On-Site Automotive Environment Measurements for a Risk-based EMC Approach

Due to the on-going changes in modern technologies, deeper investigation of the complex automotive electromagnetic environments is necessary. Since conventional standardized testing methods are lacking characteristics met in real automotive electromagnetic environments, a risk-based electromagnetic compatibility approach can conclude to detection of potential electromagnetic interference threats. A measurement of a real automotive electromagnetic environment is proposed and investigated using two different measurement methods addressing the temporal and spatial variations of the electromagnetic environment. This investigation reveals the complexity of real electromagnetic environments and the difficulty of them being sufficiently described to warrant electromagnetic compatibility due to continuously varying parameters over space, time, and frequency. The random-walk technique is applied and compared with a discrete static measuring technique of acquiring data. Examination of the collected data is made along with discussion on their possible application through statistical tools.