz may be au-
tho&ed to U.S. Government radio stations on a sec-
ondary basis for the tracking of, and telemetering of
scientific data from, ocean buoys and wildlife, subject
to the following conditions:
1. Airborne wildlife telemetering in the band
216-220 MHz will be authorized in only the 216.0-
216.1 MHz portion of the band.
2. All transmitters shall be FCC type accepted,
or the equivalent, as specified in Section 5.109, FCC
Rules and Regulations.
3. Classes of emission shall be limited to NON,
AID, AZD, FID, F2D, F9D.
4. Occupied bandwidth shall not exceed 1 kHz.
5. Maximum carrier power shall not exceed 1
milliwatt for airborne wildlife applications, 10
milliwatts for terrestrial wildlife applications, and 100
mdliwatts for ocean buoys.
6. In the band 216-220 MHz, the carrier frcquen-
cy &dl be maintained within 0.005 percent of the
assigned frequency.
7. In the band 40.66-40.70 MHz. the bandwidth
required for frequency tolerance plus the occupied
bandwidth of any emissions must be adjusted so as to
be confined within this band, except as permitted by
paragraph 8 below.
8. The mean power of emissions shall be attenuat-
ed below the mean output power of the transmitter in
accordance with the following schedule:
a. On any frequency removed from the as-
signed frequency by more than 50 percent up to and
including 100 percent of the authorized bandwidth: at
least 25 decibels;
b. On any frequency removed from the as-
signed frequency by more than 100 percent up to and
including 250 percent of the authorized bandwid* at
least 35 deciils;
c. On any frequency removed from the as-
signed frequency by more than 250 percent of the
authorized bandwidth; at least 43 plus 10 Login (mean
output power in watts) decibels or 80 decibels, which-
ever is the lesser attenuation.
7J5.3 Military Communications in non-Government
Bands Above 25 M H z for Tactical and Train-
ing Operations
The military services may employ frequencies in
certain non-Government bands above 25 MHz, after
coordination between FCC field personnel and mili-
tary field personnel, for tactical and training oper-
ations in the U. S. and Possessions in accordance with
the arrangement between the FCC and the Military
entitled "Field Coordination of Military Tactical and
Training Assignments 25-2400 MHz." The military
use of non-Government frequencies under the proce-
dures stipulated will not be a bar to the present or
future assignment, through the normal IRAC/FCC
process, of non-Government frequencies to non-mi&
tary Government agencies, and, in such military use
of non-Government frequencies, protection shall be
afforded to Government operations authorized on
spdc frequencies within the non-Government fre-
quency bands concerned. The text of the arrangement
between the FCC and the Military follows.
1. In order to provide for military tactical and
training assignments in the United States and Posses'
sions, FCC field personnel and military field person-
nel are authorized to coordinate such assignments
without referring these matters to Washington head-
quarters.
2. Military agencies have agreed that prior to
coordinating tactical and training frequency assign-
meats with FCC field offices, military field represent-
atives will first establish that proposed assignments
have a good chance of being compatible with non-
Government assignments. Consequently, FCC Field
Engineers in Charge (EIC) are not expected to "engi-
net& such assignments for the Military.
3. The following procedures will apply to the use
of the non-Government bands between 25 and 2400
MHz specified hereia
a. The Military will not request the use of
frequencies allocated to non-Government services
whenever the tactical and training requirements can
be met through the use of Government bands.
b. Military tactical and training assignments
shall cause no harmful interference to non-Govern-
ment assignments and military operations shall be ter-
minated immediately upon notification that harmful
interference has occurred.
c. Military tactical and training assignments
must accept such interference as may be caused by
non-Government assignments.
d. Tactical and training assignments shall be
temporary for a period of no longer than one year
and the military representatives shall recoordinate if
continued use is desired. The military field representa-
tives shall maintain a current list of such assignments
and furnish the EIC with three copies thereof annual-
ly.
4. The following shall be used as a guide for the
coordination of military tactical and training assign-
ments when it has been determined that the use of
non-Government bands is necessary:
a. Bands allocated to the Broadcasting Service
for domestic use.
(1) The following are the bands between 25
and 2400 MHz that are allocated for this purpose:
MHz MHz
54-72 174-216
76-100 (ex.Alaska) 470-608
100-108 614-890
(2) FCC field engineers are acquainted with
the areas being served by broadcasting stations and
these engineers will not permit military tactical and
training assignments on TV or FM channels in the
areas where the public is receiving service. In many
instances such service is received far beyond the
normal service ranges of broadcasting stations. How-
ever, reception in such areas shall be protected re-
gardless of the quality of such reception.
b. Bands used for auxiliary broadcast purposes.
(1) The following are the bands between 25
and 2400 MHz that are allocated for this use:
MHz Use
25.85-26.48 Remote Pickup
15286-153.35 Remote Pickup
160.86-161.40 Remote Pickup
(Puerto Rico and Virgin Islands
only)
161.625-161.775 Remote Pickup
(except in Puerto R i w and
Virgin Islands)
450-451 Remote Pickup
455456 Remote Pickup
942-952 STL
1990-2HO TV Pickup, TV-STL
(2) Frequencies in bands used by remote
pickup, studio transmitter links and other broadcast
auxiliaries may be used for military tactical and train-
ing purposes providing FCC field engineers coordi-
nate such use with the appropriate broadcast station
licensees. For example, there is no objection to a
military tactical and training assignment co-channel to
a remote pickup assignment in the same area provided
the broadcast licensee is cognizant of such arrange-
ments and can be assured that in the event a remote
broadcast pickup is necessary, any military operations
that may be on the air will shut down immediately
upon notification.
 As an additional example, frequencies which
are assigned to studio transmitter links may be utilized
by military tactical and training assignments, provid-
ing these assignments are coordinated by the FCC
Field Representative with the broadcast licensees in-
volved and the tactical and training assignments so
arranged as to cause no harmful interference to an
STL. In all cases where a tactical and training assign-
ment is made on an auxiliary broadcast service fre-
quency within interference range of a co-channel
FCC licensee, the licensee should be given the name
