Hopefully as you’ve been following along our SSRA related posts, you realize that Spectrum Supportability is not something that can be assumed; spectrum demand is increasing and available spectrum is decreasing. The requirement to perform and submit SSRAs is part of the DoD effort to ensure that we don’t continue to field systems with spectrum use issues and/or interference problems. From the list of suggested tasks noted in DoDI 4650.01, you will also realize that producing a meaningful SSRA is a significant engineering undertaking, not a task for the faint of heart. An understanding of the entire gamut of required information, the sources and availability of that information and the technical ability to collate, analyze and present the data, requires a specialized expertise and particular experience. And as a relatively new requirement, knowledgeable, experienced help in producing and reviewing SSRAs can be hard to find. EMC Management Concepts’ staff have extensive experience in DoD spectrum and E3 requirements, we have experience analyzing potential interference and RF interactions during program lifecycles and we can help YOUR program minimize spectrum supportability risks.
To recap, an SSRA provides a formally documented spectrum supportability risk assessment, with mitigation measure(s) identified, to achieve a spectrum supportability determination from the service Spectrum Management Office or CIO (depending on ACAT and/or level of Interest). An SSRA should include the following components:
• Regulatory component: Addressing the compliance of the RF system with US national and international tables of frequency allocation as well as with regulatory agreements reached at the International Telecommunication Union.
• Technical component: Quantifying the mutual interactions between a candidate system and other co-band, adjacent band, and harmonically related RF systems, including the identification of suggested methods to mitigate the effects of possible mutual interference.
• Operational component: Identifying and quantifying the mutual interactions among the candidate system and other US military RF systems in the operational environment and identifying suggested methods to mitigate for possible instances of interference.
• Electromagnetic Environmental Effects (E3) Assessment: Determining the potential for EMC and EMI interactions between the proposed system and other systems, and with the anticipated operational EME. Identification and resolution of co-site EMI issues during system acceptance testing. Demonstration of repeatable EMC utilizing appropriate development models.
SSRA analysis results are summarized for senior leadership as “stoplight charts” where the colors of each box are an indication of the possibility of a system obtaining spectrum supportability or that the system may cause or experience EMI problems. This is presented in standard DoD risk assessment matrix language/format and anything that is not rated “green” must include mitigation information. SSRAs are presented for review and approval at the programs major milestones.
You must – MUST – apply due diligence to Spectrum Supportability considerations
– It is a critical tenet for program success:
– It requires application of resources and knowledgeable people
– You should apply Spectrum Supportability resources early and “Up-Front” in a program life cycle and coordinate with the service frequency management offices
– It will save you potentially BIG $’s in the end
-Brian Farmer
