REQUEST FOR EXPRESSIONS OF INTEREST (CONSULTING SERVICES) African Centre of Meteorological Applications for Development (ACMAD) SATELLITE AND WEATHER INFORMATION FOR DISASTER RESILIENCE IN AFRICA (SAWIDRA) PROJECT Financing Agreement reference: DON FAD N ML-0047 Project ID No.: G-Z1-C00-ZZZ-010 The African Centre of Meteorological Applications for Development (ACMAD), based in Niamey-Niger, has received financing from the African Development Bank through the ClimDev Special Fund to support the cost of the Satellite and Weather Information for Disaster Resilience in Africa (SAWIDRA) project implementation, and intends to use part of the agreed amount of this grant to pay for the contracts of Consultancy support for Radio-Frequency Interference survey (RFI) for the Regional Advanced Retransmission Service (RARS Africa) antenna hosting sites in Gabon, Kenya and Niger. The services included under this consultancy are: Site analysis of RFI-survey and topological survey ACMAD is now inviting eligible local individual consultants in each hosting country (Gabon, Kenya and Niger) to express their interest in providing these services. Interested consultants must provide information (Curriculum Vitae and a methodology) indicating that they are qualified to perform the services. Eligibility criteria, establishment of the short-list and the selection procedure shall be in accordance with the African Development Bank s Rules and Procedures for the use of Consultants edition May 2008, revised July 2012, which is available on the Bank s website at http://www.afdb.org. Interested consultants may obtain further information at the address below during office hours: 08:00 AM to 06:30 PM (UTC+1). Expressions of interest must be delivered to the address below by 05 January 2018 at 04:00PM (UTC+1), and mention Consultancy support for a Radio-Frequency Interference survey (RFI) for the Regional Advanced Retransmission Service (RARS Africa) antenna hosting sites in Gabon, Kenya and Niger in three lots. Contact: African Centre of Meteorological Applications for Development (ACMAD) Attn: SAWIDRA Project Manager 55 Avenue des Ministères BP 13184, Niamey-Plateau, Niger Tél. : +227 20 72 36 27 E-mail : sawidra_acmad@acmad.org, sawidra_acmad@yahoo.com, r.leonguy@acmad.org Web Site: www.acmad.org TERMS OF REFERENCE CONSULTANCY SUPPORT FOR A RADIO FREQUENCY INTERFERENCE SURVEY FOR THE REGIONAL ADVANCED RETRANSMISSION SERVICES (RARS AFRICA) IN GABON
1. INTRODUCTION AND BACKGROUND 1.1. PROJECT BACKGROUND As part of the African, Caribbean and Pacific- European Union (ACP-EU) program Building Resilience to Natural Hazards in Sub-Saharan African Regions, Countries and Communities, the Satellite and Weather Information for Disaster Resilience in African (SAWIDRA) project aims, among others, at establishing a network of four direct broadcast meteorological satellite reception stations (RARS stations). The RARS direct broadcast stations will be hosted by ACMAD in Niger, by SANSA in South Africa, by AGEOS in Gabon and by ICPAC in Kenya. The satellite data acquired and processed by the RARS stations will be delivered to two different entities: to ACMAD as an input to the continental NWP model and to the South African Weather Service (SAWS) as an input to the WMO Global Telecommunication System (GTS). 1.2. PURPOSE AND SCOPE This document constitutes the specification of a Radio-Frequency Interference (RFI) survey in Libreville, Gabon at AGEOS hosting site, to measure RFI signal levels within specified bands at L and X-band from ground based sources. The measured results will be used to predict the expected signal levels these sources will contribute with into the planned RARS antenna. The outcome of this study shall determine if a potential site is suitable for hosting the RARS antenna from a Radio Frequency environmental perspective. The Gabon RARS hosting site will provide the specific location(s) where the direct broadcast reception antenna will be potentially located and hence where the RFI-Survey will need to be performed. 