Influence of Aircraft Power Electronics Processing on Backup VHF Radio Systems

Abstract

The paper describes the influence of power electronics, energy processing, and emergency radio systems (ERS) immunity testing on onboard aircraft equipment and ground stations providing air traffic services. The implementation of next-generation power electronics introduces potential hazards for the safety and reliability of aircraft systems, especially the interferences from power electronics with high-power processing. The paper focuses on clearly identifying, experimentally verifying, and quantifiably measuring the effects of power electronics processing using switching modes versus the electromagnetic compatibility (EMC) of emergency radio systems with electromagnetic interference (EMI). EMI can be very critical when switching power radios utilize backup receivers, which are used as aircraft backup systems or airport last-resort systems. The switching power electronics process produces interfering electromagnetic energy to create problems with onboard aircraft radios or instrument landing system (ILS) avionics services. Analyses demonstrate significant threats and risks resulting from interferences between radio and power electronics in airborne systems. Results demonstrate the impact of interferences on intermediate-frequency processing, namely, for very high frequency (VHF) radios. The paper also describes the methodology of testing radio immunity against both weak and strong signals in accordance with recent aviation standards and guidance for military radio communication systems in the VHF band.

Airport Spatial Usability in Measuring the Spherical Antenna Properties on Small Aircraft

“…The measuring setup created by placing electronic devices around the aircraft at a selected location of the airport is shown in Figure 4 . A broadband logarithmic-periodic antenna mounted on a stand was used as the measuring antenna, which could be used to continuously change its height [ 14 , 16 ]. This measuring antenna was placed at a distance of 15 m from the aircraft.…”

“…continuously change its height [14,16]. This measuring antenna was placed at a distance of 15 m from the aircraft.…”

“…Specifying the location of the ELT system antenna on an aircraft is possible only with knowledge of the theory of antennas and their directional characteristics [ 10 , 11 , 12 , 13 ]. This is why the final location of the block of this system and its antenna on the aircraft is subject to criticism and safety analyses without verification by experimental measurements [ 14 ]. From this point of view, this article offers a relatively simple and fast solution for measuring the polar and spherical characteristics of antennas on small aircraft.…”

Uncertainty-Driven Ontology for Decision Support System in Air Transport

“…A CPS consists of, and depends on, the close interaction and integration of physical domain measurements, computational and software systems, a networked environment, and controlled actuations [14]. Likewise, an IoT focuses on distributed sensor data, wireless networks, and a physical environment (Figure 2) [42]. A key part of today's developments in CPS and IoT involves creating new capabilities that afford adaptability, scalability, usability, security, and privacy.…”