Interference to digital avionics due to electromagnetic radiation from personal electronic devices carried aboard aircraft

The possibility of interference due to electromagnetic radiation from portable consumer-type electronic devices has been known for some time. Until recently, there has not been significant problems with interference primarily due to the low frequency and low energy circuits typically found in battery-operated portable equipment. With the steadily increasing clock speeds of so-called “lap top” computers, the potential for interference is, also, steadily increasing. Determining the magnitude of the problem involves the generation of three data bases. First, is the radiation levels of personal electronic devices. Second, is the susceptibility of various avionics systems to degradation from electromagnetic radiation. Finally, the attenuation from within the aircraft cabin to the location of the affected navigation system ingress point must be known. There is virtually an infinite number of permutations of emitter, attenuation, and receptor. This paper outlines the interference problem and addresses the generation of the necessary statistics to fully study the problem. Some of the measurement techniques are discussed along with some of the typical data. This work is being performed in conjunction with RTCA special committee, SC-177