A description of the software element of the NASA portable electronic device radiated emissions investigation

NASA Langley Research Center's (LaRC) High Intensity Radiated Fields Laboratory (HIRF Lab) recently conducted a series of electromagnetic radiated emissions tests under agreements with Delta Airlines and the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA). The frequency spectrum environment at a commercial airport was measured. The environment survey provides a picture of the complex nature of the electromagnetic environment present in those areas outside the aircraft. In addition, radiated emissions tests were conducted on portable electronic devices (PEDs) such as, cell phones, laptop computers, electronic toys, and family radio systems, that may be brought onboard aircraft. These tests were performed in both semi-anechoic and reverberation chambers. The data generated during the tests are intended to support the research on the effect of radiated emissions from wireless devices on aircraft avionic systems. This report describes the tests and automated data acquisition systems used at the airport and in the HIRF Lab. In addition, the data reduction process is discussed in detail.