Electromagnetic Compatibility (EMC) Requirements for Military and Commercial Equipment

Until approximately 1970, radio frequency (RF) requirements were driven by military usage, and electromagnetic compatibility (EMC) efforts were conducted by the military and a few select industries. This was largely due to the fact that limited applications and high costs had kept the use of consumer electronics to a minimum. The past three decades, however, have seen a fundamental shift in this status quo. Starting with the emergence of the microprocessor in the mid-70s, commercial applications began to take the lead of technology development and the consumer market has grown exponentially. Widespread use of electronics in both the military and private sectors has impacted the available use of the RF spectrum. As the demands for “connectivity” continue to grow, wireless capabilities are competing for the bandwidth necessary to handle the expanding flow of information society has come to expect. As consumer usage has come to drive electronic development, the military also finds itself in the position of adopting and adapting commercial technology. This study examines the origins of the military and commercial requirements that regulate EMC, evaluates the adequacy of these requirements with respect to current spectrum demands, and investigates the potential for harmonizing military and commercial EMC assessments.