May 2003 doc.: IEEE 802.

15-03/214r1
Project: IEEE P802.15 Working Group for Wireless Personal Area Networks (WPANs)

Submission Title: RTCA May Meeting

Date Submitted: 11 May 2003
Source: Bob Huang Company: Sony Electronics
Address: One Sony Drive T1-5, Park Ridge, NJ 07656 USA
Voice: 201-358-4409 FAX:201-930-6397 E-Mail: robert.huang@am.sony.com
Re: Information concerning studies leading recommendations and regulation for the in-flight use of
consumer UWB devices on commercial (civilian) aircraft.
Abstract: This document provides an overview of the newly initiated activities of the RTCA (Radio
Technical Commission for Aeronautics) Special Committee 202 (SC202).
Purpose: To provide information and to suggest that a technical liaison between 802.15 and RTCA
SC202 may encourage the development of balanced rules and regulations for consumer UWB use on
aircraft.
Notice: This document has been prepared to assist the IEEE P802.15. It is offered as a basis for
discussion and is not binding on the contributing individual(s) or organization(s). The material in this
document is subject to change in form and content after further study. The contributor(s) reserve(s) the right
to add, amend or withdraw material contained herein.
Release: The contributor acknowledges and accepts that this contribution becomes the property of IEEE
and may be made publicly available by P802.15.

Submission Slide 1 Bob Huang, Sony Electronics

May 2003 doc.: IEEE 802.15-03/214r1

Overview of the First Meeting of

RTCA SC202

Submission Slide 2 Bob Huang, Sony Electronics

May 2003 doc.: IEEE 802.15-03/214r1

What is the RTCA?

• It functions as a Federal Advisory Committee to

the FAA
• It develops consensus-based recommendations
regarding
– Communications,
– Navigation,
– Surveillance, and
– Air traffic management (CNS/ATM) system issues
• Learn more about RTCA at
http://www.rtca.org/about rtca.asp

Submission Slide 3 Bob Huang, Sony Electronics

May 2003 doc.: IEEE 802.15-03/214r1

What is SC202?
(RTCA Special Committee 202)
• Recently established at the request of the Federal
Aviation Administration,
• To work in two areas:
• In Phase 1 – study in-flight use of wireless Personal Electronic
Device (PED) technologies that currently exist
• specifically current generation cellular telephones, current technology
wireless PDAs, and devices with IEEE 802.11a, IEEE 802.11b, and
Bluetooth™ wireless network capabilities
• Phase 1 - develop test plans and documents will most likely be
used to test UWB devices in Phase 2.
• Phase 2 - Study the in-flight use of emerging PED technologies,
for example ultra-wideband devices and cellular pico-cells for
telephone use on board aircraft.
• Met in May; next meeting in July

Submission Slide 4 Bob Huang, Sony Electronics

May 2003 doc.: IEEE 802.15-03/214r1

RTCA SC202
• Had its first meeting last week in Washington DC
to start work in four Working Groups.
– PED characterization Working Group
– Airplane path loss and evaluation of airplane
environment Working Group
– Airplane systems and susceptibility to wireless PED
Working Group.
– Airplane risk assessment of airplane systems to
wireless PED Working Group.

Submission Slide 5 Bob Huang, Sony Electronics

 May 2003 doc.: IEEE 802.15-03/214r1

RTCA SC202
• Target dates
1. Phase 1 (looking at existing wireless devices)
a. Started: May 2003
b. To finish: January 2004

2. In Phase 2 – UWB
a. To begin after completion of Phase 1
b. To finish: October 2005

Submission Slide 6 Bob Huang, Sony Electronics

May 2003 doc.: IEEE 802.15-03/214r1

RTCA SC202
If the UWB study does not begin until 2005, why
worry now?
• NASA Langley is/will be conducting UWB tests prior to
the beginning of formal work in SC202
• NASA Langley performed tests and released results
last year
• This is an early opportunity to exchange information
with NASA Langley on UWB and its interference
effects

Submission Slide 7 Bob Huang, Sony Electronics

May 2003 doc.: IEEE 802.15-03/214r1

RTCA SC202
Possible impact on 802.15.3a
• As a result of studying the effect of consumer UWB
devices on aircraft avionics systems, it is possible that
recommendations will be made to the FCC to lower
the UWB emissions mask in selected frequency bands
• Any late changes in the US regulation for UWB would
be likely to delay UWB deployment
• Possible changes to the FCC emissions mask were
mentioned in passing: should receive the attention of
802.15.3a

Submission Slide 8 Bob Huang, Sony Electronics

May 2003 doc.: IEEE 802.15-03/214r1

RTCA SC202
Meeting attendees
• Aviation industry:
⃘ Regulators ⃘ Airlines ⃘ Air transport
⃘ Manufacturers: airframe, avionics, entertainment sys
⃘ Operators (pilots)
• Wireless carriers and handset manufacturer
• CE industry
• PC industry
• UWB technology developer

Submission Slide 9 Bob Huang, Sony Electronics

May 2003 doc.: IEEE 802.15-03/214r1

Radio Frequency Bands Supporting Aviation

FAA Office of Spectrum Policy and Management
http://www1.faa.gov/ats/aaf/asr/asr100/rfb.htm
Frequency Band System Frequency Band System
190 - 435 & 510 - Air Route Surveillance Radar;
Non-directional Beacons 1215 - 1400 MHz
535 kHz GPS and GLONASS L1
2100 - 28,000 kHz HF Communications Satellite-Based Comm (To
1545 - 1559 MHz
Aircraft)
75 MHz NAVAID (Marker Beacons) Satellite Navigation; GPS and
1559 - 1610 MHz
GLONASS L1
108 - 112 MHz VOR; ILS Localizer 1646.5 - 1660.5 Satellite-Based Comm (From
MHz Aircraft)
VOR; SCAT-I Radionavigation
112 - 118 MHz 1710 - 1850 MHz LDRCL; fixed links
data link
118 - 137 MHz VHF Air / Ground Communications Airport Surveillance and
2700 - 3000 MHz
Weather Radar
138 - 150.8 & 162 -
Fixed, Mobil
174 MHz 5000 - 5250 MHz Microwave Landing System
225 - 328.6 & 335.4 - UHF Air / Ground Communications
400 MHz (U.S. Military) 5600 - 5650 MHz TDWR
328.6 - 335.4 MHz ILS Glide Slope
7125 - 8500 MHz RCL
406.1 - 420 MHz Fixed, Mobil Military Precision Approach
9000 - 9200 MHz
932 - 935 & 941 - Radar
RMM, LLWAS, LDRCL, etc.
944 MHz 14.4 - 15.35 GHz Microwave Link
960 - 1215 MHz NAVAID (TACAN / DME, etc.)
15.7 - 16.2 GHz Radar (ASDE-3)
Air Traffic Control Radar Beacon;
1030 & 1090 MHz
Mode S; TCAS 21.2 - 23.6 GHz Microwave Link
Submission Slide 10 Bob Huang, Sony Electronics
May 2003 doc.: IEEE 802.15-03/214r1

RTCA SC202 Meeting Documents

Two available so far:

1. Bringing Wireless On Board: Review of PED
EMI Work Since SC-177 (With NASA LaRC)
(file RTCA 5-6-03.pdf)

2. WG58 Presentation to RTCA SC202 May 6th

2003 (from EUROCAE: European Organisation
for Civil Aviation Equipment) (file WG58 April
2003.ppt)

Submission Slide 11 Bob Huang, Sony Electronics