Electromagnetic Threats Research Articles

Cybersecurity Challenges in UAV Systems: IEMI Attacks Targeting Inertial Measurement Units

The rapid expansion in unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) across various sectors, such as surveillance, agriculture, disaster management, and infrastructure inspection, highlights the growing need for robust navigation systems. However, this growth also exposes critical vulnerabilities, particularly in UAV package delivery operations, where intentional electromagnetic interference (IEMI) poses significant security and safety threats. This paper addresses IEMI attacks targeting inertial measurement units (IMUs) in UAVs, focusing on their susceptibility to medium-power electromagnetic interference. Our approach combines a comprehensive literature review and QuickField simulation with experimental validation using a commercially available 6-degree-of-freedom (DOF) IMU sensor. We propose a hardware-based electromagnetic shielding solution using mu-metal to mitigate IEMI’s impact on sensor performance. The study combines experimental testing with simulations to evaluate the shielding effectiveness under controlled conditions. The results of the measurements showed that medium-power IEMI significantly distorted IMU sensor readings, but our proposed shielding method effectively reduces the impact, improving sensor reliability. We demonstrate the mechanisms by which medium-power IEMI disrupts sensor operation, offering insights for future research directions. These findings also highlight the importance of integrating hardware-based shielding solutions to safeguard UAV systems against electromagnetic threats.

Study on the safety assessment and protection design of human exposure to low-frequency magnetic fields in electric vehicles.

As the power performance of electric vehicles continues to improve, the human body may be exposed to electromagnetic threats in the cabin. This study tested an electric vehicle to analyze the low-frequency magnetic field distribution in the cabin and to assess the safety of human low-frequency magnetic field exposure. A simulation analysis of human electromagnetic exposure was carried out to obtain the magnetic flux density, induced electric field strength and induced current density, and the test results were much lower than the limits specified in GB8702-2014 and the International Commission on Non-Ionizing Radiation Protection, and the relative error between the simulation results and the test results was <15%. This paper investigates the frequency, driving current, vehicle body material and cable layout to explore the law of human body induced electromagnetic field changing with power cable current, and provides theoretical reference for the design of human body low-frequency magnetic field protection.

An Antijamming Method Based on Multichannel Singular Spectrum Analysis and Affinity Propagation for UWB Ranging Sensors

Ultra-wideband impulse radio system has received extensive attention due to their high resolution and poor interception possibility. But the specific electromagnetic threat posed by its complex work environment cannot be ignored. In all kinds of active jamming signals, smart noise jamming plays an important role in modern radar electronic warfare, and most traditional anti-jamming methods have less suppression effect. In this paper, the mechanism of smart noise jamming on the UWB ranging sensor is discussed first. On this basis, an anti-smart noise jamming method based on multichannel singular spectrum analysis and kurtosis characteristic is proposed. Experiments show that smart noise jamming is more threatening to the UWB system than other noise modulation jamming. And the improved algorithm proposed in this paper can suppress the jamming better. After the anti-jamming processing, the average detection probability can reach more than 95%. Meanwhile, the method is improved by adding the affinity propagation (AP) clustering algorithm to solve the underdetermined signal separation problem in the case of compound jamming. The advantage is that it does not have to estimate the number of signals first. Even if the SJR is -10 dB, the waveform similarity between the separation signal and the source signal can reach 0.7 or more.

Intelligent Wireless Sensor Networks for Healthcare: Bridging Biomedical Clothing to the IoT Future

