AUTOMOTIVE ELECTRONICS
Ensuring automotive EMC compliance
Marcus Sampson, director (Mobility) UK, Ireland, Northern Europe at TÜV SÜD
T
oday, virtually every automobile operating system includes some component that could produce electromagnetic or radio frequency (RF) interference. Automotive suppliers are responsible for devising EMC test plans. This requires an understanding of which industry regulatory standards must be met, as well by OEMs with whom they plan on doing business. Suppliers must also be closely engaged with the EMC testing process to ensure compliance is achieved. Tests can be categorised as necessary for design outside of these parameters is categorised as engineering validation and will not be viewed
There are six major areas of EMC testing: • Radiated RF Emissions (RE). • Conducted RF Emissions (CE). • Conducted Transient Emissions (CTE). • Electrostatic Discharge (ESD). • Radiated RF Immunity (RI). • Conducted Transient Immunity (CTI).
The test plan must describe all the components and their normal functions/ modes of operation. Other details that may be incorporated include information about how a component was manufactured, supplier data, environmental conditions for tests, pass/ fail criteria, severity levels and relevant safety procedures.
Upon receipt of the OEM’s approval number, you may inform your partner test laboratory, and testing can begin. Ideally, the testing process will go exactly as described in the test plan and the product will meet all of the standards imposed upon it.
It may be necessary to make adjustments in real time based on unforeseen parameter changes. If the OEM is informed of your intention to adjust the testing process as outlined in the plan and the manufacturer signs off on the change, it is permissible to change the plan. For example, a motor for a power window is expected to be run continuously clockwise as part of a test in the plan. This might not be possible because it is
travel very far until it hits a hard stop and must be reset. The OEM must be informed of the issue and told why a change is necessary. As the OEM must be informed of the issue and told why a change is necessary, close communication between the testing laboratory, supplier and OEM is critical. In many cases, an OEM will require continuous updates on test passage or failure, sometimes as immediately as 24 hours or less after each test is conducted.
After being informed of a test pass/ fail status, you may have a few more days before associated car manufacturers demand more detailed reports on the individual tests. You will also have to consider various other tight deadlines throughout the course of the project, including macro-deadlines such as time-to-market.
Your test laboratory, whether you have a laboratory in-house or use a third-party facility, must meet ISO/IEC 17025 minimum requirements. This standard enables laboratories to demonstrate that they operate competently and generate valid results. It also helps facilitate cooperation between laboratories and other bodies by generating wider acceptance of results between
10 MARCH 2025 | ELECTRONICS FOR ENGINEERS
be accepted from one country to another without the need for further testing which improves international trade.
For automotive OEMs and suppliers, it can be very valuable if a laboratory is able to provide end-to-end solutions throughout the entire automotive value chain as it streamlines the testing process. A single laboratory can handle all testing needs, from components to full vehicle systems, so there is no need to testing also improves data reliability and minimises the risk of miscommunication, overlooked tests or non-compliance. They can also provide insights into how different components interact within the vehicle to ensure interoperability and system-level reliability. This all helps to minimise time to market, especially as any compliance and resolved faster, helping OEMs meet production and launch timelines. By bundling services and avoiding test duplication, costs can also be minimised.
EMC testing is crucial for automotive that all electronic systems and components operate as required despite electromagnetic disturbances, while also preventing the vehicle from generating excessive
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