Small aircraft cockpit electromagnetic interference due to UMTS signal propagation

Abstract

This paper implemented a ray-tracing based algorithm to calculate the EMI generated inside an aircraft cabin with particular emphasis on flight critical equipment such as the cockpit avionics panel. The interference level caused by the deployment of a UMTS Node B antenna for the provision of passenger communication was computed. The model was employed to study the effects of the multipath electromagnetic propagation attained from positioning a Node B antenna in different locations inside a relatively small tunnel shaped fuselage with dense furnishings. The proposed framework is also able to provide an all-encompassing understanding of the generated EMI, whilst offering support for the development of conscientious network design in aircraft.