Threat Analysis of Vehicle Engine Electronic Control Unit in Severe Electromagnetic Pulse Environment and Research on Protection

The severe electromagnetic pulses generated by nuclear blast or high power microwave cause serious electromagnetic threats to the vehicle Electronic Control Unit (ECU) through the way of field-wire coupling. This kind of threat affects the performance of mobility, and also the vehicle safety. This paper focuses on a typical multi-use vehicle, the effect mechanism of the ECU in the severe electromagnetic environment is analyzed, the broadband Electro-Magnetic Pulse (EMP) radiated test for the vehicle is carried out, and the relationship between the operating state of the vehicle engine system and the coupled transient voltage on the power line of the ECU is analyzed. The test results show that the broadband EMP causes interference on the ECU through the power cable, and the overloaded coupling voltage resulting in the engine stalling. According to the analysis results, the multi-level protection circuit is designed for the power supply of the ECU. The electromagnetic protection is realized by cutting off the energy transmission path of the EMP threat, and the effectiveness of the protection circuit is verified.