Implications of MIL-STD 461D/462D on past, present and future designs

In the present operation environment electrical/electronic systems having complied with MIL-STD 461A/462A and MIL-STD 461B/462B are already in use. Some of the systems qualified for MIL-STD 461C/462C are being inducted in to the Indian Defence Services or are at the production stage. The major programmes at present are following MIL-STD 461C/462C as the requirements for the control of electromagnetic interference emissions and susceptibility. In January 1993 MIL-STD 461D/462D had superseded MIL-STD 461C/462C of August 1986. Besides the addition and deletion of a few tests some major changes have been adopted in the specifications (MIL-STD 461D) and measurement procedures (MIL-STD 462D). A critical analysis is carried out to determine whether the existing systems in use and those likely to be inducted in the near future will have to go for retrofit methods to meet the new requirements of EMI/EMC as demanded by MIL-STD 461D/462D. The paper also discusses, the implications of the new test procedures given in MIL-STD 462D on the existing EMC test facilities, from the point of view of extra instrumentation and cost requirements.