This part of IEC 62396 is intended to provide guidance on atmospheric radiation effects on avionics electronics used in aircraft operating at altitudes up to 60 000 feet (18,3 km). It defines the radiation environment, the effects of that environment on electronics and provides design considerations for the accommodation of those effects within avionics systems.

This International Standard is intended to help aerospace equipment manufacturers and designers to standardise their approach to single event effects in avionics by providing guidance, leading to a standard methodology.

Details of the radiation environment are provided together with identification of potential problems caused as a result of the atmospheric radiation received. Appropriate methods are given for quantifying single event effect (SEE) rates in electronic components. The overall system safety methodology should be expanded to accommodate the single event effects rates and to demonstrate the suitability of the electronics for the application at the component and system level.