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Appendix 4 to ETSO-C153a - Integrated Modular Avionics (IMA) Module Environmental Qualification Requirements

Available versions for ERULES-1963177438-18133

ED Decision 2020/011/R found in: CS-ETSO Amdt 17 - European Technical Standard Orders (Oct 2026)

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###### Appendix 4 to ETSO-C153a – Integrated Modular Avionics (IMA) Module Environmental Qualification Requirements

*ED
Decision
2020/011/R*

Section 2.3
of CS-ETSO Subpart A requires environmental testing to be
performed according to the appropriate release of
EUROCAE ED-14/RTCA DO-160.

For
ETSO-C153a, some particularities have to be addressed:

—
the representativeness of the Test
Software;

—
the Applicable Test Procedures; and

—
the parameters to be monitored
during the Environmental Qualification Test.

**Chapter 1
— The representativeness of the Test Software**

If
the IMA module is qualified without the functional software installed
and operating, engineering analysis from the manufacturer must
determine that the Test Software (not the target functional software)
is representative of the usage domain stress envelope for the
environmental tests (i.e. dissipated temperature, power consumption,
field radiation, etc.).

Test
Software shall be developed to exercise the hardware in performing
the environmental tests in the worst-case conditions and/or most
sensitive configurations in order to evaluate the robustness of the
IMA module over the full Usage Domain. For example, the Test Software
should exercise all the physical interfaces with a maximum number of
applications or inputs, and with filter values set to the domain
boundary which would be the most transparent to any input electrical
interference.

**Chapter 2
— Applicable Test Procedures**

For
an ETSO-C153a authorisation, the IMA module may be a single Line
Replaceable Unit (LRU) platform or may be a Line Replaceable Module
(LRM) located in a Rack.

Depending
on the characteristics of the IMA module, the applicant should
consider one of the two following cases as appropriate:

—
Case 1: the IMA module is a
single LRU platform; and

—
Case 2: the IMA module is a
module designed to be located in a Rack at installation.

Note:
The Rack Housing module is not addressed in this generic Appendix but
in the relevant Appendix 2.2 — Class RH: Rack Housing.

**Chapter 2.1
— The IMA module is a single LRU platform**

In this case, the environmental sections defined in the Table below
(Figure ) are
applicable to the IMA module.

The
usage domain of the IMA module must be defined and maintained so that
all the environmental qualification tests listed below produce a
complete credit for all other functional ETSOs authorisations, or for
the TC level.

***Figure 26
— Environmental Qualification for ETSO-C153a in the case of a
single LRU platform***

**Chapter 2.2 — The
IMA module is a module designed to be located in a Rack at
installation or the rack itself.**

In
this type of envisioned installation, only a minimal subset of
environmental conditions is applicable to the IMA module. This
minimal subset is defined as mandatory in the table below (Figure 27).

Test
sections identified as optional are not required for an ETSO-C153a
application. Nevertheless, the IMA module can be subjected to these
test conditions on a voluntary basis. When optional sections are not
tested, they shall be marked with ‘X’.

The
Environmental Qualification Testing (EQT) will be completed after
cabinet integration in the frame of some other functional ETSOs
authorisation, or of a TC level.

The
usage domain of the IMA module must be defined and maintained so that
at least this subset of qualification tests produces some credit for
other ETSOs authorisations and for the TC level.

Note:
It is acceptable to perform the environmental qualification on the
intended rack installation equipped with (a) mounted IMA module(s).
The ETSO-C153a IMA module should be set in worst-case configurations.
By doing so, the set of Qualification documents (Qualification Test
Plans, Procedures and Reports) may be common to both the rack and the
module ETSO-C153a authorisations. These documents should demonstrate
that the considered configurations (which may differ depending on the
different sections of EUROCAE ED-14/RTCA DO-160) are the
worst-cases for the set of authorised modules configurations within
the rack. Whatever the qualification method used, the authorised
configuration should be specified in the installation manual(s).

Such
documented authorised configurations include any installation
limitations that are taken as hypotheses for the EQT (rack part
number(s), slot number(s), blade neighbourhood(s), and temperature to
be guaranteed), and need to be specified in the Installation Manual
and respected by the integrator so that he/she can take credit for
the EQT performed at module level.

