IUCAF
The IUCAF is an international committee for the administration and enforcement of free frequency ranges for radio astronomy and other passive radio services and uses. The full name of the IUCAF is, contrary to the abbreviation: Scientific committee on frequency allocations for radio astronomy and space science or with the French title: Comité Scientifique pour l'Allocation des Fréquences à la Radio Astronomie et la Recherche Spatiale . In Europe and South Africa, the CRAF represents the interests of radio astronomers.
Foundation and background
The IUCAF was founded in 1960 by the ICSU , mainly with the participation of the URSI , IAU and COSPAR organizations represented in the ICSU , in order to create a common platform for the use of frequency ranges for passive services. The feared effects of the West Ford project , which directly threatened the practice of radio astronomy , were formative and encouraging . When it was founded, the title was Inter-Union on the Allocation of Frequencies for Space Research and Radio Astronomy and was later changed. The abbreviation had already been established and was retained.
With increasing technology, more and more frequency ranges of the electromagnetic spectrum are becoming interesting for commercial use. The use of a frequency range for active services such as B. cellular, however, hinders passive reception by z. B. radio telescopes in this area.
aims
The aim of IUCAF is to reserve and maintain frequency bands for passive services, and thus to enable research in this area. This also includes making the needs of users of passive radio services known to the broadest possible public. The most important target group, however, are the national and international bodies that decide on frequency usage plans.
Working method
The IUCAF studies and coordinates the needs of radio astronomers, space explorers and remote sensing facilities. The IUCAF exchanges information with the regional organizations CRAF , RAFCAP and CORF
- Frequency distribution plans
- future activities and
- Strategies.
For this purpose, the
- Workshop on RFI Mitigation, as well as the
- Summer School on Spectrum Management
organized.
It is active in the ITU through
- Participation in the Radiocommunications Assembly (RA) and there in Study Group 7 (SG7)
- Influence on the resolutions of the World Radio Conference (WRC)
IUCAF also has an observer seat in the SFCG .
financing
The work of IUCAF is financed by the founding organizations URSI, IAU and COSPAR. Recurring expenses are essentially travel expenses for the delegates. In addition, funds from the ICSU can be applied for for international and interdisciplinary activities such as conferences.
IUCAF headquarters
The Secretariat is based in Meudon , France , but is internationally active due to its structure. The IUCAF is a member without voting rights in the ITU .
Web links
Individual evidence
- ↑ FREQUENCY ALLOCATION: The First Forty Years (PDF; 204 kB) from Annual Review of Astronomy and Astrophysics No. 37, 1999, pages 65-96
- ↑ what do the letters IUCAF stand for? Lecture on IUCAF at the SUMMER SCHOOL IN SPECTRUM MANAGEMENT FOR RADIO ASTRONOMY in Green Banks