What is the concern about spectrum leasing and weather prediction? [closed]
Closed as unclear by Mithrandir24601 on Aug 25, 2024 at 20:54
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I am led to understand that a proposed frequency auction by the Federal Communications Commission[1] has been criticized because part of the spectrum is used to gather data on weather systems.
From what I've read in the news, the auction covers 24.25 to 25.25 gigahertz (GHz), and there is concern that "5 G networks" using that band may interfere with satellites measuring water vapor in the 23.6- to 24-GHz band.[2][3]
It's been called "a gift of nature" that atmospheric water vapor transmits a faint signal at those frequencies that can be passively detected by a microwave radiometer.[4][5] So this frequency band apparently has some physical basis, as opposed to active radar or communication transmissions where the human who designs the transmitter can arbitrarily choose any one band of a wide range of frequencies.
How is that frequency used for weather stuff?[6] What is the impact of other devices broadcasting on that frequency?
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The FCC is USA's communications regulation agency. ↩︎
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Science "Lawmakers seek delay of radio spectrum auction for next-gen cell service, saying 5G plans could hurt weather satellite data" ↩︎
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Arstechnica "5G likely to mess with weather forecasts, but FCC auctions spectrum anyway" ↩︎
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Scientific American "5G Wireless Could Interfere with Weather Forecasts" ↩︎
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Weather "5G Wireless Networks Could Interfere with Weather Forecasts, Meteorologists Warn" ↩︎
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Something about clouds, maybe? I can see clouds with my eyes, though. Why is that spectrum band special? ↩︎
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