Influence of Aircraft Power Electronics Processing on Backup VHF Radio Systems

Abstract

The paper describes the influence of power electronics, energy processing, and emergency radio systems (ERS) immunity testing on onboard aircraft equipment and ground stations providing air traffic services. The implementation of next-generation power electronics introduces potential hazards for the safety and reliability of aircraft systems, especially the interferences from power electronics with high-power processing. The paper focuses on clearly identifying, experimentally verifying, and quantifiably measuring the effects of power electronics processing using switching modes versus the electromagnetic compatibility (EMC) of emergency radio systems with electromagnetic interference (EMI). EMI can be very critical when switching power radios utilize backup receivers, which are used as aircraft backup systems or airport last-resort systems. The switching power electronics process produces interfering electromagnetic energy to create problems with onboard aircraft radios or instrument landing system (ILS) avionics services. Analyses demonstrate significant threats and risks resulting from interferences between radio and power electronics in airborne systems. Results demonstrate the impact of interferences on intermediate-frequency processing, namely, for very high frequency (VHF) radios. The paper also describes the methodology of testing radio immunity against both weak and strong signals in accordance with recent aviation standards and guidance for military radio communication systems in the VHF band.