|
Actually WiFi CAN interfere with the avionics
Chalk this one up under the YIKES! column. It is not the basic end-user wifi signal that is causing problems but there are confirmed reports that the equipment may cause problems with some display units in the cockpit:
Boeing has confirmed that "blanking" of Honeywell Phase 3 Display Units (DUs) has been reported during airline EMI (electro magnetic interference) certification testing of wireless broadband systems (Wi-Fi) on various Boeing737NG airplanes. Boeing, meanwhile, says: "Current testing by Boeing and Honeywell has determined that blanking may occur when a DU is subjected to testing procedures specified by the FAA requirements (AC-20-164) during installations of Wi-Fi systems on the airplane. Based on testing that has been conducted, Boeing and Honeywell have concluded that actual EMI levels experienced during normal operation of typical passenger Wi-Fi systems would not cause any blanking of the Phase 3 DU. This issue does not exist with the Phase 1 or 2 DU's." http://www.flightglobal.com/blogs/ru...rms-wi-fi.html |
That sounds more like bad shielding on this specific product. If it can be disrupted in the air just by Wi-Fi signals, it probably wouldn't pass basic ground testing for electronics either.
I'd say back to the drawing board for them... |
Ummm..... doesn't this quote from your link seem to disprove your thread title?
Boeing and Honeywell have concluded that actual EMI levels experienced during normal operation of typical passenger Wi-Fi systems would not cause any blanking of the Phase 3 DU. |
I used to write software for avionics (with a lot of ex-Honeywell people actually). "Blanking" is a nice sounding word for "crash and reboot".
|
Wait, all the "experts" on FT told us this was impossible, and that the FAA didn't know what they were talking about (even in conversations about phones, which is an FCC restriction) and how they leave their electronics on all the time without worry because aircraft electronics are so well shielded they could never be affected.
|
Originally Posted by CPRich
(Post 16031028)
Wait, all the "experts" on FT told us this was impossible, and that the FAA didn't know what they were talking about (even in conversations about phones, which is an FCC restriction) and how they leave their electronics on all the time without worry because aircraft electronics are so well shielded they could never be affected.
LOL And if YOU actually read the report you will see that all the "experts" on FT are still correct. |
Related to this are the recent reports that LTE (as used in some "4g" smartphones) can interfere with GPS signals.
|
Originally Posted by TheBagman
(Post 16028698)
I used to write software for avionics (with a lot of ex-Honeywell people actually). "Blanking" is a nice sounding word for "crash and reboot".
|
WSJ: FAA Moves Toward Mandatory Replacement of Certain Honeywell Displays
The Federal Aviation Administration moved toward mandatory replacement of certain older Honeywell International Inc. pilot displays installed on more than 150 Boeing Co. 737s and 777s flown by U.S. carriers, raising new concerns about susceptibility to interference from Wi-Fi signals. |
Originally Posted by CPRich
(Post 16031028)
Wait, all the "experts" on FT told us this was impossible, and that the FAA didn't know what they were talking about (even in conversations about phones, which is an FCC restriction) and how they leave their electronics on all the time without worry because aircraft electronics are so well shielded they could never be affected.
http://www.usatoday.com/story/todayi...tions/2854521/ |
| All times are GMT -6. The time now is 12:32 am. |
This site is owned, operated, and maintained by MH Sub I, LLC dba Internet Brands. Copyright © 2026 MH Sub I, LLC dba Internet Brands. All rights reserved. Designated trademarks are the property of their respective owners.