Advanced electromagnetic prediction tools for satellite EMC analysis

Developed in the frame of an European Space Agency project, TDAS-EMC (Test Data Analysis System for Electromagnetic Compatibility) constitutes a new type of EMC engineering tool. The originality of the TDAS-EMC approach is to mix the test, prediction and specification data inside the same database, together with state of the art prediction tools. Several tools are available in the TDAS-EMC framework to display, manipulate or process the data. For instance, these tools are used to help the EMC test data analysis or comparison with specifications. The prediction tools are of different complexities. Some, enable to quickly solve basic EMC problems, such as transmission lines simulations, diaphony or cable field emission. Other tools are used for electrical circuit and system model analyses and are oriented to EMC simulations, in conducted or radiated modes (MATEMC, …). System tools are also available and provide a methodology for the extrapolation of the EMC behaviour of a large system, starting from test measurements at equipment level. TDAS-EMC has already been used for several space projects, such as the EMC simulation of the SOHO satellite power bus in conducted emission and the assessment of the radiated immunity of the APM-LAN network of the COLUMBUS space station