Past Presentations
November 1st, 2023
Subject: EMI Testing on Space Systems
Presenter: Jens Medler
Abstract: The use of FFT-based measuring receivers is motivated by reducing the scan time by several orders of magnitude without degradation of accuracy and to get more insight due to the possibility of applying longer measurement times. Comparison measurements on a nanosatellite were performed using conventional EMI receiver and FFT-based time-domain scanning technique.
Biography: Jens Medler joined Rohde & Schwarz, Munich, Germany, a company specializing in test equipment and radio equipment in 1996. He is responsible for the standardization and application support of EMI test receivers and accessories for both hardware and software and is active member of various CISPR Subcommittees since 1999. He also holds a senior membership in the IEEE EMC Society and is acting vice chair of the societies Standards Development and Education Committee.
This includes CIS/A on EMC measurement instrumentation and methods, CIS/D on equipment on vehicles and internal combustion engine powered devices and CIS/I on information technology equipment, multimedia equipment and receivers. Since October 2017 he is acting as convenor of CIS/A WG2; the CISPR Working Group on EMC measurement methods, statistical techniques and uncertainty. He is recipient of the IEC 1906 Award.
September 27th, 2023
EMI/EMC Summit 2023 Hosted by NTS Labs and IEEE EMC Society Boston Chapter
NTS and the IEEE EMC Society Boston Chapter hosted an EMI/EMC Summit at the NTS Boxborough facility. World-renowned EMI/EMC experts: Duy Ho, Regulatory Lab Manager with Element/NTS Labs, Scott Carlson, EMI Principal Engineer with Element/NTS Labs, and Colin Brench, Courtesy of IEEE, provided technical presentations and vendors were available to meet with attendees.
Thank you to all who attended our in-person event! Please see below for presentation materials.
IEEE EMC & Element/NTS Presentations
Subject: FCC Regulatory Compliance Process & Challenges for Wireless Devices
Presenter: Mr. Duy Ho
Subject: Methods of Measuring Shielding Effectiveness
Presenter: Mr. Scott Carlson
Subject: The Art and Science of EMC Design
Presenter: Mr. Colin Brench
May 3rd, 2023 6 PM EDT
Subject: Unintentional Antennas
Presenter: Ms. Karen Burnham
Abstract: One of the biggest causes of EMC test failures is radiating structures in a unit, whether from the PCB or cabling, that are acting in ways designers never intended. This talk covers basics of antenna theory and how to identify potential radiating “antennas” in your product.
Biography: Karen Burnham is a Principal Scientist at Electro Magnetic Applications in Denver, CO. She is an iNARTE-certified EMC engineer with experience in both the aerospace/defense and automotive industries. At NASA JSC, she worked on the Orion spacecraft and pyrotechnic systems. She was able to work on the Dream Chaser spacecraft and the F-35 fighter jet. She spent several years working at Ford Motor Company on traditional vehicles like the Ford Edge and Lincoln Continental as well as on their line of electric hybrid vehicles such as the Ford Explorer and Lincoln Aviator. Ms. Burnham is a member of the IEEE EMC Society Board of Directors where she serves as Assistant Vice President of Standards. She holds a BS degree in Physics from Northern Arizona University and an MS degree in Electrical Engineering from the University of Houston.
She can be reached at: karen.burnham@ieee.org
April 5th 2023
Subject: Smart Grid EMC Standards
Presenter: Mr. Jerry Ramie
Abstract: This presentation describes the IEEE standards work undertaken in the last six years on refining the immunity testing requirements for devices with communications functions. The new P1613 draft harmonizes closely with the current IEC requirements for electric utility equipment with some differences. Its harmonized Scope includes most utility-owned smart grid equipment controls with a COM port or COM functionality.
Biography: Jerry Ramie is a 42-year veteran of the EMC test and measurement business. He is Secretary of the ANSC-C63® Committee on EMC, a 2011 Distinguished Lecturer for the EMC Society on Smart Grid, our liaison to the Power & Energy Society, an iNARTE-certified EMC technician, and a Life Senior Member of the IEEE. He can be reached at: jramie@arctechnical.com.
September 28th, 2022
EMI/EMC Summit 2022 Hosted by NTS and IEEE EMC Society Boston Chapter
NTS and the IEEE EMC Society Boston Chapter hosted an EMI/EMC Summit at the NTS Boxborough facility. World renowned EMI/EMC experts Jeff Viel, Chief Engineer at NTS, Zhong Chen, Director of RF Engineering at ETS-Lindgren, and Yibo Wang, RF Engineer at ETS-Lindgren, provided technical presentations and vendors were available to meet with attendees.
