Besides GPS, LightSquared Can Interfere with Satcom

While the LightSquared broadband wireless network’s potential to disrupt GPS signals has been widely publicized, a lesser known problem is the possibility of the system’s high-power transmitters interfering with satcom. An RTCA special committee is defining a new antenna diplexer specification with filtering necessary to prevent LightSquared base station transmissions from interfering with the reception of Inmarsat aeronautical service in the same band. Also addressing the issue is Arinc’s air-ground communication system subcommittee, which is “monitoring the situation closely.”