GaN/SiC Transistors for Your Next Design: Fight or Flight?
This article offers some useful insights and guidelines on how to effectively design and test systems using wide band gap devices to optimize product performance and achieve EMC compliance.
Locating the Noise Source of the 10-30 MHz “Hump”
During conducted emission tests, one of the challenges manufacturers face is the resonance peaks in the harmonic noise somewhere between 10 MHz and 30 MHz. Often, no amount of filtering will eradicate or attenuate the peak.
In-Situ Radiated Emission Testing of Large Systems Installations
When it comes to in-situ radiated emission measurements, the combination of near- and far-field measurements is often the best approach. Near-field measurements can help identify the sources of emissions, including individual modules or components and their frequency and amplitude characteristics. This information can then be used for far-field measurements. Far-field measurements involve using antennas to measure the radiated noise, with full‑size antennas recommended for measurements between 30 and 200 MHz.
Four Useful Tips for Using Affordable Benchtop Spectrum Analyzers
In this column, we discuss several important features of a spectrum analyzer not covered in previous articles that are worth your consideration.
Troubleshooting Intra-System EMI
Many individual components in electrical and electronic systems and devices are integrated into systems that are required to function as a whole. Examples of such systems include large electric vehicles, fixed industrial installations, novel scientific products such as quantum computers, and more. There are two EMC-related aspects to consider: intra-system EMC and inter-system EMC. This article focuses on the intra-system EMC aspect while also considering the inter-system aspect.
A Capacitively Coupled Pin Injection Method for Troubleshooting Immunity Issues
Although most modern RF amplifiers have a high voltage device rating against impedance mismatch, special care is needed to prevent impedance mismatch. To avoid impedance mismatch of the power amplifier, often an attenuator is also recommended to be connected between the output of the power amplifier and the flying probe.
Troubleshooting EMI Issues Caused by Structural Resonances
Most EMI issues are caused by a resonance that is excited somewhere in the system. It may be a resonance of a cable acting as an antenna or a heatsink energized by the power electronics switches bolted to it, becoming a good radiator. In this article, we look at the indicators that signal the presence of structural resonances and provide techniques for fixing the EMI issues. Practical case studies are presented to demonstrate the techniques.
Using an AM Radio as an Effective Troubleshooting Tool
An AM radio can be useful for finding both radiated emissions and ESD events. Understanding how radio works is essential for engineers to use this low-cost technology to troubleshoot complex EMI issues.
EMC Management in Charging Applications
Implementing a process of EMC compliance for a specific project is much more than simply ensuring that the design engineers follow a long list of “do’s and don’ts” in the form of EMC design rules. Following this process will reap benefits when EMC performance is evaluated at the end of the design process.
Cable Antennas and Ferrite Cores
In this column, the author offers a brief summary of a more systematic approach for using ferrite cores on cables. This summary can serve as a “ferrite core checklist” for design and test engineers.