Sign In |Help & Support
ALL SECTORS
  • ALL SECTORS
  • GB(National Standard)
  • CB(Shipping)
  • CECS(Engineering Construction)
  • CJ(Urban Construction)
  • CY(News and Publication)
  • DB(Provincial Standard)
  • DL(Electricity & Power)
  • DZ(Geology & Mineralogy)
  • FZ(Spinning & Textile)
  • GA(Public Security)
  • HB(Aviation)
  • HG(Chemical Industry)
  • HJ(Environmental Protection)
  • JB(Machinery)
  • JC(Building Materials)
  • JG(Building & Construction)
  • JJ(Metering)
  • JT(Highway & Transportation)
  • LY(Forestry)
  • MT(Coal)
  • NB(Energy)
  • NY(Agriculture)
  • QB(Light Industry)
  • QC(Automobile & Vehicle)
  • QJ(Aerospace)
  • SH(Petrochemical)
  • SJ(Electronics)
  • SL(Water Resources)
  • SN(Commodity Inspection)
  • SY(Oil & Gas)
  • TB(Railway & Train)
  • YB(Ferrous Metallurgy)
  • YC(Tobacco)
  • YD(Telecommunication)
  • YY(Medical Device)
Database: 365,228(8 Aug 2026)
electromagnetic interference path loss electromagnetic interference path loss testing electromagnetic interference test method portable electronic devices mechanical magnetic proximity switches coordinate system definitions high-density polyethylene silicore duct
HB 8704-2023 in English

HB 8704-2023 in English

VALID

Method of measuring the electromagnetic interference path loss of portableeleetronic devices on civil aireraft

  • Issued on:2023-12-29
  • Implemented on:2024-07-01
  • File Format:PDF
  • Delivery:Via email within 5 business days
Price(USD): $360.00
$350.00
Standard No: HB 8704-2023
Document status: VALID
Title in English: Method of measuring the electromagnetic interference path loss of portableeleetronic devices on civil aireraft
Title in Chinese: 民用飞机便携式电子设备的电磁干扰路径损耗测试方法
Language: English
File Format: Electronic (PDF)
Delivery: Via email within 5 business days
Issued on: 2023-12-29
Implemented on: 2024-07-01
Professional Classification: HB-Aviation
Related Keywords: electromagnetic interference path loss
electromagnetic interference path loss testing
electromagnetic interference
test method
portable electronic devices
Related Topics: electron path
four-electron path
Electrostatic interference of electronic equipment

本文件规定了民用飞机便携式电子设备的电磁干扰路径损耗测试的试验一般要求、试验方法、测试数据处理以及试验结果的分析与评定。
本文件适用于正常类/运输类航空器便携式电子设备的电磁干扰路径损耗测试试验。


Introduction

Standard Overview and Technical Background

HB 8704-2023, "Test Method for Electromagnetic Interference Path Loss of Portable Electronic Devices in Civil Aircraft," is an important standard document for electromagnetic compatibility testing of civil aircraft in China's aviation industry. Released in 2023, this standard was jointly drafted by the Shanghai Aircraft Design and Research Institute of Commercial Aircraft Corporation of China, Ltd. (COMAC) and other organizations, aiming to standardize the test method for electromagnetic interference path loss of portable electronic devices (PEDs) in civil aircraft.

With the rapid development of avionics, the number of portable electronic devices carried by passengers has increased dramatically, and these devices may cause electromagnetic interference to aircraft navigation and communication systems. Interference path loss (IPL), as a key parameter for measuring the aircraft structure's ability to protect against electromagnetic interference, is crucial for ensuring flight safety. This standard is based on the compliance requirements of Clause 1309(a) of CCAR25 "Airworthiness Standards for Transport Category Aircraft," providing a technical basis for aircraft design, manufacturing, and airworthiness certification.


