Spectrum Monitoring & RFI Mitigation

This division is responsible for regular site-level spectrum monitoring, RFI mitigation, and careful RFI testing of devices to be deployed at NRAO sites. RFI work is highly site-specific, so each NRAO site has established an Interference Protection Group (IPG) that meets regularly to discuss current RFI challenges and solutions. Historical and current reports on RFI can be found in the NRAO RFI Memo Series. NRAO also holds a monthly RFI Journal club for scientists, engineers, and analysts. The important observatory-level work of the New Mexico and Green Bank Interference Protection Groups are reported through this division, and regular bi-annual meetings of the RFI Working Group serve to focus this work.

Green Bank Interference Protection Group (GB-IPG)

 The Green Bank IPG meets bi-weekly. Click here to see a summary of recent GB-IPG activities.

New Mexico Interference Protection Group (NM-IPG)

 The New Mexico IPG meets monthly. Click here to see a summary of recent NM-IPG activities.

Atacama Large Millimeter Array (ALMA)

 ALMA mostly operates at higher frequencies than the telescopes located at the GBO and in New Mexico. However, as commercial/active users push to higher frequencies, external RFI at ALMA is likely to become more of an issue.

Connect with NRAO

The NSF National Radio Astronomy Observatory and NSF Green Bank Observatory are facilities of the U.S. National Science Foundation operated under cooperative agreement by Associated Universities, Inc.

Founded in 1956, the NSF NRAO provides state-of-the-art radio telescope facilities for use by the international scientific community. NSF NRAO telescopes are open to all astronomers regardless of institutional or national affiliation. Observing time on NSF NRAO telescopes is available on a competitive basis to qualified scientists after evaluation of research proposals on the basis of scientific merit, the capability of the instruments to do the work, and the availability of the telescope during the requested time. NSF NRAO also provides both formal and informal programs in education and public outreach for teachers, students, the general public, and the media.

The U.S. National Science Foundation (U.S. NSF) is an independent federal agency created by Congress in 1950 "to promote the progress of science; to advance the national health, prosperity, and welfare; to secure the national defense..."

AUI collaborates with the scientific community and research sponsors to plan, build, and operate cutting-edge facilities. We cultivate excellence, deliver value, enhance education, and engage the public.