Feature

Is Raspberry Pi the victim of EMI?

Electromagnetic interference (EMI) is the phenomenon of electrical disturbance that can negatively affect electrical circuits, whereas EMC, or electromagnetic compatibility, refers to a particular device or piece of equipment, and its ability to limit the generation, propagation and reception of this unwanted electromagnetic energy.

30/03/2020 16:42:56

Font size:

In industrial environments where there will inevitably be a substantial amount of electrical noise, disturbance and unintentional electromagnetic induction, the questions we need to ask are, ‘Can the Raspberry Pi cope with EMI?
Will my prototype achieve acceptable EMC?’

What sources of EMI are present?

Industrial environments are often loud, but it’s the silent noise – the electronic disturbance – that can damage the performance of
sensors and communications systems or stop them from functioning altogether. The two main types of EMI are conducted and radiated. Conducted electromagnetic interference is caused by conductors coming into direct contact; electromagnetic noise
is passed through cables from the emitting device to the susceptible device.

Radiated interference is when electromagnetic waves are transmitted wirelessly without the physical contact of conductors. With radiated waves, disturbances are not confined
to the surface of the conductor – rather, disturbances will radiate away from it. One type of radiated EMI is near-field interference – capacitive and inductive coupling between two circuits.

Read the full article in the April issue of DPA.

Written By Sophia Bell

Sophia Bell is the Group Editor of DPA, Connectivity, and PBSI. She joined the team in 2020 as Assistant Editor after achieving a First-Class Honours BA in English Literature and Film Studies from the University of East Anglia. In her current role, she leads the editorial strategy, driving digital growth and ensuring each title continues to deliver trusted, relevant insight for engineering and manufacturing professionals.