Frank Sabath

Susceptibility of some electronic equipment to HPEM threats

In this paper, an overview of the susceptibility of a large number of different electronic devices like computer networks, computer systems, microprocessor boards, microcontrollers, and other basic integrated circuits (ICs) to different threats like electromagnetic pulse (EMP), ultrawideband (UWB), and high-power microwave pulses (HPM) is given. The presented data will include a comparison of the HPM and UWB susceptibility of some devices and a deeper look into the destruction effects in ICs. Therefore, the ICs were opened and the destruction effects were investigated. A norm based approach to describe the threat of different pulses to electronic devices gives a theoretical explanation for the measured susceptibility data.

Survey of worldwide high-power wideband capabilities

Wideband and ultrawideband (UWB) technologies have achieved notable progress in recent years, aided immeasurably by improvements in solid-state manufacturing, computers, and digitizers. As a result, wideband systems that were difficult or impossible to implement ten years ago are now being built for an increasingly wide variety of applications including transient radar, concealed object detection, mine clearing, pipeline inspections, archeology, geology, electronic effects testing, and communications. In this paper, we discuss current wideband source technology around the world as well as laboratory and test facilities. We also will briefly touch on frequency limitations of anechoic chambers, design of transmission line simulators, frequency regulation requirements for outdoor ranges, and personnel exposure limits.

Overview of four European high-power microwave narrow-band test facilities

This paper presents an overview of the key high-power microwave (HPM) narrow-band source technologies and their related HPM open-area radio-frequency (RF) test capabilities within four European counties (France, Germany, Sweden, and the U.K.). The test facilities are described and a brief description of further developments is given covering both power limitations and recent research interests.

Probabilistic Risk Analysis Technique of Intentional Electromagnetic Interference at System Level

This paper introduces a new procedural method for the systematic analysis of the risk when a specific facility is exposed to an intentional electromagnetic environment (IEME). The analysis is performed from the viewpoint of the system owner. The exposure of a system to IEME can be described by a set of different scenarios. The method presented in this paper combines characteristics of intentional electromagnetic interference scenarios with susceptibility data of components using statistical-based models for the coupling as well as the system behavior. Within each scenario the coupling to components of the system under assessment is ascertained by an analysis of the electromagnetic topology. The reaction of the system under assessment is modeled by combining the failure probabilities of the components employing the fault tree analysis. The application of a Monte Carlo simulation on the resulting model provides the probability of the top events of the fault trees which are the system level effects or consequences. In a final step, the importance analysis enables the identification of critical elements, e.g., those elements which contribute most to the risk, and therefore starting points for the improvement of the system protection.

Ultra-Wideband, Short-Pulse Electromagnetics 7

Ultra-wideband (UWB), short-pulse (SP) electromagnetics are now being used for an increasingly wide variety of applications, including collision avoidance radar, concealed object detection, and communications. Notable progress in UWB and SP technologies has been achieved by investigations of their theoretical bases and improvements in solid-state manufacturing, computers, and digitizers. UWB radar systems are also being used for mine clearing, oil pipeline inspections, archeology, geology, and electronic effects testing. Ultra-wideband Short-Pulse Electromagnetics 7 presents selected papers of deep technical content and high scientific quality from the UWB-SP7 Conference, including wide-ranging contributions on electromagnetic theory, scattering, UWB antennas, UWB systems, ground penetrating radar (GPR), UWB communications, pulsed-power generation, time-domain computational electromagnetics, UWB compatibility, target detection and discrimination, propagation through dispersive media, and wavelet and multi-resolution techniques. This book serves as an essential for scientists and engineers working in these applications areas.

Risk potential of radiated HPEM environments

High-Power Electromagnetic (HPEM) environments are capable of causing effects like malfunctions, performance degradation, interferences, and destructions in electronic and electrical systems. This paper will discuss the risk potential of different HPEM environments for electronic systems. In addition to wellknown characteristics of HPEM environments aspects like mobility, ability to access the target and likelihood of occurrence will be taken into consideration.

Classification of electromagnetic effects at system level

High-power electromagnetic (HPEM) environments are capable of causing effects like malfunctions, performance degradation, interferences, and destructions in electronic and electrical systems. Due to the large plurality of effects a scientific and systematic discussion requires a classification, which abstract the essential information. This paper presents a systematic classification of electromagnetic (EM) effects. The presented system enables an assessment and comparison at EM effects on system level.

Susceptibility of IT network systems to interferences by HPEM

Intentional electromagnetic interferences (IEMI) have become a threat to various kinds of technical applications. Different high power electromagnetic (HPEM) sources may cause a disruption or destruction of complex electronic systems like communications systems. Even a temporary breakdown of the data transfer is very critical in some applications. In this contribution a COTS IT network system is investigated under HPEM conditions. The susceptibility of the system to interferences by ultra wideband (UWB), damped sinusoid (DS) and high power microwave (HPM) sources is tested and the interference signals on the critical coupling paths are measured. The performance of the system with additional COTS protection devices is also taken into account. The results are to allow first statements about the potential of protecting complex electronic systems against HPEM interferences.

Radiation analysis of PCB layout using a hybrid MoM-MTL method

A new hybrid method which combines the method of moments and the multiconductor transmission line equations is presented. Both methods are combined by an iterative algorithm which utilizes an integral description for the electric field strength. In order to choose the appropriate method for the several parts of a printed-circuit-board layout, it is necessary to divide the structure. Based on a capacitive coupling model, an error coefficient is described which enables the prediction of worst-case error of the current distribution. The comparison of measurements with results of the hybrid method exposes the applicability of the hybrid method.

Coupling of transient ultra wide band electro-magnetic fields to complex electronic systems

In this paper the coupling of transient ultra wide band field pulses to complex electronic systems is determined. Different test setups of microcontroller circuits were used to investigate the coupling effects and to describe the injected interference parameters.