of the military representative to contact in the event
interference is caused.
c. Public Safety, Citizens Radio, Industrial,
Land Transportation and Maritime Mobile Bands.
(1) The following bands between 25 and
2400 MHz are allocated for this purpose:
MHz MHz MHz
(2) Frequencies in bands allocated to these
services for land mobile use may be authorized for
military tactical and training assignments provided the
assignments are coordinated between FCC field engi-
neers and military field representatives. The set of
curves attached hereto should be used as a guide in
these matters. These curves are a combination of
propagation theory backed up by considerable meas-
urement data and they do not necessarily represent
finite values upon which engineering determinations
may be made. Consequently, personnel in the field
will need to take into consideration such factors as
local terrain. For example, an obstruction such as a
hill or a mountain range might lower considerably the
distance between a non-Govemment and a military
tactical and training assignment. On the other ham%
there are certain locations where better than average
radio propagation conditions exist, and it will be nec-
essary for FCC field engineers and military represent-
atives to take this into account. If doubt exists as to
the practicability of a proposed tactical and training
assignment, tests should be conducted.
d. Bands allocated to non-Govemment fixed
service (excluding common carriers).
(1) The following are the bands between 25
and 2400 MHz that are allocated for this purpose:
MHz MHz
72.0-73.0
75.4-76.0
76.0-100 (InAlaska)
952-960
(2) In bands allocated to the non-Govern-
ment fixed service (excluding common carrier), inili-
tary tactical and training assignments may be author-
ized after coordination with appropriate FCC field
offices. It is not possible to develop typical standards
for the coordination of such assignments in fixed
bands due to the fact that, in general, highly directive
antenna are used and problems of interference protec-
tion will vary greatly. Since many military tactical
and training operations involve the use of highly di-
rective antennas, it may sometimes be possible to co-
ordinate such assignments, although they may be in
the same area as non-Government assignments, by
taking into account directive antenna features of the
installations involved. In coordinating such assign-
ments FCC field engineers are urged to coordinate
proposed military tactical and training assignments
with FCC licensees whenever there is a doubt as to
the compatibility of the proposed military .assign-
ments. Tests should be conducted if necessary.
c Bands allocated to non-Government aero-
nautical fixed and international fixed public services.
(1) The following bands between 25 and
2400 MHz are allocated for this purpose:
MHz
(2) la the above bands, military tactical and
training assignments may be authorized after coordi-
nation with appropriate FCC Field Offices provided
that the military use is limited to those periods when
propagation conditions would not normally support
long distance communication, and therefore could be
expected to confine to the local area the potential of
interference to non-Government services.
f. Amateur Bands
(1) The following are the bands between 25
and 2400 MHz that are allocated for this purpose:
MHz
420450
1215-1300
2300-2400
(This band extends to 2450
MHz.)
(2) The following provisions are applicable
in the use of the above bands for communication
purposes (i.e. for other than radiolocation purposes).
(a) Subject to the provisions of the rules
adopted by the Federd Communications Commission9
amateur stations generally are operated freely on any
frequency within the established amateur bands.
Therefore, great care needs to be taken in the coordi-
n a h n and in the use of such frequencies by the Mili-
tary.
 (b) The following conditions shall be ob-
served in the military use of amateur frequency bands
between 25 and 2400 MHz for routine day to day
tactical and training purposes:
1 Operations on such frequencies will be con-
fined normally to the hours of 0600-1800
local civil time.
2 Prior to transmission on specific frequencies,
military personnel should ascertain that such
frequencies are not in actual use by amateur
stations within the local area in a manner
which is likely to suffer harmful interference
if the frequencies were used for military op-
eration.
3*In recognition of the primary status of ama-
tear stations as against the secondary status
of military frequency use in such bands in
peacetime, military personnel have responsi-
bility in the event of, evidence of, or actual
complaints of interference, to take effective
remedial action without undue delay.
4 Insofar as practical, consideration should be
given in planning the use of such frequencies
to their employment in a manner or at trans-
mitter locations well removed from areas of
civilian population where amateur use is
likely. Appropriate measures should be
adopted to m h h i z e interference as by the
use of ~~ d a t e d power and intermit-
t a t trammhiom of short duration. -
5 It should be recognized that long distance
propagation characteristics of the 28 MHz
and 50 MHz bands, especially in the case of
the former, require that good judgment be
exercised in military use of these bands. Only
when sky-wave propagation is not present is
it practicable to use these bands for anything
except extremely low power. .
*Thisrefers to military use for communication purposes and not
to military radio location uses which have priority status in the
amateur bands above 220 MHz.
7,154 Military Communications in the Government
Bands Between 30 and 50 MHz for Tactical
and Training Operations
To meet local military peacetime tactical and train-
ing requirements within the United States and Posses-
sions, the .-flilitary services may employ frequencies in
the bands 30.00 to 30.56, 32.00 to 33.00. 34.00 to
35.00. 36.00 to 37.00, 38.00 to 39.00. 40.00 to 42.00-
46.60 to 47.00, and 49.60 to 50.00 MHz on a second-
ary basis to the services of other Government stations
authorized on frequencies within these bands provid-
ed that:
1. Operations shall be with field-type portable
and mobile equipment.
2 hfinhusn antenna power shall be used com-
mensurate with the actuai communication requirement
but not in excess of 50 watts.
3. The bandwidth of emission shall not exceed 6
kHz with type A3E emission or 36 kHz with type
F3E emission.
4. Prior to transmission, responsible military per-
sonnel shall ascertain that services being performed
by other Government agencies in the local area will
not be disrupted or suffer harmful interference as a
result of such military use of frequencies within the
local area.
5. The use of any frequency authorized herein
&ail be texmhatd immediately upon notification h t
harmful interference is being caused.
 APPENDIX D
DESCRIPTION OF THE PRODSIR MODEL

