Filtering Out EMI in Rugged Aerospace and Defense Systems (Download)
In the design of mission-critical aerospace and defense systems, few issues are as disruptive as the late-stage discovery of electromagnetic interference (EMI). A system that performs perfectly on the bench can fail catastrophically during final compliance testing, triggering costly redesigns that in turn can cause budget overruns and critical project delays. When a platform fails to meet its mission requirements because of an unforeseen EMI issue, the consequences extend far beyond the engineering lab.
This challenge is intensifying, driven by two powerful and conflicting industry trends. The first is the proliferation of high-EMI sources within modern platforms, such as switch-mode power supplies, high-speed data lines, and powerful transmitters. The second is the relentless push for miniaturization, where the mandate to optimize size, weight, power, and cost (SWaP-C) forces engineers to package sensitive electronics into smaller, physically demanding enclosures.