The International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC) has issued three new standards on electromagnetic compatibility-specifically IEC 61000-3-6 Ed. 2.0; IEC 61000-3-7 Ed. 2.0; and IEC 61000-3-13 Ed. 1.0. All deal with the assessment of emission limits. The first 6100-3-6 is a technical report, informative in nature that provides guidance on principles that can be used as the … [Read more...]
Amplifers
Voltage Sag Testing for Commercial and Industrial Equipment
The ultimate goal for any product manufacturer is to make its product immune to voltage sags. Andreas Eberhard, Power Standards Lab Alameda, CA Modern equipment can be sensitive to brief disturbances on the AC power mains. Unfortunately, electrical systems are subject to a wide variety of power quality problems that can result in interruption of the production process, damage … [Read more...]
PPM Becomes UK Distributors for Group 3 Technology, New Zealand
PPM Ltd has been appointed the exclusive UK Distributor for Group 3 Technology in New Zealand. These products allow a low cost point-to-point link for analog and digital information. A suite of software drivers for use with LabView, or other control software packages are also available, allowing users to drive and read back information with almost any type of transducer. This … [Read more...]
Interference Suppression Using a Balanced MLCC
An innovative capacitor design can provide more RFI suppression in a substantially smaller package. Steve Weir and James Muccioli X2Y Attenuators, LLC, Erie, PA, USA Instrumentation amplifiers are often employed in hostile noise environments. Sensor lead cables may pick up substantial RF radiation, particularly if they are long and/or not well shielded. When applied to the … [Read more...]
Antenna Fundamentals
A proper understanding of antennas requires familiarity with electromagnetics, circuit theory, electronics and signal processing. Candace Suriano, Ph.D., Suriano Solutions John Suriano, Ph.D., Nidec Motors, Auburn Hills, MI, USA Tom Holmes, Agilent Technologies, Tipp City, OH, USA Qin Yu, Alcatel-Lucent, Columbus, OH, USA How does an antenna pick up a signal and convert it to … [Read more...]
Interference Suppression Using a Balanced MLCC
An innovative capacitor design can provide more RFI suppression in a substantially smaller package Steve Weir and James Muccioli X2Y Attenuators, LLC Erie, PA Instrumentation amplifiers are often employed in hostile noise environments. Sensor lead cables may pick up substantial RF radiation, particularly if they are long and/or not well shielded. When applied to the input of … [Read more...]
Practical Considerations in Upgrading RF Immunity Test Systems to 6 GHz
Pat Moore, MILMEGA Ltd., UK Introduction With the recent release of IEC61000-4-3 Edition 3, many EMC test houses are actively researching the availability of equipment capable of meeting the testing demands presented by the new 6 GHz upper frequency limit. The conventional solution offered by EMC equipment suppliers has several major disadvantages, particularly as regards … [Read more...]
Antenna Selection for Automotive EMC Emissions and Immunity Applications (100 kHz to 18 GHz)
Optimum antenna selection plays a vital part in effective automotive emissions testing VICENTE RODRIGUEZ, PH.D. INTRODUCTION The following article describes the best antennas for meeting the requirements of full vehicle automotive EMC. The document is divided in to two main sections: Emissions and Immunity. The purpose of this article is to enlighten users on the best solution … [Read more...]
Selecting Antenna/Power Amplifier Combinations for the Coming New RF Immunity Standards
Though far from certain, it looks as if 6 GHz is a strong candidate for the upper frequency for consumer products. Art Cohen A.H. Systems, Inc., Chatsworth, CA, USA Thomas Mullineaux Empower RF Systems, Inc. Inglewood, CA, USA Testing products for susceptibility to radiated fields above 1 GHz is on the horizon. The new medical standard now stipulates testing to 2.5 GHz, and … [Read more...]
Coping with Reflected Power in RF Immunity Systems
EMC system engineers face trade-offs when selecting high power amplifiers for RF immunity testing. During testing, the amplifier must withstand high levels of reflected power. An appreciation of how reflected power affects an amplifier is important if well-informed decisions are to be made. This article uses a simple thought experiment to de-mystify this complex phenomenon and … [Read more...]