Aero Certification and Engineering LLC - Proprietary & Confidential Regulatory considerations for...

Aero Certification and Engineering LLC - Proprietary & Confidential

Regulatory considerations for wireless aircraft

systems

April 17, 2007


This presentation will give an overview of regulatory considerations in

broadband wireless system design and installation onboard commercial

aircraft. Alternative technologies may offer solutions which deliver the

promise of an internet in the sky.


Introduction•Overview to the Wireless Interference Issues

•History of PEDs on Commercial Aircraft•Past Regulatory Reviews & Findings

•Types of Potential Interference•Theoretical & Practical•Incident Reports & Experience•Industry & Regulatory Activities

•Near-Term & Long-Term Outlook


History of Wireless Interference Issues - Concern Over PEDs on Aircraft Is Not New

1963 – RTCA SC-88, Report DO-119 - Dealt with FM Radio Receivers Resulted in FAR 91.19 controlled use of PEDs. Recommended prohibiting radios in flight

1988 – RTCA SC-156, Report DO-199 - Concluded PED EMI Exists but Is Low - Recommended FAA Advisory Circular for PEDs - Recommended FCC change classification for PED RF output


History of Wireless Interference Issues - Concern Over PEDs on Aircraft Is Not New

1996 – RTCA-177, Report DO-233 - Improved Aircraft Path Loss Factor Measurements - Changed FAR 91.21 to Prohibit PED Use During Critical Flight Phases

2003 – RTCA SC-202 - Deals with Wireless RF LANs and Cell Phones (Intentional Tx)


The U.S. Regulatory Situation

•Dual Regulatory Agencies - Cell Phone and Wireless Devices on Aircraft are governed by FCC and FAA Regulations

•The FCC and the FAA Are Coordinating their Activities in Examining the Use of Wireless Devices Onboard Aircraft.

•The FCC and the FAA Are Seeking Technical Guidance in the Regulatory Process from Various Organizations – Notably NASA and RTCA


Non-FAA Regulatory Developments in the U.S.

FCC Re-Examining Its Ban on Inflight Cell Phone Use

April 6, 2007 – the U.S. FCC is seeking public comment on whether to permit the airborne operation of "off the shelf" wireless handsets and other devices under the following conditions:

a.) The device operates at its lowest power setting under control of a "pico cell," which is a very small specialized cellular base station installed onboard the aircraft; and

b.) The operation does not interfere with on-ground users.


Non-FAA Regulatory Developments (Continued)

Good News for U.S. Passengers Demanding Voice & Data Connectivity (Parity with EuropeanPassengers)

Opposition by Pilot and Flight Attendant Unions

After FCC Comment Period, FCC Likely to Lift Cell Phone Ban Under the Conditions:

a.) Only onboard pico-cell technology allowedb.) Subject to FAA and Airline approval

Good News for AirCell, the U.S. ATG License Holder

•Voice Services Complement to Broadband Service Offering


Q: Why Is There A Concern?

A: The Potential for Interference In a Growing Variety of PEDs Brought Onboard. Note the Range of Devices for Which Interference Was Reported in a 9/2004 FAA Incident Report Summary Extracted From NASA-ASRS.

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Q: What Systems Are Affected?

A: Many Different Systems Ranging From Non-Essential to Flight Critical, Including Navigational, This FAA Chart Depicts Interference Reports from 1995 to 2002.

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NASA ASRS PED Interference Reports 1995-2002

Reports per 1000 Airplanes

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B737 B727 CRJ-600 B757 B767 F100


What Causes Interference to Avionics from PEDs and Wireless Devices?

• Coupling of PED emissions with avionics antenna or components acting as an Antenna.

•Antennas - Leakage Thru Windows, Doors, Seams

•Any Cable (including Seat-to-Seat Cabling)

•Power cables

•Power Supplies

•Poorly Shielded Circuit Board Components


What Causes Interference to Avionics from PEDs andWireless Devices (Continued)?

