Electromagnetic Compatibility

The University of Akron

Department of Electrical Engineering

ELEN_451_001         Electromagnetic Compatibility                   Dr. N. Ida

Spring 2024                KH 301                                               Room ASECS-252

Time 9:40 – 10:30 Am                       TEL: 330-972-6525

                                    Mo,We,Fr                                           e-mail: ida@uakron.edu

TEXT:            Optional text: C.R. Paul, Introduction to Electromagnetic Compatibility, Wiley.

                        Notes will be distributed as necessary.

Office Hours: To be decided by mutual agreement. Suggested times: Monday and Wednesday 11:00 AM – 1:00 PM.

Course Outline:

1. Introduction to EMC, EMI, EMS: What is EMC/EMI, why is it important, History

2. EMC requirements: the regulatory aspect of EMC

3. Government requirements

4. Product requirements

5. Industry’s requirements

5. Basic conduction methods (transmission lines)

6. Basic radiation systems (antennas, propagation, reception)

7. Signals and power spectra and their relation to EMC

8. Radiated emission and susceptibility

9. Conducted emission and susceptibility

Grading: 60% reports/presentations, 40% exams.

10. Crosstalk

11. Shielding

12. Electrostatic discharge (ESD) and protection

13. Lightning and lightning protection

14. System design for EMC

15. EMC measurements

                        1st Exam                                 20%     (Tentative: Friday, February 16)

                        2nd Exam                                20%     (Firm: Friday, March 22)

                        Presentations                           60%     (see below)

There will be no final exam in this course. Exams will be approximately 50 minutes long.

This class is different than most others you have taken in that we take more of a system approach to emc. Thus, there will be less emphasis on exercises and more on general requirements and practices. Because of this, homework assigned will consist of a few assignments on a particular topic. You will be assigned a subject, given approximately two weeks to research it, write a report and present it to the class. There will be 3-4 assignments during the Semester. Your grade will be based on these reports and your presentation. The reports you write will be distributed to the class for future reference.

            The reason for this approach is the subject itself. EMC is an elusive subject and, more often than not, is a blend of art and science. Because of this, your conclusions on a particular subject (in class or in the workplace) will almost never going to be clear-cut. Thus the need to present, reason, and defend your findings and opinions.

            The first assignment will deal with regulatory issues. The second will deal with specific applications and practices in EMC. The third will deal with emc methods (tests, mitigation, etc.). I will insist that your work and reports be complete, well documented and original work. I want to read and hear your words not those of an internet article.

A word of warning: Because EMC is often poorly understood, you will find, in the course of your searches, many references to nonscientific issues. Be careful, especially when using material off the web. Sometimes you will have to sift through material and discard outrageous claims (you will meet UFO type of claims, world domination type, conspiracy claims, plain nonsense, and many others). Remember that although EMC is a complicated issue, it is purely physical and very real. Beliefs, paranormal experiences and unsubstantiated claims are not part of the science.