Wireless Communications on Commercial Aircraft Joe Belton 04/03/07 HTM 304 Dr. Fang

2 The Aircraft Industry as a Leader in the Technological Frontier Many cutting edge commercially available technologies were first developed in the aircraft industry Many cutting edge commercially available technologies were first developed in the aircraft industry Global Positioning System (GPS)Global Positioning System (GPS) Advanced Video On Demand (AVOD)Advanced Video On Demand (AVOD) Tire Pressure Indication System (TPIS)Tire Pressure Indication System (TPIS) Onboard Diagnostic EquipmentOnboard Diagnostic Equipment Composite MaterialsComposite Materials Anti-Lock BreaksAnti-Lock Breaks

3 Why the Delay in Allowing Onboard Wireless Devices? Safety concerns Safety concerns Interference with onboard communication and navigation equipmentInterference with onboard communication and navigation equipment Disruption of ground-based cell phone networkDisruption of ground-based cell phone network Social concerns Social concerns Neighboring passenger disruptionNeighboring passenger disruption Offensive or obscene materialOffensive or obscene material Business concerns Business concerns Mandate single standardMandate single standard Allow multiple standardsAllow multiple standards Costs to airlines and service providersCosts to airlines and service providers

4 Regulatory Agencies Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Federal Communications Commission (FCC) Federal Communications Commission (FCC) Federal Trade Commission (FTC) Federal Trade Commission (FTC) In-flight cell phone use is banned on US- registered aircraft, or any aircraft in US airspace! Similar restrictions exist throughout the world!

5 Regulatory Agencies, cont. However, the FAA and other overseas agencies allow in-flight use of laptops, MP3 players, handheld video game consoles, and even cell phones with inactive wireless capabilities, over 10,000 feet! What’s the difference?

6 Competing Cell Phone Technologies Time Division Multiple Access (TDMA), used in Global System for Mobile Communications (GSM) networks [to be replaced by 3 rd Generation Partnership Project (3GPP)] Time Division Multiple Access (TDMA), used in Global System for Mobile Communications (GSM) networks [to be replaced by 3 rd Generation Partnership Project (3GPP)] Code Division Multiple Access (CDMA) [to be replaced by 3 rd Generation Partnership Project 2 (3GPP2), aka CDMA2000] Code Division Multiple Access (CDMA) [to be replaced by 3 rd Generation Partnership Project 2 (3GPP2), aka CDMA2000]

7 Potential Cell Phone Concerns Signals are stronger than emissions from other portable devices (TDMA worse than CDMA) Signals are stronger than emissions from other portable devices (TDMA worse than CDMA) Signals can be received at great distances, far from the user Signals can be received at great distances, far from the user Unintentional signals (aka “spurious emissions”) can be emitted Unintentional signals (aka “spurious emissions”) can be emitted

8 Potential Cell Phone Dangers Stray signals can travel through aircraft windows and contact outside antennas Stray signals can travel through aircraft windows and contact outside antennas Radiated energy from stray signals can be “received” by aircraft wiring and interrupt or confuse onboard systems Radiated energy from stray signals can be “received” by aircraft wiring and interrupt or confuse onboard systems Radiated energy from stray signals can directly enter onboard computers or other systems Radiated energy from stray signals can directly enter onboard computers or other systems

9 The Truth Is There is no genuine proof that cell phone emissions make an airplane unsafe to fly by interfering with the onboard systems! There is no genuine proof that cell phone emissions make an airplane unsafe to fly by interfering with the onboard systems! Some industry experts believe that at least a few passengers do not turn off their cell phones during every flight! Some industry experts believe that at least a few passengers do not turn off their cell phones during every flight! No in-flight interference has ever been replicated in a controlled environment! No in-flight interference has ever been replicated in a controlled environment! No in-flight cell phone use has ever led to an aircraft accident! No in-flight cell phone use has ever led to an aircraft accident!

10 Industry Groups Radio Technical Commission for Aeronautics (RTCA) Radio Technical Commission for Aeronautics (RTCA) Private, non-profit groupPrivate, non-profit group Advises the FAA and FCC on technical mattersAdvises the FAA and FCC on technical matters Recently finished an intensive four-year study on potential interference from in- air use of cell phones, Wi-Fi transmitters in laptops, and other electronic devicesRecently finished an intensive four-year study on potential interference from in- air use of cell phones, Wi-Fi transmitters in laptops, and other electronic devices

11 RTCA Study Conclusions Does not advocate in-flight cell phone use at this time Does not advocate in-flight cell phone use at this time Does instruct airlines how to test for interference (each airline and aircraft type must be certified separately) Does instruct airlines how to test for interference (each airline and aircraft type must be certified separately) Authorization of in-flight cell phone use may occur later this year Authorization of in-flight cell phone use may occur later this year Eventual authorization of other devices may be a reality next year Eventual authorization of other devices may be a reality next year

12 Future In-flight Technologies Internet connectivity Internet connectivity Instant messaging Instant messaging Wireless Wireless In the near future your aircraft cabin may have as many Wi-Fi hotspots as your local Starbucks!

13 Sources “ Will Cell Phones Soar?”, Kathryn Balint, The San Diego Union-Tribune, 01/19/07, page C1 “ Will Cell Phones Soar?”, Kathryn Balint, The San Diego Union-Tribune, 01/19/07, page C1 “Research: In-Flight Cell Calls Possible”, Kathryn Balint, San Diego Union-Tribune, 03/24/07, page C1 “Research: In-Flight Cell Calls Possible”, Kathryn Balint, San Diego Union-Tribune, 03/24/07, page C1 “WiFi in the Sky: Airlines Prepare Cabin Hotspots”, Scott McCartney, The Wall Street Journal, 04/03/07 “WiFi in the Sky: Airlines Prepare Cabin Hotspots”, Scott McCartney, The Wall Street Journal, 04/03/07 The Boeing Company website, The Boeing Company website, Wikipedia, The Free Encyclopedia, Wikipedia, The Free Encyclopedia, Radio Technical Commission for Aeronautics website, Radio Technical Commission for Aeronautics website,