An Overview of the EMC Requirements in RTCA/DO-160G

• Published in: SAE International Journal of Aerospace 2012-10, Vol.5 (2), p.300-310, Article 2012-01-2147
• Main Author: Borgstrom, Erik
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Airborne equipment; Environmental testing
• ISSN: 1946-3855; 1946-3901; 1946-3901
• DOI: 10.4271/2012-01-2147

RTCA/DO-160G, Environmental Conditions and Test Procedures for Airborne Equipment, prepared by RTCA Special Committee 135, was issued on December 8, 2010, superseding the previous version, DO-160F [1]. DO-160G covers standard procedures and environmental test criteria for testing airborne electrical and electronic equipment (avionics). The tests specified in DO-160G are typically performed to meet Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) or other international regulations covering electrical or electronic equipment that is installed on commercial aircraft. The tests and test levels/limits (also referred to as “Equipment Categories”) found in DO-160G are applicable to virtually every type of aircraft in use today, including small general aviation aircraft, business jets, helicopters, regional jets, and “Jumbo Jets” such as the newest airliners from Airbus (the A350XWB) and Boeing (the 747-8). The document includes 26 sections and three appendices, but it is Sections 15 through 23 and also Section 25 that cover Electromagnetic Compatibility (EMC). Examples of other tests covered in DO-160G are: temperature, altitude, vibration, sand/dust, power input, radio frequency susceptibility, lightning, and electrostatic discharge. Creation and revision of DO-160G is coordinated with the European Union sister organization to RTCA, EUROCAE. As a result of this trans-Atlantic cooperation and joint effort by the two organizations, RTCA/DO-160G and its European twin, EUROCAE/ED-14G, are identically worded.