Limiting the statistical behavior of interference: the concept of equivalent limiting masks

The use of masks to limit the statistical behavior of interference is very common in communications. The ITU- R Radio Regulations has a number of examples of interference masks that are used to guarantee that the external interferences reaching a communication system would not prevent it from meeting its performance requirements. Each of these masks refers to a specific situation that depends on the characteristics of the interfering and the interfered-with systems. Currently, for each specific situation there is only a single mask to be applied. This paper presents a new concept in which, instead of a single mask, a set of equivalent masks is used to guarantee that, even in the presence of interference, a given communication link meets its performance requirements.