WBU-ISOG and SUIRG share SSPI Industry Innovators Award

By Michael Silbergleid

The following is from a WBU press release:

Toronto, Canada (March 17, 2010) The World Broadcasting Unions International Satellite Operations Group (WBU-ISOG) was jointly honoured last night with an Industry Innovators Award from the Society of Satellite Professionals International (SSPl). The Satellite Users Interference Reduction Group (SUIRG) was the co-recipient of this award. Both Dick Tauber, Chair of the WBU-ISOG and Bob Ames, President of SUIRG accepted the award at the SSPI 23rd Black Tie Reception and Gala Dinner event on March 16th at the Gaylord Hotel at National Harbor, Maryland.

The honour was given for Radio Frequency Interference (RFI) mitigation work undertaken by both groups to combat interference with transmissions to and from satellites. Specifically, a Carrier Identification Descriptor is now included in the Network Information Table of new models of video encoders and decoders. In cases of legacy equipment, software downloads will be available. The intent of this Carrier ID is to help identify as quickly as possible RF signals for video transmissions over satellite if and when a case of signal interference occurs.

In accepting the award, Mr. Tauber said “on behalf of the WBU-ISOG, I am very grateful to share the recognition for our RFI mitigation work over the years. It has been (and continues to be) a long, hard road since this was brought to light in 2002 via the ISOG RCWG (Rogue Carrier Working Group) and we are pleased to have attained this success to date. We especially want to thank and congratulate Intelsat, SES World Skies and the Global VSAT Forum for their participation and support in this work. Certainly our WBUISOG members, including equipment and service providers, satellite operators and broadcasters from across the globe fully encourage and support the work being done by SUIRG and all others for this important effort.”