Electro Magnetic Compatibility (EMC) for Telecom Products

All working electrical equipment generate Magnetic fields which vary in strength depending on the type of equipment, and can interfere with other equipment in close proximity )through different media such as air, cables etc.)

Electrical/Telecom equipment is said to be electro magnetically compatible (EMC) when the electrical field it generates does not interfere with any other equipment. Causes of EMI Electromagnetic Interference (EMI) is the undesirable influence of unwanted electrical noise by conduction (through cables or conductors) or radiation (through air) Several factors can cause EMI such as poor earthing of equipment, bad soldering, poor quality components, bad circuit layout, positioning of antenna and poor equipment design and manufacture. A number or paths may be involved in coupling electrical noise from a source to another device, these include common wiring (e.g. power supplies, data lines etc.), electrical coupling between adjacent wiring, radiation via air links and wires in a varying electromagnetic field.

Effects of EMI

EMI can negatively affect performance of the equipment. Usage of a modem near a TV may affect the performance of the modem or placing a mobile phone near radio receiver can generate noise in the radio.

EMC Control

EMC control is achieved through good design techniques, the correct use of quality components and testing of equipment to ensure EMC. Such standard practices have been found to be effective through laboratory measurements. The analysis of an EMI problem begins by determining the path (conducted or radiated( between the source and the receiver.

EMC Standards and Regulations

Since EMC is a very important issue for governments, manufacturers and for Regulating Authorities, many EMC compliance standards are available. Radiated Emissions are regulated by the International Telecommunication Union (ITU) under the Radio Frequency Regulations. Some of the organizations involved in the Regulation of EMC are

Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE(

Society of Automotive Engineers (SAE(

Electronics Industries Association (EIA(

American National Standards Institute (ANSI(

European Telecommunications Standards Institution (ETSI(

At Emirates Telecom Lab we ensure that TELECOM PRODUCTS are ELECTRO MAGNETIC COMPATIBLE (EMC)

A word document of an EMC article can be downloaded here