Review of applications of the Laboratory for Electromagnetic Compatibility infrastructure

This article provides a thorough description of a range of non-standard application cases in which EMC laboratories can be used other than those traditionally associated with this kind of facilities. The areas covered here include investigations of: wireless and radio systems (such as IoT and broadband radio systems) also that require ultra-high operational dynamic range, emulation of interference-free and/or heavily-multipath propagation environment, shielding effectiveness of cabinets and materials (i.e. thin, light and flexible as textiles as well as heavy and thick such as building construction elements)

Review of applications of the Laboratory for Electromagnetic Compatibility infrastructure

This article provides a thorough description of a range of non-standard application cases in which EMC laboratories can be used other than those traditionally associated with this kind of facilities. The areas covered here include investigations of: wireless and radio systems (such as IoT and broadband radio systems) also that require ultra-high operational dynamic range, emulation of interference-free and/or heavily-multipath propagation environment, shielding effectiveness of cabinets and materials (i.e. thin, light and flexible as textiles as well as heavy and thick such as building construction elements)

Measurements of Antenna Parameters in GTEM Cell

The paper presents the method for measuring parameters (gain, antenna factor, impedance and radiation pattern) of small antennas in GTEM cell, which is a novel method and environment for antenna measurements. In order toinvestigate the suitability of GTEM cell for this kind ofmeasurement, the measurement results for a biconical dipole, microstrip patch antennas and small loop antenna were compared with those obtained by calibration inside fully absorber lined anechoic site, two-antenna measurements and FEKO simulations. The measurements were carried out over the wide frequency range. Measurement setup was limited to small antennas that fit into the usable test volume of the GTEM cell. Different sizes that satisfy this restriction were examined. The GTEM measurement results showed considerable agreementwith compared results

Development of antenna arrays for terrestrial and satellite applications: Feasibility study of different solutions to monitoring the atmospheric pollution, determination of electromagnetic fields in urban scenario and calculation of their dosimetry in small animals

The present work can be summarized as it follows: First of all, it will be held theoretical and numerical studies to improve the performance of antenna arrays by focusing on the isophoric case. Then, different antenna designs are shown and discussed, in order to be integrated within the urban environment. Some of these designs are experimentally tested. On the other hand, a study on the characterization of the electromagnetic fields through urban areas based on an equivalent planar circuit model is highlighted. Moreover and lastly, the influence of the electromagnetic fields in small animals is discussed by using two methods for the SAR level determination

Extended equivalent dipole model for radiated emissions

This work is on the characterisation of radiated fields from electronic devices. An equivalent dipole approach is used. Previous work showed that this was an effective approach for single layer printed circuit boards where an infinite ground plane can be assumed. In this work, this approach is extended for the characterisation of more complex circuit boards or electronic systems. For complex electronic radiators with finite ground planes, the main challenge is characterising field diffracting around the edges and boundaries. It is shown that this can be satisfactorily characterised using passive dipoles located along the edge. It is also shown that the number of dipoles used to characterise a device can be further optimised by using a complex location for the dipoles. Novel optimisation approaches such as particle swarm optimisation were also investigated. It is concluded that characterisation of complex electronic devices can be achieved in 3D space using edge dipoles to represent diffraction effects and available optimisation strategies

Extended equivalent dipole model for radiated emissions

This work is on the characterisation of radiated fields from electronic devices. An equivalent dipole approach is used. Previous work showed that this was an effective approach for single layer printed circuit boards where an infinite ground plane can be assumed. In this work, this approach is extended for the characterisation of more complex circuit boards or electronic systems. For complex electronic radiators with finite ground planes, the main challenge is characterising field diffracting around the edges and boundaries. It is shown that this can be satisfactorily characterised using passive dipoles located along the edge. It is also shown that the number of dipoles used to characterise a device can be further optimised by using a complex location for the dipoles. Novel optimisation approaches such as particle swarm optimisation were also investigated. It is concluded that characterisation of complex electronic devices can be achieved in 3D space using edge dipoles to represent diffraction effects and available optimisation strategies

Bandwidth optimization of ultra-wideband (UWB) antenna

This project presents the design with optimum geometry of an UWB rectangular patch antenna. To achieve an UWB characteristic, a patch antenna is designed before proceeding to the bandwidth optimization technique for the proposed antenna. The configuration of patch antenna has a partial ground and addition of two steps in the bottom edge of the patch and one slot in the middle of the patch. The antenna was designed and optimized using CST Microwave Studio (CSTMWS). The proposed antenna’s parameters were optimized with various options such as differing the ground plane length, differing the width of feed line, with different slot positions and different slot widths, and found to operate satisfactorily. An optimized bandwidth has been noticed in this design. Moreover, the antennas structure offers great advantages due to its simple designs and small dimensions. The antenna has been fabricated using FR-4 substrate and tested using the network analyzer which has range between to 3GHz to 13GHz at the Radio Frequency (RF) Laboratory. The antenna performance showed agreement between both simulation and measurement results with only some small deviation and this observed deviation is due to the different numerical modeling and meshing techniques

