High Intensity Radiated Fields (HIRF) Testing & Certification

High Intensity Radiated Fields (HIRF) testing is crucialfor ensuring your system can withstand the electromagnetic radiation fromradio, radar, TV, airborne, shipborne or ground-based interference. HIRF testing helps protect against radio frequency interference (RFI), which can cause operational disruptions and even failures.

HIRF certification is a key part of qualifying your systems for high-stakes industries such as aerospace, defense and telecommunications. Whether you need certifications to FAA HIRF Rule & Advisory Circular 20-158, RTCA/DO-160E/F, or Boeing/Airbus requirements, HIRF testing ensures your systems meet the rigorous standards needed for reliable performance in extreme environments.

HIRF Testing & Its Relationship to EMI/EMC Testing

HIRF testing is a subset of Electromagnetic Interference (EMI) testing, specifically designed to assess how systems respond to high-intensity electromagnetic radiation, which may come from sources such as radar or radio signals. EMI testing, on the other hand, broadly evaluates a system's electromagnetic compatibility (EMC) with its environment, considering all types of interference, including both high- and low-intensity sources.

At Element U.S. Space & Defense, we offer a comprehensive suite of EMI/EMC testing services alongside HIRF testing, keeping your systems operational in a broad range of electromagnetic environments.

Click here to explore more about our EMI/EMC testing services.

Why Is HIRF Testing Critical for Aerospace & Defense Systems?

HIRF testing is essential for ensuring that systems used in aerospace and defense applications can perform effectively in high-intensity electromagnetic environments. The interference from HIRF sources like radar and radio can disrupt the functionality of sensitive systems such as communications, navigation and control systems. Testing safeguards these essential systems by:

·  Maintaining performance in high-radiation environments.

·  Meeting certification requirements for aviation and defense systems.

·  Protecting against interference that could cause malfunctions or catastrophic failures.

Performing HIRF testing keeps your system resilient and ready for real-world electromagnetic challenges.

How Is HIRF Testing Conducted?

HIRF testing simulates high-intensity electromagnetic environments to evaluate the performance of a system under exposure to electromagnetic fields. The process involves the following steps:

·  Test Setup: The equipment is placed in a controlled electromagnetic field that simulates real-world scenarios.

·  Signal Exposure: High-intensity signals such as continuous wave (CW), swept frequency or pulsed signals are introduced into the system.

·  Monitoring & Evaluation: Engineers monitor the system's response, checking for any performance degradation or malfunction.

·  Data Analysis: Insights from the tests are then analyzed to determine how the system performs and whether it meets certification standards.

HIRF tests often assess a range of interference levels, enabling your system to function in various electromagnetic environments.

Industry Standards for HIRF Testing

HIRF testing is conducted according to several industrystandards to verify your system's ability to withstand high-intensityelectromagnetic environments. These include:

·  FAAHIRF Rule & Advisory Circular 20-158: Establishes guidelines for aircraft systems to meet HIRF protection standards.

·  RTCA/DO-160E/F: A standard for environmental testing, including HIRF exposure, for avionics systems.

·  Boeing & Airbus Requirements: Specific test requirements for HIRF certification for aircraft systems.

These standards are critical for meeting important regulatory requirements and driving performance reliably in high-risk environments. Element U.S. Space & Defense supports comprehensive HIRF testing across multiple industry standards, including RTCA/DO-160E/F (Category A-L, All CW, SW, and Pulse Test levels), as well as Boeing and Airbus requirements for all CW, SW and Pulse test levels.

Element U.S. Space & Defense’s Approach to HIRF Certification

At Element U.S. Space & Defense, we provide expert HIRF testing services designed to evaluate your system's ability to withstand high-intensity electromagnetic interference. With our advanced testing facilities and experienced engineers, we simulate a variety of interference scenarios to ensure that your systems are certified and ready to operate in real-world conditions.

Next-Generation HIRF Testing: Preparing for Tomorrow’s Threats

As technology advances and systems become more complex, the need for advanced HIRF testing grows. Future testing will continue to evolve, adapting to the changing electromagnetic environments that systems face. Through comprehensive HIRF testing, we help engineers design systems that are resilient, reliable and ready to perform under the most challenging environmental conditions.

To discover how HIRF testing can help your business meet certification requirements and safeguard your systems, contact Element U.S. Space & Defense today to speak with one of our testing experts.