EYE ON . EMC is a complex topic. To achieve the desired EMC characteristics of a product, in an efficient way, often requires collaboration between different professional groups. In addition to electronics designers, all parties involved should have the understanding and basic knowledge of the subject. The most concerned may be: mechanical designers, project managers, machine builders, installers, and others.
A new product . must comply with certain EMC requirements in order to fulfill the essential requirements in the EMC directive. Mostly we take it for granted the product maintains its EMC performance through its entire lifetime. From sometimes bitter experience we know that our dear products fail occasionally, needing repair or replacement. Most people relate failure to loss of function but loss of EMC performance can also occur.
Background . PIM is an acronym for Passive InterModulation, an interference problem in wireless systems. The problem is not new, but has been known since long time back by designers of, for instance cell phone systems, space probes, connectors, coaxial cables, antennas and filters. The problem most frequently occurs, when dealing with high RF-currents in confined spaces. In this text, the basic theories behind PIM will be briefly discussed.
Abstract . The possible threat of a high-power microwave (HPM) weapon that destroys electronic equipment or its function is today taken seriously, and test methods and test standards are slowly adapted to this situation. However, a complete standard methodology for destructive HPM testing of complex electronic systems does not exist. In this article, the current status of relevant standards is reviewed, and FOIs ongoing work to contribute to the development of an up-to-date standard is mentioned.
Nya standarder . Sammanställningen är ett urval av nya svenska standarder på det elektroniska området fastställda av SEK Svensk Elstandard under mars, april, maj 2015.
En redaktörs reflektioner . Det totala antalet mobilabonnemang i världen är nu lika stort som jordens befolkning. Samtidigt spänner aktörer inom mobil kommunikation musklerna runt en vision som får dagens mobilanvändning att endast framstå som en början. Efter tredje och fjärde generationens mobiltelefonisystem så pågår nu utvecklingen mot femte generationen, 5G.
FOI is establishing a facility . for destructive HPM testing and is developing an envisaged test methodology for such tests. The methodology consists of two test phases: (1) Determine the lowest power density required to destroy an object within a frequency range, using a reverberation chamber. (2) At this frequency, determine the most sensitive direction of attack using an HPM generator. A reverberation chamber and an HPM-generator adequate for such tests are presented together with early results from destructive testing of electronic systems in a reverberation chamber.
En redaktörs reflektioner . Vid nykonstruktion eller modifiering av en befintlig konstruktion så ska vi välja vilka EMC-krav vi vill ställa. Att ställa rätt EMC-krav innebär att vi på ett kostnadseffektivt sätt säkerställer att inga EMC-problem uppstår i den färdiga konstruktionen. Det svåra är inte att ställa EMC-krav i sig. Det svåra är att välja de EMC-krav som säkerställer EMC, samtidigt som inte detta kostar onödigt mycket.
Vi fortsätter att betrakta vår figur:”EMC från bricka till bricka” och går vidare till systemkonstruktion. EMC-egenskaperna på systemnivå hos våra produkter bestäms i stor utsträckning bland annat av de inbördes förhållandena mellan olika elektronikenheter samt kabeldragning.
Accelerated life testing . is a valuable tool for determining or improving the quality of primarily electronic, electromechanical and mechanical systems and components.