Overview

Aim:

To provide a medium for enhancing communication between people with a technical interest in optimizing the use of the radio spectrum for astronomical research.

Definition:

Here we use the terms "interference" and "RFI (radio frequency interference)" as a shorthand for any signal that is not of cosmic origin. What we call RFI is often a signal of considerable economic value to other users of the radio spectrum. In that case we look for ways of coexisting with other radio services in any or all of the frequency, time and spatial dimensions. In other cases the RFI is of little or no value, e.g., incidental radiation from digital equipment or out-of-band emissions, and we seek methods for suppressing such radiation to the benefit of all spectrum users.

Spectrum Management:

Our goals are complementary to the spectrum management efforts of radio astronomers in organizations such as the International Telecommunications Union (ITU) and national regulatory agencies. Allocated portions of the radio spectrum for the exclusive use by radio astronomy are extremely valuable to the science. However, nature does not confine itself to radiating in a limited number of frequency bands so part of the science requires observations in unprotected bands. Since radio astronomy is a passive service (receive only) it can make use of frequencies allocated to other services without danger of interference, but we must then find ways of separating cosmic from other signals.

Foci:

Application of interference excision techniques from other fields of radio engineering
Techniques for suppressing incidental radiation
Characterization of the radio environment
Cooperation with all radio engineers to find more efficient ways of using the radio spectrum to the benefit of both commercial and scientific interests

Invitation

Most contributors to this Web site will be from radio observatories and university astronomy departments. We hope that your institution is represented. Scientists and engineers from industry and electrical engineering departments are very welcome. Radio astronomy is not such a big science that it can directly sponsor design studies and research in this area, but we think we have some interesting problems to offer that can form the basis of a research grant proposal to a funding agency.

Contributions:

These pages can be maintained by anyone who wishes to contribute to it, simply download the page (File/Save As.. in Netscape), make the modification, and email the page to rsault@atnf.csiro.au