RED stands out at Europe’s EMV 2017

The latest European Radio Equipment Directive (RED)¹ is set to take full effect. Published on May 22, 2014, the new directive designated June 13, 2016, as the deadline for EU member states to adapt their laws accordingly, at which point the previous Radio & Telecommunications Terminal Equipment (R&TTE) directive (1999/5/EC) was repealed. RED provides that equipment complying with the old R&TTE directive as of June 13, 2016, can continue to be placed on the market until the fast approaching June 17, 2017, deadline.²

Rohde & Schwarz chose EMV 2017 March 28-30 in Stuttgart to highlight its EMI product portfolio, which comprises compliance and precompliance test receivers, harmonized system solutions, analysis software, and broadband amplifiers. The company placed a special focus this year on RED, noting that the R&S TS8997 regulatory test system for wireless devices now can perform certification tests, including receiver tests, in line with the new ETSI EN 301 893³ and EN 300 328⁴ standards for wireless devices in the 5-GHz and 2.4-GHz bands, respectively. Also applicable for United States applications, it can perform dynamic frequency selection tests in line with FCC §15.247 and §15.407.

The company also exhibited test solutions for car radios and broadcast receivers in line with the new RED for digital TV broadcast receivers (EN 303 340),⁵ radio receivers (EN 303 345),⁶ and indoor satellite broadcast receiver equipment (EN 303 372-2).⁷

EMI test software

Rohde & Schwarz also chose EMV 2017 to introduce its R&S ELEKTRA EMI test software (Figure 1), which supports the company’s EMI test receivers and spectrum analyzers. The software accommodates both interactive and automated test sequences for many commercial products as well as for military applications.

Figure 1. R&S ELEKTRA EMI test software
Courtesy of Rohde & Schwarz

Designed to facilitate EMI measurements during product development, the software allows engineers or technicians who only occasionally use these instruments to measure electromagnetic interference and configure automated test sequences quickly, often in the development lab, using GTEM cells or line impedance stabilization networks (LISN).

The software performs a preview measurement based on predefined test templates to measure a DUT’s frequency spectrum. The result is compared against appropriate limit lines. Time-consuming measurements with a standards-compliant detector need to be performed only if limits are violated.

The R&S ELEKTRA EMI test software also delivers conclusive measurements in the development lab. For example, development engineers can use an LISN when measuring conducted disturbance. With smaller, battery-operated DUTs, a GTEM cell can be used; in this case, the R&S ELEKTRA EMI test software processes the measured values to generate results that are comparable to those that would be obtained during an open-site measurement with an antenna.

A dashboard on the user interface provides access to settings, tests, test templates, and other functions. Frequently used elements can be added to the dashboard as favorites. The software saves each test configuration with a block diagram, allowing users to access individual parameters by clicking on the associated components.

The software facilitates acquisition of measurement values. It documents results together with the test configuration and all instrument settings. Users can add descriptive text and images. Reports can be generated and exported in CSV, Excel, and PDF formats.

In addition, Rohde & Schwarz said that its R&S EMC32 EMC software, which runs on Microsoft 32-bit and 64-bit operating systems and features a common user interface for EMI and electromagnetic susceptibility measurements, now offers a new option for EMC measurements of radio and TV receivers in line with CISPR35 and a new test sequencer option in line with CISPR35.

Rohde & Schwarz presented the standardized R&S CEMS100 test platform, which it calls a flexible, reliable, and cost-effective off-the-shelf solution for radiated EMS measurements in line with IEC/EN 6100043.

The company also presented its video-based R&S AdVISE DUT monitoring solution for fully automated EMI testing. The video-detection system automates the process of visually detecting failures of a DUT during immunity testing, eliminating human inattention and saving test time.

The company said the R&S ESR and R&S ESW EMI test receivers support emission measurements with high measurement speeds and extensive diagnostic tools for standards-compliant EMC certifications in line with CISPR, EN, FCC, and MIL standards. Specifically for automotive applications and FCC compliant measurements, external mixers now extend the frequency range of the R&S ESW up to 500 GHz, the company said.

Finally, Rohde & Schwarz said its oscilloscopes are suitable for EMI analysis during development—in particular the new 6-GHz model of the R&S RTO2000 lab oscilloscope series.

Chokes and ferrites at EMV 2017

Rohde & Schwarz was one of 118 exhibitors at EMV 2017, according to Mesago, the event organizer. Other exhibitors highlighted products ranging from antennas and GTEM cells to chokes and ferrites.

In the latter category, Würth Elektronik eiSos said its WE-ExB current-compensated common-mode chokes (Figure 2) employ a double core made of manganese-zinc and nickel-zinc, enabling their insertion loss to act over a wider frequency range than would an individual NiZn or MnZn core. These current-compensated common-mode chokes are aimed at network applications with a broadband interference spectrum, especially for power electronics and motor suppression.

Figure 2. WE-ExB current-compensated common mode chokes
Courtesy of Würth Elektronik eiSos

The company highlighted several products:

The WE-MPSB Series multilayer SMD ferrites capable of carrying high current are optimized for filtering high-frequency DC/DC switching controllers in harsh industrial environments. The low RDC allows top-rated currents along with minimal self-heating and has the potential to prolong the service life of applications.
WE-TPB HV is a three-phase common-mode choke for power lines for high-voltage applications. A patented design includes a plastic housing, a separator, and a grid plate. It guarantees a rated voltage of 760 VAC.
The WE-CMB HV common-mode choke for power lines for high-voltage ranges was developed for network applications and is designed for AC voltages up to 760 V. This choke features a rated voltage three times higher than that of the existing WE-CMB Series, achieved with double air gaps and leakage paths. The new plastic housing and the improved separator achieves an isolation voltage of 3,000 VAC.

Future events

In addition to 118 exhibitors, the EMV 2017 organizer claimed approximately 2,700 visitors and 1,069 workshop bookings. EMV 2018 is scheduled for Feb. 20-22 in Dusseldorf. For more information, visit https://www.mesago.de/en/EMV/home.htm

In the interim, many EMV 2017 participants can be expected to highlight their technologies in North America at EMC+SIPI, the 2017 IEEE International Symposium on Electromagnetic Compatibility, Signal, and Power Integrity, scheduled for Aug. 7-11 in Washington, D.C. The event will be the 60th consecutive EMC Symposium.

Michael F. Violette, general chair for the 2017 event, says that since the symposium’s inception, “… our understanding of EMC has fully matured, forming the foundation for future innovation in high-speed circuits, millimeter-wave devices, high-capacity communication links, streaming video, the Internet of Things, 5G communications, embedded systems, and cloud computing.”

He adds, “In every way, our community touches the ecosystem of engineering, from signals to systems to spectrum to security to standards.” For more information, visit http://www.emc2017.emcss.org/

In addition, EDI CON USA 2017 will address EMC topics Sept. 11-13 in Boston, MA. The event brings together engineers working in the RF/microwave domain with those working in the high-speed digital domain. The exhibit floor will include booths from companies working in both of these areas and will feature the SI ZONE, a specialized demo area for signal-integrity, power-integrity, and EMI/EMC products.

As this issue goes to press, organizars are expecting to offer EMI and EMC presentations on topics such as common-mode chokes, modeling for product compliance, mitigating radiated and conducted emissions issues, antenna and probe design, and near-field/far-field effects and measurements. For more information, visit http://www.ediconusa.com/

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