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Part 3.5: Preliminary EMI Test

I had not proposed electromagnetic interference (EMI) testing for the SCM. However, I was fortunate to be offered preliminary EMI testing at NASA/KSC at no additional cost to the contract already in place for the Advanced Functional Test. Funds remaining from the Advanced Functional Test were used by ASRC Aerospace to do the test. Since only a small amount remained, only the simplest of tests could be performed. On February 9, 2006 the SCM was placed in an EMI test chamber at NASA/KSC and 28 volt power was supplied to the SCM. Emissions from the SCM were then compared to ambient ("SCM off") emission levels. The SCM's FPGA, oscillator, and other components are operating when 28 volts is supplied to the SCM. The test engineer at NASA/KSC found that EMI from the SCM while powered on was almost imperceptible and well within acceptable levels.

Figure 3.5.01: Data from the Non-Certified Prequalification EMI Testing of the flight prototype SCM at NASA/KSC