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Electromagnetic Compatibility

Code: 102725
Credits: 6
2026/2027
Degree programme Type Course
Electronic Engineering for Telecommunication OP 4

Contact lecturer

Name :
Enrique Alberto Miranda Castellano
Email :
enrique.miranda@uab.cat

Teaching staff

Enrique Alberto Miranda Castellano

Group languages

You can consult this information at the end of the document.

Prerequisites

  • Vectorial analysis (vectors, scalar and vector fields, differential operators: gradient, rotor, divergency, laplacian)
  • Fundamentals of electromagnetism (Coulomb's law, Ampere's law, Gauss Theorem, propagation of electromagnetic waves in transmission lines and in vacuum)
  • Fundamentals of circuit analysis

Objectives

The objective of this course is to form students from the Telecomunications degree in the models and methods frequently used in the field of electromagnetic compatibility (EMC). To this aim, the basic formulations used for the description of interference phenomena and electromagnetic compatibility will be presented. We will also study the national and international directives currently active. We will explore the interference sources and how they are measured using professional instruments.

Learning outcomes

  1. Identify the standards and regulations for telecommunications in the national, European and international areas in the field of electromagnetic compatibility
  2. Autonomously apply new knowledge and proper techniques for the design, development or operation of electronic systems.
  3. Analyse and specify the fundamental parameters of a communications system, in terms of instrumentation.
  4. Evaluate the advantages and disadvantages of different technological alternatives for the deployment or implementation of electronic systems, in terms of disturbance and noise.
  5. Perform the specification, implementation, documentation and fine-tuning of electronic instrumentation and control equipment and systems , considering technical aspects and the relevant regulatory requirements.
  6. Document the instrumentation systems designed, based on current standards.
  7. Analyse and troubleshoot electromagnetic interference and compatibility.
  8. Develop critical thinking and reasoning.
  9. Develop the capacity for analysis and synthesis.
  10. Work autonomously.
  11. Develop independent learning strategies.
  12. Prevent and solve problems.
  13. Work cooperatively.
  14. Communicate efficiently, orally and in writing, knowledge, results and skills, both professionally and to non-expert audiences.
  15. Respect diversity in ideas, people and situations.
  16. Develop curiosity and creativity.

Contents

1. Introduction to EMC

  • Motivation. Introductory examples. Definitions and terminology.
  • Source–coupling–victim model.
  • Natural and artificial sources of interference.
  • Coupling mechanisms: conducted and radiated interference.
  • Concepts of immunity and susceptibility.
  • Signal spectra. Analysis of pulsed signals.
  • Electrical quantities.
  • Units commonly used in EMC. Decibel.

2. Basic Electromagnetic Principles

  • Vector analysis. Coordinate systems.
  • Static fields. Scalar and vector potentials.
  • High-voltage transmission lines. Helmholtz coils.
  • Dielectric and magnetic materials. Equivalent charges and currents.
  • Maxwell’s equations. Electromagnetic wave propagation.
  • Modeling environments in EMC.

3. Low-Frequency Models

  • Solution of Laplace and Poisson equations.
  • Finite element and finite difference methods.
  • Lumped-parameter circuits.
  • Circuit coupling models: conductive and inductive coupling.
  • Crosstalk in printed circuit boards (PCBs).
  • Electrostatic discharge (ESD): modeling and prevention techniques.

4. High-Frequency Models

  • Transmission line equations with and without losses.
  • Interaction of electromagnetic fields with transmission lines.
  • Multiconductor transmission lines.
  • Baum–Liu–Tesche equation.
  • Finite-Difference Time-Domain (FDTD) method.
  • Effects of lightning strikes on transmission lines.
  • Radiation and induction fields.
  • Radiation from extended sources and apertures.
  • Method of Moments (MoM). Coupling of extended sources.

5. Shielding

  • Electromagnetic topology in EMC.
  • Attenuation of conducted interference.
  • Shielding effectiveness. Shielding in integrated circuits.
  • Electric shielding at low and high frequencies.
  • Magnetic shielding at low and high frequencies.
  • Ferrite filters and feedthrough filters.
  • Absorbing systems.
  • Design of enclosures with apertures.

6. Measurements and Control

  • System development under EMC design criteria.
  • Pre-compliance systems.
  • Methods and equipment for interference measurements.
  • Receivers and LISNs. Antenna factor.
  • Measurement environments. Reverberation chambers.
  • Anechoic chambers and TEM cells.

