Statistical Analysis of MIL-STD-461 Emission Test Reports of Commercial Off-The-Shelf Products

The use of commercial off-the-shelf products in military systems has been a hot topic during recent decades. The fact that commercial off-the-shelf products are typically much cheaper than the military off-the-shelf products has been the main driver to use commercial off-the-shelf products in military systems. And nowadays, unlike in the past, commercial off-the-shelf products typically offer also the latest technology. Commercial off-the-shelf products are obviously designed and tested to be used in much less demanding electromagnetic environment than the military off-the-shelf products. Electromagnetic compatibility requirements are very demanding in military electromagnetic environment where low emission and high immunity levels are required. Different approaches and methodologies to evaluate the commercial off-the-shelf product's feasibility in military electromagnetic environment have been presented in several articles, reports and standards. This article presents how commercial off-the-shelf products fulfil typical emission requirements for military products, based on statistical analysis of MIL-STD-461 emission test reports. This information can be used to optimize risk mitigation measures related to conducted and radiated emissions of the commercial off-the-shelf products.