HPM Testing of a Car: A Representative Example of the Susceptibility of Civil Systems

Based on rather comprehensive knowledge from HPM-testing of systems and components done in Sweden it is concluded that upset can be caused in unprotected electronic systems from a maximum distance of around 500 meters for an HPM source that can be located in a van. For a source of a smaller size, such that it can be located in a suitcase, the estimated distance decreases to 50 meters. The maximum distance for causing permanent physical damage is estimated to be around 15 meters for the HPM-van while the suitcase has to be placed very close to, or even in direct contact with, the target.