While electromagnetic pulses (EMP) are often devastating to the survival capabilities of various electronic devices, Sandia National Laboratories has been conducting tests on an EMP generator to determine the effects and capabilities of various devices.
The ElectroMagnetic Environment Simulator (EMES) is being used to advance both military and civilian designs, showcasing their strengths in the face of EMPs and noting areas they can improve and refine. In 15 minute bursts, it assails machines being put to the test, then has its excess energy absorbed by other units at the far end of its testing grounds.
“An EMP pulse generated by an adversary would be an attempt to disrupt our communications or other equipment,” Leonard Martinez, Sandia researcher in charge of the timing and firing control system, said. “Recent advancements now enable us to provide that pulse within a microsecond of the unit’s timing requirement.”
For some items, fixes will consist of shielding tiny electronic parts within the device. For others, scientists will need to come up with ways to shield larger subsystems of sprawling equipment. Devices can be tested at normal energy requirements, then incrementally increased to higher threat levels, to determine what exactly needs improvement.