Coexistence of multiple electronic devices within close range of each other requires that those devices achieve a certain level of electromagnetic compatibility (EMC). The EMC requirements are established by different organizations in different countries, such as the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) in the United States. To achieve EMC compliance, electronic products must be tested in a properly shielded enclosure and with an accurate measurement receiver, such as the PMM 9010 EMC/electromagnetic-interference (EMI) signal analyzer from the Italian firm Narda Safety Test Solutions (www.narda-sts.it).
This digital receiver has been a cornerstone of EMC/EMI testing, even though it only has an input frequency range of 10 Hz to 30 MHz. Modules have been available to extend the frequency range to 3 and 6 GHz, respectively. Now, with the availability of the PMM 9180 receiver module, that range can be extended further, to cover 6 to 18 GHz. The PMM brand of EMC/EMI products are available in North America through distributor Teseq, Inc. (www.teseq.com).
The combination of the PMM 9010 signal analyzer and PMM 9180 receiver module (see figure) can be used for commercial, industrial, and military EMC/EMI test applications. The instrument pair is compliant with CISPR 16-1-1, as well as MIL-STD-461 radiated emissions (RE) requirements. With a digital fiber-optic link between the receiver module and the signal analyzer, the PMM 9180 receiver module can be connected directly to an antenna without fear of interference from the radio emissions being measured.
The higher-frequency coverage attained by adding the receiver module enables the PMM 9010 receiver to execute EMC emissions testing at 10 times the highest clock speed of a product as required by the FCC, or on electronic products operating to 1.8 GHz. It can also perform MIL-STD-461F/RE102 testing, to the 18-GHz upper limit of the standard. And the receiver and frequency-extension module can be used for CE marking (after the French conformite Europeene, or “European conformity,” which certifies that a product is safe in terms of its electronic emissions).
The receiver module’s frequency range of 6 to 18 GHz is tunable with 100-Hz frequency resolution. It accepts input signals via an SMA female input connector, providing 20-dB preamplifier gain as needed and 0 to 45 dB attenuation in 5-dB steps. It can handle sinewave input signals to a maximum level of 137 dB {LC MU}V without damage. The receiver module allows intermediate-frequency (IF) bandwidths to be set at
3, 10, 30, 100, and 300 kHz as needed for EMC/EMI measurements (all 6-dB bandwidths), and provides 9-kHz, 120-kHz, and 1-MHz bandwidths for CISPR measurements. It features measurement accuracy of ±2 dB and suffers less than 20 dBμV spurious response.
The PMM 9180 runs for a minimum of four hours on a plug-in lithium-ion rechargeable battery. The receiver module weighs about 4.5 lbs and has an operating temperature range of -5 to +45°C. The PMM 9180 module is fully compatible with the PMM Emissions Suite software, which provides functional control of receiver functions, editing of EMC/EMI standards limits, and even creation of correction factors. The software simplifies saving, recalling, and comparing measurements with the receiver. P&A: $36,000 and up (PMM 9180); 12 wks. ARO.
Narda Safety Test Solutions Srl, Via Leonardo da Vinci, 21/23 – 20090 Segrate (Milan), Italy; +39 02-269987-1, FAX: +39 02-269987-00, e-mail: support@narda-sts-it, www.narda-sts.it. Teseq, Inc., 52 Mayfield Ave., Edison, NJ 08837; (732) 417-0501, (888) 417-0501, FAX: (732) 417-0511, E-mail: usasales@teseq.com, www.teseq.com.