<table bgcolor="#d9d9d9" cellpadding="7" cellspacing="0">
<col/>
<col/>
<col/>
<thead>
<tr valign="top">
<td bgcolor="#808080">
Environmental
					Test
</td>
<td bgcolor="#808080">
ED-14/O-160
					Section
</td>
<td bgcolor="#808080">
Requirement
					for ETSO-C153a
</td>
</tr>
</thead>
<tbody>
<tr valign="top">
<td bgcolor="#d9d9d9">
Temperature
</td>
<td bgcolor="#d9d9d9">
4.5
</td>
<td bgcolor="#d9d9d9">
Mandatory

When
					the module performance under environmental conditions is
					dependent on the host rack, it is the responsibility of the
					applicant to adapt the ED-14/DO-160 high and low temperature
					values and temperature variations cycles to the intended IMA
					module installation context.
For
					example, in the case of temperature testing (Section 4.0 of
					EUROCAE ED-14/RTCA DO-160), the temperature environment of
					the module (inside a rack) may be much higher or lower than the
					equipment level condition expressed in the aforementioned
					Section 4.0. Therefore, the applicant may qualify their IMA
					module based on a chosen intended environment, and, finally,
					indicate in the installation manual the temperature range for
					which the correct operation of the IMA module is guaranteed.
</td>
</tr>
<tr valign="top">
<td bgcolor="#d9d9d9">
Altitude
</td>
<td bgcolor="#d9d9d9">
4.6
</td>
<td bgcolor="#d9d9d9">
Mandatory
</td>
</tr>
<tr valign="top">
<td bgcolor="#d9d9d9">
Temperature
					Variation
</td>
<td bgcolor="#d9d9d9">
5.0
</td>
<td bgcolor="#d9d9d9">
Mandatory

As
					for Section 4.5, when module performance under
					environmental conditions is dependent on the host rack, it is
					the responsibility of the applicant to adapt the ED-14/DO-160
					high and low temperature values and temperature variations
					cycles to the intended IMA module installation context.
As
					for Section 4.5, for example, in the case of temperature
					testing (Section 4.0 of EUROCAE ED-14/RTCA DO-160),
					where the temperature environment of the module (inside a rack)
					may be much higher or lower than the equipment-level condition
					as expressed in Section 4.0 of EUROCAE ED-14/RTCA DO-160,
					the applicant can qualify their IMA module based on a chosen
					intended environment, and, finally, indicate in the installation
					manual the temperature range for which the correct operation of
					the IMA module is guaranteed.
</td>
</tr>
<tr valign="top">
<td bgcolor="#d9d9d9">
Humidity
</td>
<td bgcolor="#d9d9d9">
6.0
</td>
<td bgcolor="#d9d9d9">
Mandatory
</td>
</tr>
<tr valign="top">
<td bgcolor="#d9d9d9">
Shock
					(operational)
</td>
<td bgcolor="#d9d9d9">
7.2
</td>
<td bgcolor="#d9d9d9">
Optional
</td>
</tr>
<tr valign="top">
<td bgcolor="#d9d9d9">
Shock
					(Crash Safety)
</td>
<td bgcolor="#d9d9d9">
7.3
</td>
<td bgcolor="#d9d9d9">
Optional
</td>
</tr>
<tr valign="top">
<td bgcolor="#d9d9d9">
Vibration
</td>
<td bgcolor="#d9d9d9">
8.0
</td>
<td bgcolor="#d9d9d9">
Optional
Note:
					The IMA module technology should be assessed for further
					vibration qualification (ED-14/DO-160). This preliminary
					assessment could consider the IMA technology diversity of the
					module components, as well as the integration density and number
					of layers of the circuit boards within the IMA module. The
					assessment could be confirmed by testing on a module
					representative of the IMA module technology used in the product
					under certification. This preliminary assessment of the IMA
					module technology under vibration conditions does not constitute
					a credit for the qualification testing of the module integrated
					into the rack.
</td>
</tr>
<tr valign="top">
<td bgcolor="#d9d9d9">
Explosion
					Atmosphere
</td>
<td bgcolor="#d9d9d9">
9.0
</td>
<td bgcolor="#d9d9d9">
Optional
</td>
</tr>
<tr valign="top">
<td bgcolor="#d9d9d9">
Waterproof
</td>
<td bgcolor="#d9d9d9">
10.0
</td>
<td bgcolor="#d9d9d9">
Optional
</td>
</tr>
<tr valign="top">
<td bgcolor="#d9d9d9">
Fluids
					Susceptibility
</td>
<td bgcolor="#d9d9d9">
11.0
</td>
<td bgcolor="#d9d9d9">
Optional
</td>
</tr>
<tr valign="top">
<td bgcolor="#d9d9d9">
Sand
					and Dust
</td>
<td bgcolor="#d9d9d9">
12.0
</td>
<td bgcolor="#d9d9d9">
Optional
</td>
</tr>
<tr valign="top">
<td bgcolor="#d9d9d9">
Fungus
					Resistance
</td>
<td bgcolor="#d9d9d9">
13.0
</td>
<td bgcolor="#d9d9d9">
Optional
</td>
</tr>
<tr valign="top">
<td bgcolor="#d9d9d9">
Salt
					Fog
</td>
<td bgcolor="#d9d9d9">
14.0
</td>
<td bgcolor="#d9d9d9">
Optional
</td>
</tr>
<tr valign="top">
<td bgcolor="#d9d9d9">
Magnetic
					Effect
</td>
<td bgcolor="#d9d9d9">
15.0
</td>
<td bgcolor="#d9d9d9">
Optional
</td>
</tr>
<tr valign="top">
<td bgcolor="#d9d9d9">
Power
					Input
</td>
<td bgcolor="#d9d9d9">
16.0
</td>
<td bgcolor="#d9d9d9">
Mandatory
					for IMA module interfaces directly connected to the aircraft
					power distribution.
Note:
					IMA module interfaces not directly connected to the aircraft
					power distribution will be tested after the cabinet integration
					phase as part of another ETSO application or as part of a Type
					Certification programme.
</td>
</tr>
<tr valign="top">
<td bgcolor="#d9d9d9">
Voltage
					Spike
</td>
<td bgcolor="#d9d9d9">
17.0
</td>
<td bgcolor="#d9d9d9">
Mandatory
					for IMA module interfaces directly connected to the aircraft
					power distribution.
Note:
					IMA module interfaces not directly connected to the aircraft
					power distribution will be tested after the cabinet integration
					phase as part of another ETSO application or as part of a Type
					Certification programme.
</td>
</tr>
<tr valign="top">
<td bgcolor="#d9d9d9">
Audio
					Frequency Conducted 

