Stop Learning EMC by Trial and Error

Most engineers and technicians designing electronic systems have not had any formal training concerning electromagnetic compatibility principles. Learning how to solve routing, grounding, filtering, and shielding problems by trial and error can be very expensive for the employer and frustrating for the designer. For industry standards and best practices, engineers should consult established EMC guidelines and regulatory requirements.

Complete 20-Hour Program Structure

Core Foundation (15 hours): "Grounding and Shielding of Electronic Systems" - covers all fundamental EMC principles including basic PCB layout techniques

Advanced Specialization (5 hours): "Circuit Board Layout to Reduce Electromagnetic Emission and Susceptibility" - deep-dive into advanced PCB design for EMC compliance

Most of the electromagnetic and circuit principles involved are very simple. However, the complexity of many systems masks the logic and simplicity of possible solutions. This comprehensive EMC training program provides both the fundamental grounding in electromagnetic compatibility principles AND advanced PCB specialization - everything you need for complete EMC mastery. Learn more about FCC EMC compliance requirements.

🎯 EMC Training Objectives

1. Base electromagnetic compatibility design decisions on logical engineering principles rather than trial and error
2. Understand the four noise coupling mechanisms that cause all electrical interference problems
3. Learn how to systematically diagnose and reduce electrical interference problems at board and system levels

📚 Complete EMC Course Package

✓ 20 comprehensive video sessions (1 hour each)
✓ Detailed workbooks for active participation
✓ Example problems and EMC demonstrations
✓ Downloadable learning objectives guide
✓ Virtual on-demand EMC training format

Grounding and Shielding of Electronic Systems

15 One-Hour Sessions - The Complete EMC Foundation

15 Hours of Comprehensive EMC Training

EMC Learning Objectives

Explain why wiring inductance is more important than resistance in EMC design
Describe how current loop area is related to self inductance
Describe the four noise-coupling mechanisms in electromagnetic interference
List one key indicator for each EMC coupling mechanism
Describe two ways to reduce each of the four coupling mechanisms
Explain two reasons for grounding in EMC applications
Explain the difference between a grounding conductor and a return conductor
Explain why a signal should be grounded to an external metal enclosure
Describe signal isolation techniques used to avoid ground loops
Use logical procedures to diagnose and solve electrical noise problems
Determine optimum grounding technique for safety and low noise
Determine correct connection for cable shields in EMC applications

Complete 15-Hour Session Outline

Hour 1: The Path of Least Impedance
Hour 2: Electrical Noise Coupling Mechanisms
Hour 3: Noise Coupling Equivalent Circuits
Hour 4: Why and How to Ground Electrical Systems
Hour 5: Signal Grounding Concepts and Examples
Hour 6: How to Diagnose Noise Problems
Hour 7: Impedance Balancing & Common Mode Rejection
Hour 8: Filtering Conducted Noise
Hour 9: Self Shielding
Hour 10: Electric-Field Shielding
Hour 11: Magnetic-Field Shielding
Hour 12: Electromagnetic-Wave Shielding
Hour 13: Selecting the Right Cable
Hour 14: Circuit Board Layout – Part I
Hour 15: Circuit Board Layout – Part II

PCB Foundation Included: Hours 14-15 provide essential circuit board layout principles for EMC compliance that serve as the foundation for the advanced PCB deep-dive course.

Wiring Equivalent Circuit - EMC Fundamentals

Example: Wiring Equivalent Circuit Analysis

EMC Course Coverage: This electromagnetic compatibility training presents an organized introduction to fundamental grounding and shielding principles, clarifies troublesome EMC terminology, and demonstrates many techniques for identifying and fixing electrical noise problems. The EMC principles are described as concepts rather than theoretical equations, making the course useful for engineers with a wide range of experience levels.

Advanced Circuit Board Layout for EMC

5 One-Hour Sessions - Advanced PCB Specialization

5 Hours of Advanced PCB Training

🔗 Builds on EMC Foundation Course

This advanced PCB module expands significantly on the circuit board layout topics covered in Hours 14-15 of the main EMC course, providing in-depth coverage for engineers who need advanced circuit board design expertise for electromagnetic compatibility.

Advanced PCB EMC Objectives

Explain why wiring inductance is more important than resistance in PCB design
Describe how current loop area is related to self inductance in circuit boards
Explain how resonances worsen circuit board emission and immunity
Determine which nets should be terminated as transmission lines
Describe the four noise-coupling mechanisms in PCB applications
Describe two ways to reduce each of the four coupling mechanisms on PCBs
Explain the two reasons for grounding in circuit board design
Explain the difference between a grounding conductor and a signal return conductor
Explain why a signal should be grounded to an external metal enclosure
Explain when to use series blocking and shunt diverting filter techniques
Understand the problem with mutual inductance between input and output loops
Recognize trace layouts that have excessive inductance
Design more effective DC power-distribution busses
Understand advantages of alternative layer stackup configurations

Advanced 5-Hour PCB Outline

Hour 1: Introduction, Signal Routing and the Path of Least Impedance, Transmission Line Effects
Hour 2: Transmission Line Effects (cont.), Noise Coupling Mechanisms in PCBs
Hour 3: Circuit Board Grounding Issues, Filtering Conducted Noise
Hour 4: DC Power Distribution and Decoupling
Hour 5: Component Placement and Layer Stackup, Chassis, Cable, and System Issues, Review of EMC Principles and Board Layout Guidelines

Advanced PCB Coverage: Circuit board layout issues spanning DC to several GHz for EMC compliance. Mixed analog and digital designs, multilayer boards are emphasized. Most concepts are applicable to one- and two-sided board designs. Several key PCB EMC concepts illustrated with demonstrations.

Includes: APPENDIX 1 - A Review of Background Material, APPENDIX 2 - A Summary of EMC Guidelines for Circuit Board Layout

HF Current Path Analysis - Advanced PCB Design

Advanced Topic: HF Current Path Analysis in PCB Design

EMC Course Instructor

Dr. Tom Van Doren

Professor of Electrical and Computer Engineering
University of Missouri-Rolla
Member of the Electromagnetic Compatibility Laboratory

Dr. Van Doren has 35+ years of teaching and industrial experience in the areas of electromagnetic compatibility, data acquisition, microwave communication systems, and semiconductor device fabrication. Learn more about his research at the University of Missouri-Rolla.

Over the past 20 years, more than 19,000 engineers and technicians have attended his EMC short courses on "Grounding and Shielding of Electronic Systems" and "Circuit Board Layout to Reduce Electromagnetic Emission and Susceptibility."

His organized approach to fundamental grounding and shielding principles, combined with practical demonstrations of interference mechanisms and shielding techniques, makes complex EMC concepts accessible to engineers with a wide range of experience levels. Dr. Van Doren was honored with the IEEE EMC Society Hall of Fame Award for his pioneering work in EMC education.