Electromagnetic compatibility (EMC)/Electromagnetic interference (EMI) are areas of great concern in the aerospace sector.
Electromagnetic compatibility of aircraft is a process of proving the capability of aircraft to operate satisfactorily in Electro Magnetic Interference environment.
Electromagnetic interference is unwanted noise or interference in an electrical path or circuit caused by an outside source. It is also known as radio frequency interference. EMI can cause electronics to operate poorly, malfunction or stop working completely.
EMI can be caused by natural or human-made sources. Using high quality electronics, electrical shielding, and modern error correction can reduce the impact of EMI.
A common example of EMI is when a cellphone is placed near powered audio equipment or speakers, and it causes a noise or series of beeps to be heard.
EMI occurs because of the close relationship between electricity and magnetism. All electrical flow produces a small magnetic field. Conversely, a moving magnetic field produces an electrical current. These principals allow electric motors and generators to work. Additionally, all electrical conductors can operate as radio antennas
EMC is an involved process wherein considerable efforts toward design and test are required at various hierarchical levels.
Effective EMI control on aircraft is possible and can be realized only if EMC exists at firstly the individual functional units and secondly at the system level comprising of several individual functional units.
Consequently, EMI/EMC testing for aircraft is usually done in two phases: at subsystem level and at system level, where all the subsystems are integrated together.
The aviation and aerospace industries use EMI/EMC testing during manufacturing and installation of larger circuited structures and smaller onboard apparatuses. Aviation vehicles cover commercial and military aircraft, both of which have concentrated structures, use and rules for electronics. Aerospace has similar relevancy but with space-grade purposes.
Want to learn more? Tonex offers EMC/EMI Training for Aerospace, a 3-day course that helps attendees to develop and build EMC / EMI compliance systems that optimizes your system’s performance and reliability.
Participants learn how to cost-effectively identify EMC/EMI problems early in your product development cycle. EMC/EMI Training for Aerospace should also help you with capability of troubleshooting your design if you have compliance problems such as shielding, filtering, bonding and grounding techniques, and associated materials.
Additionally, learn how to establish interface and associated verification requirements for the control of the electromagnetic interference (EMI) emission and susceptibility characteristics of electronic, electrical, and electromechanical equipment and subsystems designed or procured for use by Aerospace activities.
For more information, questions, comments, contact us.