Stochastic characterization of aircraft digital avionics electromagnetic vulnerability: A statistical electromagnetics approach

Past experience has clearly shown it is imperative that the design of aircraft systems take into account early on in their life cycle measures to incorporate “hardness” against a barrage of likely and sometimes unexpected Electromagnetic (EM) environments. In the design, development, integration and installation of avionics systems, including digital electronic equipment and cabling for aircraft, engineers must determine the potential for Electromagnetic Interference/Vulnerability (EMI/V) of such systems when exposed to incident energy in advance. EM fields can be due to nearby high power radars or other friendly (cosite) or even hostile EM radiation sources that can significantly interfere with installed systems and personnel. This becomes a life-cycle logistical challenge that can cost a great deal of time, manpower and money to retrofit or fix only after problems have been encountered. The most effective approach is to identify and prevent such problems from occurring in advance, to the extent possible, and to anticipate the range of problems that may be encountered. This paper discusses the application of a Statistical Electromagnetics approach that is intended to provide a cost-effective alternative and a proven means of reasonably addressing this problem. This is achieved by bridging statistical and deterministic (analytical, computer-based) methods in an overall process that reduces computational resource requirements.