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Contents 1. Background 2 2. Spectrum Aspects 2 5G Networks and Altimeter Spectrum 2 Sharing Spectrum 2 3. Aviation Concerns 3 Background to Debate with Aviation 3 Safe Functioning of Altimeters 3 4. Regulation 4 Regulatory Activity 4 Tests around the World 5 5. Quotes 6 Annex: 5G Networks operating in the 3.5 GHz range 7
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1. Background Currently, live 5G networks in over 53 countries are using spectrum in 3.3-4.2 GHz (the 3.5 GHz range). Roughly 80% of 5G network launches have used this band so far, totalling around 160 networks. The global media reacted to concerns from the aviation industry, in late 2021 to early 2022, that aircraft altimeters authorised to use the 4.2-4.4 GHz band would be impacted by 5G networks operating in the 3.5 GHz range. However, collaboration between industries has been taking place to reach improvements in radio altimeter equipment.
So far, there have been no instances of interference Co-existence between different technologies is at the between 5G and aviation. The 3.5 GHz range has been foundation of sound management of the radio spectrum under consideration and development for mobile – ensuring that citizens derive the maximum benefit from services over the past 15 years. It has also been studied this resource. This is the case in the 3.5 GHz range where at the ITU and by national governments during this the safe co-existence between 5G networks and aviation in period. adjacent frequencies is important.
2. Spectrum Aspects 5G Networks and Altimeter Spectrum While most networks currently use the lower part of the The aeronautical radionavigation service operates with 3.5 GHz band (3.3-3.8 GHz), macro-cell networks are live radio altimeters in the 4.2-4.4 GHz band. in the upper part (3.8-4.1 GHz), as well. Some networks also use spectrum between 4.4-5 GHz. See the annex section at the end of this document for additional details on 5G networks in the 3.5 GHz band.
Sharing Spectrum 5G is an IMT technology and as such the way it uses IMT technologies either share the same spectrum or are good spectrum is defined by the ITU. Mobile generations (2G, spectrum neighbours with TV, satellites, Wi-Fi, aeronautical, 3G, 4G, 5G and future 6G) are designed to share the military, radio astronomy, Earth exploration, deep space spectrum with other radio systems. The technical and exploration and other technologies and radio services. regulatory conditions under which they can operate are defined in the ITU’s Radio Regulations, changes to 5G is the most spectrum efficient mobile technology to which are agreed only at World Radiocommunication date. Its efficiency is three times higher compared to 4G Conferences (WRCs). while it makes active use of active antenna systems (AAS).1
3. Aviation Concerns Sharing Spectrum The possibility of interference to radio altimeters from Equipment designed against such a standard should 5G networks was raised through a white paper by US not be usable nor acceptable in today’s radio-frequency aviation industry group RTCA. Prior to this, the US FCC environment. For example, existing high-power radar examined the use of 3.5 GHz by 5G over the course of systems up to 3.7 GHz, which have operated worldwide for four years, including submissions by the aviation industry, decades, would significantly disrupt or damage the front-end and found that the technical rules adopted for 5G C-band receiver components of such a hypothetical device. service, as well as a 220 MHz guard band separating 5G networks from aviation operations, “are sufficient to Subsequently, a considerable amount of coordinated work protect [aviation] services in the 4.2-4.4 GHz band.” The and progress has been made among mobile and aviation FCC’s Order also noted that the guard band “is double the industries looking to address this concern. In October guard band supported in initial comments by [the aviation 2022, RTCA released the 'Guidance Document on Radar sector]”.2 Altimeter RF Interference Rejection and Tolerance', for consultation and comments.(Insert footnote number*) The The first RTCA study was published in October 2020 publication aims to "provide guidance to radar altimeter and filed with the FCC immediately after that.3 The US designers and manufacturers, aircraft manufacturers and telecommunications industry has offered clear rebuttal system integrators, and others involved in the modification of the findings of this report at various points since it and development of radar altimeters for RF interference was published.4 RTCA avoided giving detailed, non- robustness on the current state-of-the-art Aircraft- aggregated deployment information on radio altimeter Level RF Interference and Tolerance for radar altimeters models currently being used and only some anonymised operating in the 4200-4400 MHz band".5 information was provided publicly by RTCA’s research partner in late 2021. RTCA/the aviation industry is now working on new specifications (MOPS) for radio altimeters that will set The white paper was subsequently raised more widely in standards for radio altimeters for many years into the US government circles later in 2021, leading to significant future. It is important that these MOPS will enable better media attention. In order to ensure 5G networks launched coexistence between radio altimeters and other users of smoothly, the US MNOs agreed firstly to delay launch spectrum in neighbouring bands, and enable this valuable of the 3.7-3.8 GHz band, and then to a set of temporary, spectrum to be used efficiently. voluntary, precautionary measures which reduced transmit power around certain airports.
