Committee on Radio Astronomy Frequencies

The Committee on Radio Astronomy Frequencies (CRAF) is a committee of the European Science Foundation (ESF).

ESF Expert Committee on Radio Astronomy Frequencies (CRAF)

Progress Report for 2004

CRAF is the ESF Expert Committee on Radio Astronomy Frequencies. CRAF co-ordinates the efforts on frequency protection for European radio astronomy, passive remote sensing and related sciences.

CRAF is sector member of the Radiocommunication Sector of the International Telecommunication Union (ITU), the global organisation dealing with radio frequency management. CRAF has also formal observer status within the Conférence Européenne des Postes et des Télécommunications (CEPT), which represents 47 national Administrations and is responsible for European radio frequency management. This enables CRAF to participate at all levels within the CEPT.

CRAF participated actively in various CEPT activities at all levels on other important issues, such as

  • preparation of European positions for the ITU-R World Radiocommunication Conference 2007, WRC-07;
  • the impact of telecommunication by high tension cable systems;
  • broadcasting issues: in preparation for a Regional ITU conference in 2004 on the revision of the Stockholm-1961 agreement considering the introduction of Digital Terrestrial Video Broadcasting (DVB-T), and the protection of radio astronomy at 0.6 and 1.4 GHz from interference from a broadcasting-satellite system and subsequent preparation for the second session of the conference in 2006;
  • Ultra Wideband Transmission technology and Short Range Radar for automotive applications, which have significant impact on the fundamentals of radio frequency regulation and management. In particular, specific regulations for the protection of the vulnerable passive radiocommunication services (like radio astronomy) are currently under severe pressure by industrial interests.

    Having a single European radio astronomy position on these issues is essential. CRAF provides input to the CEPT to ensure that the radio astronomical and related scientific use of frequencies is known and properly protected.

    The CRAF members of IUCAF, the Scientific Committee on Frequency Allocations for Radio Astronomy and Space Science of UNESCO, also help to propagate and support the common European CEPT positions on issues related to the fields of science they represent on a worldwide level within the ITU and other global fora. Under IUCAF, CRAF participated in ITU-R activities such as in ITU-R Working Party 7D (radio astronomy), Task Group 1/8 (Ultra-Wide band issues) and Task Group 1/9 (Spurious emission issues).

    In January 2004 Dr. Roberto Ambrosini succeeded Dr. Wim van Driel as chairman of CRAF. Considering the recommendation of the ESF Review Panel on CRAF, CRAF has started to develop a strategy to search for a successor of the CRAF frequency manager, Dr. Titus Spoelstra.

    The CRAF Newsletter, which is made available on the World Wide Web and in hardcopy format, continues to enjoy a wide interest among national frequency administrations, industry and research organisations.

    CRAF had two plenary meetings in 2004: in Paris (France) on 15-16 April and in Strasbourg (France) on 11-12 October. Sponsored by the ESF, CRAF organized a workshop on “Active Protection of Passive Radio Services: towards a concerted strategy" held at Cagliari (Sardinia, Italy) on 28-29 October 2004 to bring together representatives of passive service organisations to strengthen their concerted voice in frequency matters.

    Last modified: November 12, 2004