Electro Magnetic Compatibility.

A new approach for finding solutions for interference problems.

Ir. W.J. Vogel www.mate.nl

Aug 20, 2011 ir. W.J. Vogel - www.mate.nl . 1

Fundamentals of EMC: Units and Symbols. Duality between Electricity and Magnetism.

Electric field strength Electric charge Electric Voltage Capacitance Electr. Charge density Electr. Permittivity

E V/m or N/C Q C or As U V or J/C C F or C/V D C/m2 F/m

U = - d/dt V or Wb/s d Energy density = D.E J/m3 Vacuum Permittivity 0= 8.85 pF/m Light velocity (vacuum) c0= 3.108 m/s c02= (0 0) -1 ( Wave impedance in free space: Zo = (0/ / 0) 0.5 = 120 () ( (

Magnetic field strength H A/m or N/Wb Magnetic flux Wb or Vs Electric current I A or J/Wb Inductance L H or Wb/A Magn. Flux density B Wb/m2 Magn. Permeability H/m Current density J A/m2 Magnetic pole strength qm Am I = dQ/dt A or C/s Energy density = B.H J/m3 Vacuum Permeability 0= 1.26 H/m

Aug 20, 2011

ir. W.J. Vogel - www.mate.nl .

Fundamentals of EMC: Coupling paths.

Through common electric conductors. Direct radiation from/to the outside world. (E/H) = 120 ( ). [ far field, flat wave in free space ]. Capacitive (E-field) coupling. Inductive (H-field) coupling. Transmission line (E- + H-field) coupling.

Aug 20, 2011

ir. W.J. Vogel - www.mate.nl .

Electric Field (1).

Electric field lines between two conductors with equal and opposite electric charge.

Aug 20, 2011

ir. W.J. Vogel - www.mate.nl .

Electric Field (2).

Electric field lines between the plates of a flat capacitor (side effects not considered).

Aug 20, 2011

ir. W.J. Vogel - www.mate.nl .

Magnetic Field (1).

Magnetic fieldlines around a straight current carrying wire.

Aug 20, 2011

ir. W.J. Vogel - www.mate.nl .

Magnetic Field (2).

Magnetic field lines through a round current carrying loop.

Aug 20, 2011

ir. W.J. Vogel - www.mate.nl .

Magnetic Field (3).

Magnetic field lines through a current carrying solenoid.

Aug 20, 2011

ir. W.J. Vogel - www.mate.nl .

Impedance of EM fields.

Flat wave in free space: Impedance = (E/H) = 120 ( ) ( far field; r >> ). For the near field, other rules apply ! If (E/H) >> 120 ( ) , then it is a highimpedant field. If (E/H) << 120 ( ) , then it is a lowimpedant field.
ir. W.J. Vogel - www.mate.nl . 9

Aug 20, 2011

Impedance of EM fields.

If (E/H) >> 120 ( ) , then it is a high-impedant field. If (E/H) << 120 ( ) , then it is a low-impedant field.

High-impedant fields are found near high-voltage circuits. Coupling will be mainly capacitive. Low-impedant fields are found near high-current circuits. Coupling will be mainly inductive.
ir. W.J. Vogel - www.mate.nl . 10

Aug 20, 2011

Power and fieldstrength.

Flat wave in free space: Impedance = (E/H) = 120 ( ). Power per m2: S = E x H ( W/m2 ). Surface of a sphere around an isotrope antenna = 4 r2 =>> E = (30 P)0.5 / r . For a dipole antenna: E = 7 . (P)0.5 / r .
ir. W.J. Vogel - www.mate.nl . 11

Aug 20, 2011

When occurs interference between two EM systems?.

When there is a source of interference. When there is a device which is susceptible for interference. When there is a coupling path. [ SOURCE => COUPLING PATH => SUSCEPTIBLE DEVICE ]

Aug 20, 2011

ir. W.J. Vogel - www.mate.nl .

12

When occurs interference between two EM systems?.

[ SOURCE => COUPLING PATH => SUSCEPTIBLE DEVICE ] To prevent EMC problems, sufficient margins have to be realized for all three subjects. => Margins following the law requirements. => Margins following the user requirements.

Aug 20, 2011

ir. W.J. Vogel - www.mate.nl .

13

Types of Electro Magnetic Interference between two systems.

Degradation of performance. Missing functions of the system. Components becoming defect. => Consequences for the quality and the safety of the product => Can lead to claims from the enduser of the product.
ir. W.J. Vogel - www.mate.nl . 14

Aug 20, 2011

Generating Interference and being interfered..

Sources of interference can have a narrowband (sine) or a wideband (pulse or noise) characteristic. Sources of interference can cause problems inside and outside the frequency range of the susceptible device.
ir. W.J. Vogel - www.mate.nl . 15

Aug 20, 2011

Generating Interference and being interfered..

Narrowband: Most transmitters, Oscillators. Wideband: Spark bridges (ignition systems), SMPS, Collectormotors, Thermostats, Frequency control systems, Power control systems, Dimmers.
ir. W.J. Vogel - www.mate.nl . 16

Aug 20, 2011

Generating Interference and being interfered..

Inside the frequency range of the susceptible device: main cause is direct radiation or coupling into the device. Outside the frequency range of the susceptible device: main cause is rectification of the interfering signal (LFD = Low Frequency Detection). The function of a device is disturbed when the output of the device deviates more than whats expected from the own noise of the device.
ir. W.J. Vogel - www.mate.nl . 17

Aug 20, 2011

Detection of Interference.
Equipment: Signal generator. E-field probe. H-field probe. Oscilloscope. Spectrum analyzer. EMI test receiver.

Aug 20, 2011

ir. W.J. Vogel - www.mate.nl .

18

Reciprocity.