2. FREQUENCIES OF INTEREST The RARS Africa direct broadcast stations will acquire Low Earth Orbit (LEO) polar orbiting meteorological satellite data. The following table summarizes the frequencies and bandwidths used by those satellites to broadcast the HRPT data. The study shall survey the following radio frequency bands. Satellite L-Band Frequency and Bandwidth X-band Frequency and Bandwidth Metop-A,B,C 1701.3 MHz (BW: 4.5 MHz) HRPT NOAA-18 1707 MHz (BW: 4 MHz) HRPT NOAA-19 1698 MHz (BW: 4 MHz) HRPT FY-3C 1701.3 MHz (BW: 5.2 MHz) HRPT FY-3D 7820 MHz (BW: 60 MHz) MPT SNPP/JPSS 7812 MHz (BW: 50 MHz) HRD EPS-SG 7825 MHz (BW: 150 MHz) HRD 3. TASKS 3.1. SITE ANALYSIS The Consultant shall identify possible sources of interference (internal and external to the site) for the frequency bands of interest and neighbours bands. This involves researching the records of past frequency assignments in the particular area and locating those transmitters and/or receivers on a map of sufficient scale to indicate all potential problems. This considers all stations that operate on the same frequency channel as well as advancement channels that allow for spectral overlap;
The Consultant shall create a topological map representation of the potentially interfering and interfered-with station, projecting the radiation beams to show how they would intersect. This shall be done without regard to local site shielding from hills, trees and buildings; 3.2. SELECTION OF THE MEASUREMENT SYSTEM The Consultant shall design the measurement system to provide a sensitivity (TEST THRESHOLD) at the input of the antenna of: For L-Band : -197 dbm/hz. (Note that this corresponds to a power -147 dbm in a reference For X-Band: - 200 dbm/hz (Note that this corresponds to a power -150 dbm in a reference This means that the measurement system should provide enough gain (antenna gain, LNAs, Spectrum Analyser) and enough low system noise density, to achieve the specified sensitivity; 3.3. VALIDATION OF THE MEASUREMENTS SYSTEM The sensitivity of the measurement system shall be verified with a well-known (frequency and power) interference source; The sensitivity of the measurement system shall be verified in the lab by connecting a signal generator to the input of the LNA, without the antenna; The sensitivity of the measurement system shall be verified in the field with a known source of interference; 3.4. MEASUREMENT APPROACH The measurements shall be performed at the expected antenna positions and the expected antenna heights, for each of the potential sites that are considered; The measurements shall cover 360 degrees in azimuth. In case the antenna used for the measurements is directional, in order to cover the 360 degrees, measurements shall be taken in steps of angles lower than the 3 db beam-bandwidth of the antenna and in no case greater than 10 degrees. In case of RFI detection, the measurement shall be repeated with 5 degree offset to both sides of pointing direction; Each of the above measurement shall be done for antenna elevation angles of 0 degrees and in case of RFI detection, then repeated the measurement at elevation angles of 10, 20, 30, 40 degrees. When there is a hill or a higher location in the visibility of the antenna the elevation angle shall be adjusted to point to it, as this is usually a location for a ground based transmitter. So the topology should be taken into account; 4. DELIVERABLES Test specification, including measurement system design and verification; Test procedures; Test results, should include a table with the interference signal type, bandwidth and central frequency, maximum power, direction of measurement; Related Spectrum Analyser snap-shots. Impact of the RFI in the satellite received signal (db losses). Interference source identification and repetitiveness and duration of the interference; Full report of the overall survey with all relevant annexes; Conclusions and recommendations. 5. SCHEDULE Consultant is expected to use at least ten (10) days to cover his mission. The deadline for the RFIinterference survey is tentatively 28 th February 2018.
