Paying attention to EMC early in your design process saves time and costs

When developing systems that contain electronics, you need to consider not only how your systems work together functionally, but also whether they can coexist electromagnetically (electromagnetic compatibility, or EMC). Considering EMC forms the foundation for scalable and reliable products. However, electromagnetic compatibility is often only considered in the final development phase, or sometimes not at all. This often leads to higher costs and unnecessary delays. We would like to explain what EMC means for your product and why it is important to address it early in your design process.

The growing importance of EMC and EMI in modern electronics

Products are becoming smaller, deliver more power, and operate faster, but this also makes them more susceptible to electromagnetic interference. This is especially true now that many products are wireless and rely on transmitting and receiving data or power for proper operation. As a result, designing and developing reliable electronics has become increasingly complex.

Understanding the difference between EMC and EMI

So, what are we actually talking about? EMI (electromagnetic interference) refers to unwanted energy that can disturb electrical systems. EMC (electromagnetic compatibility) is the ability of a device or hardware system to function properly in an electromagnetic environment.

EMC standards and testing: catching issues early

The required level of EMC between products is defined in standards, which can vary by industry. These standards include specific testing requirements that depend on the product category and target market. Testing must be carried out in a certified laboratory.

That does not mean EMC testing should only take place at the very end of development. It is possible to perform pre-compliance testing at your own site or in a design lab. We also conduct these tests ourselves. This allows you to identify issues early in the design phase and make timely adjustments.

When EMC testing is left too late

In practice, we often see that companies only start EMC testing in the final phase. If a design is not approved or fails to meet requirements at that point, it can lead to several undesirable situations:

• Costly redesigns
• Delays in production and product launch
• Additional testing, resulting in more time and expense
• Expensive product recalls

Design for Compliance

When designing a product, teams often consider design for manufacturing (DFM) and design for testability (DFT), but not design for compliance (DFC). This means the focus is usually on how easily a product can be manufactured and tested. To prevent unnecessary delays and rework later in the process, we also apply design for compliancy (DFC). This means we consider electromagnetic compatibility from the very first design step. Our approach includes the following steps:

1. Identify standards and requirements: Which EMC standards apply to your product and target market?
2. Concept version: Reliable hardware starts with a solid foundation, including a clear architectural overview.
3. Calculations and simulations: These ensure that EMC requirements are considered before the final design is completed and allow for adjustments when it still matters.
4. Complete service: Working with EMI and EMC involves more than just following datasheets and designing clean PCBs. The housing, cabling, and product application are also crucial. We use our expertise to support you across all these aspects.

In short, paying attention to EMC early in your design process saves time and costs throughout the rest of hardware or product development. A product that performs well in terms of EMC is more reliable and prevents problems later on.

Outsourcing EMC/EMI?

Want to learn more about our vision on Design for Compliance, or are you facing EMC/EMI challenges in development or testing? Feel free to contact us for a conversation. Our specialists are happy to help.