What Is RE102?
RE102 is a test under MIL-STD-461 in which the electric field radiated by the equipment and its cables is measured with calibrated antennas. It is the fundamental radiated emissions test for defence equipment.
Purpose of RE102
The purpose is to verify that the equipment does not radiate interference at a level that would affect receivers and communication systems on the platform.
Which Products Is RE102 Applied To?
- Military electronic units
- Communication and radar equipment
- Platform kontrol sistemleri
In Which Sectors Is RE102 Used?
Standards Related to RE102
- MIL-STD-461 RE102
RE102 Conditions
- Frequency range
- Defined in the standard; typically 10 kHz – 18 GHz
- Measurement distance
- Defined in the standard; typically 1m
- Antenler
- Rod, biconical, log-periodic and horn antennas
- Polarizasyon
- horizontal and vertical
Equipment for RE102
- Shielded EMC chamber
- EMI receiver and preamplifiers
- Antenna set
- Calibrated cables
Sample Requirements for RE102
- The sample and cables must be set up in accordance with the standard
- The worst-case operating mode must be determined
- The cable bundle layout must be documented
- The platform type and limit curve must be identified
Duration of RE102
Depends on the frequency range; typically one to two working days.
RE102 Procedure
- 1The sample is set up in the shielded chamber in accordance with the standard.
- 2The antenna is positioned at the defined distance.
- 3The frequency band is swept, changing antenna types as needed.
- 4Repeated for each polarisation.
- 5Results are compared against the limit curve.
RE102 Acceptance Criteria
The acceptance criterion is the limit curve defined for RE102 according to platform type.
Evaluation of Results
Cables are usually the dominant radiator; the effect of cable routing and shielding is assessed.
RE102 Report
- Applied standard, test code and platform type
- Frequency range, distance and antennas
- Test setup and cabling
- Measurement plots and margins
Accreditation
EUROLAB holds internationally recognised accreditation obtained from accreditation bodies party to the IAF and ILAC multilateral recognition arrangements, under ISO/IEC 17025 for laboratory testing, ISO/IEC 17020 for inspection and surveillance, and ISO/IEC 17021-1 and ISO/IEC 17065 for system and product certification. This chain ensures the reports and certificates issued are accepted worldwide.
Whether this test can be offered within accredited scope depends on your product and the standard applied; since accreditation is method-based, the scope is confirmed in writing at the quotation stage.
Scope and authorisationsRelated Regulations
- Defence procurement specifications
EMC / EMI Testleri — What Does This Testing Field Cover?
The section below describes the field that the RE102 test belongs to; the conditions and acceptance criteria of this particular test are given in the sections above. The scope specific to your product is confirmed in writing at the quotation stage.
EMC testing answers a question with two sides: does the device emit an unacceptable level of electromagnetic interference into its surroundings (emission), and does it withstand the interference coming from them (immunity)? The two sides are measured with separate tests and separate set-ups, and both are required.
The field exists because of a simple physical fact: every conductor carrying current behaves like an antenna. A switched-mode power supply, a motor drive or the clock signal of a microcontroller radiates radio frequency energy even though it was never designed to. The same conductor also works in reverse: an external field induces a voltage across it. In an environment crowded with devices, this mutual effect means devices disturbing one another.
On the emission side, conducted and radiated emission are measured separately. Conducted emission is the interference the device imposes on its mains and communication cables and dominates at lower frequencies. Radiated emission is the field the device releases into the air and comes to the fore at higher frequencies. The two are measured in different set-ups, and the limits vary by product group.
On the immunity side, real-world sources of interference are simulated: electrostatic discharge (human touch), radiated radio frequency fields (a nearby transmitter), electrical fast transients (switching), surges (lightning and mains events), conducted radio frequency, power-frequency magnetic fields, voltage dips and short interruptions.
The standard to be applied depends on WHERE the product is used, and that choice determines the entire outcome. Residential and industrial environments carry different sets of limits; in vehicles the UNECE R10 regime applies rather than CE; for medical devices IEC 60601-1-2 brings additional requirements; and for products containing a radio, radio legislation comes into play and harmonised ETSI standards are used.
In immunity testing the acceptance criterion is a PERFORMANCE CRITERION class, not a binary pass/fail. A device continuing to function without interruption during the test, being temporarily affected and recovering by itself, or recovering only through user intervention are different classes. Which class is acceptable is defined in the product standard; the tolerance for a device carrying a safety function differs from that of a consumer device.
The most common shortcoming of an EMC file is that it covers only one side. A file carrying an emission report alone is not complete in terms of the EMC directive. The second common gap is a test set-up that does not represent actual use: if the device is measured on a bare bench with cables different from its real ones, the result does not carry over to the field.
Method groups in this field
Conducted emission
Interference imposed on the cable through mains and communication ports, measured via an artificial mains network (LISN).
Radiated emission
The field released into the air by the device, measured at a defined distance in an anechoic or semi-anechoic chamber.
Harmonics and flicker
The harmonic content of the current drawn from the mains and voltage fluctuation; the side that affects mains quality.
Electrostatic discharge
Contact and air discharge together with indirect discharge; the most frequently applied immunity test.
Radiated and conducted RF immunity
The device is exposed to a defined field strength and to an RF signal injected into the cable.
Mains-borne events
Electrical fast transients, surges, voltage dips and short interruptions.
Commonly confused in this field
- An emission report alone does not complete an EMC file; immunity must be demonstrated as well.
- An FCC report is not accepted in a CE file; the limits, measurement distances and set-ups are different.
- The EMC Directive does not apply to vehicles; the UNECE R10 regime does. Specifications requiring both together should be reviewed.
- The warning that a Class A device may cause interference in a residential environment is mandatory in the manual; market surveillance checks that this warning is present.
- The test set-up is part of the report. If cable type, length or routing changes, the result changes; measurement must be made in the series-production configuration.
- CISPR 22 and CISPR 13 have been withdrawn; their current counterparts are CISPR 32 and CISPR 35.
Which decisions these results support
- CE declaration under the EMC Directive
- The EMC part of radio equipment conformity
- A UNECE R10 file for a vehicle component
- Resolving field interference complaints and correcting the design
- Assessing the EMC impact of a board or wiring-harness change
Related Tests
Frequently Asked Questions About RE102
According to which standard is RE102 made?
RE102 is executed in scope MIL-STD-461 RE102. The limit values and acceptance criteria to be applied are defined in the product standard; The version valid for your product is confirmed in writing at the offer stage.
Which products does RE102 apply to?
Mainly applied to Military electronic units, Communication and radar equipment and Platform kontrol sistemleri. Whether your product is included in the scope is determined by examining its technical specifications and intended use.
Under what conditions is RE102 done?
The determining parameters are: Frequency range — Defined in the standard; typically 10 kHz – 18 GHz, Measurement distance — Defined in the standard; typically 1m and Antenler — Rod, biconical, log-periodic and horn antennas. The full terms are in the "Test Conditions" section on the page and vary depending on the product standard.
What kind of sample is needed for RE102?
The sample and cables must be set up in accordance with the standard, The worst-case operating mode must be determined and The cable bundle layout must be documented. The number of samples is determined according to the product standard and the scope to be reported.
How long does RE102 take?
Depends on the frequency range; typically one to two working days. This duration belongs to the experiment itself; sample preparation, queuing and reporting are also evaluated. A realistic schedule for your product is given in the offer.
What is the RE102 result called "appropriate"?
The acceptance criterion is the limit curve defined for RE102 according to platform type.