# Measuring Data Loss resulting from Radio Frequency Interference

## TL;DR

This paper develops a methodology for measuring radio interference levels and estimating data loss in radio astronomy caused by interference, considering variability over time and frequency, and incorporating satellite system effects.

## Contribution

It introduces a calibrated measurement approach for radio interference, scaling thresholds from ITU-R standards, and models data loss due to non-geostationary satellite systems.

## Key findings

- Quantifies data loss as a percentage of time-frequency occupancy.
- Provides a scalable method for interference threshold comparison.
- Incorporates satellite system effects into data loss simulations.

## Abstract

This paper presents an observing methodology for calibrated measurements of radio interference levels and compare these with threshold interference limits that have been established for interference entering the bands allocated to the Radio Astronomy Service. The measurement time and bandwidth intervals for these observations may be commensurate with the time and frequency variability characteristic of the interfering signals and the threshold levels may be appropriately scaled from the values presented in ITU-R RA.769 using a 2\,000 seconds reference time interval. The data loss for astronomical instruments may be measured as a percentage of occupancy in the time-frequency domain both for short and long measurement intervals. The observed time-frequency occupancy characteristics for non-geostationary satellite systems and earth stations in the mobile-satellite service may be incorporated into an effective power flux density simulation to obtain the effective data loss and sky blockage due to these services.