Electromagnetic Compatibility (EMC)

Aim

The aim is to provide knowledge about electromagnetic compatibility (EMC) and its significance for electronics and electronic systems. Upon completion of the course, the student should be able to:

• explain electromagnetic compatibility (EMC) and its significance for electronic systems, including directives and legal requirements.
• assess and evaluate critical sources of interference, coupling paths, susceptibility, and EM compatibility, including reflecting on why phenomena such as crosstalk occur.
• evaluate EMC in electronics and system design, including taking into account relevant design rules.
• model electromagnetic properties with electromagnetic simulation tools.
• independently perform EMC measurements for conducted and radiated emissions.

Content

The course focuses on EMC and its significance for the design and development of electronics and electronic systems. It also addresses design and layout of printed circuit boards since it strongly affects the EMC performance of electronic systems. EMC related theory and technology include conducted emissions, radiated emissions, and emission susceptibility. Non ideal properties of electronic components and how it affects the circuit behaviour. Crosstalk and Signal integrity. Regulations and product certifications make electromagnetic compatibility of modern electronics important from several aspects. Therefore, the course addresses technical as well as regulatory EMC aspects. Robustness against EM-interferers and emission level control are important properties. Topics covered in the course that are directly or indirectly affected by proper EMC design include design rules for circuit boards, substrate stacks, production requirements and their consequences for manufacturability, EMC-related environmental aspects, and the impact of material selection on function. Consideration of EMC effects in system design, taking into account interference sources, coupling, and receiver sensitivity.