emi receiver

In this article, a time-domain EMI measurement system for the frequency range from 10 Hz to 40 GHz is presented. Signals with a frequency of up to 1.1 GHz are sampled by an ultra-fast floating-point analog-to-digital-converter (ADC) and processed in real-time on a field-programmable-gatearray (FPGA). An ultra-broadband multi-stage down-converter allows for the measurement of signals with frequencies up to 40 GHz. Measurement times can be reduced by several orders of magnitude compared to traditional EMI-receivers that work in frequency-domain.

Spectrum analyzers and scanning receivers are widely used in EMI laboratories today. Their use for measuring both narrowband and broadband signals requires specific understanding of certain instrument and signal characteristics in order to correctly interpret the displayed results. This article explains methods for the discrimination between narrowband and broadband signals and provides guidance for the proper operation of test instrumentation.