This procedure covers the recommended testing techniques for thedetermination of radiated immunity of an automotive electronicdevice. This technique uses a Tri-Plate Line (TPL) operating over afrequency range from 10 KHz to 1000 MHz. This technique is limitedto components which have a maximum height of equal to or less than1/3 the height between the driven element and the outer, groundplates.A TPL, a variation of a TEM cell design, is constructed withoutsides to the cell. The primary advantage to the use of the TPL asopposed to a TEM cell is that its construction permits largedevices to be placed within the cell with their associated cablesattached without special feed through ports or adapters as requiredfor a TEM cell. The lack of sides which would be found in a TEMcell permits easy routing of the cables to and from the EquipmentUnder Test (DUT).The TPL does not have a serious problem with fields reflectedfrom the side walls as does with the TEM cell. This permits its useto frequencies above that of a TEM cell of the same physical size.Note that although the construction of the TPL limits generation ofuniform electric and magnetic fields to frequencies below 500 MHz,experience has shown that the TPL may be used at frequencies up to1 GHz and still provide reasonable and repeatable test results.This may only occur if the test setup requirements (i.e., DUT plus1 meter of cable) and characterization procedures, delineated inthis SAE Standard permits its use to frequencies above that of aTEM cell of the same physical size. Note that although theconstruction of the TPL limits generation of uniform electric andmagnetic fields to frequencies below 500 MHz, experience has shownthat the TPL may be used at frequencies up to 1 GHz and stillprovide reasonable and repeatable test results. This may only occurif the test setup requirements (i.e., DUT plus 1 meter of cable)and characterization procedures, delineated in this SAE Standardare followed.The lack of side walls also means that the TPL must be usedwithin an RF shielded enclosure to prevent RF energy, radiated fromthe TPL from interfering with near-by electronic devices. Toprevent potential resonances and reflected waves within theshielded enclosure from distorting the fields produced within theTPL, the test chamber walls and ceiling must be lined with RFabsorbing material. These issues are discussed in greater detail inthe body of this are followed.The lack of side walls also means that the TPL must be usedwithin an RF shielded enclosure to prevent RF energy, radiated fromthe TPL from interfering with near-by electronic devices. Toprevent potential resonances and reflected waves within theshielded enclosure from distorting the fields produced within theTPL, the test chamber walls and ceiling must be lined with RFabsorbing material. These issues are discussed in greater detail inthe body of this document.CAUTION--Hazardous voltages and fields exist on and near the TPLwhen the equipment is energized. Test personnel should ensure thatno one is in the test chamber during a test. It is the intent ofthe EMI committee to withdraw this document in five years unlessthere is a demand to retain the document.