Spectrum reallocations may place broadband radio services (BRS) near spectrum used by 2900–3100 MHz band marine radars. Interference effects from these reallocations include unwanted emissions in the radar detection bandwidth and front-end overload. This report provides background information for subsequent reports that analyze these effects. Interference protection criteria (IPC) are identified, an interference scenario is described, and models for the radar system, BRS system, radar target, and radio wave propagation are presented. The BRS signal is shown to be reasonably emulated by Gaussian noise. A method for determining the aggregate power distribution using a realistic propagation model and Monte Carlo analysis is described. The aggregate power from the base stations was found to be as much as 6 dB more than power from a single base station. Finally a method for incorporating a variable SNR, caused by variable radar to target path loss, into interference analysis is shown.
Keywords: radar; interference; radio wave propagation; front-end overload; unwanted emissions; interference protection criteria (IPC); aggregate power; broadband radio service; marine radar; radio spectrum engineering; signal characterization