the question: the telemetry spectrum problem: just how bad is it? international consortium for...

The Question:The Telemetry Spectrum Problem:

Just How Bad Is It?

International Consortium for Telemetry Spectrum

International Telemetering Conference San Diego CA USA, 23-26 October 2006

Mr. Mikel R. RyanMid-Atlantic Area Frequency Coordination Office

Naval Air Warfare Center Aircraft Division Patuxent River, Maryland USA



We are Losing Bands to Spectrum AuctionsWhich

Compels Spectrum Orphans to Migrate to the Few Remaining Bands

While

Spectrum Requirements are Radically ExpandingAssuring

More Congestion & Competition & Conflict

C3I: The CCC Imperative

“Die, Spectrum Swine, Die!”The Consequences of Electromagnetic Abuse

2003 USN/USMC Frequency Management Seminar Mission Valley Marriott, San Diego CA, 12 February 2003

Mr. Mikel R. RyanMiddle Atlantic Area Frequency Coordinator Naval Air Warfare Center Aircraft Division

Patuxent River, Maryland

DIFFERENT BREEDS OF SWINE The Traditionalist: “We’ve Always Done This.” The Bequeathed: “But We’ve Been Using These Freqs

for Generations.” The Innocent: “I thought the ___ took care of this.” The Indignant: “Someone’s On My Frequency!” The Evolutionist: “We Have the Technology to Make

It Better.” The Philosopher: “I Buy, Thus I Broadcast.” The Selfless Warrior-God: “Radiate As We Fight.” The Heretic: “Screw Everybody; I’m Important.”

2003 USN/USMC Frequency Management Seminar Mission Valley Marriott, San Diego CA, 12 February 2003



Mike,EA-18G test aircraft EA1 flew at Pax on Tues 03 Oct from 1100 to 1300. TM freqs used were 1770.5 and 1840.5. Do you know if there was anything transmitting around 1800MHz on that day? Saw something on the spectrum analyzer and trying to make sure it'snot an issue with our transmitters.Ward

Nothing that I know of but keep in mind the 1710-1850 MHz band is not the private domain of EA-18G or PAX River or Flight Test Telemetry for that matter. While we can (and probably will) schedule all ATR usage in that band (favoring high-priority EA-18G) once you get to altitude you'll probably/periodically see other users up 'n down the east coast. The spectrum is getting very congested/conflicted/contested and you will have to share: best get used to it.Mikel Ryan



AN/VRC-99A & B: A DoD Tactical Radio System * Operates in the 1300-1500, 1708-1836 & 1868-1980 (??!!) MHz bands.

TTNT: Target Control System * Operates in the 1350-1520 & 1750-1850 MHz bands.

What Are These Guys Doing In ATM Bands???



Why am I not surprised this mess involves the notorious AN/VRC-99??? Heard a separate yet similar complaint from a Boeing frequency manager just last week in Memphis. This gear has been bouncing around the 1200-2000 MHz band the past several years trying to find an electromagnetic home. These orphans have made several attempts to interlope on the 1435-1525 MHz Flight Test Band; see my rather testy comments below from when they tried to get channels in that band to support a FLEETEX in the FACSFAC VACAPES OPAREA last year:

"Concur with request with the following conditions and comments. The 1435-1525 MHz band is allocated for Government/non-Government Aeronautical Telemetry exclusively (see NTIA Manual pages 4-46/47). Thus, flight test operations in the Mid-Atlantic Region must be protected. All usage of this band of this band by all band users must be scheduled in hourly increments with the regional Telemetry Coordinator (Mr. Larry Joy, 301-342-1542). Since Flight Test operations have priority recommend AN/VRC-99A testing be conducted at night and on weekends. Be aware this system will never be permitted to utilize this band operationally stateside. Recommend system developers take a closer look at the 1755-1850 MHz band."



We recently had some UAV folks wanna fly at Lakehurst and PAX and they too were astonished when they finally realized the VRC-99s (A and B versions) they'd heavily invested in were operating (except for 1708-1836 MHz) in incompatible/near-unsupportable frequency bands. Both the VRC-99 and TTNT frequency schemes are just total messes, and I'm getting real tired of explaining to a seemingly endless parade of T&E Program Engineers & Managers that their baby's ugly.

This TTNT business is smelling more & more like another VRC-99 fiasco. Again, be aware the 1435-1525 MHz band is for flight test telemetering exclusively and any attempts by the TTNT folks to long-term test & train in that band stateside will not be treated by the DoD Ranges or AFTRCC casually or sympathetically.



Mike,Lets be careful with being too abrasive, we have customers on this email list wanting professional help that is why they are asking important questions sooner than later. Aaron

Sure don't mean to be abrasive, just a bit fatigued seeing/explaining/accommo-dating the same spectrum management problems over & over again to the full-throttle UAV industry. I've given numerous briefs to various local, national and international audiences on this issue trying to head off wasted $$$s (or Euros), conflicts & crashes. Heck, every two years at the Webster Field UAV Exhibition we have to ground (read "static display") several UAVs because they will cause interference to local authorized users and/or are so dangerously susceptible to interference, usually because of their heavy dependence on unlicensed/unprotected Part 15 Devices. We also give out an informal award to the wackiest spectrum-challenged UAV. Last time it went to a UAV whose video data and C&C links were fixed on DC/Baltimore commercial VHF TV channels!!! Mike Ryan

The Question:The Telemetry Spectrum Problem:

Just How Bad Is It?

The Answer:Pretty Bad

The Qualifier:It’s Bad All Over



the question: the telemetry spectrum problem: just how bad is it? international consortium for...

Documents

spectrum swine

telemetry spectrum problem

spectrum analyzer

flight test telemetry

flight test band

atm bands

boeing frequency manager

pax river