Stress loading test facility

Abstract

The need to conduct realistic, efficient EMC system tests on large command, control, communications, and intelligence (C/sup 3/I) systems has led to the development of a stress loading facility (SLF) by the US Army Electronic Proving Ground at Fort Huachuca, Arizona. The SLF is a low-power, radio-frequency (RF), hardware simulation facility for testing the response of electronic equipment to realistic densities of RF signals, while simultaneously monitoring key system under test (SUT) performance parameters. The SLF generates a simulated RF environment based on a time-event scenario that is developed during the pretest period. The RF environment also includes the associated modulations and types of information that would be transmitted by this RF environment. The system, function, and components that are associated with the SUT to allow it to operate realistically and are not physically available for the test are simulated within the SLF. The facility is used to evaluate message traffic and electromagnetic stress. Environmental and mechanical stresses are not considered.<>