Review of ITU-R Study Group Activities

Kevin A. Hughes

Radiocommunication Bureau

ITU-R objective

• “…to ensure rational, equitable, efficient and economical use of the spectrum by all services, ……

• …to carry out studies and adopt Recommendations on radiocommunication matters”

ITU-R objective

Objective achieved through (inter alia):

• World (and Regional) Radiocommunication Conferences

• Approval of Recommendations

Technical studies are required

which are conducted in Study Groups

ITU-R Study Groups

• Groups of experts from ITU membership

• Draft technical bases for WRCs (and RRCs)

• Draft Recommendations• technical characteristics

• operational procedures

• Compile Handbooks

Study Groups

• SG 1: Spectrum management

• SG 3: Radiowave propagation

• SG 4: Fixed-satellite service

• SG 6: Broadcasting service

• SG 7: Science services

• SG 8: Mobile services

• SG 9: Fixed service

ITU-R Study Groups

• Currently 7 Study Groups• Subordinate groups

• Working Party• Task Group• Rapporteur Group• Joint …….

• Coordination Committee for Vocabulary• Special Committee (regulatory/procedural)• CPM - Conference Preparatory Meeting

Scope of Study Group 1(Spectrum management)

• Principles and techniques for• spectrum management

• sharing criteria and methods

• spectrum monitoring

• long-term strategies for spectrum utilization

• Inter-service sharing and compatibility

SG 1- some key areas of study -

• Unwanted emissions• out-of-band (OOB) and spurious emission domains• protection of safety and passive services

• Spectrum management methodologies• long-term planning for national SM• economic approaches

• Handbooks• Spectrum monitoring• National spectrum management

Scope of Study Group 3(Radiowave propagation)

Propagation of radiowaves in ionized and non-ionized media and the characteristics of radio noise, for the purpose of improving radiocommunication systems

SG 3- some key areas of study -

• Global mapping of radiometeorological parameters• rain intensity, water vapour density

• refractivity

• Prediction procedures• interference and coordination

• Earth-satellite paths

• short-range communications (personal, LANs)

• terrestrial broadcasting and mobile services

Scope of Study Group 4(Fixed-satellite service)

Systems and networks for the FSS and inter-satellite links (in the FSS), including associated tracking, telemetry and telecommand functions

SG 4- some key areas of study -

• Sharing between non-GSO FSS systems and other FSS networks• mitigation techniques for sharing between

• non-GSO/FSS systems and other networks using the GSO

• non-GSO FSS systems

• IP over satellite• WRC-03 issues

• e.g. protection of MSS feeder links at 5 GHz

Scope of Study Group 6(Broadcasting service)

Radiocommunication broadcasting (terrestrial and satellite) of vision, sound, multimedia and data services primarily intended for delivery to the general public

SG 6- some key areas of study -

• Digital sound broadcasting below 30 MHz• system specification (Rec. BS.1514-1)

• planning parameters (DNR)

• Studies relating to revised b’cast satellite plans (Appendices 30 and 30A)• sharing criteria between BSS, FSS and terrestrial

services

• Guidelines for system options for digital terrestrial TV b’casting

SG 6- some key areas of study (continued) -

• Coverage prediction methods and evaluation of DTTB systems

• Protection of b’cast systems against radiation by wired systems, ISM equipment and short-range devices

Scope of Study Group 7(Science services)

• Systems for space operation, space research, Earth exploration and meteorology

• Radio astronomy

• Standard frequency and time signals

SG 7- some key areas of study -

• Allocations for space science services• space operations and space research services

• precipitation radars (~ 35 GHz)

• Earth exploration satellite service (420-470 MHz)

• Radio astronomy• protection criteria

Scope of Study Group 8(Mobile services)

Systems and networks for the mobile, radiodetermination and amateur services, including related satellite services

SG 8- some key areas of study -

• IMT-2000• update radio interface specs.• global spectrum harmonization• systems beyond IMT-2000

• PPDR (Public Protection and Disaster Relief)• identification of spectrum• Draft New Report on objectives and

requirements for PPDR

SG 8- some key areas of study (continued) -

• ITS (Intelligent Transportation Systems)• standards for Vehicle Information and

Communication Systems (VICS)

• evolution of Dedicated Short Range Communication (DSRC) systems

• RLANs (Nomadic Wireless Access)• broadband NWA (frequency spectrum and

standards harmonization)

Scope of Study Group 9(Fixed service)

Systems and networks of the fixed service operating via terrestrial stations

SG 9- some key areas of study -

• High altitude platform stations (HAPS)• additional allocations in range 18-32 GHz• technical and operational characteristics• impact on other services• interference mitigation techniques

• Frequency bands for High Density systems in FSS• above about 19 GHz

• Handbooks• Frequency adaptive systems at MF/HF• Fixed Wireless Access

Joint Studies

• Joint Task Group (JTG) 4-7-8-95 GHz band allocations• WRC-03 AI 1.5• Resolution 736 (WRC-2000)

• JTG 4-7-8Sharing in band 13.75-14 GHz• WRC-03 AI 1.24• Resolution 733 (WRC-2000)

Study Group Products

• Technical bases for WRC• CPM Report

• Draft ITU-R Recommendations

• Handbooks

CPM Report to WRC-03

1. Radionavigation, radnav-sat and radiolocation services

2. Mobile, mob-satellite and space science services3. Fixed-satellite and broadcast-sat services4. Fixed and fixed-sat services and HAPS5. Maritime-mobile, amateur and am-sat, and

b’cast services at MF and HF6. Other matters7. Future work programme

ITU-R Recommendations

• > 900 Recommendations in 16 series• “Standards” in areas of spectrum

management and radio technology• Result of consensus from meetings of

world-wide experts• Some referred to in RR• Used by spectrum planners and system

designers

ITU-R Handbooks

• Over 30 published

• Tutorial in nature

• Emphasis on use by developing countries

• Liaison with ITU-D (and ITU-T)

• Continuing Handbook programme in ITU-R

Concluding remarks

• The Study Groups represent a major aspect of ITU-R activities

• Technical forum for discussion amongst experts

• Technical bases for Radio Conferences

• Recommendations and Handbooks