HPEM tests of communication devices

Intentional Electromagnetic Interference (IEMI) can be used to support illegal activities ranging from robbery up to terroristic attacks. The general idea is to use High Power Electromagnetics (HPEM) beyond the Electromagnetic Compatibility (EMC) immunity of handheld communication devices to compromise their functionality. In particular, smartphones and tablets could be in focus of such an attack as those devices are increasingly used to control and communicate in critical infrastructures. Fraunhofer INT did HPEM vulnerability tests with a selection of smart phones and tablets showing disturbances in awide frequency range.