This year, the EMC SI/PI Symposium took place in Raleigh, N.C. the week of August 17. There were 23 experiments and demos in the exhibition hall with five parallel stages, with two-hour slots in the mornings and afternoons during exhibit hours. The presentations covered a wide spectrum of topics related to EMC, signal integrity, power integrity, aerospace, military, automotive, material properties, wireless communications, test methods, simulation, and much more. View our photo gallery here. View video demos from the event here.

In the exhibit hall, we sampled some of the booth displays. 

Altair was showing off their Multiphysics Verification from chip to system and robust wireless connectivity. Altair Feko ensures EMC/EMI, optimal antenna design, placement and coupling, simulating virtual test drives and flights and RF interference management for superior designs. Altair PollEx ensure reliable PCB development from design to manufacturing with rule-based evaluation and cross-disciplinary collaboration for optimized SI and PI, EMC compliance and enhanced performance. Altair PSIM streamlines power electronics simulation for faster analysis and optimization of power distribution networks within electronic systems to prevent EMI design issues and improve system performance and reliability.

Copper Mountain Technologies was showing off their embedded VNA units. Their RP60 operates from 1 MHz to 6 GHz in a very small form factor that can be used in small places like drones. Copper Mountain Technologies provides vector network analyzers for thousands of clients in close to 100 countries around the world. Their VNAs include an RF measurement module and a software application that runs on an external PC laptop or tablet, and connects to the measurement hardware via USB interface. Users can take advantage of the latest operating systems, processing power, larger displays, and reliable performance of an external PC while realizing a lower total cost of ownership and simplified maintenance. The result is a faster, more effective test process that fits into the modern workspace.

ETS Lindgren showed their Model 3170 Intell-I-Tune™ Antenna Solution for MIL-STD-461G (and H draft) RS103 compliance testing across the 30 MHz to 200 MHz frequency range. This Antenna achieves 200 V/m at 1 m from the fundamental frequency — not harmonics — which is one of the most difficult EMC challenges. Also, on display was Model 2171C Boresight Plus Antenna Positioning Tower, supporting standards ANSI C63.4, C63.10, and C63.26 for tilt and boresight capabilities — including positive, negative, and non-tilt testing per CISPR 16. The Model 5903-HST, a next-generation high-speed Tuner with rotation speeds up to 100 RPM, upgrades the existing reverberation chamber test environment by maximizing measurement efficiency while also significantly accelerating measurement cycles. Model EMSense™ Platinum E-Field Probe, a high-speed, laser-powered E-Field Probe for frequencies from 20 MHz to 18 GHz. EMSense Platinum provides real-time data with up to 2 million readings per second, with broad dynamic range and seamless EMC system integration for superior accuracy. There was also the advance preview of ETS-Lindgren’s Model 3188 Broadband Magnetic Dipole Antenna designed for the 18 GHz to 40 GHz frequency range with horizontal polarization and < ±1.5 dB azimuthal symmetry over the entire band.

Exodus Advanced Communications has amplifiers operating from 10 kHz to 50 GHz for its EMC line of products offering solid-state solutions to meet today’s EMI/EMC requirements. Their Broadband solid-state solution enables them to provide a better alternative to a TWT Amplifier, which means extended product usage life and improved cost of ownership. A couple of examples include the AMP20071 operating from 6-18 GHz with 200 W and AMP20167 from 18-40 with 80 W.

Keysight Technologies recently announced a major enhancement to its PXE EMI Receiver, extending the wideband Time Domain Scan with a real-time, gapless measurement capability up to 1 GHz measurement bandwidth. The new PXE Receiver enables engineers to measure from 30 MHz to 1 GHz in just one step versus the previous three-step version. This advancement provides high sensitivity, enables faster diagnostics, and significantly accelerates EMC and certification workflows.

Maury Microwave was sporting their new logo and EMC immunity testing for emerging standards. Their demonstration highlighted how Maury Microwave amplifiers, power sensors, and interconnects support precise and reliable EMC immunity testing. An MPA-series amplifier, designed for EMC applications, amplifies a waveform from a signal source. With a frequency range from 400 MHz to 98 GHz, the solid-state power amplifiers provide the wideband ranges and linearity required for EMC testing. The LLC-series low-loss, high power bidirectional airline coupler receives the amplified signal and directs a portion to the 50-ohm load for termination and to the RTP5000 series real-time power sensor for analysis. StabilityPlus cable assemblies are used to ensure highly accurate signal transmission in demanding, high frequency EMC test environments.

OphirRF has been designing and manufacturing High Power RF/Microwave Amplifier Systems and Modules for Defense Applications, EMC, and Test & Measurement purposes since 1992. Their capabilities include broadband, multi-octave amplifiers from 10 KHz to 40 GHz. Power ranges up to thousands of watts are achievable CW, and pulsed power in the tens of thousands of watts are no problem. One example is the 5225 Solid State Broadband amplifier operating from 80-1000 MHz with 200 W.

R&S was showing off their EMC portfolio, including their expanded receiver product line and new 44 GHz antenna, as well as their amplifiers, oscilloscopes, and automation tools that streamline the entire EMC compliance process while improving measurement accuracy and efficiency. Rohde & Schwarz's interactive challenges gave participants hands-on experience with cutting-edge EMC test equipment as they work through complex real-world engineering scenarios. The EMC+SIPI Debug Challenge uses R&S MXO5 and R&S RTO6 oscilloscopes for EMI debugging and power integrity troubleshooting, while the GaN Switching EMC Challenge combines the R&S MXO5 oscilloscope with the new extended frequency EPL EMI receiver for DC-DC converter emissions analysis. These challenges not only test participants' technical skills but provide relevant training with the latest test equipment. Additionally, Rohde & Schwarz showcased the breadth of their EMC test and measurement solutions through comprehensive booth demonstrations. Visitors saw portable radiated emissions testing with the newly released R&S EPL1007 EMI receiver, conducted emissions setups, high-frequency amplifiers, the new HF1444G 44GHz antenna, and automated testing workflows featuring time domain scan technology and Elektra automation software.

Signal Edge Solutions introduced PulseLoad Pro, an easy-to-use software that enables users to gather more data in less time by automating the processes of measurement gathering and data analysis. The equipment and tools used in the setup, including the oscilloscope and power supply, are specified to ensure accurate measurement of signals and voltages during transient events. PulseLoad Pro transforms the way engineers approach VRM and power supply testing. The powerful software automates the entire process, from capturing transient responses across a wide range of frequencies to identifying and displaying the worst-case waveform in just one minute. Instead of spending hours on manual adjustments and sifting through countless screenshots, you can get all the data you need for post-processing in a fraction of the time.

Teledyne LeCroy was featuring demos on Power Delivery Network (PDN) Measurements; Eye Diagrams & Signal Integrity; S-parameters, impedance matching, and time domain analysis for interconnect characterization and Tips to Get the Most Out of Your EMC-EMI Lab Oscilloscope.