The science of achieving a healthy mind, body, and spirit through objectives and activities is known as personal health (PH). We must be aware of our mental, bodily, and social well-being. The term hygiene refers to a wide variety of healthy behaviours. Individuals' healthcare costs and quality of life increased by avoiding or reducing the long-term effects of the disease through knowledge and skills. Biomedical apparel includes sutures, vascular grafts, and biodegradable clothes (BC). Biomedical clothing is anything implanted or incorporated into the human body and used near tissue, blood, or cells. Quick, dependable, and energy-efficient connectivity between wireless sensor networks is necessary (WSNs). Physical layers, media access control, networking layers, and control requirements must be co-designed. For those with lesser means, health insurance will increase in cost. There are difficulties with privacy and cyber security, a higher chance of malpractice claims, and increased time and financial expenditures for doctors and patients. In this study, wireless sensor networks-based personal health biomedical clothing (PH-BC-WSN) was utilized to increase access to high-quality healthcare, increase food production through precision agriculture, and raise the standard of human resources. More effective healthcare and medical asset monitoring systems can be developed thanks to the Internet of Things. Eavesdropping on medical data, modification, fabrication of warnings, denial of service, user tracking and location, physical interference with equipment, and electromagnetic threats were extensively discussed. The article gives several instances of current technology, discusses design challenges including energy efficiency, security, and scalability, provides various demonstrations of current technology, and provides a complete analysis of all the advantages and disadvantages. Despite their many benefits, body sensor networks have several significant obstacles and unresolved research problems, which are described along with some potential answers. As a result, the experimental findings demonstrate that PH-BC-WSN enhances accuracy and reduces response time in inpatient health monitoring.

A circuit level analysis of power distribution network on a PCB layout exposed to intentional/unintentional electromagnetic threats

In this article a circuit level analytic approach is proposed for radiated susceptibility analysis of a system power distribution network (PDN). For this purpose, electromagnetic wave impacts a two-layer printed circuit board (PCB). This external wave can be radiated from the antenna of a wireless communication device or an intentional electromagnetic interference source. The radiated susceptibility of the PDN is studied by decomposing the stochastic voltage sources for vertical and horizontal transmission lines. The effect of distribution network on the individual induced signal are considered using ABCD matrix for handling the disturbance propagation entire system. The PDN self voltage fluctuation is considered using a simple mathematic model. A measurement procedure is proposed for evaluating the performance degradation without loading effect. Analytic conclusion and simulation results disclose that the induced voltage from external electromagnetic threat on the PDN is comparable with the operating PDN self fluctuation. The results show that the PDN is a susceptible section of the PCB and is an accessible target for interferer systems. This can be a potential susceptibility concern and should be considered in design procedure.

Lightweight 3-D Modeling Method to Analyze the Shielding Characteristics of Reinforced Concrete Buildings

An efficient lightweight modeling method was examined to analyze the shielding characteristics of large-scale models such as real-world buildings, and the findings were verified based on the relevant standards. In general, electromagnetic threats with high energy can cause severe damage by causing malfunctioning and system failure of electronic systems. To protect electronic systems, the shielding characteristics of the building in which the systems are located must be clarified. Extensive research has been conducted on the shielding characteristics of building materials and reinforced concrete. However, only a few researchers have adopted a simulation-based approach to analyze and verify the shielding characteristics of actual-scale reinforced concrete buildings up to the gigahertz (GHz) band. Therefore, in this study, a lightweight 3-D modeling method was used to analyze large-scale models such as buildings up to the GHz band. The shielding characteristics of the building were determined using the proposed approach, and the results were compared and verified against measurement data using feature selective validation. Furthermore, the proposed method was used to analyze the shielding characteristics of a reinforced concrete building pertaining to the transmission and reflection characteristics of reinforced concrete walls.

A Method for Detecting Anomalies in an Electromagnetic Environment Situation Using a Dual-Branch Prediction Network

Electromagnetic environment situation anomaly detection is a prerequisite for electromagnetic threat level assessment, and its research is of great practical value. However, because of the complexity of the electromagnetic environment, electromagnetic environment situation anomaly detection is not efficient. Therefore, we propose a dual-branch prediction network-based electromagnetic environment situation anomaly detection method to predict the future and achieve anomaly detection by fusing different development characteristics of electromagnetic environment situations learned by other branches. We extract the electromagnetic environment situation state and trend features using the manual feature extraction module and mine the electromagnetic environment situation in-depth data distribution features using ConvLSTM, improve the dynamic time regularization model according to the physical characteristics of electromagnetic space, and then provide the anomaly detection method. We experimentally demonstrate the effectiveness of the proposed method in electromagnetic environment situation prediction and anomaly detection accuracy.

