MIL-STD-461 documentation development is a requirement in preparing for testing. Test plans should include the content called out in DI-EMCS-80201 Electromagnetic Interference Test Procedures (EMITP). This content includes a table of all MIL-STD-461 procedures to be performed, description of the Equipment Under Test (EUT), and any approved exceptions or deviations. Other requirements include test site and test equipment requirements, EUT setup, and EUT operation.
MIL-STD-461 Overview
MIL-STD-461 Requirements for the control of Electromagnetic Interference (EMI) Characteristics of Subsystems and Equipment is a Department of Defense standard that outlines the testing requirements for Electromagnetic Compatibility (EMC) of equipment. While primarily applicable for equipment designed for military platforms, the standard is also utilized for testing electronic systems for space and civilian applications.
The standard is comprised of 19 different procedures, the requirements for which are based on type of equipment under test and specific platform and service for which the equipment is intended. Procedures are broken up into two major categories, emission tests and susceptibility tests.
Emissions limits for the EUT are set for both radiated and conducted emissions. Numerous susceptibility tests are available for conducted and radiated susceptibility in the magnetic, electrical, and electromagnetic fields. Specific testing methods are dedicated to antennae ports and power leads. Additionally, method CS118 replicates personnel borne electrostatic discharge.
Test Tailoring for Equipment Designed for Harsh Electromagnetic Environments
Tailoring of the test plan is essential to ensure proper testing under MIL-STD-461. For example, pass/fail criteria for specific modes of operation should be detailed so that test witnesses and laboratory personnel can identify anomalies during susceptibility testing. Additionally, performance checks should be defined to ensure that the EUT has not been damaged by susceptibility testing.
Test requirements and procedures for space applications can often exceed those defined in military test standards. This can often be the case for radiated emissions where the limits for certain frequency bands are extremely low. To achieve these measurements, MIL-STD-461 defined scans can be performed at reduced Resolution Bandwidths (RBW) as documented in AIAA S-121A . These options must be detailed in the test plan to communicate requirements with test facilities.
CVG Strategy Test Plan Templates
CVG Strategy offers Test Plan Templates for EMI/EMC and Electrical Compatibility Testing. These plans have been developed for MIL-STD-461, MIL-STD-1275, MIL-STD-1399, and MIL-STD-704.
EMI/EMC and Electrical Test Plan Packet
- Test Plan Template (protected PDF). This document provides essential information concerning: Equipment Under Test (EUT) set up, execution of each procedure, pass/fail criteria, and tolerances per the relevant standard. All test plans are written per the requirements of DI-EMCS-80201C.
- Test Plan Addendum (Word Document). This document is to be completed by the customer. It addresses equipment to be tested specific information including: EUT Description, EUT Set up, Modes of operation, and Performance Checks.
- Test Lab Data Sheet (PDF form). This document is used to document procedures to be performed and essential test parameters. It also documents test facility report requirements per DI-EMCS-80201C.
- Test Label (Word document) This label is to be used to identify the test performed in photographs.
- Tests to Be Performed (PDF form). This form communicates to the test facility all test procedures to be performed during test sequence.
- Procedure Specific Worksheets (PDF form). These worksheets are included where appropriate to assist the test witness in recording test events.
CVG Strategy
Our experts at CVG Strategy have extensive experience in EMI/EMC. Our test and evaluation experts can provide requirement analysis, write MIL-STD-461 documentation, perform test witnessing, and provide troubleshooting and analysis of EMI/EMC test failures.
We also have expertise in Environmental testing and evaluation of product design in a number of industries and products, both military and commercial. CVG Strategy specializes in Independent Developmental Testing and Evaluation including: Development of Life Cycle Environmental Profiles, Test Plans, Test Witnessing and Troubleshooting.
CVG Strategy is a consultancy offering coaching, mentoring, training and program development focused on areas including Business Process Improvement, ITAR and Export Compliance, Cyber Security and Quality Management Systems.