7. Standards and Applications

  • Regulatory organizations.
  • International EMC standards and regulations.
  • Declaration of conformity. Chain of responsibility.
  • Household appliances.
  • Information technology equipment.
  • Architecture and building applications.
  • Transportation systems.
  • Medical equipment.
  • Lighting-related aspects.

8. Biological Effects of Electromagnetic Fields

  • Society and electromagnetic fields.
  • Electromagnetic spectrum.
  • Ionizing and non-ionizing radiation.
  • Low-frequency fields.
  • RF and microwave fields.
  • Thermal effects and lipoatrophy.
  • Exposure standards and limits.


Learning activities and methodology

Title Hours ECTS Learning outcomes
Autonomous 20 0.8 1, 2, 8, 9, 12
Directed 15 0.6 5, 7, 13, 16
Autonomous 20 0.8 1, 3, 9, 11
Supervised 10 0.4 11, 12
Directed 30 1.2 1, 3, 4, 6, 7, 8, 15

The students will carry out some simulation practices about the subject discussed in the theory classes. The students must also present one subjected related to EMC in agreement with the professor's directives. The course ends with an individual evaluation about the contents of the course.

Platform: Campus Virtual

In this subject, the use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) technologies is allowed as an integral part of the development of the work, provided that the final result reflects a significant contribution of the student in the analysis and personal reflection.

The student must clearly identify which parts have been generated with this technology, specify the tools used and include a critical reflection on how these have influenced the process and the final result of the activity.

The lack of transparency in the use of AI will be considered a lack of academic honesty and may lead to a penalty in the grade of the activity, or greater sanctions in serious cases.

 


Annotation: within the schedule set by the centre or degree programme, 15 minutes of one class will be reserved for students to evaluate their lecturers and their courses or modules through questionnaires.

Assessment

Continuous assessment activities

Title Weight Hours ECTS Learning outcomes
Activity 3 see below 5 0.2 11, 13, 14, 15, 16
Activity 1 see below 40 1.6 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 16
Activity 2 see below 10 0.4 5, 8, 9, 10, 11

Activities:

  • 4 practices (0.56) i 1 oral presentation (0.14) (70% weight)
  • 1 individual evaluation (30% weight)

MH: best final grade higher than 9, Not Assessable: not having attended any activity.

All activities are compulsory and may be subject to changes according to what the teacher deems necessary.Repeating students can validate the practices carried out while maintaining the grade obtained.Without prejudice to other disciplinary measures that may be deemed appropriate, irregularities committed by the student that may lead to a variation in the grade of an assessment act will be graded with a zero. Therefore, copying, plagiarism, cheating, allowing copying, etc. in any of the assessment activities will imply failing it with a zero.This subject does not provide for the single assessment system.


Bibliography

Bibliography

R. Keller, Design for electromagnetic compatibility - In a nutshell, Springer, Book Open Access, 2023

C. R. Paul, Introduction to electromagnetic compatibility. Second Edition, John Wiley & Sons, 2006

C. Christopoulos, Principles and techniques of electromagnetic compatibility, CRC Press, 1995.

J. Sebastian, Fundamentos de compatibilidad electromagnética, Addison-Wesley 1999.

C. R. Paul, Analysis of multiconductor transmission lines, IEEE Press, 2008.

Addicional

F.M.Tesche, M.V.Ianoz and T. Karlsson, EMC Analysis Methods and Computational Models, Wiley, 1997.

N. Ellis, Interferencias Eléctricas Handbook, Paraninfo, 1999.

T. Williams, EMC Control y limitación de energía electromagnética, Paraninfo, 1997.

D. Weston, Electromagnetic Compatibility, Principles and Applications, Dekker, 2001.

R. Leventhal, Semiconductor modeling for simulating signal, power and electromagnetic integrity, Springer, 2006.

Software

The simulation software is provided by the professor

Course groups and languages

The information provided is provisional until November 30. After this date, you will be able to consult the language of each group through this link. To access the information, you will need to enter the course CODE

Type of teaching Group Language Semester Shift
(TE) Theory 320 Spanish first semester morning-mixed
(PAUL) Classroom practices 321 Spanish first semester morning-mixed
(PLAB) Practical laboratories 321 Spanish first semester morning-mixed