Electromagnetic threat faced by mobile launch rocket and simulation construction of test electromagnetic environment

Under the condition of informatization, the system efficiency will be seriously challenged by the intervention of opponents in the electromagnetic field. With the complexity of the electromagnetic environment in the future, the types of electromagnetic threats faced by mobile launch rockets are increasing. The adaptability to the complex electromagnetic environment has become the key factor whether they can complete the launch mission as planned. Taking the mobile launch rocket as the research object, this paper analyzes the main electromagnetic threats faced by it, such as electronic reconnaissance, electronic jamming, electronic destruction and precision strike, and puts forward the basic scheme of electromagnetic threat environment simulation required for relevant electromagnetic environment adaptability test. The research has direct guiding value for testing the electromagnetic threat response ability of mobile launch rocket and promoting its application and efficiency in complex electromagnetic environment.

Large Transformer Criticality, Threats, and Opportunities

Large power transformers (LPTs) represent a critical “tent‐pole” in national electric power grid, and national resiliency. They are essential to both the generation and transmission sectors of our electric power grid. They are known to be targets in adversaries' plans to debilitate our critical infrastructures. Their high cost and supply chain issues involving months to years of replacement times dictate the importance of survivability assurance. Transformer vulnerability and protection are addressed for physical attacks, cyber, and electromagnetic effects, including solar weather geomagnetic disturbance (GMD) and high altitude burst nuclear electromagnetic pulse (EMP) effects. Programs have been underway to improve transformer and transformer substation cyber and physical resiliency. Similar programs are lagging for electromagnetic threats. Transformer vulnerability to EMP remains a subject of conjecture since no large power transformer has undergone threat‐level EMP testing. Prevalent claims that LPTs are immune to EMP are premature.The Savannah River National Laboratory has developed a test program and designed a test bed to complete testing on LPTs including physical set‐up, injection sources, and measurement equipment to enable transformer testing under real load conditions without harming the larger power grid. The SNRL test bed will enable tests to determine both transformer vulnerability thresholds and the effectiveness of protection devices. A concerted national effort is needed to determine LPT vulnerabilities and to expeditiously develop and certify effective EMP and GMD protection approaches.

Maximizing Radiated High-Power Electromagnetic Threat to Transmission Line System Under the Constraints of Bounded Bandwidth and Amplitude

This article aims at identifying the worst-case waveform of a radiated high-power electromagnetic (HPEM) for maximizing threats to the victim electric system. In contrast to the previous analysis where constraint on energy-density of the HPEM field is imposed, the proposed analysis considers an upper bound constraint for the amplitude of the electrical waveform, which appears to be a more concerned restriction for practical radiation system. In this connection, evolutionary algorithms, i.e., genetic algorithm, stud-genetic algorithm (StudGA), and particle swarm optimization, are resorted to for solving the problem. In particular, it is found that StudGA outperforms the other two approaches for solving the proposed problem. The results demonstrate an optimized wideband HPEM is only marginally more threatening to the victim system than an attentively tuned continuous-wave/narrowband interference, and it is a fairly good compromise to apply these fields for the worst-case immunity assessment, especially when the difficulty in generating wideband HPEM of complex waveform details is considered.

A Sparse Learning Approach to the Detection of Multiple Noise-Like Jammers

In this paper, we address the problem of detecting multiple Noise-Like Jammers (NLJs) through a radar system equipped with an array of sensors. To this end, we develop an elegant and systematic framework wherein two architectures are devised to jointly detect an unknown number of NLJs and to estimate their respective angles of arrival. The followed approach relies on the likelihood ratio test in conjunction with a cyclic estimation procedure which incorporates at the design stage a sparsity promoting prior. As a matter of fact, the problem at hand owns an inherent sparse nature which is suitably exploited. This methodological choice is dictated by the fact that, from a mathematical point of view, classical maximum likelihood approach leads to intractable optimization problems (at least to the best of authors' knowledge) and, hence, a suboptimum approach represents a viable means to solve them. Performance analysis is conducted on simulated data and shows the effectiveness of the proposed architectures in drawing a reliable picture of the electromagnetic threats illuminating the radar system.