Passive probes are usable in two directions: 1. For detection of signals. 2. For inducing of signals. Active probes are not reciprocal; these are only usable in one direction as detector.
ir. W.J. Vogel - www.mate.nl . 19

Aug 20, 2011

Properties of probes.
Dimensions are small compared to the wavelength of the signal. E-field probe is highimpedant (short whip). H-field probe is lowimpedant (small loop).

Aug 20, 2011

ir. W.J. Vogel - www.mate.nl .

20

Kirchhoffs laws

Currents to a node: i = 0 . Voltages in a closed loop: u = 0 . Real: u = - d / dt because the loop area is not equal to zero!

Electric field generated by a time-varying magnetic field; (a) d/dt > 0 ; u < 0. (b) d/dt < 0 ; u > 0.
Aug 20, 2011 ir. W.J. Vogel - www.mate.nl . 21

How to find solutions for Electro Magnetic Interference.

Position the PCB in an EM field. Look for the frequencies at which the interference is at its maximum. Localize the susceptive or the generating devices by using H-field en E-field (inductive and capacitive) probes. Example: locating a whistle problem in a radio receiver.

Aug 20, 2011

ir. W.J. Vogel - www.mate.nl .

22

How to find solutions for Electro Magnetic Interference.

Try to minimize the problem by using decoupling capacitors and damping resistors or ferrite beads. Investigate the signal paths and the return paths.

Example: The effect of resonance in a series tuned circuit.

Aug 20, 2011 ir. W.J. Vogel - www.mate.nl . 23

How to find solutions for Electro Magnetic Interference.

Parallel connection of capacitors: NOT ALWAYS OK! Cause: Self-inductance of the conductors (PCB tracks) between the capacitors. Better solution: Connect impedances (ferrite beads) in the power line when the signals have been referred to ground (GND).

Aug 20, 2011

ir. W.J. Vogel - www.mate.nl .

24

How to find solutions for Electro Magnetic Interference.

Try to minimize the problem by using a better DC operating point for the semiconductors in the circuit. Investigate the consequences for battery consumption, noise properties, bandwidth, etc. Diode characteristics (1N4148).

Aug 20, 2011

ir. W.J. Vogel - www.mate.nl .

25

Practical Examples (1).

Sensor for outdoor lighting system causes interference in Mediumwave radio receivers. Root cause: Wrong application of the product. Solution: Use the sensor in combination with a conventional light bulb or use another sensor type in combination with an energysaving lighting system.
Aug 20, 2011 ir. W.J. Vogel - www.mate.nl . 26

Practical Examples (2).

Solving a whistle problem at MW in a radio receiver by using 4 extra components at the PCB.
Aug 20, 2011 ir. W.J. Vogel - www.mate.nl . 27

Practical Examples (3).

In a repaired TV set the teletext function is missing. Root cause: Other H-field pattern due to another Horizontal Output Transformer type. Solution: Mount an extra ground wire connection between the control PCB and the teletext PCB.
Above: Common ground wire. Below: One-point grounding system. ir. W.J. Vogel - www.mate.nl .

Aug 20, 2011

28

Practical Examples (4).

PCB on which a certain IC becomes regularly defective. Root cause: Signal path and return path (ground) are covering a large area. Solution: Mount extra ground connections at the PCB.
Above: Improved one-point grounding system. Below: Multiple-point grounding system.

Aug 20, 2011

ir. W.J. Vogel - www.mate.nl .

29

Practical Examples (5a).

PCB on which the two inductors right below are coupling due to mounting close together. FM Band reject filter characteristics are now dependant of the phasing of the inductors: coupling may become positive or negative. Solution: Increase the distance between the 30 inductors at the PCB.

Aug 20, 2011

ir. W.J. Vogel - www.mate.nl .

Practical Examples (5b).

Influence of the phasing of the inductors: Red: Coupling = + 5% Blue: Coupling = - 5%
0

-10

-20

-30

-40

-50

-60 -70

-80 100 200 400 k k k 1M 2M 4M 10M 20M 40M 100 M 400 M 1G

Frequency Hertz /

Aug 20, 2011

ir. W.J. Vogel - www.mate.nl .

31

Whats the trend (1)?

Frequency range of EMC is increasing ! Examples: GSM (cell) phones (900 MHz => 1800 MHz). Magnetrons (2450 MHz). => Extra investments are necessary for good EMC measurement set-ups.
ir. W.J. Vogel - www.mate.nl . 32

Aug 20, 2011

Whats the trend (2)?

The current consumption of semiconductors is decreasing; the number of semiconductors in a circuit is increasing ! => The susceptibility for RF sources is becoming more worse !
ir. W.J. Vogel - www.mate.nl . 33

Aug 20, 2011

Whats the trend (3)?

The dimensions of the circuits are becoming smaller due to miniaturization, SMD technology and integration ! => The susceptibility for RF sources is shifting to higher frequencies !
ir. W.J. Vogel - www.mate.nl . 34

Aug 20, 2011

Whats the trend (4)?

The switching times of semiconductors are becoming shorter ! Example: SMPS. => The interfering sources will produce more power at higher frequencies !
ir. W.J. Vogel - www.mate.nl . 35

Aug 20, 2011

Conclusion:

Recognizing EMC problems and finding solutions is more actual than it ever was before ! A good EMC product design from the begin of the product development will save additional costs through the whole product life cycle !
ir. W.J. Vogel - www.mate.nl . 36

Aug 20, 2011

Contact information:

Website: www.mate.nl . Ir. W.J. Vogel - consultancy E-mail: vogel.wim@gmail.com

Kramersstraat 2, 5612 NV Eindhoven Tel. +31 40-7850345, GSM +31 6-29393856.
ir. W.J. Vogel - www.mate.nl . 37

Aug 20, 2011