Electromagnetic Compatibility (EMC) Testing

Electronic devices on board drones are harmed when in proximity due to their ability to emit electromagnetic fields (EMF) and be vulnerable. Therefore, regulatory authorities have stated that these products must comply with all aspects of Electromagnetic Field (EMF) testing, which simulates this interaction between electrical and electronic equipment and allows any malfunctions to be seen. 

ALTER TECHNOLOGY offers services to perform EMC tests according to commercial and aerospace standards to obtain the CE marking and military standards. For the civil market, the CE marking is mandatory for all commercially available drones in the European Union to ensure the safety of the correct operation of the systems. 

Basically, there are two EMC issues to deal with: 

    • Electromagnetic emission: refers to the electromagnetic noise generated by a device or system and its release to the environment 
    • Electromagnetic immunity: refers to the ability of a device or system to function correctly in the presence of unwanted emissions 

EMC testing guarantees the reliability and interference-free functioning of different electronic devices and systems in a common electromagnetic environment. This can be achieved by measuring the emissions of a device or system and assessing its immunity to electromagnetic disturbances. 

Radio Equipment Directive (RED) Testing

Electromagnetic Compatibility (EMC) Directive 

Drone systems must comply with the EMC Directive 2014/30/EU that is intended to ensure that equipment liable to generate or to be affected by electromagnetic disturbance can be used in the electromagnetic environment for which it has been designed without causing disturbances to other equipment or being affected by them.  

The main objectives of the Directives are to regulate the compatibility of equipment regarding EMC: 

  • Equipment (apparatus and fixed installations) needs to comply with EMC requirements when it is placed on the market and/or taken into service 
  • The application of good engineering practice is required for fixed installations, with the possibility that competent authorities of Member States may impose measures in instances of non-compliance 

Drone systems also must comply with EMC Directive stated in other European directives such as Machinery Directive 2006/42/EC, Railway directives or Construction Products Regulation 305/2011/UE. 

ALTER TECHNOLOGY has as ENAC accreditation to perform EMC testing (accreditation number 345/LE808) 

Alter is accredited by the National Spanish Accreditation Body (ENAC) to perform EMC tests according to UNE-EN ISO/IEC 17025:2000, scope 345/LE808. In addition, it has been approved as Conformity Assessment Body (CAB) in the Mutual Recognition Agreement between Europe and third countries. 

Capabilities and facilities of ALTER Electromagnetic Compatibility (EMC) laboratory  

Alter Technology TÜV NORD offers its expertise in EMC testing covering a wide range of sectors: railway, military, aviation, space, electronic security and safety, medical equipment, etc. 

In general, the capacities and facilities of our services are the initial assessment in the offer stage, development of test plan, regulatory compliance advice, and fully accredited EMC. In Alter Technology there are highly experienced engineers with on-the-spot advice and solutions, to achieve CE marking. Besides, multiple test chambers are done to enable short lead times, parallel EMC, Radio, Environmental, and Safety tests. 

The testing capabilities and facilities of ALTER TECHNOLOGY EMC laboratory are: 

It is important to highlight that Alter Technology has wide and solid experience in the Aerospace & Defence EMC field, including the drone industry. The EMC engineering team is highly experienced, covering both the ground and space areas.   

    • Alter Technology’s participation in outstanding projects:

Alter Technology has worked in R&D projects such as Effective Alternative Technique to Radiated System Level Verification (for the European Space Agency) and the Intermediate eXperimental Vehicle (IXV) EMC Control Plan – Future Launchers Preparatory Programme (FLPP). 

Contact us and find out what we can offer you in this service

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