Implications of high-power electromagnetic (HPEM) environments on electronics

Abstract

High-Power Electromagnetic (HPEM) environments can be considered to encompass lightning, Nuclear Electromagnetic Pulse (NEMP) and High-Power Radio Frequency (HPRF) phenomena including Directed Energy (DE) and Intentional Electromagnetic Interference (IEMI). HPEM environment definitions are now maturing and are now described in a variety of published standards. Methods to evaluate the effects on electronic systems and an understanding of effects mechanisms are perhaps less mature but this is a vibrant area of research. Due to a variety of factors described in this article protection and resilience of critical infrastructure from HPEM environments is becoming a pressing need.