-
The PRODSIR (PRObabi 1 i t y -
Distribution -
Signal t o -
Interference -
Ratio) i s a
computer simulation model used t o p r e d i c t the probability of successful
communication i n an e l e c t r o m a g n e t i c envi ronment. The t e c h n i c a l parameters i n
t h e model are s t a t i s t i c a l and each i s d e s c r i b e d by a p r o b a b i l i t y d e n s i t y

I
function (pdf) . Numerical i n t e g r a t i o n r a t h e r than a Monte C a r l o simul a t i on i s
; used t o combine t h e e f f e c t s of t h e parameters i n t h e random process. The
i
PRODSIR model, developed by B e r r y (see Reference 21) is appropriate to
simul a t e t h e communi c a t i o n performance o f r a d i o equipments which a r e randomly
distributed spatial ly. The model can predict, for an electromagnetic
e n v i ronment , t h e p d f and cumul a t i ve probabi 1 i t y d i s t r i b u t i o n o f s i g n a l (S) ,
i n t e r f e r e n c e ( I ) , and S / I . The computer program works t o t h e s o l u t i o n

where
S i s t h e r e c e i v e d s i g n a l s t r e n g t h i n dBW
I i s t h e r e c e i v e d i n t e r f e r e n c e i n dBW
R i s t h e r e q u i r e d S / I i n dBW
f s - T ( X ) i s t h e pdf o f X=S-I.

