Spectrum monitoring: Radio Frequency Interferences (RFI) profile for hydroxyl (OH) lines window

Abstract

It was crucial to monitor the Radio Frequency Interference (RFI) in order to conduct the radio astronomical research with very minimum RFI. These RFI will be distorted the astronomical data. In this work, we have investigated the RFI strength (dBm) and presenting on how the nearby RFI affect to the OH lines window (1600 MHz-1800 MHz). Measurement of RFI spectrum was done in one minute interval in 24 hours observation at Kusza Observatory (KO) using spectrum analyzer. RFI analysis was done by identifying the RFI strength (dBm) in 3 separated OH lines window which is window A, window B and window C. Window C was found as the higher RFI strength compared other two window. Besides, interference peak (1575MHz) has found affected the OH lines window by spilling out untill 90MHz to the left and 180MHz to the right.

Keywords: radio frequency interference; hydroxyl lines; RFI strength