FINAL REPORT - Stakeholders - Ofcom

thorough hazard analysis which is often complex and time consuming. In engineering out
risks, it is fundamental that they avoid losing control of the environment in which the
safety related service operates. As a result, band sharing can only be contemplated
where all band sharing parties operate in a fully regulated environment. Furthermore, they
wish to understand and partake in the analysis of any potential risk situations. On the
other hand the requirement for spectrum continues to grow and all parties have an
obligation to demonstrate that spectrum is being used efficiently.
In the technical domain primary radar does not share spectrum easily, however there are
possibilities which should be examined.
A further complication is the international aspect of both aviation and frequency
assignment; however, it is considered that a UK initiative in this area would be productive.
The need is therefore to provide a forum to discuss the band sharing issues in advance of
the formal process. This would allow time for the analysis to be completed with the
appropriate experts present, before the band sharing proposals are seen as a fait
accompli. Forum members could, for example, participate in the proposed statistical study
of band sharing with radar systems.
The introduction of primary radar standards would assist the analysis of band sharing
opportunities. These standards could be designed to take spectrum utilisation into
account as a parameter. The need for such standards could be initiated by the CAA in
conjunction with EUROCONTROL (operational requirements) and EUROCAE (technical
requirements). Note, however, it is unlikely that these standards could be rigid in all
respects given the self to self and proprietary nature of primary radar equipment.
3.2.10 Primary Radar Recommendations
The recommendations arising from consideration of the primary radar technical,
regulatory and socio-economic constraints have been grouped into the following
categories:
• Specific measures to release spectrum;
• General improvements of spectral characteristics of primary radar;
• Band sharing.
The recommendations take into account the following key issues:
• Spectrum planning must take account of the continuing operational requirement
for primary radar for en route, approach/TMA and airport surface detection. No
fundamental changes have been identified in the operational requirement which
would reduce spectrum requirements.
• Technology choice is driven primarily by the need to satisfy the operational
requirement.
• Spectrum planning will need to take into account some increase in potential
demand for civil ATC primary radar services, particularly for approach/TMA
facilities and surface movement radar. This is expected to grow in line with the
general expansion in air transport and may be further influenced by security
requirements.
• There may a requirement for reduced false alarm rates which needs to be taken
into consideration in the determination of radar protection criteria and band
sharing opportunities.
It is not clear that there is any viable technology to replace primary radar – certainly not in
the short term. In the absence of suitable alternative technologies, pricing would not
provide any incentive to move away from primary radar.
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