Core Concepts and Terminology Definitions

The standard clarifies two key term definitions, which are crucial for understanding the testing principles:

TermsDefinitionsTechnical Significance
Front Door CouplingElectromagnetic energy from portable electronic devices enters the aircraft's external receiving antenna through portholes and openings, resulting in receiver interferenceDescribes the main propagation path of PED interference and is the focus of testing
Interference Path LossThe amount of energy lost when electromagnetic waves radiated from portable electronic devices inside the aircraft are received by the aircraft's radio receiverQuantifies the aircraft structure's ability to attenuate electromagnetic interference and is a core indicator for assessing electromagnetic compatibility

The standard also provides a detailed list of abbreviations, covering

Antenna Under Test Handling

Depending on the antenna type, the standard specifies corresponding handling methods:

Antenna TypeDisconnection PositionSpecial Requirements
Passive AntennaDisconnect the antenna coaxial cable from the receiver under testDirect Measurement
Active Antenna (Discrete Components)Disconnect the cable from the amplifier signal input terminalNormal Power supply, amplifier effect deducted during calculation
Active Antenna (Integrated Component)Disconnect coaxial cable at antenna outputNormal power supply, amplifier effect deducted during calculation

Test Equipment Specification

The standard sets forth specific technical requirements for test equipment: The signal transmitting antenna should be a low-gain, omnidirectional broadband antenna with a gain between -1dBi and 4dBi, and the free-space voltage standing wave ratio (VSWR) should not exceed 2:1. The signal generator should have the ability to continuously transmit sufficiently high power, and the signal receiver should have sufficient dynamic range and sensitivity, with a received signal-to-noise ratio not less than 10dB.


Test Method Technical Points

General Principles

The test process refers to the relevant content of GJB8820, and is required to be able to detect the worst-case IPL of the aircraft.

Test Method Technical Points

General Principles

The test process refers to the relevant content of GJB8820, and is required to be able to detect the worst-case IPL of the aircraft. The polarization direction of the signal transmitting antenna should cover at least two mutually perpendicular polarization modes, generally a horizontal direction parallel to the aircraft opening plane, and a vertical direction. The test equipment should remain in a consistent state during the measurement process, and coaxial cables, etc., must be secured.

Test Setup Specifications

The standard specifies the test setup requirements for different areas in detail:

>
Test AreaAntenna Position RequirementsSpacing Specifications
Door Area75cm from the center of the door, height same as the center of the doorHorizontal spacing every 50cm to both sides of the cargo door
Passenger Cabin AreaHeight same as the center of the passenger window, placed on the center line of the passenger aisleArranged at 50cm intervals, covering a 50cm range in front and behind the passenger cabin
Cockpit AreaHeight same as the center of the main windshieldCovering directly above the central control panel and at 50cm intervals towards the passenger cabin

Test Procedure Flow

Interference path loss testing includes two parts: baseline measurement and on-board measurement.

The baseline measurement involves measuring the coaxial cable in the test system to eliminate the influence of losses from non-aircraft structures and components in the signal transmission path. After completing the baseline measurement, IPL on-board measurements are performed using the signal transmitting antenna and the airborne receiver antenna. The transmit power of the signal generator and the resolution bandwidth (RBW) settings of the receiver can be adjusted as needed, but the RBW should remain consistent throughout the test in the same frequency band. The standard specifically emphasizes that if the maximum received signal value increases by 3dB when the signal generator's transmit power, it indicates that the signal receiver is operating in the linear region. Test Data Processing Methods When the antenna under test is a passive antenna, the IPL is calculated using the formula: IPLTest = PTT - PMT - (PTC - PMC), where each parameter represents the output power of the signal generator and the received signal power in the IPL measurement test and baseline measurement, respectively.

Active Antenna Data Processing

When the antenna under test is an active antenna, the effect of the built-in amplifier gain should be considered: IPLTest = PTT - PMT - (PTC - PMC) + GAA, where GAA is the amplifier gain of the active antenna.