The original RTCA study represented a set of assumptions
based on highly pessimistic, overprotective and theoretical operational scenarios that together would not occur in live radio network implementations. As a result, the aviation industry wishes to claim protection from 5G networks for a handful of poorly designed and obsolete devices built on outdated standards from 1970s. Those devices are not designed to adequately reject signals emanating from outside their authorised frequencies.
3.5 GHz spectrum is being widely used by 5G networks in on technical parameters for altimeters as part of the more than 53 countries and by more than 138 operators WRC-15 agenda, this was through the study of an in- all over the world, as detailed in the annex. To date, no aeroplane communications system called WAIC (Wireless instances of interference have been reported as a result of Avionics Intra-Communications). RTCA’s white paper, and these 5G operations. The safe operation of altimeters is subsequent aviation inputs into regulatory fora, apply critical and the international mobile community is working higher safety margins to 5G services operating hundreds of in good faith with the aviation community to address any megahertz from the radio altimeter band than those that concerns. Such interaction will enable the aviation industry it applied in evaluating a wireless intra-communications to ascertain where, if necessary, it will need to replace old system (WAIC) operating on the same aircraft in the same and obsolete equipment with those that have adequate frequency band. rejection capabilities. The latest RTCA guidance document is suggesting Altimeters are a function of aircraft safety and as such, "methods for evaluating and applying the RF rejection and building appropriate margins into their protection is tolerance levels"; however, these are still subject to further important. The aviation industry gave clear information work and discussion.
4. Regulation Regulatory Activity Most countries using 5G in the band 3.3-4.2 GHz do so • In the US, the Federal Aviation Administration has set without extra restrictions and thousands of flights take up an online resource detailing its own work to give off and land safely in their airports every day. Only a few additional clarity on the safe functioning of radio countries have implemented additional or provisional altimeters.6 measures out of an abundance of caution: • Brazil has decided to apply temporary precautionary • Japan, which uses spectrum in the 3.6-4.1 GHz band measures around airports in 3.3-3.7 GHz. (and 4.5-4.6 GHz) for 5G, applies a set of restrictions in • Australia has decided to apply precautionary close proximity to the airport landing strip only in the measures around airports and power limits of 62 dBm portion 4-4.1 GHz. in 3.7-4.0 GHz. • France and Belgium apply a set of measures around • India has decided to apply precautionary measures airports in 3.4-3.8 GHz. around airports: downtilting, and power limits of • US operators adopted restrictions in 3.7-3.8 GHz based 58 dBm in 3.3-3.7 GHz. on a modified version of the French model on a • In Europe, radio altimeter coexistence with 5G voluntary and temporary basis. operating in 3.5 GHz is being discussed in the CEPT • Canada has also applied measures around landing ECC PT1. strips in 3.45-3.65 GHz.
