The role of EMI/EMC testing in the development of aerospace systems

The electromagnetic environment (EME) is a very important environment which an aerospace system has to face during its life cycle. This environment is experienced, besides during the operation of the system, during transportation, handling and deployment. An aerospace system should be designed so that it is rugged enough in facing the electromagnetic environment. Once designed the system should be checked for adequacy of design for electromagnetic interference/electromagnetic compatibility (EMI/EMC). This is done with the help of the EMI/EMC testing. This paper describes how the EME requirements are generated using life cycle environmental profile (LCEP) and what role EMI/EMC testing plays in the development of the aerospace systems. Various standard EMI/EMC tests are also discussed. A standard procedure of testing, called "POP OI POP", has been evolved, and is described in this paper. This helps in structuring the environmental testing procedure in general, and EMI/EMC testing procedure in particular.