Stochastic EMI Noise Model of PCB Layout for Circuit-Level Analysis of System in IoT Applications

In this article, a simple noise model is proposed for analysis of electromagnetic interference (EMI) on printed circuit board (PCB) layout of an electronic device. In Internet of Things (IoT) applications, devices are connected wirelessly and this results in electromagnetic pollution in environment. This may degrade the performance and/or even stop the operation of present devices in the shared setting. Internal and external interferences, due to near- and far-field are modeled as two independent random voltage sources. These sources can be treated as noise source like the thermal noise one in circuit noise analysis including the physical layout and electromagnetic threat. As a quantitative measure of electromagnetic pollution, EMI environment temperature is defined based on aggregation of waves emitted from different wireless device antennas. Also, for the PCBs, a stochastic EMI radiation resistance is defined based on system components’ placement and layout. This resistance can be used as an effective measure of interference potential severity for system PCB in an environment. The model is verified by specific designed and fabricated mixed-signal test board. The comparison between analytic model and measurement results shows a moderate accuracy which is acceptable in most predictive electromagnetic compatibility (EMC)/EMI verification. The proposed model is valid up to some GHz for conventional PCB physical parameters.

Laser produced electromagnetic pulses: generation, detection and mitigation

This paper provides an up-to-date review of the problems related to the generation, detection and mitigation of strong electromagnetic pulses created in the interaction of high-power, high-energy laser pulses with different types of solid targets. It includes new experimental data obtained independently at several international laboratories. The mechanisms of electromagnetic field generation are analyzed and considered as a function of the intensity and the spectral range of emissions they produce. The major emphasis is put on the GHz frequency domain, which is the most damaging for electronics and may have important applications. The physics of electromagnetic emissions in other spectral domains, in particular THz and MHz, is also discussed. The theoretical models and numerical simulations are compared with the results of experimental measurements, with special attention to the methodology of measurements and complementary diagnostics. Understanding the underlying physical processes is the basis for developing techniques to mitigate the electromagnetic threat and to harness electromagnetic emissions, which may have promising applications.

Resilience to combined attacks

Threats to critical infrastructure are rapidly changing. It is important to anticipate how adversaries can combine various types of attacks for more devastating effects. Executives and those in leadership need a plan to prevent or mitigate these combined attacks. This paper reviews cyber, physical and electromagnetic threats and provides a guide to incrementally protect critical infrastructure. By reviewing this information, readers should be able to understand the emerging threats, ways adversaries can combine attacks and practical steps that can be taken to reduce the likelihood of an attack. The concepts discussed in this paper apply to both existing and new infrastructure. Readers will learn about cyber defence technologies including binary hardening, contextual access control, artificial intelligence (AI), re-imaging and automated orchestration. For physical defence, readers will gain an understanding of the threats posed by snipers and weaponised drones and how to prevent or minimise their impact. To protect against electromagnetic threats, readers will learn about solar storms, directed energy weapons and electromagnetic pulses. They will learn how to use new shielding materials and devices to protect the power, cooling, telecommunication and computing systems. The information in this paper should enable readers to take immediate actions to reduce their own vulnerabilities and empower them to affect policies, design codes and laws. By influencing decision makers, readers should be able to reduce risks and lessen the likelihood and severity of an attack.

Effect of defects on electromagnetic interference shielding effectiveness of magnesium

Electromagnetic smog, capable of deranging the current networks and human health, is dominant in recent times due to the widespread electronics usage. To avoid the electromagnetic threats, technological advances in terms of designing materials based on Al are being made. Mg alloys, known for their light weight and excellent specific mechanical properties, have potential to replace Al in structural applications. However, there is a dearth in the information pertaining to electromagnetic interference (EMI) shielding effectiveness (SE) of magnesium and the impact of the microstructural defects on it. Thus, the principal objective of this effort is to identify the influence of defects like grain/dendritic boundaries and porosity on EMI SE of magnesium and aluminum, in the micro/radio frequency ranges. In order to obtain Mg with different microstructures, processing parameters like mold type (steel, copper) and super heat temperatures (720, 750 °C) were varied. The results of this study indicate that the EMI SE is strongly reliant on the porosity and grain/dendritic boundaries of the material. Further, it is also observed that, Mg (33% lighter than Al) exhibited comparable shielding effectiveness capabilities to that of Al (synthesized using the same processing parameters), validating the scope for replacement of Al based materials with Mg based materials for applications in the field of electromagnetic shielding where weight reduction is desired.

