The fifth generation (5G) cellular network offering increased high-speed data uses a range of frequencies. These frequencies (also known as C-band) have the potential to interfere with radio altimeters used on aircraft. Radio altimeters, which also use C-band frequencies, have been successfully used on aircraft for decades. In addition to providing the aircraft altitude, the radio altimeter connects to several critical aircraft systems.
The altitude information transmitted through the radio altimeter is critical to automatic landing systems, flight controls, primary displays, crew alerting, and surveillance, just to name a few. Radio altimeters differ from standard altimeters, which only provide the aircraft's altitude above sea level by measuring atmospheric pressure.
Tags:Boing, Safety of Flight in 5G Environments
