Unintentional HPM exposure from satellite launch support systems

Due to the vulnerability of sensitive electronics to HPM (high-power microwave) illumination, electronics located near high-power systems must be protected from unintentional HPM exposure. Such exposure can occur at satellite launch facilities, where support systems, such as tracking radars, use high-power RF designs and are close to satellite launch sites. The RF environment in a typical launch site is described. The flexibility in the control of RF transmitter levels that has been added to the support systems, shielding effectiveness of launch processing facilities, and a monitoring receiver to detect the peak level of the incident field strength over a wide instantaneous bandwidth are discussed