Electromagnetic Interference and Compatibility

INTRODUCTION

Electromagnetic Interference (EMI) is the disruption of operation of an

electronic device when it is in the vicinity of an electromagnetic field in the radio
frequency (RF) spectrum. Many electronic devices fail to work properly in the presence
of strong RF fields. The disturbance may interrupt, obstruct, or otherwise degrade or
limit the effective performance of the circuit. The source may be any object, artificial
or natural, that carries rapidly changing electrical currents.
Electromagnetic Compatibility (EMC) is the ability of systems, equipment,
and devices that utilize the electromagnetic spectrum to operate in their intended
operational environments without suffering unacceptable degradation or causing
unintentional degradation because of electromagnetic radiation or response.

A System is electromagnetically compatible with its environment if it satisfies the

following criteria
 It does not cause interference with other systems
 It is not susceptible to emissions from other system
 It does not cause interference with itself.

The reasons for EMC importance:

1. The increasing speeds and use of digital electronics in today’s world
2. The virtual worldwide imposition of governmental limits on the radiated and
conducted noise emissions of digital electronics products.

DEFINITIONS:
The IEEE Standard Dictionary of Electrical and Electronics Terms defines
electromagnetic interference as “impairment of the reception of a wanted
electromagnetic signal caused by an electromagnetic disturbance.” Electro- magnetic
disturbances can be in the form of any unwanted electromagnetic signal, including any
multipath form of the desired signal. The disturbances can be continuous or
discontinuous and repetitive or no repetitive in time. In general, any unwanted
electromagnetic signal or disturbance is frequently referred to as noise.
Since the birth of radio communication, the term radio frequency interference (RFI)
has been extensively and often erroneously used interchangeably with EMI to describe
the interference phenomena. To bring out the subtle difference between the two terms
we quote the IEEE definition of RFI: “the impairment of the reception of a wanted radio
signal caused by an unwanted
radio signal, i.e., a radio disturbance”. We will assume that the range of frequencies
of radio signals (or radio frequency) extends from 9 kHz to 3000 GHz, as defined by
the Federal Communications Commission (FCC). Thus RFI can be described as the
impairment of the reception of wanted signal caused by a radio frequency disturbance.

We define electromagnetic compatibility (EMC) as “the capability of electromagnetic

equipment or systems to be operated in the intended operational electromagnetic
environment at designated levels of efficiency”. In the United States these levels are
generally assigned by the FCC.

INTERFERENCE MECHANISMS:

A system may suffer performance degradation due to EMI in a variety of ways. For
illustration, we consider a simple case of a radio receiver receiving the desired signal
from a distant transmitter (source) in free space shown in Figure 1.1. For simplicity we
have assumed only one isolated electromagnetic noise source, and a simple reflector
(of the desired signal) acting as a multipath source in the vicinity of the radio receiver.
Ideally, only the direct signal should be received by the radio receiver. Unwanted
electromagnetic disturbances can also reach the receiver by a selected number of
paths, as shown in Figure 1.1. The four paths indicate the following five
electromagnetic disturbances received by the receiver in addition to the desired signal:
1. The multipath signal reaches the receiver through path 1. The signal is similar to
the desired signal but reaches the receiver after suffering a reflection off the reflector.
Often the amplitude is approximately the same as that of the desired signal but the
phase is different at the receiving antenna. The magnitude of this phase difference
generally determines the amount of corruption in the reception.
2. Disturbances radiated from the noise source reach the receiver by path 2.
3. A variety of electrical disturbances exist in the power line. Also the EM noise source
may introduce noise by conduction into the power line. Path 3 shows the total noise in
the power line reaching the receiver by radiation.
4. The EM noise source can conductively couple noise into its signal or control cable.
This noise can reach the receiver by radiation as shown by path 3.
5. Noises in the power line can reach the receiver by conductive coupling, path 4. It is
assumed that the radio receiver and the EM noise source have a common power
supply.
ELECTROMAGNETIC ENVIRONMENT:

It is difficult to classify the noise sources because of their variety. However, on the
basis of their origin, they can be classified into two broad categories: as

1. Natural noise
2. Man-made noise.

Natural Noise:

Principal natural phenomena that can cause disturbances for an electronic device are
listed in the Table 2.1.
Atmospherics are caused by electric discharge in the atmosphere; strong sources of
atmospheric noise are lightning and electrostatic discharge (ESD). ESD is a natural
phenomenon in which accumulated static charges are discharged and in turn cause
EMI.