Analysis and Design of Absorbers for Electromagnetic Compatibility Applications

Absorbers are one of the key components in the realm of electromagnetic compatibility. Depending on the frequency range of interest, different types of absorbers can be utilized for this purpose. This chapter introduces the analysis and modeling of ferrite-based absorbers for low-frequency applications (below 1 GHz) and discusses the issues encountered in their installation, resulting in air gaps. Later, different kinds of pyramidal absorbers, commonly used in the broadband microwave frequency range (above 1 GHz), are presented, and analytical and numerical approaches for predicting their performance are reviewed. The combination of the ferrite tile and pyramidal dielectric absorbers is also provided. Then, some practical aspects of designing hybrid absorbers, including the influence of carbon loading and matching layer on their performance, are mentioned. Finally, the absorber operating frequency extension to the millimeter-wave spectrum using metamaterial structures or graphene material is presented

Aplicação coordenada das técnicas de medição, simulação numérica e otimização, para o mapeamento do ambiente eletromagnético em hospitais

Tese (doutorado) - Universidade Federal de Santa Catarina, Centro Tecnológico, Programa de Pós-Graduação em Engenharia Elétrica, Florianópolis, 2011A presente tese versa sobre a avaliação do ambiente eletromagnético em estabelecimentos assistenciais de saúde (EAS), no intuito de promover uma adequada gestão da compatibilidade eletromagnética (EMC) em áreas clínicas de grande inserção tecnológica (ex. hospitais). O trabalho foca em uma abordagem coordenada entre diferentes técnicas de investigação científica, dentre as quais se destacam as técnicas de medição, de simulação numérica e de otimização. Na parte de medição, são apresentados e discutidos em detalhes os métodos e protocolos utilizados para o levantamento e a caracterização completa da propagação de ondas em hospitais. Estas medições são voltadas para três objetivos diferentes, tais como diagnosticar o panorama eletromagnético estabelecido em ambientes clínicos, mensurar as emissões eletromagnéticas originadas individualmente para cada equipamento eletromédico em operação nestes ambientes e, por fim, caracterizar os parâmetros constitutivos das estruturas arquitetônicas que compõem estes ambientes. A partir destas informações elementares é desenvolvida uma modelagem numérica efetiva da propagação de ondas e dos acoplamentos eletromagnéticos estabelecidos no EAS. Na parte de simulação computacional, a ferramenta numérica empregada nesta pesquisa é baseada no método da modelagem por linhas de transmissão (TLM). Todos os processos de modelagem numérica para os equipamentos médicos, para as fontes eletromagnéticas externas, e para as estruturas arquitetônicas presentes no EAS, são sistematicamente apresentados e discutidos. Finalmente, os modelos desenvolvidos são inseridos em uma série de processos de otimização voltados à gestão da EMC em hospitais. O método da Krigagem é aplicado para desenvolver processos de otimização espacial, enquanto o método dos Algoritmos Genéticos é utilizado para desenvolver processos de otimização geométrica. Os resultados obtidos permitem obter a sinergia entre todos os métodos aplicados, de modo a potencializar as suas principais vantagens e suprimir as suas limitações.The current thesis deals with the assessment of electromagnetic environments in health care facilities (HCF), in order to promote an adequate management program for electromagnetic compatibility (EMC) in clinical areas with a large number of technologies (e.g. hospitals). This work surveys a coordinated approach using different techniques of scientific investigation, such as measurement techniques, numerical simulation, and optimization process. Regarding measurement techniques, it is presented a deep overview about the methods and protocols employed to provide a complete evaluation of wave propagation in hospitals. As a rule, these measurements are related to three main goals, such as to diagnose the electromagnetic profile established in clinical environments, to measure electromagnetic emissions originated from each electrometrical equipment within this area, and also to characterize the constitutive parameters of architectural structures composing the building. Based on that information, it is developed an effective numerical modeling of wave propagation and electromagnetic couplings established in the HCF. As far as computational simulation is concerned, the numerical tool engaged in this research is based on the Transmission Line Modeling Method (TLM). The complete development of numerical modeling for medical equipment, external electromagnetic sources, and also the architectural structures in the EAS, are systematically presented and discussed. Finally, all numerical models developed in this work are employed in a number of optimization processes regarding EMC management in hospitals. The Kriging method is mainly applied to develop spatial optimization process, whereas the Genetic Algorithms method is used to develop geometric optimization assessments. The achieved results allow to obtain synergy between all methods applied, in order to explore the potential of most important advantages and suppress its limitations