6. QUALIFICATION A university degree in a relevant engineering discipline (e.g. telecommunications engineering, etc.) or equivalent. 7. EXPERIENCE Proven experience of RFI-survey campaigns for LEO satellites; 8. HOW TO APPLY Interested consultants who meet the above criteria should submit An expression of interest letter; An updated CV; A methodology. The expression of interest should be addressed to: ACMAD, 55 Avenue des Ministères, PL 6, BP 13184, 1 er Arrondissement, Niamey-Plateau, Niger sawidra_acmad@acmad.org, sawidra_acmad@yahoo.com, r.leonguy@acmad.org Telephone number: + 227 20723627 TERMS OF REFERENCE CONSULTANCY SUPPORT FOR A RADIO FREQUENCY INTERFERENCE SURVEY FOR THE REGIONAL ADVANCED RETRANSMISSION SERVICES (RARS AFRICA) IN KENYA 1. INTRODUCTION AND BACKGROUND 1.1. PROJECT BACKGROUND As part of the African, Caribbean and Pacific- European Union (ACP-EU) program Building Resilience to Natural Hazards in Sub-Saharan African Regions, Countries and Communities, the Satellite and Weather Information for Disaster Resilience in African (SAWIDRA) project aims, among others, at establishing a network of four direct broadcast meteorological satellite reception stations (RARS stations). The RARS direct broadcast stations will be hosted by ACMAD in Niger, by SANSA in South Africa, by AGEOS in Gabon and by ICPAC in Kenya. The satellite data acquired and processed by the RARS stations will be delivered to two different entities: to ACMAD as an input to the continental NWP model and to the South African Weather Service (SAWS) as an input to the WMO Global Telecommunication System (GTS). 1.2. PURPOSE AND SCOPE This document constitutes the specification of a Radio-Frequency Interference (RFI) survey in Nairobi, Kenya at ICPAC hosting site, to measure RFI signal levels within specified bands at L and X-band from ground based sources. The measured results will be used to predict the expected signal levels these sources will contribute with into the planned RARS antenna. The outcome of this study shall determine if a potential site is suitable for hosting the RARS antenna from a Radio Frequency environmental perspective.
The Gabon RARS hosting site will provide the specific location(s) where the direct broadcast reception antenna will be potentially located and hence where the RFI-Survey will need to be performed. 2. FREQUENCIES OF INTEREST The RARS Africa direct broadcast stations will acquire Low Earth Orbit (LEO) polar orbiting meteorological satellite data. The following table summarizes the frequencies and bandwidths used by those satellites to broadcast the HRPT data. The study shall survey the following radio frequency bands. Satellite L-Band Frequency and Bandwidth X-band Frequency and Bandwidth Metop-A,B,C 1701.3 MHz (BW: 4.5 MHz) HRPT NOAA-18 1707 MHz (BW: 4 MHz) HRPT NOAA-19 1698 MHz (BW: 4 MHz) HRPT FY-3C 1701.3 MHz (BW: 5.2 MHz) HRPT FY-3D 7820 MHz (BW: 60 MHz) MPT SNPP/JPSS 7812 MHz (BW: 50 MHz) HRD EPS-SG 7825 MHz (BW: 150 MHz) HRD 3. TASKS 3.1. SITE ANALYSIS The Consultant shall identify possible sources of interference (internal and external to the site) for the frequency bands of interest and neighbours bands. This involves researching the records of past frequency assignments in the particular area and locating those transmitters and/or receivers on a map of sufficient scale to indicate all potential problems. This considers all stations that operate on the same frequency channel as well as advancement channels that allow for spectral overlap; The Consultant shall create a topological map representation of the potentially interfering and interfered-with station, projecting the radiation beams to show how they would intersect. This shall be done without regard to local site shielding from hills, trees and buildings; 3.2. SELECTION OF THE MEASUREMENT SYSTEM The Consultant shall design the measurement system to provide a sensitivity (TEST THRESHOLD) at the input of the antenna of: For L-Band : -197 dbm/hz. (Note that this corresponds to a power -147 dbm in a reference For X-Band: - 200 dbm/hz (Note that this corresponds to a power -150 dbm in a reference This means that the measurement system should provide enough gain (antenna gain, LNAs, Spectrum Analyser) and enough low system noise density, to achieve the specified sensitivity; 3.3. VALIDATION OF THE MEASUREMENTS SYSTEM The sensitivity of the measurement system shall be verified with a well-known (frequency and power) interference source; The sensitivity of the measurement system shall be verified in the lab by connecting a signal generator to the input of the LNA, without the antenna; The sensitivity of the measurement system shall be verified in the field with a known source of interference;
