5 G-whiz

[JohnRoberts]

The problems with 5G interfering with aircraft has been in the news but information is a little sketchy.

The complaint is that 5G could interfere with radio altimeters, creating a hazard while landing in poor visibility. Apparently mainly concerned with Boeing 777 and 787 aircraft.

At least one altimeter manufacturer has a system that does not interfere with the 5G frequency band.

Interesting times..

JR

 

[pucho812]

5G or not, hasn't there always been an issue with Cell phones and flying? They have airplane mode for a reason. Is this a separate additional issue than what we had previously causing the need for airplane mode?

 

[JohnRoberts]

The current 5G issue is specifically regarding the RF altimeter.

The cellphone interference was never clearly explained AFAIK.

JR

 

[pucho812]

The current 5G issue is specifically regarding the RF altimeter.

The cellphone interference was never clearly explained AFAIK.

JR

Ah o.k. a separate but very important issue.

 

[JohnRoberts]

More details are leaking out while this appears mismanaged. FCC auctioned off the bandwidth to phone companies, now FAA is saying don't land planes near 5G towers. Apparently this was worked on during comment period and guard bands were provided to avoid frequency conflict. I appreciate the passenger safety concern but unsure the engineers are all on the same page.

JR

 

[Jim McKeveny]

The potential for radio interference is with older radio altimeters with bandpass filters not up to the new spectrum reality. Airlines had time and warning of the coming changes. The revenue shock of Corona no doubt influenced a maintenance deferment gamble and now they are complaining..

 

[Matador]

The revenue shock of Corona no doubt influenced a maintenance deferment gamble and now they are complaining..

Agreed: the 5G band to the major carriers was old news even before the pandemic hit, and the frequencies have been known for even longer.

 

[JohnRoberts]

The "guard bands" these folks are agreeing to (ATT and Verizon) are not turning on 5G towers within 2 miles of runways. That sounds like no 5G in airports.

JR

 

[Jim McKeveny]

No 5G in airports! How will anyone cure cancer, numbercrunch a moon launch, etc. survive there without portable hi-def 5G pornography?

 

[JohnRoberts]

Today I watched a congressional hearing about 5G, it was in the house of representatives with a FAA representative (FCC did not participate). The quality of questions and discourse was a little variable. One team stuck to the often heard talking point (it was ex-pres Trump's fault), but a small handful actually had thoughtful questions, observations.

While not good payback for over two hours of hearing time, thankfully with the DVR I could FF through the worst of it. One useful factoid (IMO) was that the radio altimeter technology uses something like 200MHz of bandwidth with similar guard bands. This is a huge chunk of bandwidth in the context of modern technology, so this is an opportunity for long term solutions, the short term solution managing risk is just getting started effectively. FAA and FCC did not effectively share data until recently, and phone companies were never asked to provide pattern and signal strength for 5G towers.

This will get resolved but it will take years.

JR

 

[crazydoc]

I keep reading the title of this thread as SG-whiz, and expect to see a really outstanding guitar.