LIGHTNING DIRECT EFFECTS (LDE) TESTING SYSTEM AND METHOD USING A DIGITALLY-CONTROLLED REFERENCE LIGHT SOURCE

There is provided an LDE testing system. The system has a test chamber, a test article, and a capacitor to inject current into the test article, to create a spark, emitting a spark spectral signature, and having a spark light intensity. The system has a digitally-controlled reference light source operable to emit a reference light source spectral signature simulating an observed spark spectral signature of sparking in tested test articles, and having a reference light source light intensity equivalent to an observed spark light intensity. The system has a camera to capture an image of the spark spectral signature, spark light intensity, reference light source spectral signature, and reference light source light intensity, a controller to digitally control the digitally-controlled reference light source, and a computer system to receive the image from the camera, and determine a passing or failing result of an LDE testing criteria for the test article.