Thank you to all who attended our first in-person event in ~ 3 years! Please see below for presentation materials.
NTS Presentations
Subject: RTCA / DO160G Overview
Presenter: Jeff Viel, Chief Engineer, NTS
Abstract: This one-hour session will cover a general overview of each test electrical and EMI related method (sections 15 through 23 and section 25). Comparisons will be made to aircraft platform requirements defined in MIL-STD-461G test setup. This session will also highlight some of the most common product compliance issues encountered during DO160G testing, and lend advice on how they are remedied.
Subject: MIL-STD-461G Overview
Presenter: Jeff Viel, Chief Engineer, NTS
Abstract: This one-hour session will cover basic principles for EMI/EMC testing, and the purpose of the MIL-STD-461 standard. A general overview of each test method and importance of test setup, equipment configuration and operation are discussed. This session will also highlight some of the most common product compliance issues encountered during MIL-STD-461G testing, and lend advice on how they are remedied.
Subject: INTERNATIONAL EMI/EMC STANDARDS COMPARISON
Presenter: Jeff Viel, Chief Engineer, NTS
Abstract: This one-hour session will compare and contrast the product compliance requirements across several industries in an effort to highlight changes in platform electromagnetic environments, and how these changes can lead to severe compliance risks for multifunctional products deployed across a variety of commercial and defense platforms.
Jeff Viel is one of the world’s top authorities in E3 system risk analysis, design hardening, and EMC product testing. Jeff has over 20 years of experience with product testing and design focusing on the Aerospace, Defense, Telecom, and Power Industries. He holds both a Bachelor of Science and Master of Science in Electrical Engineering from Northeastern University.
ETS-Lindgren Presentations
Subject: Basic Concepts of Antenna Characterization and Applications in EMC Measurement
Presenter: Zhong Chen, Director of RF Engineering, ETS-Lindgren
Abstract: There are some practical considerations for antennas used for EMC measurements; for example, EMC antennas are typically extremely broadband and low gain. At below 1 GHz, these antennas are used over a perfect electrical conductor (PEC) ground plane. This presentation provides an introduction and discussion of the antenna fundamental parameters from an application point of view, especially on how these antenna parameters are characterized and applied in EMC applications. We will review the definition of Antenna Factor (AF), its relationship to antenna gains, and mismatch losses. We will also look at other parameters often used in EMC applications, such as antenna balance, phase center, and site attenuation. A brief introduction to EMC antenna calibration methods will be provided, including a reference to dipole-like antennas, which are ubiquitous for EMC measurements below 1 GHz. Finally, we will discuss how these antenna parameters, such as the free-space antenna factors, are impacted by the presence of the conducting ground plane.
Subject: Cylindrical Mode Filtered SVSWR: A New ANSC C63 Method Proposed for EMC Site Validation from 18 to 40 GHz
Presenter: Yibo Wang, RF Engineer, ETS-Lindgren
Abstract: This presentation will introduce the new method of EMC site validation for high frequency range 18-40GHz, based on use of Cylindrical Mode Filtered SVSWR (CMF SVSWR). This CMF SVSWR provides a more comprehensive evaluation of EMC chamber quiet zone, and can be readily measured without any special positioning fixtures. This new measurement technique is under consideration for the new draft standard ANSI C63.25.3 in development by the ANSC C63 committee for EMC test sites from 18 GHz to 40 GHz.
For more details, the following papers are also published by IEEE Transaction on Instrumentation, EMC Europe 2022 and AMTA 2020 and 2021 conferences. They can be downloaded from IEEE Xplore:
Z. Chen and S. F. Gregson, "EMC Chamber Quiet Zone Qualification for Applications Above 1 GHz Using Frequency Domain Mode Filtering," in IEEE Transactions on Instrumentation and Measurement, vol. 70, pp. 1-9, 2021, Art no. 6504909, doi: 10.1109/TIM.2021.3119143.
Z. Chen and S. Gregson, "Examination of EMC Chamber Qualification Methodology for Applications above 1 GHz using Frequency Domain Mode Filtering," 2020 Antenna Measurement Techniques Association Symposium (AMTA), 2020, pp. 1-6.
Z. Chen and S. Gregson, "Intercomparisons of Site VSWR Measurement Methods using Mode Filtering, Time Domain and Spatial Sampling Techniques," 2021 Antenna Measurement Techniques Association Symposium (AMTA), 2021, pp. 1-6, doi: 10.23919/AMTA52830.2021.9620661.
