Aviation, noise, and the connected passenger

With renewed interest in how and when air travelers can use personal electronic devices (PEDs), electromagnetic interference (EMI) control deserves a new look. That commercial aircraft are handling more data for flight operations is well known. From navigation to fly by wire, electronics play an ever increasing role. Passenger connectivity is also growing. In-flight entertainment (IFE) systems are more than movies – air travel is a matter of having your office in the sky.

The use of PEDs pose a threat to critical flight electronics, both through radiated and conducted EMI. IFE cabling can be thought of as laying an antenna through the cockpit. As with any antenna, the cabling can be both a source and receiver of emissions. IFE systems and PEDs must fall into the frequency spectrum from 2.4GHz to 5GHz, a “dead zone” for flight electronics also called the Boeing notch. Normal local area network (LAN) wireless devices can operate safely without interference in these operating frequencies.

There are various frequency ranges for flight electronics and PEDs. Laptops and tablets generally are of no concern since they do not share frequency bands with avionics. The only overlap is GPS. Portable satellite GPS tracking devices and smart phones with internal GPS tracking use the same frequency band as the aircraft’s on-board GPS tracking and may conflict with the cockpit systems. The IFE architecture must not conduct or amplify RF frequencies above 5GHz, which enters into the realm of GPS. As a consequence, handheld GPS devices are not approved for use in flight.
 

Shielding

Twisted pair cabling and differential transmission are the first step in maintaining signal integrity and controlling noise. Twisted pairs work well against common-mode noise. Since common-mode noise appears on both conductors simultaneously, causing the potential on both sides to change relative to ground, the fact that the noise on each conductor is 180° out of phase means that the noise is effectively canceled.

The next step is preventing the cable from picking up (or transmitting) radiated noise. Shielding is the main way to control radiated EMI. Shielded cable both contains EMI generated by the cable and protects against radiated emissions from external sources. Cable shields are foil, braid, or a combination of both.

The key to good shielding is providing a low-impedance path to ground. The connector backshell and housing accomplish this goal. TE Connectivity offers a range of backshells to terminate and ground the cable’s shield.
 

Filtering

The IFE system should be filtered to ensure that any noise coupled or generated by this system is not coupled onto systems operating flight applications. Filtering works against differential mode noise. Unlike common-mode noise, differential noise affects each conductor differently – the noise is entirely in the signal transmission path. Twisted pairs have minimal control over differential noise.

The AC and DC power planes for IFE must be filtered to prevent harmonic noise below 2.4GHz or above 5GHz from being coupled onto the power bus architecture. Without it, noise couples onto the aircraft’s communication system. Power supplies are usually internally filtered. Power outlets for passengers can also be used to keep the power distribution system clean.

Signal lines can also be filtered to maintain signal integrity. However, it is typically done as a last resort when the IFE system has less than stellar performance or interferes with other systems.

Filter connectors are available with L, C, LC, and pi configurations to match the input and output impedances of the circuit. Capacitive and inductive values can be varied to create low-pass, notch, and high-pass filters with different frequency bands and attenuation values. Depending on your needs, you can get tolerance values of 5%, 10%, or 20%.

Filtering can be performed at a system control unit or nodal points of interconnects throughout the aircraft. While first filter connectors incorporated tubular components, planar-array filter connectors surpass tubular types in performance, ease of manufacture, durability, and cost. TE has replaced its range of tubular connectors with planar versions. The array provides the required capacitance for each through-pin and the inductance is provided by ferrite beads suitably positioned on either side of the array. Pi filter configurations require two planar arrays. The ground path for each capacitor is provided through the planar array and makes contact with the shell of the connector via a compliant grounding spring. Within limits, each filtered contact can have a different value of capacitance from its neighbor.

One alternative – surface-mount components within the connector – provides lower costs, is more accommodating of changes in the capacitance footprint, and offers lower performance, especially in attenuating high frequencies. This technology is particularly suited to applications such as ground-based communications and industrial uses where high volume is present and conditions are expected to be less demanding.

Selecting the best options begins with an EMI scan, which will identify the frequency and intensity of generated noise. Typically, TE engineers use the scan data to design a filter specifically for this noise environment.

Most industry-standard aerospace connectors are available with different options. The receptacle connector is the most common and effective position to locate the filtering. A shielded receptacle offers the required low-impedance path to ground for optimum performance. Filtered receptacles also help in minimizing RF windows in the chassis due to the continuous ground plane inside.

Filters are also available as adapters to allow a quick retrofit for poorly behaving systems. The adapter is simply a filtered assembly with a plug on one end and a receptacle on the other. The cable is unplugged, the adapter is plugged into the receptacle, and the cable is reconnected.
 

Fiber alternative

The dielectric nature of optical fibers means they neither radiate nor receive EMI; they effectively remove EMI as an issue. Designers tend to be cautious about using fiber optics because of issues of cost, field reparability, and performance at extreme temperatures. Especially when the additional costs of shielding and filter for copper connectivity are considered, the economics of fiber optics become more favorable. As a high-speed backbone for IFE and passenger network, fiber offers an attractive combination of high data rates and long transmission distances.
 

Fix now or fix it later

In the long run, designing for electromagnetic compatibility from the start saves headaches and unexpected costs down the road. While size and weight remain critical issues in aircraft design and flight efficiency, components such as connectors and cable have become lighter and smaller, striking a balance between the additional weight of filters or shielding.

TE Connectivity
www.te.com

About the author: Michael Coon is the N. America field applications engineer for filtered EMI/RFI/transient protection connectors for TE Connectivity, Global Aerospace, Defense & Marine. Connect at www.DesignSmarterFaster.com.