Electromagnetic interference (also known as radio frequency interference) tests are used to determine the electromagnetic characteristics of electrical, electronic, and electro-mechanical equipment. Electromagnetic interference, both radiated or conducted, can affect the performance of equipment. Electromagnetic interference tests are specified as follows: conducted emission, radiated emission, conducted susceptibility, and radiated susceptibility.

CONDUCTED EMISSION

Conducted emissions are internal electromagnetic emissions propagated along a power or signal conductor, creating noise. The noise is subsequently transferred to the equipment. This test method is used for measuring conducted emissions on power leads, and antenna terminals.

CONDUCTED SUSCEPTIBILITY

The conducted susceptibility is performed to determine a device's ability to operate in the presence of an external interference signal propagated via a conductor. This method is used to determine whether equipment is susceptible to external electromagnetic energy injected on its power leads, antenna ports, and interconnecting cables.

RADIATED EMISSION

Radiated emission is the electromagnetic energy propagated through space. This test method is used to determine a device's ability to operate in the presence of radiated emission.

RADIATED SUSCEPTIBILITY

The radiated susceptibility test is performed to determine a device's ability to operate in the presence of an external interference signal propagated via free space.

Electromagnetic interference testing is specified in the following:

MIL-STD-461, MIL-STD-462, MIL-STD-469, MIL-I-983, GR-1089-CORE, MIL-T-15514, PD 6115-0076, MIL-E-6051, MIL-I-6181, MIL-F-7872, MIL-E-8595, MIL-M-8609, MIL-F-8615, MIL-S-8805, MIL-M-10399, MIL-I-11683, MIL-I-11748, MIL-I-11867, MIL-R-12574, MIL-R-13312, MIL-T-15514, MIL-P-15736, MIL-F-16377, MIL-I-16910, MIL-V-17456, MIL-M-19097, MIL-E-19100, MIL-C-24095, MIL-P-24423, RTCA/DO-160