Design for Automotive EMC Compliance

Today’s automobiles are complex electronic systems containing dozens of microprocessors and a variety of RF transmitters and receivers. Keeping track of all possible interactions that might result in an electromagnetic interference problem can be a formidable task. Nevertheless, it is possible to design components and systems in a manner that guarantees automotive EMC requirements will be met the first time a component or vehicle is brought into the lab for testing.

First-pass compliance with automotive EMC requirements starts with circuit board layout. Printed circuit board layout is often the single most important factor affecting the electromagnetic compatibility of electronic systems. Boards that are auto-routed or laid out according to a list of “design rules” do not usually meet electromagnetic compatibility requirements on the first pass; and the products using these boards are more likely to require expensive EMC “fixes” such as ferrites on cables and shielded enclosures. Taking the time to ensure that components are properly placed, transition times are not left to chance, and traces are optimally routed will generally result in products that meet all electromagnetic compatibility and signal integrity requirements on time and on budget.

This course stresses the fundamental concepts and tools that automotive electronics engineers can utilize to avoid electromagnetic compatibility and signal integrity problems. Students completing the course will be able to make good decisions regarding board layout and automotive system design for EMC.