lectromagnetic Spectrum Conflict
Aircraft use a range of the electromagnetic spectrum from dc for some monitoring equipment to 10Ghz for weather radar (Geppert, 1994, p. 21). The electromagnetic range used by portable consumer electronic equipment is almost as broad. While instances of interference does occur as a result of this sharing of the electromagnetic spectrum within an aircraft's in-flight environment, the EMI is not consistent. This inconsistency creates problems for engineers attempting to design around the problem and for airlines attempting to develop policies that promote in-flight safety while not antagonizing passengers.
History of the Problem of Electromagnetic Interference From Passenger-Carried Portable Electronic Equipment on Aircraft Communications and Navigation Systems
Electromagnetic interference from portable electronic devices on aircraft was first determined during the 1950s when one of the frequencies emitted by portable FM radio receivers interfered with the normal operation of the aircraft communication and navigation receivers (Hunter, 1991, p. S12). The issue was studied by the Radio Technical Commission for Aeronautics (RTCA), and testing of the then-limited number of consumer devices resulted in RTCA's document DO-119 and the Fede
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