Roke Manor Research Highlights Interference Effects of Galileo Satellite on Wind Profiling Radars

Roke Manor Research, the electronics research and development business owned by Siemens, has successfully completed a study into Wind Profiling Radars (WPRs). The research was commissioned by Ofcom, the regulator for the UK communications industries, with responsibilities across television, radio telecommunications and wireless communications services. The work will help WPR manufacturers prepare for the launch of the global navigation satellite system in 2007.

WPRs are used globally to support weather forecasting, atmospheric pollution monitoring and artillery accuracy enhancement. They operate at 1290 MHz, which is within the range of the proposed Galileo E6 channel.

Roke Manor Research constructed a computer model of a Galileo constellation, the propagation path and a typical WPR. Simulations showed that full WPR performance would be available for about 30% of the time. Using data generated in the simulations, Roke Manor Research was then able to develop a test signal generator and undertake field trials on WPRs from two manufacturers. The test signal generator measured the effects of changing the level of Galileo interference or the frequency of the WPR.

Using this evidence, Roke Manor Research has developed a number of mitigation strategies to enable manufacturers to implement cost-effective modifications to WPRs. The study will also enable improved spectrum planning to safeguard the use of the WPRs.

"With its history of developing satellite communication systems, we were confident Roke Manor Research had the in-depth knowledge and experience we required", said Dominic Hayes of Ofcom.

"Roke Manor Research has played an instrumental role in developing systems for Galileo", says Dr David Smith, director of the Wireless Business Unit at Roke Manor Research. "In the lead up to the launch in 2007, we will continue to carry out and build upon existing Galileo research. Our test signal generator builds on the success of the Galileo Receiver for High Integrity Navigation Operations (RHINO) ASIC, which we developed in partnership with Raytheon Systems. This GPS/Galileo satellite navigation receiver is particularly suited to applications such as avionic and safety-of-life services, where a high level of receiver integrity is required."

About Roke Manor Research

Owned by Siemens, Roke Manor Research is recognized as a worldwide centre of excellence for research and development. Roke Manor Research specialises in the fields of electronics sensors and communications and with 50 years’ experience in radio systems consultancy, integrated solutions and product design, has the breadth of technology and skill customers can rely on to meet all their wireless communications needs. Visit www.roke.co.uk for more information.

Notes for Editors

Galileo is the European global navigation satellite system jointly developed by the European Space Agency as a civilian rival to the Global Positioning System (GPS) run by the US military. Satellite radio navigation is an advanced technology. It is based on the emission from satellites of signals indicating the time extremely precisely. This enables an individual to determine his or her position or the location of any moving or stationary object to within one metre. By offering dual frequencies as standard, Galileo will be the first publically available system to deliver real-time positioning accuracy down to the metre range and guarantee availability of the service under all but the most extreme circumstances.

Wind Profile Radars

Wind profile radar provide wind measurements and turbulence information as a function of altitude in most weather conditions. The region of observations of these radars ranges from the ground up to 30 km, the altitude resolution is from 30m up to 1500m, and the time delay between profiles from about ten minutes to an hour. The present development of weather forecasting requires frequent, closely spaced, and high quality wind data with improved accuracy from near the Earth's surface to high in the atmosphere.

Due to their capabilities, the development of wind profilers is increasing, and many networks are under study, construction or in operation for research purposes and meteorological prediction, both in the United States and in Europe.