The Milky Way galaxy and the sun are the primary sources of extraterrestrial or cosmic
radio noise.

 Lightning:
Cloud to Ground Discharge:

Cloud to Cloud Discharge:

 Electrostatic Discharge (ESD):

Electrostatic discharge (ESD) is a phenomenon in which static electric charges

accumulated on one object suddenly discharge to another object having a lower
resistance to ground. The IEEE Guide defines ESD as the sudden transfer of charge
between bodies of different electrostatic potentials. The transfer of charge with
resultant discharge currents generates electromagnetic fields over a broad range of
frequencies from dc to low gigahertz. The semiconductor integrated circuits and
components are especially susceptible to the effects of uncontrolled ESD events in
their vicinity. They can affect the performance of an electric device in a variety of ways:
by intense electromagnetic fields due to the charge, by breakdown and its associated
effects, and by the discharge currents causing conducted and radiated emissions. An
ESD event can cause equipment malfunctions in the form of data corruption and
equipment lockup, and physical damage in the form of equipment damage and even
loss of life.

Charge Accumulation and Discharge:

Man-made Noise:

Man-made noise sources are so varied that it is difficult to list them extensively. Man-
made noise is generally broadband in nature and can arise from many sources as
indicated in the table.
CONTINUOUS WAVE (CW) VS TRANSIENT SOURCE:

For analytical purposes and for performing design of electronic systems for EMC, it
is convenient to classify the EMI sources on the basis of the time domain behavior of
their emissions into continuous wave (CW) and transient sources.
 Continuous interference: Continuous wave (CW) interference arises where a
source or radiated EMI continuously emits radiation. This can occur at a single
frequency and its harmonics, or over a broad bandwidth.
 Transient interference: Transient disturbances occur when an offending device
emits a short burst of electromagnetic radiation. ESD or lightning also fall into
this category,
HOME ENVIRONMENT:

A typical American home environment is filled with electrical and magnetic emissions
from a variety of electrical, electromechanical and electronic sys-tems that are in use
in the home. Intensities of electric fields in various rooms of a typical American home
are given in the following tables and the measured electric field intensity levels at 30
cm from 115 V home electrical appliances are given in Table 2.7. Magnetic flux
densities measured at different distances from various 115 V appliances are given in
Table 2.8.
PRACTICAL EXAMPLES OF EMI:

Line across the Television:

The occurrence of ‘lines’ across the television screen when blender, vacuum cleaner,
or other house hold appliance containing universal dc motor is turned on. The
commutator makes and breaks the contact through brushes, the current in the motor
winding is being interrupted and causing a large voltage across the contact. The
problem is caused by the radiation of this signal to the TV antenna caused by the
passage of this noise signal out through the ac power cord of the device.

Transmission line:
Main Power Supply:

Telephone equipment:
Aircraft Navigation:

Medical Equipment:

I early days’ mobile phone cases in which mobile phones interfered with pace makers
were reported.

Integrated Circuits:

During the early years of antilock braking system (ABS) many cars experienced
problem due to close proximity of radio transmitter

1992 a US naval ship entered the Panama Canal without turning off its radar systems.
The Canal zone computer systems were destroyed due to the illumination of the radar.

The US Army purchased an attack helicopter designated as the UH-60 Black Hawk.
On Sunday, Nov 8, 1988 various news agencies reported that the helicopter was
susceptible to electromagnetic emission. Evidence reported that the crushes of
helicopter ware caused by flying too close to radars transmitter, radio transmitter.

Sensitive medical equipment has been known to be interfered with due to the radio
transmitter on the roof of an ambulance, resulting in one case a patient’s death.

Reference:
1. E-Book 2, Chapter: 2
2. E-Book 3, Chapter:2