Effects of Random RF Disturbances on Aeronautical Communication Systems

Air Traffic Control (ATC) and their responsible authorities have been always very sensitive to safety of the systems they are using to guarantee a fool-proof and environmentally safe operation of the facilities to provide air traffic services and guidance for the airplanes. This paper deals with the influence of random systems like badly shielded ignition systems of cars and motorbikes on standard air-ground aviation communication systems. Following a series of theoretical simulations, a measurement campaign quantifying this influence is described. This campaign is shedding some light on the fundamental behaviour and mechanisms of the RF disturbances caused by (shielded and unshielded) spark plug systems. It will be investigated both in the time domain and in the frequency domain. An analysis of the inaccuracies of those measurements is performed and the influence of (shielded and unshielded) spark plug systems on aviation communication systems (still based on A(mplitude)M(odulation)) is explained in detail.status: publishe