 Powerful new software tools for accurate simulation of complete system electromagnetic characteristics
Far-field electromagnetic simulation tools enable logistical savings and performance enhancements for complex electronic systems To eliminate the complex and expensive challenges of EMC testing for large systems such as satellites and other vehicle-mounted electronics, Alter Technology Group has developed electromagnetic simulation tools that are proven to be accurate within +/- 2.5 dB Using input data from near-field testing performed at lower cost using commercial facilities, the simulator is able to generate accurate system-level electromagnetic data.
Customers working in conjunction with ATG’s consulting services are able to use the simulated data to assess the system’s electromagnetic characteristics. The results can help predict any areas of non-compliance and thereby avoid costly delays later in the project. Moreover, the simulator provides accurate data on the fields existing inside the fully integrated system, which have historically been impossible to collect empirically. This allows product development teams to improve product designs by eliminating potential safety and reliability issues.
In addition to saving the expense of empirical far-field testing, which requires heavy commitment of personnel and resources for extended periods off site, the simulator also saves system developers waiting for suitable facilities to become available. Since very few facilities in the world are equipped to perform far-field electromagnetic analysis on large systems, waiting lists are long and access can be a challenge since most facilities are located within defence-related establishments.
“This simulator represents many man-years of development effort, and now allows us to help customers understand and improve electromagnetic characteristics more accurately than ever before,” said “Lloyd Francis. “As well as reducing lead-times and costs for complex systems, we expect to achieve significant safety and reliability enhancements for systems such as aircraft electronics, by eliminating or greatly diminishing the risks of EMI-related failures.”
Alter Technology Group’s simulator allows engineers to assess the system’s electromagnetic characteristics accurately in three dimensions, and thereby verify electromagnetic compatibility or pinpoint necessary improvements. The methodology prescribes practical benchmarking of key subsystems to map electromagnetic performance, which allows project teams to perform basic tests using facilities that are much more readily available, such as a small, commercial anechoic chamber. The empirically-generated map is then used as input data to the simulator, which applies proprietary field-computation algorithms to predict far-field characteristics for the full system.
After proving the simulator’s accuracy working with specialists at the University of Alcalá de Henares in Spain, ATG has incorporated far-field electromagnetic simulation capability into its portfolio of consulting services for customers in space, defence, aviation and similar application areas where high reliability in harsh environments is of paramount importance.
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