Susceptibility
					— Power Input 

</td>
<td bgcolor="#d9d9d9">
18.0
</td>
<td bgcolor="#d9d9d9">
Mandatory
					for IMA module interfaces directly connected to the aircraft
					power distribution.
Note:
					IMA module interfaces not directly connected to the aircraft
					power distribution will be tested after the cabinet integration
					phase as part of another ETSO application or as part of a Type
					Certification programme.
</td>
</tr>
<tr valign="top">
<td bgcolor="#d9d9d9">
Induced-Signal
					Susceptibility
</td>
<td bgcolor="#d9d9d9">
19.0
</td>
<td bgcolor="#d9d9d9">
Mandatory
					for IMA module interfaces directly connected to the aircraft
					wiring.
Note:
					IMA module interfaces not directly connected to the aircraft
					wiring will be tested after the cabinet integration phase as
					part of another ETSO application or as part of a Type
					Certification programme.
</td>
</tr>
<tr valign="top">
<td bgcolor="#d9d9d9">
Radio
					Frequency Susceptibility (radiated and conducted)
</td>
<td bgcolor="#d9d9d9">
20.0
</td>
<td bgcolor="#d9d9d9">
Mandatory
					for the conducted susceptibility of IMA module interfaces
					directly connected to the aircraft wiring.
Note:
					IMA module interfaces not directly connected to the aircraft
					wiring will be tested after the cabinet integration phase as
					part of another ETSO application or as part of a Type
					Certification programme.
</td>
</tr>
<tr valign="top">
<td bgcolor="#d9d9d9">
Emission
					of Radio Frequency Energy
</td>
<td bgcolor="#d9d9d9">
21.0
</td>
<td bgcolor="#d9d9d9">
Mandatory
					for the conducted emission of IMA module interfaces directly
					connected to the aircraft wiring.
Note:
					IMA module interfaces not directly connected to the aircraft
					wiring will be tested after the cabinet integration phase as
					part of another ETSO application or as part of a Type
					Certification programme.
</td>
</tr>
<tr valign="top">
<td bgcolor="#d9d9d9">
Lightning-Induced
					Transient Susceptibility
</td>
<td bgcolor="#d9d9d9">
22.0
</td>
<td bgcolor="#d9d9d9">
Mandatory
					for IMA module interfaces directly connected to the aircraft
					wiring.
Note:
					IMA module interfaces not directly connected to the aircraft
					wiring will be tested after the cabinet integration phase as
					part of another ETSO application or as part of a Type
					Certification programme.
</td>
</tr>
<tr valign="top">
<td bgcolor="#d9d9d9">
Lightning
					Direct Effects
</td>
<td bgcolor="#d9d9d9">
23.0
</td>
<td bgcolor="#d9d9d9">
Optional
</td>
</tr>
<tr valign="top">
<td bgcolor="#d9d9d9">
Icing
</td>
<td bgcolor="#d9d9d9">
24.0
</td>
<td bgcolor="#d9d9d9">
Optional
</td>
</tr>
<tr valign="top">
<td bgcolor="#d9d9d9">
Electrostatic
					Discharge (ESD)
</td>
<td bgcolor="#d9d9d9">
25.0
</td>
<td bgcolor="#d9d9d9">
Mandatory
					for all areas subject to human contact during IMA module
					operation.
</td>
</tr>
<tr valign="top">
<td bgcolor="#d9d9d9">
Fire,
					Flammability
</td>
<td bgcolor="#d9d9d9">
26.0
</td>
<td bgcolor="#d9d9d9">
Mandatory
</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>

