Evaluation of EM Vehicle Environment Measurement Methods for Risk-Based EMC Analysis

Due to the increasingly implemented electronic devices in modern applications, the electromagnetic environments become more and more complex. Therefore, there is need for such environments to be evaluated, so that potential electromagnetic compatibility issues can be identified and solved. So far, standardized methods have been using conventional measuring techniques such as e.g., superheterodyne receivers, oscilloscopes, etc. These types of devices depict the output data measured over frequency or time, determining the electromagnetic behavior of a system under test in a single domain. Although they are suitable for laboratory tests, a proper description of the real intended electromagnetic environment, where the device would be placed, requires a more careful analysis, especially in order to implement the risk-based EMC approach. Experiments performed in a vibrating intrinsic reverberation chamber representing an example harsh environment, using four different measuring methods show the receiving capabilities of each for better understanding on how an electromagnetic environment could be characterized.