Latest News
Interference solutions for military systems differ than those for commercial, as they have different constraints and requirements. The issue of interference has always been a top concern for commercial/military partnerships, especially for satellites containing valuable military programs on hosted payloads. In the aftermath of the Satellite Interference Reduction Group (sIRG) conference in January, SES Senior Manager of Customer Service Delivery Steven Smith spoke with Via Satellite about the challenges that face the satellite industry’s effort to combat interference and what role the Isle of Man’s Space Data Association (SDA) will play in overcoming those challenges.
Via Satellite: What progress do you think can be made by the satellite industry this year in coming up with an effective strategy to eliminate/reduce interference?
Smith: The main action plan will be for the implementation of carrier ID. Initially, the focus will be to have carrier ID on video carriers for the 2012 Olympics event, and we have the support of major satellite operators and customers to achieve this. However, there is no single solution that can effectively eliminate interference. For implementation, there is a significant amount of planning that is required by each satellite operator and their customers, and also industry-wide coordination with vendors and interested groups, to make this happen. The sIRG organization can take a lead in coordinating and promoting the implementation. While the initial actions we take to start carrier ID may not provide major benefits in eliminating interference, it will be an important step for wider adoption of this initiative, which should reap rewards in the longer term.
Via Satellite: What would the first steps be in getting everyone in the industry moving in the same direction with carrier ID?
Smith: There are multiple things that can and should be done, including enhanced training and certification of system installers and technicians, adoption of best operational practices, improving the quality of satellite equipment and its type-approval, sharing of critical operational data and the implementation of innovative solutions and techniques such as carrier ID. Together, all of these initiatives have a role in minimizing the number of interference events and their speedier resolution.
Would there be any resistance to a global policy on interference from certain sectors of the industry, including military?
Smith: There may be some customers who will not want to use carrier ID because they don’t want to be identified or located. We understand that. However, the key thing that we want from this capability is to find out the satellite operator that is responsible for the respective carrier so that they can work with the customer to resolve the interference problem. While there may certainly be concern from some customers, I think a unique code known only to the satellite operator, which links that operator to their customer, is not such a wide concern.
Satellite News: Are satellite operators themselves in broad agreement about what needs to be done?
Smith: I can’t speak for other operators, but from participation in various industry forums it is clear that there is broad agreement about the actions that are required, because we all see that carrier ID could make a difference in helping resolve interference events. Once enough of us start to implement this technique, I expect most other operators will soon follow.
Get the latest Via Satellite news!
Subscribe Now