The analysis of EMI effects on the performance of electronic systems implemented on a PCB

In this paper the effects of electromagnetic interference (EMI) on the performance of electronic systems implemented on printed circuit boards (PCB) are studied. Categorization of various degradations on the behavior of the system performance is done. Quantization of the performance depends on the system functionality and major constituting blocks. To do so, the performance of the front-end of a RF system and the timing in a sequential digital system are studied when there is an external electromagnetic threat. Two parameters, signal to EMI ration (SIR) and probability of happening an error in a digital bit sequence are defined for these important constituting blocks. Also, observable and measurable quantities for main building blocks of electronics systems are chosen for electromagnetic compatibility (EMC) analysis of the system response in an electromagnetic polluted operating environment. In addition, the EMI-added phase noise and clock jitter in synchronizing signals are extracted.

I. Introduction

System level analysis of EMI effect on an electronic system performance is a sophisticated task in each phase of design, test, and development of an electronic system. As a product development steps proceeds, the number of available techniques to improve the immunity of the system decreases while the cost of its implementation increases, [1]. If an electronic device exposes in a harsh electromagnetic environment, its normal performance will be under uncertainty. There are four levels of hazard severity for an electronic system in a severe electromagnetic environment, 1.

Immune Operation

2.

Performance degradation,

3.

Operation suspension, and

4.

Physical damage.