The i n p u t s t o t h e PRODSIR model are:

(1) f o r t h e wanted s i g n a l
a) t h e p d f of r a d i a t e d power o f t h e wanted t r a n s m i t t e r s
b ) t h e c o n d i t i o n a l pdf of t r a n s m i s s i o n l o s s , g i v e n wanted p a t h l e n g t h
c ) t h e p d f o f wanted p a t h l e n g t h
(2) f o r each c a t e g o r y o f i n t e r f e r e r
a) t h e p d f o f r a d i a t e d power
b ) t h e conditional pdf o f transmission loss, given i n t e r f e r i n g path
length
c ) t h e pdf o f path lengths
d ) t h e t r a f f i c i n t e n s i t y , U, o f i n t e r f e r e r i n t h i s category
e) t h e r e c e i v e r t r a n s f e r f u n c t i o n , i f any

( 3 ) t h e p d f o f ambient noise, and

(4) the requi red signal -to-noise r a t i o .

I n t h i s meteor b u r s t study, t h e PRODSIR model has been used t o f i n d

s e p a r a t i o n d i s t a n c e s which y i e l d

For l a n d m o b i l e r e c e i v e r :

P(S/I -
> 17 DB = 90%) i n t h e coverage area

For meteor b u r s t r e c e i v e r s :

Mean I = -126 dBm.

A b l o c k diagram o f t h e PRODSIR model i s shown i n F i g u r e D-1.

 OISTRIBUTION O f EQUIPWENT IN SPACE
AND f REOUENCY

OlSTRl8U1lON OF

-1
WANTED SIGNAL POWER
AVAILABLE AT A COMPUTE PRO8A8lllTY
R A W M RECEIVER: DlSTRlflUllON Of
CO-CHANNEL INTERfERENff :

lsz COMPUTE PRO8ABIlITY

OlSTRl0UTtON Of
SUM TO CET DISTRI8UTION NOH-CO-CHANNEL
OF TOTAL l~YERf\RENCE, 1: INTERFERENCE,

- I0
i r10 i + bI0 tt I0+
ASSUME DISTRIflUTIOH O f
RADIO fREOUENCY NOISE:

XI v
1 1
1 COMPUTE PRO8ABlLITY DlSTRl0UTlON
OF SIGNAL-19 - INYERfERENCE RATIO
AT RECEIVER INPUT:

S I I i TO THE OUTPUT SIGNAL-TO-NOISE RATIO:

S / I o 0 d8W

OUTPUT TA0I.E ,OF PROBABILITY THAT

Figure D-I., Block diagram of major steps in computing

probabil i ty distribution of signal-to-
(interference plus noise).
Source: Berry (see Reference 20).
 APPENDIX %

GROUND WAVE PROPAGATION MODEL

The p r o p a g a t i o n model included i n t h e PRODSIR model i s s t a t i s t i c a l w i t h i n

t h e PRODSIR s i m u l a t i o n . A t a given distance9 D 9 t h e b a s i c transmission loss
i n t h e PRODSIR model is Gaussian d i s t r i b u t e d ( i n dB) w i t h a cr ( s t a n d a r d
d e v i a t i o n ) and mean v a l u e M = A + B l o g D ( d B ) e

