 |
Annual Report & Accounts 1998 - 1999 |
Technical Support
The Agency's Radio Technology and Compatibility Group (RTCG) at Whyteleafe, Surrey, provides technical support, mainly to the Agency's engineers, to assist them in determining the compatibility issues between emerging and existing radio systems. In addition to providing advanced computer simulations of radio networks, project work is undertaken involving the use of complex equipment, radio frequency environmental and field test facilities. It thus extends the theoretical work which is carried out in headquarters and complements some of the longer term research work carried out by external organisations.
Propagation Research
The Agency spent £3.2m on external research during 1998/99. This expenditure consisted of support for core propagation studies at Rutherford Appleton Laboratory, propagation research at other locations including universities and extra-mural research and development, investigating emerging areas of technology, the use of mathematical modelling in frequency assignment and the development of spectrum sharing models.
The work is generally aimed at advancing knowledge of propagation mechanisms and how to predict their influence on radio systems. Of particular concern and the subject of continuing exploration is the effect of precipitation on the performance of fixed links at frequencies above about 13GHz. Factors affecting point-to-multipoint systems at about 40GHz have also been the subject of examination. Future effort will concentrate on long-term measurements and mobile propagation issues, particularly those which may impact on possible frequency band constraints for UMTS.
The Agency is supporting plans to make propagation measurements during the summer 1999 eclipse and is encouraging the involvement of schools and young people through a programme being arranged by Rutherford Appleton Laboratory.
Industrial, Scientific and Medical (ISM) Equipment
The Agency commissioned a study to follow up last year's successful research project into eliminating undue radio interference from out-of-specification ISM equipment. The contract was awarded to ERA Technology, who investigated three important areas identified in the final report of last year's research. These were polarisers, vestibules and frequency stabilisation, details of which can be found in the report Practical implementation of radiated emission reduction and frequency stabilisation of ISM equipment operating in the 27 MHz band, published on the RA website. UK manufacturers have already expressed an interest in the latest findings which give the potential to produce new industrial machines and modify existing ISM equipment to emit lower levels of radio frequency radiation.
Programme-Making
The Agency continued research into the scope for employing new technology to make more efficient use of programme-making spectrum. It commissioned a report from The Smith Group on the application of digital technology to programme makers' vision links. This report, The feasibility of Introducing Digital ENG/OB Video Links, concluded that a move to digital equipment was technically feasible and, for some applications, would lead to considerable bandwidth reduction. It suggested that the Agency should promote the use of digital equipment by allowing it to be licensed in selected bands alongside analogue equipment. The Agency has followed up this by agreeing with JFMG Ltd provisional arrangements for licensing users who may wish to test digital equipment.
Testing and Development
The Agency has continued to encourage innovation by issuing Testing and Development licences to use radio spectrum to develop ideas or test new technology.
|