Data Processing with Amplifiers/Attenuators

When using amplifiers and/or attenuators, these devices should be included in the reference measurement or processed according to the formula: IPLCal = IPLTest + GAmp - ILAtt, where GAmp is the amplifier gain and ILAtt is the insertion loss of the attenuator.

Data Processing with Amplifiers/Attenuators


Test Result Analysis and Evaluation Standards

When the calculated IPL of the airborne antenna in all areas of the aircraft is greater than the target IPL value, it can be used to indicate that the tested aircraft's protection capability against the front door coupling effect of PED meets the standard requirements. The standard establishes differentiated IPL target values based on aircraft passenger capacity:

Receiver TypeOperating Frequency (MHz)Less than 10 passengers10-19 passengersMore than 19 passengers
ILS Localizer (Cat I)108-11224 dB26 dB34 dB
VOR108-11820 dB22 dB30 dB
VHF voice communication118-13724 dB23 dB34 dB
TCAS receiver109037 dB33 dB38 dB
GNSS L11559-161040 dB39 dB43 The standard also specifies the selection principles for IPL target values in different areas: for aircraft carrying more than 19 passengers, the IPL target value for the passenger cabin should be consistent with the corresponding value in the table; the IPL target values for the cockpit and cargo hold can be the corresponding values for aircraft carrying 10-19 passengers. The standard also specifies the selection principles for IPL target values in different areas: for aircraft carrying more than 19 passengers, the IPL target value for the passenger cabin should be consistent with the corresponding value in the table; for aircraft carrying 10-19 passengers, the IPL target value can be taken from the corresponding value in the cockpit and cargo hold. The standard also specifies the selection principles for IPL target values in different areas ... When the test is interrupted, the status of all equipment in the test system and the aircraft should be recorded in detail to facilitate the resumption of the test.

Data Processing Stage

During data processing, an appropriate calculation formula should be selected according to the antenna type, paying particular attention to the processing of the gain of active antenna amplifiers. For cases using amplifiers or attenuators, these devices should be included in the reference measurement or corrected according to the standard formula.

Result Evaluation Stage

During result evaluation, the correct IPL target value should be selected according to the aircraft passenger capacity and test area. The test report should clearly determine whether the aircraft's airborne antenna meets the standard requirements, and clearly explain and analyze any deviations from the test outline and other contents that may affect the validity of the test.


Technological Evolution and Development Trends

The release of HB 8704-2023 marks a new stage in the standardization of electromagnetic compatibility testing for civil aircraft in my country. With the popularization of 5G communication technology and the emergence of new portable electronic devices, the electromagnetic environment of aircraft is becoming increasingly complex.

Future standards may further expand the test frequency bands, increase coverage of new equipment types, and introduce more advanced test methods and evaluation technologies. International standards such as RTCA DO-160 and EUROCAE ED-14 are also constantly being updated. my country's aviation industry should closely monitor international development trends and revise and improve relevant standards in a timely manner to ensure that my country's civil aircraft electromagnetic compatibility testing technology keeps pace with international advanced levels. Typical Application Case Analysis During the development of a certain type of civil passenger aircraft, comprehensive PED electromagnetic interference path loss testing was conducted according to the HB 8704-2023 standard. The test covered multiple areas including the passenger cabin, cockpit, and cargo hold, and detailed evaluations were performed on key navigation and communication systems such as VOR, ILS, and TCAS. The test results showed that the IPL values in most areas met the standard requirements, but in some locations at the rear of the cabin, the IPL values of the GNSS L1 system approached the target limit. By optimizing the structural design and cable routing in this area, the IPL values at all test points ultimately met the standard requirements, providing strong support for the aircraft's airworthiness certification.

Sample only — not a preview of HB 8704-2023
Page: 1 / 0
100%

Loading PDF document...

Error loading PDF. Please make sure the file is valid and try again.

We also recommend