Electromagnetic Interference (EMI)

A disturbance that affects an electrical circuit due to

either electromagnetic induction or electromagnetic radiation emitted from an external source. Radio Frequency Interference (RFI) is a special class of EMI in which radio frequency transmissions (usually narrow-band) cause unintentional problems in equipment operation.

 EMI is any undesirable electromagnetic emission or any electrical or

electronic disturbance, man-made or natural, which causes an undesirable response, degradation in the performance of electrical equipment The fundamental concept of electrical and electromagnetic interference involves an emanating source and an affected device or system. The transfer of energy between systems can occur through radiation, conduction, or induction. The actual transfer of energy is facilitated respectively through a transmission path, conductive path, or through magnetic coupling.

 Electromagnetic Interference (EMI) is the result of

electromagnetic (E/M) emissions. Every piece of electrically powered equipment transmits and receives E/M energy Conductors are better antennas as the frequency increases Since LANs operate at very high speeds there can be lots of problems due to EMI

Electromagnetic interference in analog TV signal

Propagation of emi
Electro-magnetic interference propagate through

conduction over signal and power lines and through radiation in free space.

Sources of EMI

Sources of emi can be separated in following catgoriesIncidental interference External noise Inter modulation distortion Spurious emission Adjacent channel interference Environmental interference

Incidental Interference
When a device is unable to distinguish desired signal

due to the reception of a strong signal. Result of the issues relating to circuit design,shielding requirements etc which lead to the inability to reject these unwanted signal. Incidental EI have potentially devastating effects on medical devices and airplane electronics.

External Noise
It can be electromagnetic or electrical in nature.

Noise from electromagnetic source can vary in

intensity and period. Electrical sources are constant in narure.

Spurious Emission
Transmission of signals that are outside the prescribed

frequency band of a transceiver are considered spurious emissions. It involves harmonics at multiples of fundamental frequency.

Types of EMI
Depending on the frequency ranges over which an interference

extends, it can be classified into two types: Narrowband interference Broadband interference Helps in analysing the effects of emi .

Narrowband Interference
Narrow band interference is electromagnetic radiation

broadcasted by TV and radio stations, as well as cell phones. These types of interferences are confined to certain select frequency bands and are therefore known as narrow band electromagnetic interferences. Narrowband interference usually arises from intentional transmissions such as radio

and TV stations, pager

transmitters, cell

phones, etc.

Effects of Narrowband interference

Mobile phones are one of the cases of its effects. Mobile Phone causes speaker interference any time when it

has an incoming call or is connecting to the service after being shut off. It causes speakers to sort of blip in and out on the nearby speakers

Cause of the problem

Narrowband electromagnetic interference is the culprit in this case. Mobile phone must emit electromagnetic waves (like microwaves, x-

rays, or radio waves) to communicate with a tower. This communication is kept open all the time, and is increased when on a call, or when the phone switches from one tower to the next. As the phone sends and receives bursts of electromagnetic waves from the tower, the waves impart voltage in a circuit which makes cut-out silence, or noises from the speakers.

Broadband interference

The power density of electromagnetic interference in an average urban environment since 1945.

CAUSES OF EMI