William Koerner

As hospitals fill with wireless devices—from patient monitors to smartphones—radio frequency interference threatens medical device performance and patient safety. This article explores the critical testing methodologies, regulatory requirements, and risk management strategies manufacturers need to ensure their wireless medical devices work reliably in today's crowded spectrum environments.

Since the discovery of electromagnetic interference (EMI) in the early 1900s, the need for testing for radiated emissions continues to grow as products get more complicated. The time to test has also grown, and, in some cases, can take days to complete. The introduction of fast Fourier transform (FFT) technology into EMI receivers can greatly decrease the required testing time, but is it applicable for everyone?