The satellite industry has worked hard over the years to minimize the risk of radio frequency interference (RFI). Poor quality antennas, mispointing, and insufficiently trained personnel have long been the issues the industry has collectively fought against.
Without mitigation, RFI is incredibly damaging. It can have a significant impact on service quality, leading to damage to the reputation of individual operators. But not only that, it could also lead to a broader loss of trust and credibility in the SATCOM industry as whole, making satellite less favorable in the eyes of stakeholders.
After a relatively long period of remaining fairly static, the SATCOM industry is currently undergoing a period of rapid change, brought about by increased demand for connectivity and major technological advancements in both the space and the ground segment. However, as the industry marches forward into its next iteration, is RFI an unavoidable consequence in the race towards progress? Or should we reaffirm our commitment to minimizing interference to safeguard the reliability and reputation of SATCOM?
RFI Remains
a Key Concern
The impact of RFI on satellite operations cannot be overstated. For years, operators have grappled with interference disrupting signal quality, leading to degraded service and customer dissatisfaction. Having said that, a great deal of progress has been made in tackling interference over the last two decades, and operators now have a variety of tools at their disposal to manage, mitigate and preempt RFI. Importantly, operators have grown accustomed to working closely together to resolve interference in a far more efficient manner. However, as a result of New Space, we’re now facing some new RFI challenges and it’s not clear whether current RFI tools will continue to be effective in this new environment.
RFI has remained a key area of attention for the SATCOMs Innovation Group (SIG) over the years and that is still the case today. Interference is still a very real problem impacting satellite operations on a regular basis, and as such, SIG continues to discuss the state of RFI at its technical workshops. This type of discussion is critically important, particularly given that the new RFI challenges that the industry is faces.
Causes of RFI
The primary causes of RF interference are usually human error and faulty or inadequate equipment. A lot of work has gone into addressing these issues such as through improving staff training, and developing better processes to prevent human error from occurring, to agreeing on minimum performance requirements for antennas and implementing more robust testing. Interestingly, despite these efforts, according to anecdotal evidence, human error still seems to be a primary cause of interference.
New type antennas are technically more complex than traditional fixed parabolic antennas and the margin for error is much smaller so it’s somewhat unsurprising that human error remains a key cause of interference. In terms of equipment failure, no doubt standardization and more robust testing have helped to reduce the risk of inference. However, the question is, will the risk of interference from equipment failure increase if the industry does not agree on minimum performance requirements for new style antennas? This seems highly probable.
Another key factor exacerbating the interference problem is the finite nature of the radio spectrum. Unlike other resources, the RF spectrum cannot be expanded or manufactured. This limited availability necessitates careful coordination and meticulous management to prevent interference between neighboring services. More satellites are being deployed, and new LEO constellations are being launched and existing ones expanded, and we’re starting to see multi-band networks operating across LEO/MEO and GEO.
All of these factors are making the SATCOM operating landscape much more complex, and it seems sensible to assume that with this increased level of complexity comes an increased risk of interference. These complex networks are also dynamic both on the ground and in space, which makes identifying and resolving the source of interference highly challenging. As satellite operators increasingly share orbital slots and frequencies with other operators and technologies, the risk of interference grows, making it essential for the industry to adopt a more proactive approach to managing and mitigating RFI.
Tackling and
Resolving
Interference
As mentioned, satellite operators today have a whole host of tools and techniques at their fingertips for managing RFI. Geolocation is a widely used method for locating the source of, and resolving interference. Operators also use a number of other methods to manage interference, such as coordinating with other operators and regulators, moving to other capacities, smart monitoring, and regular and ongoing equipment testing.
A wide range of tools are currently used to tackle RFI. From capacity monitoring, to use of spectrum analyzers, antenna registrations, and Carrier Monitoring Systems. While existing tools are pretty effective at enabling the industry to manage RFI currently, it’s not certain that this will continue to be the case as we move forward.
It’s critical that we keep working to improve the tools and techniques we use for tackling and resolving interference. Developing space-based geolocation capabilities is one area of interest currently. It was widely discussed at the last SIG technical workshop and it’s generally accepted that it would improve the industry’s ability to mitigate RFI.
Is There an Acceptable
Limit to Interference?
Interference is a concern for the entire industry because when it occurs, it’s not limited only to the service where the interference occurs. It can have a cascading effect, disrupting not just the affected service but also those in adjacent bands. The cost of interference can be steep, both in terms of immediate financial losses due to service degradation and the long-term cost of rebuilding damaged customer trust.
In the past, a single interference event would have been a cause for concern, prompting immediate action. However, in today’s fast-paced environment, some operators may consider occasional interference events, once a week or once a day for example, to be an acceptable compromise.
However, what happens if the number of interference events keeps increasing to tens or even hundreds of incidents per day? The cumulative impact of frequent interference can be substantial, leading to significant service degradation, customer complaints, and potential financial penalties. Importantly, if interference occurrences are normalized, this could set a dangerous precedent, leading to complacency and a decline in overall service quality across the industry.ZZZ
Prioritizing
Quality and
Best Practices
The satellite industry is at a pivotal moment where the ground segment is becoming more crowded and complex, with more players entering the market and new technologies converging.
This increasing density necessitates a renewed focus on quality control, rigorous testing, and adherence to best practices. The industry must recognize that, while innovation and expansion are crucial for growth, they should not come at the expense of service reliability and quality.
Investing in high-quality equipment, robust testing, ensuring proper installation and ongoing maintenance of antennas, and fostering a culture of continuous training for personnel are all essential strategies to minimize RFI. Furthermore, adopting more advanced monitoring and mitigation technologies, such as space-based geolocation can likely help detect and resolve interference issues more swiftly and accurately.
The reputation of the satellite industry has been painstakingly built over decades, characterized by a commitment to reliability, quality of service, and customer trust. As the industry moves into its next phase of development, it’s imperative that this reputation is not jeopardized by a growing tolerance for RFI. The finite nature of the spectrum and the increasing complexity of the satellite environment demand a proactive, vigilant approach to interference management.
Ultimately, the industry must strike a balance between innovation and reliability, ensuring that the push for progress does not undermine the very foundation upon which the satellite sector is built. By prioritizing quality, equipment testing and adherence to best practices, the satellite industry can continue to thrive, delivering the reliable, high-quality service that customers have come to expect.
Helen Weedon
In this manner, we can ensure that the finite spectrum is used efficiently and that the SATCOM’s reputation remains intact, securing its future in an increasingly crowded and competitive communication industry.
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Author Helen Weedon is the Managing Director of the Satellite Innovation Group