Blogs

This month's Practical Engineering explains how to use the Welch-Satterthwaite formula to calculate the effective degrees of freedom and expanded uncertainty in a measurement uncertainty analysis. It provides a practical example to demonstrate the application of this formula.

This month's EMC Bench Notes reviews three affordable pre-compliance measurement software options that can simplify and automate the process of conducting in-house radiated emissions testing, saving time and costs compared to manual methods.

This detailed overview of electromagnetic immunity testing across defense, aerospace, and automotive industries explains why different sectors require unique standards to protect equipment from various electromagnetic threats and interference.

Understanding current flow patterns is crucial in EMC engineering, particularly the distinction between Common Mode and Differential Mode currents. Controlling current paths and providing local return paths helps reduce electromagnetic interference and improve immunity.

Mastering capacitor behavior is crucial for noise control in electronics. Understanding impedance variations with frequency, along with ESR and ESL components, helps engineers design effective filters. The piece explains how capacitors "dance" with frequencies to manage unwanted noise.

Ferrite beads may fail to suppress RF emissions due to misidentified noise sources, high circuit impedance, outdated advice, or incorrect ferrite selection. Careful analysis and appropriate application are crucial for effective EMC compliance.

Discover pre-compliance testing for automotive and military EMC standards. Learn key differences from commercial testing, setup techniques, and tips for dealing with ambient signals. Save thousands in wasted compliance testing.

Don MacArthur's blog outlines key steps to excel in compliance engineering, including mastering regulations, staying updated, gaining experience, developing problem-solving skills, and maintaining ethical conduct. He emphasizes continuous learning and effective communication across teams.

Don MacArthur explains spectrum analyzers, tools for frequency domain analysis of signals. He covers their functionality, key parameters (center/span, reference level, RBW, VBW), types, and usage. MacArthur emphasizes their importance in electronic measurements and provides tips for preventing damage to the devices. 

Ken Wyatt provides an overview of radiated emissions pre-compliance testing. He covers equipment setup, field strength calculations, and strategies for managing ambient interference. The guide aims to enhance EMC troubleshooting skills and reduce formal testing expenses.