***Figure 27:
Environmental Qualification Testing minimum subset for ETSO-C153a in
for cabinet architectures***

**Chapter 3
— MPS compliance during EQT**

When
required by the test conditions and procedure (by the ‘DETERMINE
COMPLIANCE WITH EQUIPEMENT PERFORMANCE STANDARDS’ statement), the
IMA module manufacturer must determine compliance with the MPS as
defined under the column ‘Test under environmental conditions’ of
each individual class in Appendix 2:

<table bgcolor="#d9d9d9" cellpadding="7" cellspacing="0">
<col/>
<col/>
<tr valign="top">
<td bgcolor="#808080">
MPS
				CLASS
</td>
<td bgcolor="#808080">
MPS
				paragraph under Environmental Qualification Testing
</td>
</tr>
<tr valign="top">
<td bgcolor="#d9d9d9">
All
				Classes (Common)
</td>
<td bgcolor="#d9d9d9">
Appendix 2.1,
				paragraph 5
</td>
</tr>
<tr valign="top">
<td bgcolor="#d9d9d9">
RH
				(Rack)
</td>
<td bgcolor="#d9d9d9">
Appendix 4
				is not applicable to this class. See Appendix 2.2,
				paragraph 3 under columns ‘Test under environmental
				conditions’ and ‘Applicable ED-14/DO-160 sections’.
</td>
</tr>
<tr valign="top">
<td bgcolor="#d9d9d9">
PR
				(Processing)
</td>
<td bgcolor="#d9d9d9">
Appendix 2.3,
				paragraph 0
</td>
</tr>
<tr valign="top">
<td bgcolor="#d9d9d9">
GP
				(Graphical Processing)
</td>
<td bgcolor="#d9d9d9">
Appendix 2.4,
				paragraph 0
</td>
</tr>
<tr valign="top">
<td bgcolor="#d9d9d9">
DS
				(Data Storage)
</td>
<td bgcolor="#d9d9d9">
Appendix 2.5,
				paragraph 0
</td>
</tr>
<tr valign="top">
<td bgcolor="#d9d9d9">
IF
				(Interface)
</td>
<td bgcolor="#d9d9d9">
Appendix 2.6,
				paragraph 0
</td>
</tr>
<tr valign="top">
<td bgcolor="#d9d9d9">
PS
				(Power Supply)
</td>
<td bgcolor="#d9d9d9">
Appendix 2.7,
				paragraph 0
</td>
</tr>
<tr valign="top">
<td bgcolor="#d9d9d9">
DH
				(Display Head)
</td>
<td bgcolor="#d9d9d9">
Appendix 2.8,
				paragraph 0
</td>
</tr>
</table>

***Figure 28
— MPS verification under environmental conditions***

[Amdt ETSO/10]

[Amdt ETSO/16]