Methodology and decision making during high confidence system level EMC analysis

The management and technical issues encountered in producing a high confidence electromagnetic compatibility (EMC) analysis for a complex system when MIL-E-6051 safety margins are demonstrated without the benefit of a system level EMC test are discussed. The successful approach (involving application of validated, system level EMC analysis codes) provided acceptable, high confidence predictions of ordnance (-20 dB) and nonordnance (-6 dB) safety margins. The type of system, the compliance specifications, and other pertinent technical and management information are described. The most significant ground rules applied to the analysis were redundancy of analytical approaches and independent review of all phases of the activity. The managerial issues and decisions required at various phases the process are described. A structured, disciplined approach and the methodology for comparing, evaluating, and resolving the predictions from two different system level codes are presented