Aircraft EMC Testing
Aircraft EMC testing determines aircraft compatibility with its electromagnetic environment to identify potential interferences. Sources that can produce EMI, such as natural impacts like environmental or thermal stimulants. For example, solar flares and radiation can produce unexpected surges that damage electronics, in this case – aircraft. Other electromagnetic interferences are signals created by machinery, cellular networks, and more. Electromagnetic pulses and transients occur in short surges of energy that can be either an isolated event or a series of bursts. Continuous EMI and isolated interferences can affect aircraft functions.
Aircraft EMC Testing Process
EMC testing for aerospace applications happens in various stages of airplane manufacturing. Conducting pre-compliance testing is often performed to save time in the long run. Larger electronic components are often tested in an open area test site (OATS). An alternative testing location is in a reverberation chamber like a semi-anechoic chamber.
Benefits of Aerospace EMC Testing
Expertise in aircraft design and engineering can minimize risks, but it is still easy to encounter hazards such as electrical issues that can cause malfunction or other problems on the aircraft. To maintain communication, navigation, and safety, it is essential to conduct electrical-related testing like EMC testing throughout the review and solution. EMC/EMI aerospace testing analyzes potential electrical threats that can occur to devices and equipment. For example, if currents pass through an electronic system with electromagnetic radiation, the testing can identify these problems.
There are various devices and equipment in aircraft that generate frequencies, such as radio networks and radars. To operate airplanes safely, there is an assortment of data-collecting instruments (receivers, analog, wireless synthesizers) to determine environmental conditions and analyze changes in the