The u and t h e c o n s t a n t s A and B must b e s u p p l i e d as i n p u t s t o t h e

simulatione

A s p e c i f i c v e r s i o n o f t h e area Longley R i c e model was used t o f i n d t h e

constants9 a, A, and Be The p r o p a g a t i o n model was r u n f o r a r e l a t i v e l y
smooth terrain w i t h Ah = 60 m e t e r s 9 c o n d u c t i v i t y = .005/m and dielectric
c o n s t a n t g f 15. It was found t h a t t h e t r a n s m i s s i o n l o s s v a r i e d l i t t l e over
t h e range 30-50 MHze The s p e c i f i c frequency o f 45 MHz was used t o f i n d t h e
f i n a l a, A 9 and B d a t a 9 b u t any frequency i n 30-50 MHz would have s i m i l a r
propagation lossese Thus9 t h e r e s u l t s i n S e c t i o n 7 a p p l y t o a l l i n t e r f e r e n c e
s i t u a t i o n s f o r f r e q u e n c i e s i n t h e range 30-50 MHz* The u was computed from
t h e 16 and 84% confidence values w i t h

a = 116% c o n f i d e n c e v a l u e - 50% c o n f i d e n c e value1

$ = 184% c o n f i d e n c e v a l u e - 50% c o n f i d e n c e value1

5 = (a + B)/2

M u l t i p l e runs f o r t h e Longley R i c e model f o r Ah = 60 m and f between 40-50 MHz

y i e l d e d a r e p r e s e n t a t i v e v a l u e of a = 7 dBe

F i g u r e s E-1 t h r o u g h E-4 show t h e Longley R i c e b a s i c t r a n s m i s s i o n l o s s 9

L~ versus d i s t a n c e f o r antenna h e i g h t s f o r meteor b u r s t equipment s c e n a r i 0s

 I n s e v e r a l i n s t a n c e s , i t can be seen t h a t a s i n g l e A and B do n o t f i t t h e
p r o p a g a t i o n l o s s o v e r t h e f u l l d i s t a n c e range. I n t h i s case, t h e curves were
f i t by a two segment f i t e The c a p t i o n i n t h e f i g u r e s d e s c r i b e s f o r which
i n t e r f e r e n c e s i t u a t i o n t h e p r o p a g a t i o n model was used ( e e g e , 1and m o b i l e base
s t a t i o n i n t e r f e r e n c e t o a meteor b u r s t r e c e i v e r )
res
s
en
 REFERENCES

1. NTIA, Manual of Regulations and Procedures f o r Federal Radio Frequency

Management, U .S. Department of Commerce, National Tel ecommuni c a t i ons and
Information Administration, Washington, D.C., revised May 1988.
2. Ibid., Section 7.15.3.
3. Ibid., Section 4.3.6.
4. Sugar, G. R. Radio Propagation by Reflection from Meteor Trails,
Proceedings IRE, Vol. 52, pp. 116-136, 1964.
5. Weitzen, J . A. and W. T. Ralston, Meteor S c a t t e r : An Overview, IEEE
Transact i ons on Antennas and Propagation, December 1988.
6. Weitzen, J . A., M. >IÃ Sona and R. A. S c o f i d i o , "Characterizing t h e
Multipath and Doppler Spreads of t h e High-Latitude Meteor Burst
Communication Channel ," IEEE Transactions on Communication, Vol COM-35,
No. 10, October 1987.
.
7. Bartholome, P i e r r e J . and Irmfried M e Vogt, "Comet - A New Meteor Burst
System Incorporating ARQ and D i v e r s i t y Reception ," IEEE Trans. On Comm. ,
.
Vol COM-16 No. 2,. pp. 268-278, Apri 1 1968.
B Ã Weitzen, J. A * , Communicating Via Meteor Burst a t Short Ranges, IEEE
Transactions on Communications, Vol. COM-35, No. 11, November 1987.
9. Morgan, E. J Ã § "Meteor Burst Communications: An Update," S i g n a l , pp.
55-61, March 1988.

10- Mickelson, K. D. Tracking 64,000 v e h i c l e s w i t h meteor s c a t t e r r a d i o ,

Mobi 1e Radio Technology, pp 24-38, January 1989.
11. Bureau of t h e Census, p r i v a t e communication, 1988.
12. FCC Report and Order 83-348 Amendment o f . P a r t s 2, 22, and 90 of t h e FCC
Rules and Regulations t o Provide f o r the Use of Meteor Burst
Communications , J u l y 22, 1983.

13. - - of Certain
FCC Docket 80-189 Authorized t h e- Use .- - . 40-50 MHz Frequencies f o r
.

