RTCA DO-160 Section 19.0 Induced Signal Susceptibility

The RTCA DO-160 induced signal susceptibility test standard investigates the equipment interconnect circuit configuration. The objective is to determine if the circuit configuration will accept a level of induced voltages. These voltages are likely caused by the installation environment. The RTCA-DO-160 susceptibility testing is focused on interfering signals. These signals are often related to the power frequency.  These signals are also tied to the harmonics, audio frequency signals and electrical transients. These are all typically generated by other on-board equipment or systems and couple to sensitive circuits within the EUT. This coupling occurs through the interconnected wiring.

The RTCA-DO-160 testing standard for induced signal susceptibility assigns equipment to categories. These categories assign equipment to three-letter codes. The first letter refers to the test level. There are three options for the first letter, A, B, C or Z.  The second letter refers to the type of primary power supply installation. The three options for the second letter are C, N or W. The last letter indicates whether the equipment is qualified to E-field into equipment. If the equipment is, it is assigned an E. If it is not, it is assigned an X.

Included below are the various equipment category descriptions assigned by RTCA DO-160G test labs:

RTCA-DO-160G Testing Equipment Category A:

• Category A is defined as equipment intended primarily for operation where interference-free operation is desirable.
• Category AC is defined as equipment that is installed on aircraft. This equipment’s primary power is constant frequency (e.g. 400 Hz) or DC.
• Category AN is defined as equipment that is installed on aircraft. This equipment’s primary power is variable over a narrow frequency range (e.g. 350 Hz – 650 Hz).
• Category AW is equipment that is installed on aircraft. This equipment’s primary power is variable over a wide frequency range (e.g. 350 Hz – 800 Hz).

RTCA-DO-160G Test Equipment Category B:

• Category B is defined as equipment intended primarily for operation in systems where interference would be controlled to a tolerable level.
• Category BC is equipment that is installed on aircraft. This equipment’s primary power is constant frequency (e.g. 400 Hz) or DC.
• Category BN is defined as equipment installed on aircraft. This equipment’s primary power is variable over a narrow frequency range (e.g. 350 Hz – 650 Hz).
• Category BW is defined as equipment that is installed on aircraft. This equipment’s primary power is variable over a wide frequency range (e.g. 350 Hz – 800 Hz).

RTCA/DO-160G Testing Equipment Category C:

• Category C equipment is equipment intended primarily for operation in systems where interference-free operation is required. Also, this category applies where severe coupling occurs due to long wire runs or minimum wire separation.
• Category CC equipment is defined as equipment installed on aircraft. This equipment’s primary power is constant frequency (e.g. 400 Hz) or DC.
• Category CN is defined as equipment that is installed on aircraft. This equipment’s primary power is variable over a narrow frequency range (e.g. 350 Hz – 650 Hz).
• Category CW is equipment installed on aircraft. This equipment’s primary power is variable over a wide frequency range (e.g. 350 Hz – 800 Hz).

RTCA/DO-160G Testing Equipment Category Z:

• Category Z equipment is intended primarily for operation in systems where interference-free operation is required.
• Category ZC is defined as equipment that is installed on aircraft. This equipment’s primary power is constant frequency (e.g. 400 Hz) or DC.
• Category ZN equipment is equipment installed on aircraft. This equipment’s primary power is variable over a narrow frequency range (e.g. 350 Hz – 650 Hz).
• Category ZW equipment is defined as equipment that is installed on aircraft. This equipment’s primary power is variable over a wide frequency range (e.g. 350 Hz – 800 Hz).

There are various tests detailed in the RTCA-DO-160G test standard. These tests include magnetic fields induced into the equipment. Another test is electric fields induced into the equipment. A third test is magnetic fields induced into interconnecting cables. Another test is electric fields induced into interconnecting cables. A final test is spikes induced into interconnecting cables.

Keystone Compliance is one of the leading susceptibility EMC test labs in the country. With seven EMC test chambers a substantial amount of test equipment, we are able to offer shot lead times on scheduling. Our engineers provide communication throughout the entire test program. If challenges arise during the testing, our engineers will provide engineering guidance and problem resolution. Our lab is 17025 accredited to RTCADO-160 testing. In addition to providing RTCA-DO-160G testing, Keystone is accredited to all previous versions of this military test standard as well.

Our EMC-EMI test lab can accommodate small and large items. Please contact us to see firsthand why so many manufacturers rely on Keystone Compliance to be their RTCA DO-160 test lab.

Looking for other testing to other sections of RTCA DO-160 testing? Click on the links below:

• RTCA DO-160 Section 4.0 Temperature and Altitude
• RTCA DO-160 Section 5.0 Temperature Variation
• RTCA DO-160 Section 6.0 Humidity
• RTCA DO-160 Section 7.0 Operational Shocks and Crash Safety
• RTCA DO-160 Section 8.0 Vibration
• RTCA DO-160 Section 9.0 Explosion Proofness
• RTCA DO-160 Section 10.0 Waterproofness
• RTCA DO-160 Section 11.0 Fluids Susceptibility
• RTCA DO-160 Section 12.0 Sand and Dust
• RTCA DO-160 Section 13.0 Fungus Resistance
• RTCA DO-160 Section 14.0 Salt Spray
• RTCA DO-160 Section 15.0 Magnetic Effect
• RTCA DO-160 Section 16.0 Power Input
• RTCA DO-160 Section 17.0 Voltage Spike
• RTCA DO-160 Section 18.0 Audio Frequency Conducted Susceptibility – Power Inputs
• RTCA DO-160 Section 19.0 Induced Signal Susceptibility
• RTCA DO-160 Section 20.0 Radio Frequency Susceptibility (Radiated and Conducted)
• RTCA DO-160 Section 21.0 Emission of Radio Frequency Energy
• RTCA DO-160 Section 22.0 Lightning Induced Transient Susceptibility
• RTCA DO-160 Section 23.0 Lightning Direct Effects
• RTCA DO-160 Section 24.0 Icing
• RTCA DO-160 Section 25.0 Electrostatic Discharge
• RTCA DO-160 Section 26.0 Fire, Flammability

Modifications from one Version of RTCA DO-160 to the Next:

Changes from DO-160C Susceptibility Testing to DO-160D Susceptibility Testing

Category C was added to include test levels that are appropriate for installations with long wire runs or minimum wire separation. The test levels for magnetic and electric fields induced into wiring were increased.

Changes from DO-160D Susceptibility Testing to DO-160E Susceptibility Testing

A second equipment category designator was added to indicate the AC power system operating frequency (Constant, Narrow Variable, or Wide Variable). The frequency scan rate was changed to 30 steps per decade, with a 10-second dwell time at each frequency.

Changes from DO-160E Susceptibility Testing to DO-160F Susceptibility Testing

Clarification to existing formula used to calculate test frequencies was made.

Changes from DO-160F Susceptibility Testing to DO-160G Susceptibility Testing

Clarified that power leads are tested per section 18.  Clarified radiating wire orientation for “Magnetic Fields Induced Into the Equipment” test. Added “Electric Fields Induced Into the Equipment” test. This test is similar to the existing “Magnetic Fields Induced Into the Equipment” test, using an open-circuit wire radiator.  This change caused paragraph re-numbering within this section, including those paragraphs of existing tests. Clarified source wire routing (spiral vs. parallel) relative to bundle under test.