Vendors target conducted, radiated immunity
Instrument introductions, trade-show highlights, and an agreement on turnkey solutions illustrate new EMC test capabilities. ETS-Lindgren and Instruments for Industry (IFI) recently introduced an electromagnetic field generator and solid-state dual-mode amplifier, respectively. The latter targets automotive 600-V/m radar-pulse radiated immunity testing, as does an amplifier that AR RF/Microwave Instrumentation demonstrated at the Automotive Testing Expo 2014 in Novi, MI. AR also recently announced an agreement with MVG to offer one-stop shopping for EMC turnkey solutions.
First, ETS-Lindgren unveiled its EMField Generator, which the company describes as integrating separate components into a compact, modular, and efficient testing tool. The company noted that for decades radiated immunity testing has been performed using bulky RF power amplifiers, and immunity systems have been inherently inefficient, losing up to half of their power to heat, cable loss, couplers, and other hardware components. Until now, engineers have had to compensate for these losses by increasing the size of the amplifiers.
“We have challenged the traditional assumption that delivering a higher field strength requires more power and are bringing a game-changing technology to the market,” said Bryan Sayler, senior vice president of ETS-Lindgren. “For labs looking to test in the 1-GHz to 6-GHz range, the EMField Generator provides a highly efficient and portable alternative to the traditional amplifier and antenna configuration.”
The EMField Generator combines amplifiers, directional couplers, power meters, and an antenna array into one simplified design.
Courtesy of Instruments for Industry
Amplifiers for automotive test
For its part, IFI, a unit of AMETEK Compliance Test Solutions, debuted a dual-mode, solid-state amplifier that combines continuous (CW) and pulse (P) operating modes. The new S31-500-900P amplifier has been optimized for performing 600-V/m radar pulse radiated immunity testing in the 0.8-GHz to 3.1-GHz band.1 The amplifier has a 500-W continuous rating along with the capability to deliver more than 900 W in the P mode.
Suitable for labs and many automotive OEMs, it supports tests in accordance with specifications set by Ford2 and General Motors and followed by other manufacturers. The unit offers a peak power rating that allows it to generate a 600-V/m test with either high-gain, narrowband antennas or a single wideband antenna. When used with narrowband antennas, the S31-500-900P has sufficient power to allow overtesting or provide greater coverage of the EUT to reduce testing time.
AR RF/Microwave Instrumentation also is targeting 600-V/m radar applications and to that end highlighted its AR 700S1G4A portable, self-contained, air-cooled, broadband, completely solid-state amplifier at the Automotive Testing Expo. The instrument delivers 700-W CW from 0.8 GHz to 4.2 GHz. At the show, AR also highlighted its line of benchtop and rack-mounted broadband power amplifiers, EMI receivers, and complete EMC test systems with a specific emphasis on automotive conducted immunity testing using the CI00401A test system.
Agreement on turnkey systems
In related news, AR and MVG have signed a memorandum of agreement to provide turnkey solutions. With this agreement, AR brings its experience and line of EMC and RF/microwave products to marry with MVG installation expertise and diverse product range, starting with MVG-EMC shielded rooms and absorbers, to deliver high-performance turnkey products for EMC and other markets.
Philippe Garreau, CEO of MVG, stated, “AR and MVG have built a strong relationship and understanding of their customers. By combining our product lines and this knowledge, we will be able to offer a one-stop shop of quality, tailored EMC solutions.” Don (Shep) Shepherd, chairman of AR, added, “The knowledge and experience of our systems engineers combined with our extensive range of EMC instrumentation mean the addition of MVG-EMC anechoic test chambers will allow us to supply state-of-the art solutions and offer unrivalled support to our customers.”
References
1. Automotive 600V/m Pulse Radar Test with a Dual-Mode Amplifier, Instruments for Industry, Application Note 118.
2. Electromagnetic Compatibility Specification for Electrical/Electronic Components and Subsystems, Ford Motor Company, EMC-CS-2009.1, 2010.
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