Protection Ratio Calculation Methods for Fixed Radiocommunications Links

This paper describes three methods of calculating required interference protection ratios for Fixed Link radiocommunications receivers, using ITU-R prediction methods. The Initial Planning Method in common use in Australia can be used to predict the required fade margins for Fixed Links operating at frequencies where the dominant fade mechanism is multipath. The Detailed Link Planning Method can be used to determine more rigorous fade margin requirements for specific Fixed Links with known system and path parameters. The updated ITU-R Method for Small Percentages of Time has the potential to be implemented in a semi-automated way, without reference to topographic information or path profiles. Input of averaged parameters is replaced with specific known parameters at Fixed Link path location

CONTEMPORARY SPECTRUM MANAGEMENT IN AUSTRALIA

The already intensive use of the radiofrequency spectrum for wireless communication systems continues to increase. The success of wireless communications and the integral part they now play in our modern society is, in part, due to effective spectrum management. As a result, an understanding of spectrum management is important in the consideration of any radio communication system. Spectrum management is a discipline that, if done well, is practically transparent to the user. However, if ineffective, it has the potential to have a major negative impact on the entire community. In this paper we will provide a brief overview of some aspects of spectrum management in Australia. The international foundation of spectrum management will be outlined, along with some of the contemporary challenges and opportunities

Australian square kilometre array pathfinder: I. system description

In this paper, we describe the system design and capabilities of the Australian Square Kilometre Array Pathfinder (ASKAP) radio telescope at the conclusion of its construction project and commencement of science operations. ASKAP is one of the first radio telescopes to deploy phased array feed (PAF) technology on a large scale, giving it an instantaneous field of view that covers 31 deg2 at 800 MHz. As a two-dimensional array of 36x12 m antennas, with baselines ranging from 22 m to 6 km, ASKAP also has excellent snapshot imaging capability and 10 arcsec resolution. This, combined with 288 MHz of instantaneous bandwidth and a unique third axis of rotation on each antenna, gives ASKAP the capability to create high dynamic range images of large sky areas very quickly. It is an excellent telescope for surveys between 700 and 1800 MHz and is expected to facilitate great advances in our understanding of galaxy formation, cosmology, and radio transients while opening new parameter space for discovery of the unknown