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IIT Research Institute
10 West 35th Street
Chicago, Illinois 60616
312-567-4000
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Since 1968, IITRI has provided technical and management
support to the Navy for the development, construction
and operation of an Extremely Low Frequency (ELF)
communications system. This system, which provides
communications to fast, deep running submarines,
consists of two synchronized transmitting facilities
connected to a total of 84 miles of antenna cable.
Operation of the antenna arrays in an earth return
configuration produces the desired communications
signals, but also introduces a host of electromagnetic
compatibility concerns.
IITRI's role in the ELF project has covered a broad
range of engineering topics aimed at assuring system
electromagnetic compatibility. Total funding to date
exceeds $100 million.
CAPABILITIES
Basic Engineering Support
- Characterization of ELF coupling mechanisms
- Laboratory simulation of electromagnetic fields
- Development and demonstration of interference mitigation (IM) techniques
- Design and development of specialized instrumentation
Interference Analysis and Mitigation Design
- Modeling ELF antennas and utility topologies
- Calculation of mutual coupling impedances
- Calculation of induced voltage levels on power lines and other utilities
- Interference mitigation design
- Coordination of system modifications with affected utilities
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The cable television isolator design protects customers
from induced voltage accumulations on the main line
without loss of picture quality (click on figure for details).
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IM Operations and Maintenance
- Utility subcontracting including: SOW/RFP preparation, proposal review and negotiation, subcontract administration
- IM engineering review
- Inspection and approval of construction
- Extensive field testing for mitigation effectiveness validation
- Insurance maintenance and claims review
Ground Terminal Electrical Safety
- Definition of safety performance acceptance criteria
- Development of long term safety certification test program
- Seasonal monitoring of grounds safety parameters
- Annual safety monitoring tests
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Several thousand utility customer locations are visited
annually to assure proper performance of installed
mitigation measures, which are needed to prevent
interference from the Navy's ELF system.
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Ecological Monitoring Studies
- Program planning and organization
- Technical and administrative management
- Subcontracting to university research teams (10 research studies)
- Engineering support and EM field measurements
Environmental Documentation and Support
- EIA/EIS preparation
- Literature survey/review
- Litigation support
- Preparation of environmental protection plans
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Programmable data logger systems permit year-round
monitoring of ELF parameters.
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COOPERATING ORGANIZATIONS
IITRI's work on the program has required cooperation
with representatives of many organizations and
government agencies including:
- Power, telephone, and cable television utility engineers
- Industrial research laboratories
- Manufacturing and facilities engineers
- State public utility commissions
- State departments of natural resources
- Federal Power Commission
- Rural Electrification Administration
- Rural Utilities Service
- U.S. Forest Service
- U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
- U.S. Air Force
- U.S. Navy
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For further information contact
ELF Electromagnetic Compatibility Assurance
312-567-4520 Fax: 312-567-4543
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