nsf.gov - Astronomical Sciences (AST) - Funding - Electromagnetic Spectrum Management

The objective of Electromagnetic Spectrum Management (ESM) is to ensure the access of the scientific community to portions of the radio spectrum that are needed for research purposes. ESM does this by representing the interests of the NSF and the scientific community in the field of telecommunications management and regulation, involving in particular:

Participating in the establishment of radio regulations, operating procedures and technical standards related to government uses of the radio spectrum, by representing the NSF on the Interdepartment Radio Advisory Committee (IRAC) and its subcommittees and ad-hoc committees

Participating in the establishment of radio regulations, operating procedures and technical standards related to private sector uses of the radio spectrum, by providing input into Federal Communications Commission (FCC) proceedings, directly or through the National Telecommunication and Information Administration (NTIA)

Establishment of international radio regulations, by providing input into U .S. Govt. preparations for World Radiocommunication Conferences through the Radio Conference Subcommittee of the IRAC (RCS), and serving as technical advisor to U.S. delegations to World Radiocommunication Conferences, when appropriate.

Registration of Radio Telescopes

Other ESM activities:

Working with the appropriate Study Groups, Working Parties and Task Groups of the Radiocommunication Sector of the International Telecommunication Union, such as:
- SG 7 (Science Services) and WP 7D (Radioastronomy), and chairing the corresponding U.S. group, to ensure that technical requirements for radio astronomy are adequately portrayed, and serving on U.S. delegations to appropriate ITU-R meetings. US WP 7D activities and documentation may be accessed through the US SG 7 website.

Maintaining liaison with the Committee on Radio Frequencies (CORF) of the National Academy of Sciences, the US National Committee of the International Radio Science Union (USNC-URSI) and the Committee on Radio Astronomy Frequencies (CRAF) of the European Science Foundation (ESF)

Obtaining spectrum support for NSF radio communications systems and radio research instruments, such as, e.g. weather radars, when required. For spectrum certification of major systems, and for frequency assignments please contact: Dr. Andrew Clegg, by telephone at (703) 292-4892 or by e-mail at aclegg@nsf.gov