Introduction: EMI, EMC Electromagnetic Interference (EMI) is electromagnetic energy that adversely affects the performance of electrical/electronic equipment

by creating undesirable responses or complete operational failure. The interference is produced by a source emitter and is detected by a susceptible victim via a coupling path. The coupling path may involve one or more of the following coupling mechanisms: 1. Conduction - electric current Conducted noise is coupled between components through interconnecting wires such as through power supply and ground wires. Most conducted coupling to other equipment occurs through the ac power lines. 2. Radiation - electromagnetic field Typical radio interference to other equipment includes radiated electric field coupling to: TV sets, broadcast receivers, telephone lines, appliances, and communications receivers. 3. Capacitive Coupling - electric field Electric field coupling is caused by a voltage difference between conductors. The coupling mechanism may be modeled by a capacitor. 4. Inductive Coupling - magnetic field Magnetic field coupling is caused by current flow in conductors. The coupling mechanism may be modeled by a transformer. EMI is usually divided into two general categories to help in analyzing conducted and radiated interference effects: narrowband and broadband. The frequency range of EMI shown in Figure 1

Figure 1 The frequency range of EMI Electromagnetic Compatibility (EMC) is the ability of electrical or electronic equipment/systems to function in the intended operating environment without causing or experiencing performance degradation due to intentional EMI. It is important that electronic equipment designs ensure proper performance in the expected electromagnetic environment, thus maintaining an acceptable degree of EMC. It is recommended that the performance be tested or qualified to insure operation within a defined margin of safety for the required design levels of performance. The goal of EMC is to minimize the influence of electrical noise. The EMI source minus the coupling mechanism path losses should result in an emission level that is less than the victim's susceptibility threshold minus a predetermined safety margin. Offline switching power supplies have high voltage and high current switching waveforms that generate EMI in the form of both conducted and radiated emissions. Consequently, all off-line power supplies must be designed to attenuate or suppress EMI emissions below commonly acceptable limits. In the United States, EMC Regulations are provided primarily by the following three agencies: 1. The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) The FCC regulates the use of all licensed radio and wire communications in the USA. Three sections of the FCC Rules are applicable to non-licensed electronic equipment: Part 15 (RF devices), Part 18 (industrial, scientific, and medical equipment.), and Part 68. All have sections governing the control of interference. Part 15 generally covers RF Devices capable of emitting by radiation or conduction, any electromagnetic energy in the 10 kHz to 3 GHz frequency range. Measurement techniques may be done in an open area test site. Part 18 refers to devices that use radio waves for industrial, scientific, or medical purposes. 2. The U.S. Department of Defense (DoD) Most of the Military Standards (MIL-STD) relating to EMI/EMC are more stringent than the FCC limits set for commercial electronic equipment. These generally cover the frequency range of 30 Hz to 40 GHz as shown in Figure 1 and measurement techniques require a special shielded room. Tests are required for radiated emissions (RE), conducted emissions (CE), radiated susceptibility (RS), and conducted susceptibility (CS).

3. International Special Committee on Radio Interference (CISPR) CISPR, a technical committee of the International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC), is considered as part of the international harmonization effort for EMI/EMC. CISPR's primary responsibility is at the higher end of the IEC frequency range, starting at 9 kHz and extending upwards. It prepares standards that offer protection of radio reception from interference sources such as electrical appliances of all types; the electrical supply system; industrial, scientific and electromedical RF; broadcast receivers (radio and TV) and information technology (IT) equipment (ITE). Europe uses the CISPR test limits and the FCC has adopted some of its limits since the U.S is a member of CISPR. Canadian specifications are similar to FCC specifications. The member countries of the European Community (EC) have established a harmonized program for electromagnetic compatibility. EN55022 for Information Technology Equipment is one of the first harmonized documents. In fact, EN55022 limits are the same as C.I.S.P.R Publication 22 limits. The applicable EMI specification must be identified for the intended product family and target market.The most common methods of noise reduction include proper equipment circuit design, shielding, grounding, filtering, isolation, separation and orientation, circuit impedance level control, cable design, and noise cancellation techniques.