3.4. MEASUREMENT APPROACH The measurements shall be performed at the expected antenna positions and the expected antenna heights, for each of the potential sites that are considered; The measurements shall cover 360 degrees in azimuth. In case the antenna used for the measurements is directional, in order to cover the 360 degrees, measurements shall be taken in steps of angles lower than the 3 db beam-bandwidth of the antenna and in no case greater than 10 degrees. In case of RFI detection, the measurement shall be repeated with 5 degree offset to both sides of pointing direction; Each of the above measurement shall be done for antenna elevation angles of 0 degrees and in case of RFI detection, then repeated the measurement at elevation angles of 10, 20, 30, 40 degrees. When there is a hill or a higher location in the visibility of the antenna the elevation angle shall be adjusted to point to it, as this is usually a location for a ground based transmitter. So the topology should be taken into account; 4. DELIVERABLES Test specification, including measurement system design and verification; Test procedures; Test results, should include a table with the interference signal type, bandwidth and central frequency, maximum power, direction of measurement; Related Spectrum Analyser snap-shots. Impact of the RFI in the satellite received signal (db losses). Interference source identification and repetitiveness and duration of the interference; Full report of the overall survey with all relevant annexes; Conclusions and recommendations. 5. SCHEDULE Consultant is expected to use at least ten (10) days to cover his mission. The deadline for the RFIinterference survey is tentatively 28 th February 2018. 6. QUALIFICATION A university degree in a relevant engineering discipline (e.g. telecommunications engineering, etc.) or equivalent. 7. EXPERIENCE Proven experience of RFI-survey campaigns for LEO satellites; 8. HOW TO APPLY Interested consultants who meet the above criteria should submit An expression of interest letter; An updated CV; A methodology. The expression of interest should be addressed to: ACMAD, 55 Avenue des Ministères, PL 6, BP 13184, 1 er Arrondissement, Niamey-Plateau, Niger sawidra_acmad@acmad.org, sawidra_acmad@yahoo.com, r.leonguy@acmad.org Telephone number: + 227 20723627 TERMS OF REFERENCE
CONSULTANCY SUPPORT FOR A RADIO FREQUENCY INTERFERENCE SURVEY FOR THE REGIONAL ADVANCED RETRANSMISSION SERVICES (RARS AFRICA) IN NIGER 1. INTRODUCTION AND BACKGROUND 1.1. PROJECT BACKGROUND As part of the African, Caribbean and Pacific- European Union (ACP-EU) program Building Resilience to Natural Hazards in Sub-Saharan African Regions, Countries and Communities, the Satellite and Weather Information for Disaster Resilience in African (SAWIDRA) project aims, among others, at establishing a network of four direct broadcast meteorological satellite reception stations (RARS stations). The RARS direct broadcast stations will be hosted by ACMAD in Niger, by SANSA in South Africa, by AGEOS in Gabon and by ICPAC in Kenya. The satellite data acquired and processed by the RARS stations will be delivered to two different entities: to ACMAD as an input to the continental NWP model and to the South African Weather Service (SAWS) as an input to the WMO Global Telecommunication System (GTS). 1.2. PURPOSE AND SCOPE This document constitutes the specification of a Radio-Frequency Interference (RFI) survey in Niamey, Niger at ACMAD hosting site, to measure RFI signal levels within specified bands at L and X-band from ground based sources. The measured results will be used to predict the expected signal levels these sources will contribute with into the planned RARS antenna. The outcome of this study shall determine if a potential site is suitable for hosting the RARS antenna from a Radio Frequency environmental perspective. The Gabon RARS hosting site will provide the specific location(s) where the direct broadcast reception antenna will be potentially located and hence where the RFI-Survey will need to be performed. 2. FREQUENCIES OF INTEREST The RARS Africa direct broadcast stations will acquire Low Earth Orbit (LEO) polar orbiting meteorological satellite data. The following table summarizes the frequencies and bandwidths used by those satellites to broadcast the HRPT data. The study shall survey the following radio frequency bands. Satellite L-Band Frequency and Bandwidth X-band Frequency and Bandwidth Metop-A,B,C 1701.3 MHz (BW: 4.5 MHz) HRPT NOAA-18 1707 MHz (BW: 4 MHz) HRPT NOAA-19 1698 MHz (BW: 4 MHz) HRPT FY-3C 1701.3 MHz (BW: 5.2 MHz) HRPT FY-3D 7820 MHz (BW: 60 MHz) MPT SNPP/JPSS 7812 MHz (BW: 50 MHz) HRD EPS-SG 7825 MHz (BW: 150 MHz) HRD
