In the EMC world, radiated immunity testing simulates a device’s interactions with electromagnetic fields it may encounter. Devices such as cell phones, radios, motors, and many more may generate electromagnetic interference (EMI), and with the growing amount of wireless signals across the globe, it's more important than ever to ensure they do not malfunction when within range of another device.
Testing for radiated immunity involves radiating a radio frequency (RF) signal through the air and observing its effects on the device under test (DUT). This setup commonly consists of first using a field strength probe to verify the test conditions within the RF enclosure (a type of room that eliminates outside interference). Once they are verified, the DUT is placed inside the enclosure. An RF signal generator generates a CW or modulated signal which is amplified to the required level by an RF amplifier and radiated through an EMC antenna to become an electromagnetic field. From there, potential malfunctions are observed in order to meet certain test standards.
Radiated Immunity Standards
The most common radiated immunity test standard is
IEC 61000-4-3. Other notable test standards are
MIL-STD-461 RS103, which refers to it as radiated susceptibility; and
High-Intensity Radiated Field (HIRF) testing to
DO-160 Section 20. The IEC standard is centered around commercial use, while the other two are for military and/or aerospace testing.
ATEC rents all required equipment to complete radiated immunity testing. Find options from leading manufacturers such as
Amplifier Research,
Advanced Amplifiers,
Ophir,
Empower,
Rohde & Schwarz, and many more.
Types of Radiated Immunity Test Equipment
- RF amplifier
- EMC antenna
- EMP generator
- RF components
- RF enclosure
- RF power meter & sensor
- RF signal generator