•What Are the Factors Affecting Coupling?•Frequency of Emissions

• Fundamental Frequencies (including Harmonic Frequencies)• Spurious Frequencies

•Power of Emissions•Sensitivity of Avionics Device (Shielding Issue)


Front-Door Coupling

Emissions radiated by portable electronic devices can radiate to aircraft antennas through:− Windows− Cargo and

passenger door seams

− Hatches

Aircraft Radio Receiver Antenna

Portable electronic device RF emissions

Radio receiver


Back-Door Coupling

Emissions radiated by portable electronic devices can couple directly to aircraft wiring and avionics

RF emissions from portable electronic device


NASA Studies on Cell Phones, PEDs & UWB Devices

Multiple Studies Performed – Bluetooth, 802.11, GSM,CDMA, GMRS and FRS Radios

Cell Phones – Some Small (But Not Zero) InterferenceDetected. On/Off Triggered Highest Spurious Emissions

Laptops & PDAs – Emissions Generally Benign But SomeExceedances of DO160D Category M Emission LimitsFor TCAS and DME Bands

GMRS and FRS Radios – Very Noisy – Exceeded Laptops By As Much As 30dB


Cabin Wireless LAN (CWLAN) Certification

The FAA Has Issued Several STCs for CWLANSystems for:

•Gulfstream & Dassault Falcon 2000•Bombardier Global Express•B777-200/300 & B747-400•A330 & A340•B757•B737


Ground Test & Flight Test Methodologies

•Conduct EMI Assessment to Determine if EMI Flight Test Is Required. If Required (Likely)

•Perform a front-door and back-door transmission test to Validate intentional system transmission levels.

•Identify Average and Maximum Number of PEDs in Use on Aircraft and Associated Operational and Failure Mode Power Levels.


Ground Test & Flight Test Methodologies (Continued)

•All Frequency Bands Used by the CWLAN System Need to Be Evaluated•Aircraft Location Tests Required from various locations in the cabin where PED usage is expected (galley, passenger aisles, etc.). • Verify CWLAN System and PED equipment meets the current edition of RTCA/DO-160E section 21, Category M, emission levels.


What Should an Airline or System/Component Manufacturer Do to Prevent Wireless Interference?

5 Step Approach

• Ensure That All System Components Pass DO-160E,Category M

• Have Experienced Electrical or Systems DER ReviewThe Aircraft Installation Plan for Potential EMI Issues

• Make Sure Aircraft Wiring Diagram and ElectricalLoad Analysis are Up-To-Date (Verify Current AC Configuration)

• Consider Existing Aircraft Antennae Wire Routing• Careful Consideration for Component Installation

Location for Potential EMI Issue with Antennas or Avionics.


Summary

The FAA Recognizes There Is A Small Risk to Sensitive Radio systems from PEDs.

Intentional Transmitters May Interfere WithSome Aircraft Systems That Are Not Qualified to HIRF Requirements.


Special Thanks To:

Rolfe Goedecke- Airbus IndustrieKiko Brenneisen- FAA DER & DAR, Aero CertificationRoger Modeen, FAA DER, Boeing (retired)Kreg Doerr – Aero CertificationRich Salter – Lumexis, WAEA TCIoan Leuca, Ph.D. – formerly Connexion By BoeingBill Straus, Ph.D. – NASA/DOT


References

“In-Flight Radio Frequency Spectrum Measurements of Commercial Aircraft Cabins,” DOT/FAA/AR-06/41 Office of Aviation Research and Development Washington, DC 20591, Bill Straus, Ph.D. and M. Granger Morgan, Ph.D.

“Recent Developments in Aircraft Wireless Networks,” Obi Orjih, Washington University, May 9, 2006

“Ultrawideband Electromagnetic Interference To Aircraft Radios,” Ely, Jay (NASA); Fuller (Eagle Wings Inc.); Shaver, Timothy (United Airlines)

“Electromagnetic Interference Assessment of CDMA and GSM Wireless Phones To Aircraft Navigation Radios,” Ely, Jay (NASA), Nguyen, Truong (NASA), Koppen, Sandra (Lockheed Martin), Salud, Theresa (Lockheed Martin)

“Guidance on Allowing Transmitting Portable Electronic Devices (T-PEDs) on Aircraft,” RTCA DO-294, December 13, 2006

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