It is fairly common to find multiple onboard DC-DC converters on today's portable, mobile, and IoT devices. If the device uses wireless, GPS, or cellular technologies, the EMI from these converters (which generally use switching frequencies between 1 and 3 MHz) often interferes with the receiver performance of the wireless modules.The problem really crops up for low-band … [Read more...]
Updated 52-Page Catalog of EMI/RFI Shielding Solutions
Plymouth, MA.... Available in both interactive PDF and printed versions, the 2018 catalog details all standard and custom EMI/RFI shielding product options. The PDF format lets the user click to download interactive sales drawings on over 150 products, including finger stock profiles, metalized fabric gaskets, fan vents, and board level shielding. The Table of Contents, Part … [Read more...]
Basic EMI Concepts
Understanding EMC is all about two important concepts: (1) all currents flow in loops and (2) high frequency signals are propagated as electromagnetic waves in transmission lines and the field energy travels through the dielectric. The two concepts are related because they are intertwined together. Digital signals create the propagating field, which induces the convection … [Read more...]
Proposed Changes to CISPR SC I Standards
Are you familiar with CISPR 32 and CISPR 35? CISPR 32 was originally published in 2012, followed by a pair of corrigenda and then the 2nd edition was published in 2015. CISPR 32 replaced CISPR 13 (Broadcast receivers emissions) and CISPR 22 (ITE emissions). In the EU CISPR 32 is published as EN 55032 and it has superseded EN 55013 and EN 55022. By now you should all be … [Read more...]
Silicon-Based EMI Gasket Material FDA Approved for Medical Products
Specialty Silicone Products (SSP) supplies medical grade platinum-cured silicones in durometers ranging from 10 to 80 (Shore A). These ultra-clean, high-purity silicones are part of the SSP-2390 series and meet stringent FDA CFR 177.2600, USP Class VI, and RoHS requirements.SSP’s medical grade platinum-cured silicones are normally translucent but can be supplied in custom … [Read more...]
Measuring Cable Resonance with a Comb Generator
by Kenneth Wyatt Cables are one of the key metallic structures on a product that can act as an antenna and couple energy, causing radiated emissions and possible compliance test failures. This has been discussed extensively in the literature on product design for EMI compliance. In many cases, they can resonate at their half-wave frequency and actually amplify any harmonic … [Read more...]
DC-DC Converter Noise Evaluation
By Kenneth Wyatt, Wyatt Technical Services LLCMore of my clients are starting to use small third-party DC-DC converters to provide the multitude of voltages required for today’s processor and DDR RAM ICs. While these are convenient to drop onto a circuit board, they can be quite a source of radiated and conducted emissions – especially those that switch in the MHz range.I … [Read more...]
Big Name Car Owners Want Their AM Radio Back
BMWBlog, Motherboard, TeslaForum, and others are reporting severe customer blowback regarding the decision by BMW and Tesla to remove or disable the AM radio function in the BMW i3 and Tesla Model X vehicles. The Tesla Model S is also affected.The reason is that EMI noise from drive motors and associated electronics is creating sufficient interference in reception that it … [Read more...]
FCC to Change EMC Approvals Process
Ghery Pettit Consulting reports a change in the FCC approvals process starting July 13, 2016.Up until now, manufacturers have had the choice of using "FCC Listed" test labs or "FCC Recognized Accredited Test Laboratories." After that date, only the latter test labs - and ONLY those located in countries with mutual recognition agreements (MRAs) with the FCC may be used for the … [Read more...]
Troubleshooting EMI Seminar – Identify, Characterize, and Prevent Interference Problems
A Troubleshooting EMI Seminar - Identify, Characterize, and Prevent Interference Problems, hosted by Rohde & Schwarz and Interference Technology, will take place this spring.Join this highly focused one-day seminar and learn how to uncover, characterize, and solve the most elusive EMI problems. Troubleshooting and localizing intermittent signals or multiple layers of … [Read more...]
