A Method for Charactering EMI Coupling Paths and Source Properties in Complex Systems

A method for charactering EMI coupling paths in complex systems is presented. While it is relatively easy to determine the EMI antenna structures or the sources of EMI, it is often quite difficult to identify, and even more difficult to quantify coupling paths. This paper introduces a measurement-based method to quantify EMI coupling paths, and the source strengths can be indirectly determined by applying linear system theory. Circuit design guidelines, e.g., the permissible even-mode current in a differential signal, can be derived with the knowledge of the coupling path and EMI limits. Moreover, the EMI can be better predicted with the knowledge of the coupling paths, and the EMI source properties simulated with IBIS or SPICE circuit level simulations