6. https://www.faa.gov/5g
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Tests around the world
France has published results of a trial on Gendarmerie In the first report released, it was concluded that the low helicopters using a Base Station at 3640-3710 MHz level of unwanted 5G emissions within the radio altimeter configured to a worst-case 78 dBm EIRP. The helicopters spectrum was negligible and would therefore be unlikely to flew around the high-power BS in test loops trying to cause potential harmful interference; "This measurement- simulate interference. No disturbances were observed. based observation increases the likelihood that, to the extent EMC problem arise between 5G transmitters and Another field test, from Norway, outlines a set of tests adjacent-band radalt receivers, the technical solution done at Bergen-Flesland airport (BGO) with a 3.7-3.8 GHz to such a problem might be installation or retrofitting BS. It concludes: “The tests were carried out with a wide of more-effective RF power-rejection filters on radalt range of aircrafts representative for aircrafts landing at receivers for frequencies below 4200 MHz."7 Norwegian airports”. Test results showed no abnormalities on the radio altimeters during the tests. Other countries and their regulatory bodies have initiated verification processes and tests deployments such as Japan deployed laboratory testing performed for different Canada, which has also a public consultation for protection type of altimeters. No interference complaints have zones ongoing. been noted; however, laboratory test conditions are not reflective of real-world flight conditions. The Czech Republic has published the results of an RA test (onboard) near a new IMT BTS installed at an airport. The U.S. performed four phases of testing: lab setting; They used two different types of planes and two types in-flight joint test and evaluation; collection of altimeters of Helicopters. The Base Station operated at 3.7 GHz power levels; and, characterization of radiation patterns Results showed no abnormal RA function was detected. with emissions of 5G base stations at 3.3-3.6 GHz, 3..7-3.98 GHz and 3.3-3.98 GHz.
5. Quotes "Conversations with other NAAs has established that there have been no confirmed instances where 5G interference has resulted in aircraft system malfunction or unexpected behaviour." UK CAA, 17 January 2022
"Based on our assessment of all the information that is currently available to us, we consider that there is no immediate need for risk mitigation actions nor for States to act." European Aviation Safety Agency, December 2020
"Results showed no abnormalities on the Radio Altimeters during the test."
Nkom Norway, August 2021
"The emission of 5G NR base station had no impact on the operational behaviour of the radio altimeter fitted on the French gendarmerie's EC135 helicopters, which gives us a good level of confidence in the resilience of this type of radio altimeter to conduct its missions." ANFR France, September 2021
"And we continue to have no reason to believe that 5G operations in the C-Band will cause harmful interference to radio altimeters. Among other things, these altimeters operate with more than 200 megahertz of separation from the C-band spectrum currently being auctioned, more protection than is afforded in some other countries." FCC, January 2021
"There has been no concrete influence on the instruments so far."
BNetzA Germany, January 2021
"We're aware that the aviation sector is looking at this; we've done our own technical analysis and are yet to see any evidence that would give us cause for concern." Ofcom UK, 18 January 2021
"The ACMA considers that compatibility with radio altimeters can be successfully managed with WBB (Wireless Broadband) services introduced up to 4000 MHz." ACMA, January 2021
"Many countries around the world are already deploying wireless networks in the bands from 2200-4200 MHz. There have not yet been reports of harmful interference due to wireless broadband operations internationally." FAA, 23 December 2021
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Annex: 5G Networks operating in
the 3.5 GHz range FIGURE 1: COUNTRIES WITH 5G NETWORKS OPERATING AROUND 3.5 GHz (SOURCE GSMAi 21.04.2023)
Andorra Australia Austria Bahrain Belgium Brazil Bulgaria Canada Chile China Croatia Cyprus Czech Republic Denmark Finland France Germany Greece Hong Kong, SAR China Hungary Iceland India Ireland Israel Italy Japan Jersey Korea, South Kuwait Latvia Altimeters Luxembourg Madagascar Malta Malaysia Mauritius Mexico New Zealand Nigeria Norway Oman Philippines Portugal Qatar Romania San Marino Saudi Arabia Singapore Slovakia Slovenia South Africa Spain Sweden Switzerland Taiwan, Province of China United Arab Emirates United Kingdom United States of America
