RFI/EMI automated measurement system (REAMS)

The Department of Defense (DoD) has directed the implementation of an electromagnetic compatibility program (EMCP). This directive addresses the need to measure, monitor, and characterize the effects of man-made and naturally occurring electromagnetic noise or interference. To fill this need, the DoD Electromagnetic Compatibility Technical Center (ECTC) developed the RFI/EMI automated measurement system (REAMS). REAMS is a scientific, yet practical system for performing electromagnetic (EM) site surveys, with frequency coverage from 100 Hz to 18 GHz, instead of the usual 10 KHz to 10 GHz. REAMS uses deployable field subsystems to collect first-order noise statistics and spectrum occupancy data, and a minicomputer-based noise data analysis subsystem (NDAS) for extraction of higher-order noise statistics and database management. REAMS deployments have resulted in the collection of high-precision, real-time amplitude probability distribution curves of electromagnetic interference (EMI) disturbances commonly observed at DoD communication sites