Book Reviews [6 Reviews

The following books are reviewed: Microgrid-Advanced Control Methods and Renewable Energy System Integration by M. S. Mahmoud; Nanofabrication-Principles to Laboratory Practice by A. Sarangan; Protection of Substation Critical Equipment Against Intentional Electromagnetic Threats by V. Gurevich; Nitride Wide Bandgap Semiconductor Material and Electronic Devices by Y. Hao, J. F. Zhang, and J. C. Zhang; Principles of Lightning Physics by V. Mazur; Atom Probe Tomography-Put Theory into Practice by W. Lefebvre-Ulrikson, F. Vurpillot, and X. Sauvage

Analysis of the effect of different absorber materials and loading on the shielding effectiveness of a metallic enclosure

Abstract. Metallic rooms as part of a complex system, like a ship, are necessarily connected electromagnetically via apertures and cables to the outside. Therefore, their electromagnetic shielding effectiveness (SE) is limited by ventilation openings, cable feed-throughs and door gaps. Thus, electronic equipment inside these rooms is susceptible to outer electromagnetic threats like IEM (Intentional Electromagnetic Interference). Dielectric or magnetic absorber inside such a screened room can be used in order to prevent the SE from collapsing at the resonant frequencies. In this contribution, the effect of different available absorber materials is compared, as well as other properties like weight and workability. Furthermore, parameter variations of the absorber as well as the effect of loading in form of metallic and dielectric structures on the SE are analyzed.

A shielding effectiveness prediction method for coupled reverberant cavities validated on a real object

In the last years, different works on reverberant microwave propagation and high frequency coupling inside oversized structures have been published in order to make progress in the investigation of wireless systems and electromagnetic threats. In this paper, a new focus to the shielding effectiveness (SE) prediction using the reverberation microwave propagation formalism has been applied to a real complex object attaining very good agreement with the measured data obtained from nested reverberation chamber method. The used formalism is the combination of the simplified propagation model with the updated and more accurate formulation for cavity Q-factor and energy dissipation mechanisms. A very wide frequency range, from 500 MHz to 40 GHz, has been analyzed, which allows us to draw conclusions about how each parameter affects the final SE result at different frequency bands. Furthermore, a tuning study has been performed taking into account the tolerance in the most important parameters, such as the cavity size, the Q-factor, the main dissipation energy mechanisms, and the aperture shapes.

Energy Sensitive Bandpass Filter to Protect Ku-Band LNAs from HPEM Threats

This letter introduces an energy sensitive bandpass filter (ESBPF) to protect Ku-band low noise amplifiers (LNAs) from high power electromagnetic (HPEM) threats. The ESBPF circuit has anti-parallel Schottky Barrier diodes mounted on a planar bandpass filter (BPF) circuit. The ESBPF operates as a BPF at a power level below the maximum permissible power level (MPPL) of the LNAs. However, the circuit works like a variable attenuator at the power level equal to or higher than the MPPL of the LNAs. To increase attenuation and selectivity functions, a 63 $^{\circ}$ line section between two planar filter circuits loaded transversely along WR-75 waveguide has been inserted to cascade. The development of the circuit model has been started with lumped elements under the condition of a 0 dBm MPPL of LNA. Then, the model has been simulated, optimized with HFSS, and fabricated. Measurement results show that the ESBPF has insertion loss less than 1.27 dB at the power level lower than $-$ 2 dBm for the frequency range from 11.8 to 12.3 GHz. At the power level higher than $-$ 2 dBm, the circuit provides different levels of attenuation depending on the input power within the identical frequency band; 31 dB insertion loss, which provides isolation characteristic, has been measured at the power level of 30 dBm.

Alternative Definitions for the Time-Domain Shielding Effectiveness of Enclosures

The assessment of the shielding effectiveness of enclosures under transient conditions calls for an accurate analysis of fundamental aspects. Stemming from a correct understanding of the coupling mechanism and from a victim point of view, new shielding parameters are proposed as figures of merit to designate the actual effectiveness of an electromagnetic enclosure. Their suitability is tested in different configurations excited by typical transient electromagnetic threats.