FEATURE EMC & THERMAL MANAGEMENT EMC AND THE IMPACT OF THE LATEST DIRECTIVES
Andy Coombes, EMC product manager at Rohde & Schwarz UKlooks at the latest EMC directives and the new Radio Equipment Directive (RED) and the implications they represent across industry
W
ith the regulations that govern electromagnetic compliance
(EMC) and the performance of radio equipment changing, engineers need to know how they will be affected and the changes they need to make to demonstrate compliance. Enforcement of the EMC directive in the UK is undertaken by Trading Standards and Ofcom, that look at the functionality and protection of the electromagnetic spectrum of products intended for the end user. Penalties for non-compliance include product recall and replacement, or even imprisonment and a fine. Changes to our everyday environment
include an increase in the number of electronic devices and wireless and high-speed data equipment, IoT devices, connected lifestyles, and smart technologies and controls. The latest changes to European legislation on general EMC products and the performance of radio equipment, ensures that these devices can meet their expected function and coexist without interfering, improving utilisation of the limited RF spectrum. The updated standards are part of the EU’s New Legislative Framework (NLF), which not only raises product- performance standards to ensure safety and convenience for end users, but also clarifies the rules that govern CE marking of compliant products and improve enforcement.
EMC DIRECTIVE Market research has revealed a surprising proportion of products in the EU market that do not comply with legislation already in place. It seems that product manufacturers and their partners, including importers, distributors, and authorised
representatives, do not fully understand the intentions or the technicalities of the regulations. The NLF seeks to make it clearer that a product must comply with both the technical requirements and the administrative requirements set out in the new EMC directive, 2014/30/EU. The technical documents specify limits on emissions and requirements for immunity, and the administrative specifications describe the documentation needed to confirm compliance.
20 APRIL 2018 | ELECTRONICS Whereas many products are found to
comply with the technical specifications, administrative failures often relate to incomplete or out of date product documentation. To satisfy the directive, documents must refer to dated standards, and so must be maintained as these standards are themselves amended or superseded. This requires ongoing vigilance by the manufacturer, to be aware of any regulatory changes that may affect their products or the documentation.
Figure 1: Neuro)
“Conceptually, the RED is a response to the anticipated ongoing proliferation of many different types of wireless equipment, which will need to coexist within the limitations on RF spectrum.”
Perhaps the most significant change introduced with the NLF is the replacement of the outgoing Radio & Telecommunication Terminal Equipment (R&TTE) Directive by the RED. Conceptually, the RED is a response to the anticipated ongoing proliferation of many different types of wireless equipment, which will need to coexist within the limitations on the RF spectrum. The enormous number of IoT devices expected to be connected wirelessly to the Internet is an important example. The available spectrum of course, is
limited by the physical world and cannot be changed. While there are several engineering techniques for sharing spectrum, such as time division, frequency-modulation techniques, or spatial separation, the RED also emphasises efficient use of the available spectrum by individual items of equipment. In fact, the EU has instructed ETSI, the standards-making body, to include test cases for spectrum sharing. As a result, the technical requirements are tougher, and products that have formerly satisfied the R&TTE standards cannot be assumed to comply with the RED. Re-testing is needed, and manufacturers need to be aware of this. There are also administrative changes, typically aiming to address shortcomings in the R&TTED, by clarifying aspects such as the responsibilities of equipment suppliers and information provided to users. It is important to note that the wording of the directive refers to the date a product is “placed on the market”, it is important that all understand this applies to each individual unit, and not generally to the product type; that is, the date each newly produced item is made available for a customer to buy. The process of creating standards is ongoing by working groups containing legislators and industry experts, formed to assess credible proposals. Under RED, some standards are simply being updated and some products will be covered by a different standard. A RED Guide and Technical Guidance Notes (TGN) are being published to help manufacturers understand their compliance requirements. As more wireless equipment enters, use and equipment switching and clock frequencies continue to rise, the new regulations, created with the participation of engineering communities, are taking effect in response to these trends. For product manufacturers, getting to understand the objectives, technical changes, and administrative requirements, is a sound investment in time and resources.
Rohde & Schwarz UK
www.rohde-schwarz.com/ ad/press/emc
/ ELECTRONICS
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