The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has warned that radio altimeter data may be compromised by 5G C-Band wireless broadband radiation.
HIGHLIGHTS
- Concerns have been raised by the aviation sector and the FAA.
- Two airworthiness directives were issued by the FAA.
- The FAA and the FCC are still in talks.
Earlier this week, the US Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) issued a warning about the potential dangers posed by the proposed use of 5G wireless airwaves.
Aircraft electronics like radio altimeters could be affected by 5G, according to the aviation industry and the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA). For safety reasons, AT&T and Verizon decided to delay C-band cellular service until January 5, after the Federal Aviation Administration raised concerns.
To prevent certain operations requiring radio altimeter data from being performed in the presence of 5G C-Band wireless broadband transmissions, the FAA has issued two airworthiness directives requiring manual revisions for airplane and helicopter flight manuals.
Earlier this week, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) warned that the planned use of radio altimeter anomalies “may lead to loss of ongoing safe flight and landing” if they are not noticed by the aircraft automation or pilot, particularly near to the ground.
The FAA reaffirmed its belief that the “growth of 5G and aviation will safely co-exist” in a statement on Tuesday. Both regulations “create a framework… to acquire more information to avoid potential effects on aircraft safety equipment,” according to the agency.
For now, the FAA is in talks with the Federal Communications Commission (FCC), as well as White House and industry officials, on the particular outlines of any limitations, which are expected to be revealed in the coming weeks via a series of notices.
The FCC stated on Tuesday that “5G network deployment is progressing well with the help of the FAA and private companies… In the coming weeks, we expect the FAA to provide revised guidelines reflecting these changes.”
Affected airports and aircraft have yet to be identified. Notifications will be sent “when necessary” to identify places where radio altimeter data may be incorrect because of the presence of 5G C-Band wireless broadband transmissions, according to the FAA.
On November 24, Verizon and AT&T announced that they would take preventive measures for at least six months to limit interference. On Monday, however, aviation industry groups claimed that they were insufficient to address air safety issues.
AT&T and Verizon have agreed to postpone the rollout of a new 5G frequency band until November 2021 to resolve concerns about air safety.
The Federal Aviation Administration and the Federal Communications Commission have agreed to “voluntarily postpone” the commercial rollout “to further analyze any impact on aviation safety technology,” according to a joint statement.
After investing tens of billions of dollars in license purchases, the two corporations had hoped to begin using the 5G network on December 5.
Aviation authorities, on the other hand, are concerned that the signals could interfere with flight safety equipment.
The agencies vowed to work together “to ensure that the United States keeps pace with the rest of the world in deploying next-generation communications technologies safely and without excessive delay,” according to a joint statement.
Aircraft and radio altimeter manufacturers were issued a special bulletin by the FAA on Tuesday, advising that they analyze potential interference at the 3.7 to 3.8 GHz level and between 4.2 and 4.4 GHz frequency bands. Read more: IVR technology: all you need to know
“Potential degradation” of safety systems relying on radio altimeters should be alerted to pilots, according to the FAA.
In a statement, the FAA stated that “there have not yet been proven cases of adverse interference due to wireless broadband activities abroad.”
In a statement, AT&T stated it will postpone the rollout until January 5.
Science and facts must guide these talks, the business stated in a statement. To help specialists and engineers determine if there are actual coexistence difficulties, “that is the only path.”
We believe that the real-world experience in dozens of countries where this spectrum has been used for 5G shows that there is no risk to aviation safety, and we are confident that the FAA will conclude that the use of the C-Band 5G spectrum poses no risk to air safety,” Verizon said in a statement on Tuesday.
According to Verizon’s statement, it is “on schedule to launch C-band 5G next month and to reach 100 million Americans with this network in the first quarter of 2022.”
Earlier this month, cellular carriers announced that they would take “extra steps to minimize energy emanating from 5G base stations.” FAA) officials say rural U.S. base stations would be allowed to emit at higher levels than those in other nations under new FCC rules that will take effect in 2020, Read Also: Samsung Galaxy A52s 5G Review: It’s Worth The Price