3. TASKS 3.1. SITE ANALYSIS The Consultant shall identify possible sources of interference (internal and external to the site) for the frequency bands of interest and neighbours bands. This involves researching the records of past frequency assignments in the particular area and locating those transmitters and/or receivers on a map of sufficient scale to indicate all potential problems. This considers all stations that operate on the same frequency channel as well as advancement channels that allow for spectral overlap; The Consultant shall create a topological map representation of the potentially interfering and interfered-with station, projecting the radiation beams to show how they would intersect. This shall be done without regard to local site shielding from hills, trees and buildings; 3.2. SELECTION OF THE MEASUREMENT SYSTEM The Consultant shall design the measurement system to provide a sensitivity (TEST THRESHOLD) at the input of the antenna of: For L-Band : -197 dbm/hz. (Note that this corresponds to a power -147 dbm in a reference For X-Band: - 200 dbm/hz (Note that this corresponds to a power -150 dbm in a reference This means that the measurement system should provide enough gain (antenna gain, LNAs, Spectrum Analyser) and enough low system noise density, to achieve the specified sensitivity; 3.3. VALIDATION OF THE MEASUREMENTS SYSTEM The sensitivity of the measurement system shall be verified with a well-known (frequency and power) interference source; The sensitivity of the measurement system shall be verified in the lab by connecting a signal generator to the input of the LNA, without the antenna; The sensitivity of the measurement system shall be verified in the field with a known source of interference; 3.4. MEASUREMENT APPROACH The measurements shall be performed at the expected antenna positions and the expected antenna heights, for each of the potential sites that are considered; The measurements shall cover 360 degrees in azimuth. In case the antenna used for the measurements is directional, in order to cover the 360 degrees, measurements shall be taken in steps of angles lower than the 3 db beam-bandwidth of the antenna and in no case greater than 10 degrees. In case of RFI detection, the measurement shall be repeated with 5 degree offset to both sides of pointing direction; Each of the above measurement shall be done for antenna elevation angles of 0 degrees and in case of RFI detection, then repeated the measurement at elevation angles of 10, 20, 30, 40 degrees. When there is a hill or a higher location in the visibility of the antenna the elevation angle shall be adjusted to point to it, as this is usually a location for a ground based transmitter. So the topology should be taken into account; 4. DELIVERABLES Test specification, including measurement system design and verification; Test procedures; Test results, should include a table with the interference signal type, bandwidth and central frequency, maximum power, direction of measurement; Related Spectrum Analyser snap-shots. Impact of the RFI in the satellite received signal (db losses).
Interference source identification and repetitiveness and duration of the interference; Full report of the overall survey with all relevant annexes; Conclusions and recommendations. 5. SCHEDULE Consultant is expected to use at least ten (10) days to cover his mission. The deadline for the RFIinterference survey is tentatively 28 th February 2018. 6. QUALIFICATION A university degree in a relevant engineering discipline (e.g. telecommunications engineering, etc.) or equivalent. 7. EXPERIENCE Proven experience of RFI-survey campaigns for LEO satellites; 8. HOW TO APPLY Interested consultants who meet the above criteria should submit An expression of interest letter; An updated CV; A methodology. The expression of interest should be addressed to: ACMAD, 55 Avenue des Ministères, PL 6, BP 13184, 1 er Arrondissement, Niamey-Plateau, Niger sawidra_acmad@acmad.org, sawidra_acmad@yahoo.com, r.leonguy@acmad.org Telephone number: + 227 20723627