Automotive EMC Test Equipment

ATEC Solutions

What is automotive EMC test Equipment?

Automotive EMC test equipment measures the electromagnetic compatibility (EMC) of a car and its components. A specific discipline of EMC testing, automotive EMC testing is, as the name implies, focused on cars and other vehicles, ensuring they comply with standards for emissions and immunity like ISO 7637.

Automotive EMC test equipment is now more important than ever as automotive RF design grows in complexity and manufacturers integrate 5G technology into their cars. Every component from radios to engines needs to be tested to see how it reacts to other components' electromagnetic fields and determine whether any part generates electromagnetic interference (EMI). Emerging markets like electric and automated cars also contribute to this increase in design sophistication. A dashboard is full of active components which, as they communicate with control systems and each other, produce RF noise and emissions, potential sources of EMI. EMC automotive tests are a pillar of modern manufacturing, essential to passenger safety, driving performance and ultimately revenue.

Automotive EMC Testing Equipment

Land vehicles require testing for both EMI immunity and EMI emissions levels, dividing automotive EMC test equipment into four different varieties: radiated emissions, conducted emissions, radiated immunity, and conducted immunity tests.

Immunity Testing

Immunity testing determines the radiated and conducted susceptibility of active communications components, including microprocessors installed in control and entertainment systems. Circuit design is one of the essential factors in to shielding against EMI, and wire routing can either directly cause EMI or affect the EMC path.

Transient Immunity Generators

Automotive transient immunity generators test a device's conducted susceptibility by simulating transients, dramatic fluctuations in current and voltage, in accordance with standards like IEC-61000-4 and ISO 7637. Transient generators are an essential part of an automotive EMC test equipment inventory.

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RF Amplifiers

RF power amplifiers test cars and automotive components for their immunity to radiated EMI. An amplifier will fulfill MIL-STD 461G RS103 & RS105, standards for radiated susceptibility testing.

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Emissions Testing

Emissions testing in automobiles focuses on measuring EMI created by broadband and narrowband emissions. Broadband EMI occurs in ignition components and other parts which tend to "arc and spark," generating broadband radiated emissions. Active electronics in a car, such as electric motors, produce narrowband emissions.

LISNs

LISNs, line impedance stabilization networks, will detect conducted emissions generated by active components like electric motors with respect to MIL-STD 461G CE101 & CE102 standards. LISNs capture repeatable measurements of RF noise at the LISN measurement port, making them an essential piece of automotive EMC testing equipment.

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EMI Receivers

EMI receivers detect the transient signals and spurious emissions a part generates, fulfilling radiated emissions standards like MIL-STD-461G RE102. An EMI receiver is especially effective in applications where fast acquisition rates are desirable, and often reveals RF anomalies that may otherwise go undetected.

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Automotive EMC Test Standards

ISO

ISO 7637-1 | General considerations for electrical disturbances from conduction & coupling
ISO 7637-2 | Transient conduction along supply lines
ISO 7637-3 | Transient conduction via capacitive/inductive coupling via non-supply lines
ISO 11451 | Narrowband radiated electromagnetic energy in vehicles
ISO 11452 | Electrical disturbances in components
ISO 16750-2 | Electrical load testing

CISPR

CISPR 12 | Radio disturbances in off-board receivers
CISPR 25 | Radio disturbances in on-board vehicles, boats, other devices

SAE

SAE J551 | EMC of vehicles, boats and machines
SAE J1113 | EMC of vehicle, boat and machine components

OEMs

Audi
BMW
Chrysler
Ford
Hyundai
Nissan
Toyota
+ Many more OEMs