WRC-23 Agenda Items 1.16 and 1.17 in Regards to Passive Remote Sensing Operations in the 18.6-18.8 GHz Frequency Band

Space based remote sensing passive operations in the 18.6-18.8 GHz frequency band experience radio frequency interference (RFI) adjacent to coastal shore lines and over inland lakes. The RFI is believed to originate from geostationary commercial satellite emissions reflecting from the water surface. These commercial services are assumed to operate within emission limits specified by the International Radio Regulations and those limits are based on analyses performed prior to 2000. However, a reexamination of sea surface reflection coefficients indicates that the assumptions used in those analyses were incorrect. New radio regulation provisions are under development to be considered for incorporation into the Radio Regulations and they may allow for increased occurrences of RFI impacting remote sensing operations in the 18.6-18.8 GHz frequency band and also extend those RFI occurrences to ocean surfaces throughout the world. This paper provides information on the development of these proposed radio provisions. New radio regulation provisions are under development to be considered for incorporation into the Radio Regulations and they may allow for increased occurrences of RFI impacting remote sensing operations in the 18.6-18.8 GHz frequency band and also extend those RFI occurrences to ocean surfaces throughout the world. This paper provides information on the development of these proposed radio provisions.