Interference mitigation system for protecting radio astronomy and method of using same

DETAILED DESCRIPTION What is claimed is: 1.
A method of mitigating electromagnetic interference during a scheduled radio astronomy session as scheduled at a radio astronomy site, said electromagnetic interference created by operating a satellite-based communication system, said method comprising the steps of: (a) requesting interference mitigation services for said scheduled radio astronomy session from a radio astronomy site to a ground control station; (b) transmitting a mitigation timetable from said ground control station to radio astronomy special equipment; (c) receiving said mitigation timetable at said radio astronomy special equipment; (d) activating said radio astronomy special equipment located at said radio astronomy site according to said mitigation timetable for mitigating said electromagnetic interference during said scheduled radio astronomy session; and (e) inhibiting said electromagnetic interference from a subscriber unit of said satellite-based communication system, said subscriber unit located within a protection zone encompassing said radio astronomy site.
2.
A method as recited in claim 1, wherein step (a) comprises the steps of: (a1) determining at said radio astronomy site a start time for said scheduled radio astronomy session; (a2) determining at said radio astronomy site a duration for said scheduled radio astronomy session; and (a3) communicating said start time and said duration of said scheduled radio astronomy session to said ground control station of said satellite-based communication system.
3.
A method as recited in claim 2, wherein step (d) comprises the steps of: (d1) evaluating said start time of said mitigation timetable for commencement of mitigation services; (d2) upon arrival of said start time, activating said radio astronomy special equipment; (d3) said radio astronomy special equipment transmitting a control signal about said radio astronomy site; and (d4) said radio astronomy special equipment remaining activated throughout said duration of said scheduled radio astronomy session