Z. Chen, P. Miller, “Extending Site VSWR to Millimeter Wave using Cylindrical Mode”, International Symposium on Electromagnetic Compatibility, September 5-8, 2022, Gothenburg, Sweden.
Zhong Chen is the Director of RF Engineering at ETS-Lindgren, located in Cedar Park, Texas. He has over 25 years of experience in RF testing, anechoic chamber design, as well as antenna and EMC field probe design and measurements. He is currently a member of the Antenna Measurement Techniques Association (AMTA) Board of Directors. Mr. Chen is the Chair of Subcommittee 1 of ANSC C63 which is responsible for EMC antenna calibration and test site validation standards. He is also chair of the IEEE Standard 1309 committee responsible for developing calibration standards for field probes, and IEEE Standard 1128 for absorber measurements. He has served as a Distinguished Lecturer for the IEEE EMC Society. His research interests include measurement uncertainty, time domain measurements, and development of novel RF absorber materials. Mr. Chen received his M.S.E.E. degree in Electromagnetics from the Ohio State University at Columbus.
Yibo Wang is a RF Engineer at ETS-Lindgren. He has extensive experience in chamber design and modeling, absorber modeling and RF testing. His research focuses on dielectric measurement techniques, antenna measurements and near field to far field techniques. He received his PhD degree in Electromagnetics from University of Houston, his Masters degree from the Ohio State University and Bachelors degree from Wuhan University.
June 22nd, 2022
Subject: EMC and Electromagnetics for the Working Engineer
Presenter: Dr. Bruce Archambeault
Abstract: Electromagnetics theory is surrounded by mystery and magic. Mostly because the mathematics needed to solve Maxwell’s equations are messy enough that most of us avoid them at all costs! EMI/EMC is even worse, and often considered voodoo magic! This presentation is intended to remove the mystery behind EMI/EMC and electromagnetics by explaining things in everyday terms, and without the mathematics. Some of the basic symbols used in mathematics, such as integration, derivatives, and weird vector symbols are explained. Then using these simple explanations, Faraday and Maxwell’s contribution to electromagnetics is explained. These concepts are not just university-only-interest, they have real world application in the design of electronic equipment both for EMI/EMC control as well as high speed signal quality issues. Faraday’s law is an introduction to inductance, and this presentation will examine inductance and it’s impact on printed circuit board (PCB) design, the concept of “ground”, and return current flow in typical printed circuit board stackups. Various typical mistakes during PCB design that greatly impact the EMI/EMC performance will be demonstrated during this discussion. Simple design approaches that do not increase the cost of the PCB are explained.
Dr. Bruce Archambeault is an IEEE Fellow, an IBM Distinguished Engineer Emeritus and an Adjunct Professor at Missouri University of Science and Technology. He received his Ph. D. from the University of New Hampshire in 1997. His doctoral research was in the area of computational electromagnetics applied to real-world EMC problems. He has taught numerous seminars on EMC and Signal Integrity across the USA and the world, including the past 15 years at Oxford University.
Dr. Archambeault has authored or co-authored a number of papers in computational electromagnetics, mostly applied to real-world EMC applications. He currently serves as the Immediate Past President of the EMC Society. He is the author of the book “PCB Design for Real-World EMI Control” and the lead author of the book titled “EMI/EMC Computational Modeling Handbook”.
April 20th, 2022
Subject: Common Misconceptions about Inductance & Current Return Path
Presenter: Dr. Cheung-Wei Lam
Abstract: In today’s high-speed system designs, a good understanding of inductance and current return path is important for signal integrity and EMI control. Unfortunately, several key concepts about the two have often been misunderstood or overlooked. This presentation will discuss the main concepts and some common misconceptions about inductance and current return path. Examples will be given at the chip and PCB levels.
Dr. Cheung-Wei Lam is a Distinguished Engineer and Chief EM Technologist at Apple. Prior to Apple, he was a co-founder at Transcendent Design Technology and a principal engineer at Quad Design Technology.
Dr. Lam received B.S. from the Chinese University of Hong Kong, and S.M./Ph.D. from MIT.
He currently serves as an IEEE EMC Society Respected Speaker and was a past IEEE EMC Society Distinguished Lecturer.
November 3rd, 2021
Subject: Electromagnetic Shielding: Concepts and Applications
Presenter: Dr. Sergiu Radu
Abstract: Every electronic equipment uses some type of shielding, and from a theoretical point of view, electromagnetic shielding is among the most difficult areas of EMC. The presentation is introducing basic shielding concepts, insisting on their practical limitations, and presents the typical engineering problems associated with shielding. Among the aspects discussed are the materials used for shielding, chassis resonances, shielding integrity problems (seams, joints, apertures, perf patterns, etc.), aperture coupling and shield's grounding.
