Fault Detection of Digital Instrumentation and Control Systems using Integrated Electromagnetic Compatibility and Automated Functional Testing

Electromagnetic compatibility testing of digital instrumentation and control systems is often only performed while the systems are in operating mode(s) that are assumed to be the most susceptible to electromagnetic/radio frequency interference. Experience in the nuclear industry has shown that this can lead to undetected faults in digital instrumentation and control systems. Performing electromagnetic compatibility testing at multiple operating modes would detect these faults, but the current state-of-the-art does not offer a means to achieve this level of comprehensive testing efficiently. This project proposes the design and development of a system that integrates electromagnetic compatibility and automated functional testing to enable comprehensive assessment and fault detection of digital instrumentation and control systems. The proposing firm will leverage its expertise in digital instrumentation and control qualification testing to conduct a hands-on research and development effort involving detailed electromagnetic/radio frequency interference fault research, laboratory testing, and hardware/software design. The initial step will be to research faults resulting from electromagnetic/radio frequency interference in the nuclear and other industries. One or more devices that are susceptible to these faults will be selected for testing. Engineers at the proposing firm will then manually perform simultaneous functional and electromagnetic compatibility testing on the selected digital devices. This testing will illustrate the advantages of performing these types of tests simultaneously and will highlight the key challenges that an integrated system must overcome. This research will be used to establish requirements and create a conceptual design for a fully integrated testing system that will be developed in the Phase II effort. COMMERCIAL APPLICATIONS AND OTHER BENEFITS: The product of this project will significantly streamline electromagnetic compatibility testing effort and give vendors and utilities more confidence in the robustness of their digital systems. This will enable the industry to replace more obsolete analog equipment and achieve the cost savings associated with upgrading to more modern digital systems. These benefits will be passed on to the public by improving the safety and minimizing the operational cost of nuclear power plants.