8. Acronym List
Acronym |
Meaning |
Notes |
|---|---|---|
API |
Application Programming Interface |
A connection between computers or between computer programs |
CORF |
Committee on Radio Frequencies |
A National Academies of Science committee focused on advocating for spectrum used for radio astronomy service (RAS) and Earth exploration-satellite service (EESS) |
CPS |
Centre for the Protection of the Dark and Quiet Sky from Satellite Constellation Interference |
An IAU center |
CRAF |
Committee on Radio Astronomy Frequencies |
A European Science Foundation (ESF) committee on behald of European radio astronomers (an EU counterpart for the U.S. CORF). |
DTC |
Direct to Cell |
A technology service offered by satellite operators to provide cellular service for mobile devices. Also known as SCS - Supplemental Coverage from Space as referred by the FCC |
EESS |
Earth exploration-satellite service |
An ITU definition for radiocommunication service involving the use of earth stations and one or more space stations (ITU Radio Regulations RR Article 1.51) |
ESM |
Electromagnetic Spectrum Management |
|
EMC |
Electromantic Compatibility |
An ability of electrical equipment and systems to function acceptably in their electromagnetic environment without generating RFI to interfere with other equipments and itself |
EMI |
Electromagnetic Interference |
A disturbance generated by an external source that affects an electrical circuit by electromagnetic induction/electrostatic coupling/conduction (Synonymous with RFI) |
FCC |
Federal Communications Commission |
A US federal agency that regulates and auctions spectrum usage for commercial users |
FSS |
Fixed-satellite service |
A type of satellite service with a fixed ground/earth station in contrast to MSS |
GBO |
Green Bank Observatory |
An NRAO facility operating the GBT |
GBT |
Green Bank Telescope |
An NSF/NRAO 100-m steerable radio telescope in western West Virginia |
GSO |
Geostationary orbit |
A type of satellite orbit that is a circular and follow the direction of the Earth’s rotation (geosynchronous). A.k.a. GEO |
HSA |
High Sensitivity Array |
An observational mode when combining the VLBA stations with either GBT or VLA |
IAU |
International Astronomical Union |
An international non-governmental organization for astronomy |
ITU |
International Telecommunication Union |
A specialized UN agency for information/communication/spectrum technologies |
ITS |
Institute for Telescommunication Sciences |
A NTIA scientific research laboratory that performs research and engineering in telecommunications as part of the U.S. Government |
JSON |
JavaScript Object Notation |
An open standard file format and data interchange format that uses human-readable text |
LEO |
Low Earth orbit |
A type of satellite orbit (with altitude between 100 and 2000 km) |
MEO |
Medium Earth orbit |
A typoe of satellite orbit (with altitude between 2000 to 3600 km) |
MSS |
Mobile satellite service |
A type of satellite service for mobile devices in contrast to FSS |
ngRADAR |
Next Generation Radar program |
|
ngVLA |
Next Generation Very Large Array |
|
NGSO |
Non-geostationary orbit |
A type of satellite service orbit that is not GSO (can be either LEO or MEO/can serve FSS or MSS) |
NRDZ |
National Radio Dynamic Zone |
|
NRQZ |
National Radio Quiet Zone |
|
NTIA |
National Telecommunications and Information Administration |
A bureau of the US Department of Commerce that focus on spectrum usage for federal and research services |
ODS |
Operational Data Sharing |
The automated reporting framework for radio telescopes communicating with other stakeholders via API |
OTF |
On the Fly |
An observational mode for VLA Holography and Mosaicking |
R.A. |
Right Ascension |
An astronomy coordinate system used along with declination (Dec) |
RA |
Radio astronomy |
|
RAS |
Radio astronomy service |
An ITU definition for radiocommunication service involving the use of radio astronomy (ITU RR Article 1.58) |
RAO |
Radio astronomy observatory |
|
REST |
Representational State Transfer |
A type of API architectural style |
RFI |
Radio Frequency Interference |
A type of EMI in radio frequency from both intentional and unintentional emissions. (ITU RR proviion # 1.166) |
RQZ |
Radio Quiet Zone |
An ITU definition for designated geographical areas with radio protection criteria used for radio astronomical measurements defined in the ITU-R Recommendation RA.769 |
SCS |
Supplemental Coverage from Space |
A FCC terminology referred to the Direct to Cell service |
SII |
Spectrum Innovation Initiative |
An NSF initiative |
SMD |
Spectrum Management Department |
A department within NRAO |
TBA |
Telescope Boresight Avoidance |
An avoidance technique invoked by the satellite operators to minimize downlink power when crossing the telescope’s main beam. TBA + ODS = near real time avoidance |
TLE |
Two-Line Elements |
A data format encoding a list of orbital elements of an Earth-orbiting object for a given point in time |
UEMR |
Unintentional electromagnetic radiation |
A type of RFI that was emitted or leaked by onboard electronics unintentionally at a different frequency than the intended transmission frequency |
VLA |
Very Large Array |
An NSF/NRAO radio telescope facility in central New Mexico consisting of 27 of 25-m dish antenna |
VLBA |
Very Long Baseline Array |
A NSF/NRAO radio telescope facility consisting of ten 15-m dish stations located from Hawaii to Virgin Islands |
ZA |
Zone Avoidance |
An avoidance technique invoked by satellite operators to prevent direct illumination of the radio telescope sites. ZA does not need ODS since the sites are fixed |