Sergiu Radu (M’93, SM’02) received the M.S. and Ph.D. degrees in electrical engineering (Electronics) from the Technical University of Iasi, Iasi, Romania in 1980 and 1995, respectively. He was an Associate Professor at the Technical University of Iasi until 1996, involved in Electromagnetic Compatibility teaching and research. From 1996 to 1998, he was a Visiting Scholar at the University of Missouri at Rolla, currently Missouri University of Science and Technology, as part of the Electromagnetic Compatibility Laboratory. In 1998, he joined the EMC Engineering group at Sun Microsystems, which became a part of Oracle Corp. in 2010. He is currently Director of Hardware Development at Oracle leading the EMC Design group in Santa Clara, CA., involved in chassis level, PCB level and chip level EMC design for all Oracle hardware products. His role includes also the development and implementation of platform level EMC Design architecture, design methodologies, and better EMC prediction techniques. He holds seven US patents for EMI reduction techniques in electronic systems and has published more than 50 technical papers, presentations and reports on electromagnetic compatibility related subjects. He is NARTE Certified EMC Engineer since February 1998, a former IEEE EMC Distinguished Lecturer (2009-2010), and a reviewer for IEEE Transactions on EMC. ORCID (Open Researcher and Contributor ID): https://orcid.org/0000-0002-1733-1151
May 19, 2021
Subject: Radio Frequency Interference and the Radio Amateur (RFI Seminar)
Presenter: Mr. Ed Hare, Vice President of Standards for the Board of the EMC Society
ARRL Laboratory Manager (American Radio Relay League)
Abstract: EMI is a problem that affects hams and their neighbors alike. Ed Hare, W1RFI, ARRL Laboratory Manager and one of the editors of the ARRL RFI Book, has put together this 30-minute slide presentation to give an overview of politics, personalities and technical issues involved in EMI control. His presentation outlines the standard causes and cures for interference. The question-and-answer session that follows the formal slide presentation turns this into a real RFI workshop.
Presentation materials coming soon
Ed Hare, W1RFI, is employed by ARRL, the National Association for Amateur Radio. After an industry career in product testing, he came to work at ARRL HQ in 1986. He started as ARRL’s "Product Review" test engineer, moved on to becoming ARRL’s "RFI guru" (notice his call!) and he now holds the position of Laboratory Manager. Over the years he has written quite a number of RFI articles, ranging from articles for QST and the "ARRL Handbook" to articles about the practical aspects of RFI that have appeared in professional trade journals. He is also one of the authors of the ARRL "RFI Book" and the editor of the ARRL's book on RF exposure, "RF Exposure and You."
He is very active holding a seat for Amateur Radio on various industry committees, serving as a voting membership on the IEEE EMC Society Standards Development and Education Committee, the ANSI accredited C63® EMC Committee as Chair of Subcommittee 5 on Immunity, and is the IEEE EMC Society Vice President of Standards, representing ARRL and the interests of Amateur Radio as industry standards are developed. He is a member of the IEEE Standards Association, the IEEE EMC Society and the IEEE Power Engineering Society.
Ed serves the RF Safety Committee as a voting member and as the ARRL HQ staff liaison.
His personal operating interest is QRP CW, where Ed’s motto is, “Five Watts is a Lot of Power!” He is presently doing work on HF using 10 milliwatts, reporting 30 states worked, all in the ARRL CW Sweepstakes.
Email: W1RFI@arrl.org Web: http://www.arrl.org
April 21, 2021
Subject: Lightning Interaction with Transmission and Distribution Power Systems
Presenter: Prof. Dr. Alexandre Piantini, University of São Paulo, Brazil
IEEE EMC Society Distinguished Lecturer
Abstract: In recent years, the growing use of sensitive electronic devices and the increasing demand of utility customers for power supply stability have emphasized the importance of improving electric systems' reliability and power quality levels. Although various phenomena and situations can cause disturbances on power transmission and distribution networks, lightning is usually responsible for a significant amount of unscheduled supply interruptions and permanent damages to equipment such as distribution transformers, as well as damages to or malfunction of sensitive electronic equipment. It is therefore essential to evaluate the lightning electromagnetic environment to mitigate its effects and improve the power system quality. In this talk, after an introduction that includes an overview of the main lightning processes, the major mechanisms by which lightning overvoltages can be produced in power transmission and distribution (medium and low-voltage) systems are explained. Then, the overvoltages' general characteristics are evaluated and their dependence upon the network configuration and some of the most important ground and stroke parameters are discussed, with examples of measured and calculated voltage waveshapes.
