A recent article by McKee et al., (2023) titled “The effects of solar radio bursts on frequency bands utilised by the aviation industry in Sub-Saharan Africa” published in Journal of Space Weather and Space Climate, shows that radio altimeters are particularly sensitive to solar radio bursts, as they can produce large errors in altitude estimation that exceed the industry tolerance.
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Solar radio bursts pose altitude estimation errors in radio altimeters, exceeding industry tolerance, urging protective measures for aviation safety in Sub-Saharan Africa.– McKee et al., 2023
In recent years, the aviation industry in Sub-Saharan Africa has faced an emerging concern related to solar radio bursts and their potential impact on crucial avionic systems. This article delves into the effects of solar radio bursts on various frequency bands utilized by the aviation sector, aiming to establish interference thresholds, analyze burst occurrences, and simulate their impact on specific instruments. The overarching goal is to emphasize the importance of monitoring and mitigating space weather-related risks to enhance aviation safety and efficiency in the region.
Understanding Solar Radio Bursts
Solar radio bursts are sudden and intense releases of energy from the sun, primarily in the form of electromagnetic radiation. These bursts can interfere with communication and navigation systems operating in the Earth’s atmosphere, posing a potential threat to aviation safety.
Developing Interference Thresholds
This article aims to contribute to the field by developing interference thresholds for key aviation instruments susceptible to solar radio burst disruptions. Instruments include high-frequency (HF) and very-high-frequency (VHF) communication systems, the Global Positioning System (GPS), radio beacons, and radio altimeters. Establishing these thresholds is critical for understanding the limits within which avionic systems can operate safely.
Analyzing Occurrence and Intensity
The study investigates the occurrence and intensity of solar radio bursts in Sub-Saharan Africa, with a focus on identifying bursts that could surpass the established interference thresholds. By analyzing historical data and utilizing advanced modeling techniques, the article provides insights into the frequency and strength of these bursts in the region.
Simulating Impact on Radio Altimeters
One of the key aspects of this research involves simulating the impact of solar radio bursts on radio altimeter operation and altitude estimation. The simulation demonstrates that errors exceeding industry tolerance levels can occur for bursts exceeding a certain solar flux unit (sfu) threshold, set at 10^4 sfu. This analysis highlights the vulnerability of specific avionic systems to solar radio burst interference.
How the Study was Conducted
The authors employed the method developed by Gary et al. (2004) and Nita et al. (2004) to calculate the equivalent solar radio flux density and the relative solar radio flux density for different frequency bands used in aviation communication and navigation. The authors obtained solar radio burst data from the RSTN network and the GOES Solar Proton Event list for the period of 1996–2017 and selected the events that were associated with geo-effective CMEs and solar flares. The authors compared the solar radio burst flux with the calculated interference thresholds for various devices and identified the events that exceeded the thresholds. The authors simulated the impact of solar radio burst interference on the radio altimeter, an important avionic component, by using a linear frequency-modulated chirp signal and adding different noise sources to the signal. The authors evaluated the errors in the altitude estimation caused by the solar radio burst interference and compared them with the industry tolerance.
What the Authors Found
The authors found that solar radio bursts can cause interference and degradation in HF, VHF, GPS, and radio altimeter frequencies, depending on their intensity and duration. The authors also found that interference thresholds for these frequency bands range from 102 to 104 sfu (solar flux units), with lower frequencies being more susceptible to interference than higher frequencies. In addition, the authors found that radio altimeters are particularly sensitive to solar radio bursts, as they can produce large errors in altitude estimation that exceed the industry tolerance. The authors simulated the impact of solar radio bursts on radio altimeters and found that bursts above 104 sfu can cause errors of 64–251 m.
Why is this important?
This is important because solar radio bursts can affect the performance and safety of various aviation-related technologies, such as communication, navigation, and altimetry. Solar radio bursts are intense radio emissions from the Sun that can interfere with the radio signals used by these technologies. The authors of this paper aim to develop solar radio burst interference thresholds for different frequency bands used by the aviation industry in Sub-Saharan Africa. These thresholds indicate the minimum intensity of solar radio bursts that can cause harmful interference. The authors also simulate the impact of solar radio bursts on radio altimeters, which are devices that measure the altitude of the aircraft above the ground. They find that solar radio bursts above 104 sfu can cause large errors in the altitude estimates, which can compromise the safety of landing and departure. Therefore, it is important to monitor and mitigate the effects of solar radio bursts on aviation-related technologies.
What the Authors Recommend
- The authors suggest that the aviation industry should be aware of the potential hazards of SRB interference on various frequency bands used for communication and navigation and implement appropriate measures to monitor and mitigate such interference.
- The authors also suggest that the radio altimeter, a critical instrument for precision landing and altitude regulation, should be protected from SRB interference by using intelligent signal processing techniques, redundant systems, and rigorous testing.
- The authors suggest that more research is needed to understand the effects of SRBs on radio altimeters and other avionic components, especially for extreme events that exceed the current observational capabilities. They also propose to use flux-calibrated data from the e-Callisto network to monitor SRB activity at frequencies relevant for aviation.
In conclusion, the study by McKee et al. sheds light on the critical issue of solar radio bursts and their potential impact on the aviation industry in Sub-Saharan Africa. The research establishes interference thresholds for key avionic instruments, emphasizing the vulnerability of radio altimeters to these bursts. With a focus on monitoring, mitigating, and safeguarding against space weather-related risks, the findings underscore the importance of proactive measures in ensuring aviation safety and efficiency. The authors’ recommendations for industry awareness, intelligent signal processing for radio altimeters, and ongoing research efforts are pivotal steps toward addressing the challenges posed by solar radio bursts in the dynamic airspace of Sub-Saharan Africa.
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