How bad will the sale of the spectrum down to 24.25 GHz be for weather radar?

In summary, there is a concern that the FCC's decision to auction off a bandwidth for 5G communications may interfere with weather forecasting. This particular band is also used for automotive radar, with a narrow band from 24.05 GHz to 24.25 GHz and an "Ultra Wide Band" from 21.65 GHz to 26.65 GHz. The FCC is licensing 24.25 to 25.25 GHz for 5G, which could potentially disrupt weather radar frequencies of 23.6 to 24.0 GHz. However, there is currently a buffer provided by the Automotive Narrow band, and both automotive radar and 5G manufacturers must stay within their assigned frequencies. This is seen as a manageable engineering
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Interesting. This band is also shared with car radar. Automotive narrow band (NB) is 24.05 GHz to 24.25GHz.

According to this Texas Instrument article:
https://e2e.ti.com/blogs_/b/behind_...tive-radar-systems-moving-from-24ghz-to-77ghz
There is also an "Ultra Wide Band" (UWB) from 21.65GHz to 26.65GHz, that is also currently in use - but which is to be phased out by 2022.

From the article you have cited, Weather radar is 23.6 to 24.0GHz, and the FCC is licensing 24.25 to 25.25 for 5G communications.

So it looks like Automotive Narrow band is providing a buffer between the Weather applications and 5G.

By the way, I work for Veoneer - a manufacturer or automotive radar sensors. Though I have always worked on development of the newer 77GHz sensors.

I am only slightly concerned. MMIC technology (radar chips) is steadily improving. Automotive radar and 5G manufacturers must stay within their assign frequency bands. And this is a manageable engineering problem.

Devices which violate their FCC license would be subject to recall.
 
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Here's a Scientific American article on the subject concerning weather forecasting.
 

1. How will the sale of the spectrum down to 24.25 GHz affect weather radar technology?

The sale of the spectrum down to 24.25 GHz will have a significant impact on weather radar technology. This frequency range is currently used by weather radar systems to detect and track precipitation, clouds, and other weather patterns. If this spectrum is sold to other users, it could lead to interference and disruption of weather radar operations.

2. Will the sale of the spectrum down to 24.25 GHz affect the accuracy of weather forecasts?

Yes, the sale of the spectrum down to 24.25 GHz could potentially impact the accuracy of weather forecasts. Weather radar data is a crucial component of weather forecasting, and any interference or disruption to this data could lead to less accurate predictions. This could have serious consequences for public safety and various industries that rely on accurate weather forecasts.

3. How will the sale of the spectrum down to 24.25 GHz impact the cost of weather radar systems?

The sale of the spectrum down to 24.25 GHz could potentially increase the cost of weather radar systems. If the spectrum is sold to other users, weather radar operators may have to invest in new equipment or technology to mitigate interference. This could result in higher costs for weather radar systems, which could ultimately be passed on to consumers.

4. Is there a potential solution to mitigate the impact of the sale of the spectrum down to 24.25 GHz on weather radar?

Yes, there are potential solutions to mitigate the impact of the sale of the spectrum down to 24.25 GHz on weather radar. One possible solution is to develop new technology or techniques that can filter out interference from other users. Another solution could be to allocate a different frequency range specifically for weather radar systems.

5. What are the potential consequences of the sale of the spectrum down to 24.25 GHz for weather radar?

The potential consequences of the sale of the spectrum down to 24.25 GHz for weather radar include decreased accuracy of weather forecasts, increased costs for weather radar systems, and potential disruptions to weather radar operations. This could have a significant impact on various industries, such as aviation, agriculture, and emergency management, that rely on accurate weather information.

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