Prof. Piantini (SM’04) received the M.Sc. and Ph.D. degrees from the Polytechnic School of the University of São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil, in 1991 and 1997, respectively. He joined the University of São Paulo in 1986 and served, from 1998–2011, as Director of Technological Development of the Institute of Energy and Environment, where he is Associate Professor and the Head of the Lightning and High Voltage Research Centre. He was the Convener of the CIGRE WG C4.408 “Lightning Protection of Low-Voltage Networks” and member of various IEEE and CIGRE working groups. He is Associate Editor of the IEEE Transactions on Electromagnetic Compatibility, Electrical Engineering, High Voltage, and member of the Editorial Advisory Panel of the Electric Power Systems Research. He has participated in 26 research projects related mainly to lightning and EMC. He coordinated 21 of these projects, of which 15 funded mainly by power companies and national agencies for research support. Prof. Piantini is the Chairman of the Int. Symposium on Lightning Protection (SIPDA) and member of scientific committees of various conferences such as the Int. Conf. Lightning Protection (ICLP). He is a Guest Professor of the Chongqing University, China, and a member of the IEEE Award Committee of the Sun & Grzybowski Award. In 2018 he was the recipient of the ICLP R. H. Golde Award. He is the Editor of two books (IET), author or co-author of eight book chapters, and over 150 scientific papers published in prestigious reviewed journals or presented at international conferences with review board. E-mail: piantini@iee.usp.br
December 15, 2020
Subject: Emerging Technologies: The Impact of Modern Robotics, Data Analysis, and CEM Simulation on Antenna and EMC Measurements in 2021 and Beyond!
Abstracts and Speakers/Bios: PDF
For those who were not able to join in the live webinar session, you can find the recording of the event here.
October 14, 2020
Subject: EMI Suppression Ferrites, Four Classes
Presenters: Michael Arasim & Bruce Sparrow, Fair-Rite Products Corp.
Abstract: The lecture will include a description of ferrites, how they are made, and how they work. The four classes of ferrites will be discussed along with their uses and applications.
Michael Arasim is the Power and Inductive Products Manager at Fair-Rite Products Corp. Michael has been with Fair-Rite for over 7 years and has previously served as Electrical Lab Team Leader. In his previous role, Michael was responsible for overseeing all electrical lab activities. This included setting test procedures/specifications, characterizing materials, making process improvements, and supporting production efforts across Fair-Rite’s different facilities. In his current role Michael is responsible for overseeing development projects, marketing efforts, and providing application support for Fair-Rite’s power and inductive rated parts and materials.
Bruce Sparrow is in a new role as the Suppression Products Manager at Fair-Rite Corporation. Prior to this, Bruce was the Area Sales Manager for Fair-Rite Products and had responsibility for sales management in a twenty-state territory. In his new role he is charged with furthering Fair-Rite’s position as the as the leader in EMI suppression products and helping develop new products for the industry. Bruce has a personal interest in EM compliance – as a lifelong ham radio operator, keeping the RF noise floor as low as possible through suppression and shielding is of paramount interest.
September 30, 2020
Subject: How PDN Filters Impact the EMC Performance
Presenter: Istvan Novak, PhD, Samtec
Abstract: This webinar will explore power distribution filters, primarily power distribution networks with a series inductor or ferrite bead, but also parallel-only bypass schemes. We will show how the filter performance may impact EMC performance. We will devise a straightforward process to find the component values, will show the effect of DC bias voltage and DC load current and will show the proper ways to characterize power filters.
Istvan is a Principle Signal and Power Integrity Engineer at Samtec, working on advanced signal and power integrity designs. Prior to 2018 he was a Distinguished Engineer at SUN Microsystems, later Oracle. He worked on new advanced power distribution design and validation methodologies. He was responsible for the power distribution and high-speed signal integrity designs of SUN's successful workgroup server families. He introduced the industry's first 25 um power-ground laminates for large rigid computer boards and worked with component vendors to create a series of low-inductance and controlled-ESR bypass capacitors. He also served as SUN's representative on the Copper Cable and Connector Workgroup of InfiniBand, and was engaged in the methodologies, designs and characterization of power-distribution networks from silicon to DC-DC converters. He is a Life Fellow of the IEEE with twenty-five patents to his name, author of two books on power integrity, teaches signal and power integrity courses, and maintains an SI/PI website.