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Don MacArthur

Don MacArthur, The Practical Engineer, is a Guest Contributor to In Compliance Magazine. He has over 30 years of experience in product development, EMC, testing, and product safety compliance. He has developed products for military, commercial, and industrial applications.

From This Author

No Spectrum Analyzer? No Problem – Use Python’s SciPy Module Instead

In this article, we describe a method for analyzing data using the FFT algorithm found in Python’s SciPy module. The reader should know that the SciPy module also includes methods for other FFT algorithms, such as the Inverse FFT and Discrete Sine and Cosine methods.

Cavity Resonances of Shielding Boxes and Cans

Many years ago, the author experimented on a metal enclosure of one of his company’s main products. The experiment involved placing an electric field probe inside the empty metal enclosure (no electronics inside) and applying 10 V/m using the IEC 61000-4-3 radiated RF immunity test system.

System Components Used to Reduce Electromagnetic Interference

A few basic system components are frequently used to mitigate or suppress electromagnetic interference (EMI) in devices. As engineers and technicians involved in compliance engineering, it is important to know what these components are, what they do, how they’re most effective, and when they’re ineffective.

The Importance of High Frequency Measurements

Before diving too deep into the nitty gritty of high frequency probing techniques, it’s imperative to understand a few basics, as described in the remaining portion of this article. The basics include probe calibration and null measurements and a description of the various types of voltage probes available, including their strengths and weaknesses.

Non-traditional Training Courses – How Valuable Are They?

This month’s article focuses on the value of non-traditional training courses. To be clear, when referring to non-traditional training courses, what is meant is anything that is not considered a traditional program like a two- or four-year degree program, a Master’s, or Ph.D. program, etc.
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Why it is Important to Control and Measure CDN Impedance per IEC 61000-4-6

Introduction IEC 61000-4-6 is titled “Electromagnetic compatibility (EMC) - Part 4-6: Testing and measurement techniques...

IEEE Recommended Practice for Antenna Measurements

Even if you are not involved in the practice of the measurement of antennas but have a passing interest and would like to learn more, this is the standard to read. Doing so will quickly get you up to speed, saving you many hours of unnecessary research and much confusion.

Human Body Model ESD Testing

To provide in-depth coverage of ESD testing methods, in this article, we look at another type of ESD testing based on the “Human Body Model” (HBM) method of ESD testing.

Quarter-Wavelength Impedance Matching Networks

This article describes a loss-less impedance matching technique that does not require the use of discrete components but instead uses cables or printed circuit board (PCB) traces, i.e., distributed elements or transmission lines.

What To Do When Your Product Must Comply with Conflicting Requirements

As a compliance engineering professional, you may encounter situations when you must consider how multiple and often conflicting requirements apply to your product and how to deal with them effectively.
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