One-way Signal i ng (Meteor Burst) , J u l y 28, 1981.

14. CCIR Report 259-6, VHF Propagation by Regular Layers, Sporadic E o r o t h e r

Anomalous I o n i z a t i o n , Doc. XVI Plenary, (1986a).
15. G e t t i n g , J . D., An Analysis of Meteor Burst Communications f o r M i l i t a r y
Ap 1i c a t i o n s , IEEE Transactions on Comm. COM-28, ppo 1591-1601, September
ISM
 REFERENCES
(conti nued)

16. M i l l e r and J. C. Lick1 i d e r , I n t e l 1 i g i b i l i t y of I n t e r r u p t e d Speech,

Journal Acoustical Society of America, Vol. 22, No. 2, March 1950.
17. CCIR Recommendation 534-2, Methods f o r C a l c u l a t i n g Sporadic-E Field
S t r e n g t h , Doc. XVI Plenary, l986b.
18. Cox, D. C., Uni versa1 D i g i t a l P o r t a b l e Radio Communications, Proceedi ngs
of t h e IEEE, pp. 436-476, April 1987.

19. CCIR Report 654-2, Methods f o r C a l c u l a t i n g I n t e r f e r e n c e Power i n Adjacent

Bands and Channel s , Doc. XVI Plenary, 1986e.
20. CCIR Report 903-1, D i g i t a l Transmission i n t h e Land Mobile S e r v i c e ,
Doc. XVI Plenary, 1986d.
21. Berry, L. A., P r o b a b i l i s t i c Tradeoff f o r E f f i c i e n t Spectrum Use with a
"CB" Example, OT Report 77-117, Office of Telecommunications, 1977.
22. CCIR, Technical and Operational C h a r a c t e r i s t i c s of Cord1 e s s Telephones,
Doc. XVI Plenary, CCIR Report AM/8.

23. Hi r s t , P r i v a t e Communication, MITRE c o r p o r a t i o n , 1988.

24. FCC, Rules and Regulations, Section 22.601 and Section 1.106.
FORM NTIA-29 US. DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
(4-w NATX. TELECOMMUNICATIONS AN0 INFORMATION AOMINISTRATION

BIBLIOGRAPHIC DATA SHEET

1. PUBLICATION NO. 2. Gov't Accession NO. 3. Recipient's Accession No.

NTIA TR-89-241
4. TITLE AND SUBTITLE 5. Publication Date

METEOR BURST SYSTEM MARCH 1989

6. Performing Organization Code
COMMUNICATIONS COMPATIBILITY NTIA/OSM/SEAD
I . AU Im u n ( s 1 9. ProjecVTaskIWork Unit No.
David J. Cohen, W. Grant, F. Steele
8. PERFORMING ORGANIZATION NAME AND ADDRESS
9019171
National Telecommunications and
Information Administration 10. ContractfGrant No.
179 Admiral Cochrane Drive
Annapol is, MD 21401
11. Sponsoring Organization Name and Address 12. Type of Report and Period Covered

U.S. Department of Commerce/NTIA TECHNICAL

179 Admiral Cochrane Drive
Annapolis, MD 21401
14. SUPPLEMENTARY NOTES

15. ABSTRACT (A 200-word or less tactual summary of most significant information. I1 document includes a signilicant bibliography or literature
survey, mention i t here.)

The technical and operating characteristics of meteor burst systems of importance

for spectrum management applications -are identified. A technical assessment is
included which identifies the most appropriate frequency subbands within the VHF
spectrum to support meteor burst systems. The electromagnetic compatibil i ty of
meteor burst systems with other equipments in the VHF spectrum is determined
using computerized analysis methods for both ionospheric and groundwave propa-
gation modes. It is shown that meteor burst equipments can cause and are
susceptible to groundwave interference from other VHF equipments. The report
includes tables of geographical distance separations between meteor burst and
other VHF equipments which satisfy interference threshold criteria.

16. Key Words (Alphabetical order, separated b y semicolons)

Compatibi 1 i ty; Interference; Meteor Burst; Spectrum Management

1 1 20.
1
17. AVAILABILITY STATEMENT 18. Security Class. (This report; Number of pages

UNLIMITED.
UNCLASSIFIED 1 Ill
19. Security Class. (This page) 21. Price:
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