Commission E Report from the XXVIth General Assembly
Commission E continued encouraging scientific work in a variety of subjects during the triennium. That work was reflected in nine half-day scientific session during the General Assembly. There has been a recent emphasis on the possibility of the use of electromagnetic energy by criminals or terrorists to damage the electronics in the civilian infrastructure. Commission E believes this is a potential danger to the public and that member nations should conduct research into the means of detecting and quantifying the threat and to mitigate the potential damage. To that end Commission E added a new working group on intentional electromagnetic interference during the General Assembly and sponsored a resolution for Council consideration that supported research in electromagnetic terrorism and related intentional electromagnetic interference subjects.
Commission E conducts most of its activities through its working groups. The new working groups that were voted for the new triennium are:
E.1. Spectrum Utilization/Management and Wireless Telecommunications
Co-Chairs: G. Hurt (USA), R. Struzak (Poland)
E.2. Intentional Electromagnetic Interference
Co-Chairs: M. Wik (Sweden) and W. Radasky (USA)
E.3. High Power Electromagnetics
Co-Chairs: C. E. Baum and R. L. Gardner (USA)
E.4. Terrestrial and Planetary Lightning Generation of Electromagnetic Noise
Co-Chairs: Z. Kawasaki (Japan) and V. Cooray (Sweden)
E.5. Interaction with, and Protection of, Complex Systems
Co-Chairs: J. Nitsch (Germany), P. Degaugue (France),
M Ianoz (Switzerland) and J. P. Parmentier (France)
E.6. Effects of Transients on Equipment
Co-Chairs: J. ter Haseborg (Germany) and B. Demoulin (France)
E.7. Extra-Terrestrial and Terrestrial Meteorologic-Electric Environment
Chair: H. Kikuchi (Japan)
E.8. Geoelectromagnetic Disturbances and Their Effects on Technological Systems
Co-Chairs: M. Hayakawa (Japan) and R. Pirjola (Finland)
E.9. Interference and Noise at Frequencies Above 30 MHz
Chair: J. Gavan (Israel)
The resolution on intentional electromagnetic interference that was introduced by Prof. Ianoz of Switzerland and supported by Commission E was
URSI Resolution on Electromagnetic Terrorism and Adverse Effects of High Power Electromagnetic Environments
Presented by the Swiss Member Committee and an ad hoc group on EM Terrorism (of which members are: R. Gardner (incoming Chair Comm. E), C. Baum (USA), W. Radasky (USA), M Wik (Sweden), H. Wipf and M. Ianoz (Switzerland)
Recommendations:
1. Perform additional research pertaining to a EM Terrorism in order to establish appropriate levels for the threats, and to understand the large variation of susceptibility levels and system weaknesses.
2. Investigate techniques for appropriate protection against EM Terrorism and to provide methods This should be used to protect the public from the damage that can be done to the infrastructure by EM Terrorists.
3. Develop high-quality testing and assessment methods to evaluate system performance in the special electromagnetic environments.
4. Provide reasonable data regarding the formulation of standards of protection and support the standardization work which is in progress.
It is hoped that the information presented in this document and its scientific basis will emphasize the need to recognize the seriousness of EM Terrorism.
During the meeting certain business was conducted:
1. Dr. Pierre Degauque was elected as Vice-Chair. Professor Degaugue will also serve as the Commission E Editor for Review of Radio Science as is Commission E’s custom. The new Commission E Editor for Radio Science Bulletin will be Dr. Ahmed Zeddam.
2. Minor changes were made to the Terms of Reference
3. Support for the various academic meetings. The following meetings will be supported in the coming triennium with primary monetary support to the main EMC meetings that comprise support the work of Commission E.
•EuroEM, Edinburgh, May 00
•EMC Wroclaw, June 00 (Open Meeting, Comm E)
•Congres International et Exposition sur la Compatibilite Electromagnetique, Clermont-Ferrand, March 00
•EMC Zurich, Feb 01 (Open Meeting Comm E)
•Asia-Pacific Radio Science Conference, Tokyo, Aug 01
•AmerEM, Annapolis, May 02
•Congres International et Esposition sur la Compatibilite Electromagnetique, Limoges, 02
•EMC Wroclaw, June 02
•URSI General Assembly Maastricht, Netherlands, Aug 02
In particular the membership voted to support Open Meetings of Commission E at the EMC Wroclaw Symposium in 2000 and at the EMC Zurich Symposium in 2001.
6. The sense of Commission E was the format of one week plus weekend should be kept.