Managing Electromagnetic Compatibility Robustness Under Installation and Operational Uncertainty in Aircraft Systems
Keywords:
Electromagnetic Compatibility, Aircraft Systems, EMC Margin, Installation Uncertainty, DO-160, System Integration, More-Electric Aircraft, Uncertainty ManagementAbstract
Electromagnetic compatibility (EMC) qualification of aircraft equipment is traditionally performed under controlled conditions to demonstrate baseline compliance with standards such as RTCA DO-160. However, installation variability and operational interactions introduce uncertainty that can erode the system-level EMC margin, despite the use of compliant equipment. This paper presents a system-level, uncertainty-aware framework that addresses a gap in the literature between equipment qualification and installed system behavior, formalizing margin erosion mechanisms and providing a decision-support workflow to guide design and integration. By treating EMC margin as an emergent system property rather than a static equipment attribute, the framework complements established qualification practices without requiring predictive modeling. The methodology emphasizes early identification of margin-sensitive interfaces, conservative design reasoning, and cross-disciplinary coordination.A representative integration scenario illustrates the framework's application to complex aerospace system integration, demonstrating how conservative bounding and margin tracking support EMC robustness throughout the development lifecycle.
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