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Real Automotive Case Study

Real-World Electromagnetic Interference Issues in Automotive Systems and Their Impact on Safety

In vehicles, a lack of adequate insulation in the wiring can cause interference between the entertainment system and the ABS, compromising safety. Other known issues include interference from electronic devices (such as video game consoles, laptops or tablets, etc.) inside the vehicle with the airbag system, which can cause it to deploy for no reason whilst driving.

Radar pulses in the GHz frequency range can interfere with cars. Due to their mobility, vehicles are exposed to a wide variety of electromagnetic environments: from  driving past transformers and high-voltage power lines operating at 50 or 60 Hz, to  driving near airports where approach and landing radars operate in the 1.2 to 1.4 GHz and 2.7 to 3.1 GHz bands.
Vehicle manufacturers identified a number of cases in which vehicles near airports and military bases were affected by the electromagnetic fields emitted by radar systems. High levels of radiation from the radar interfered with the normal operation of critical vehicle systems, including braking controls and airbag deployment. Given the significance of the problem, car manufacturers’ management pressed their EMC departments to develop a test plan to verify the electromagnetic immunity of components against these pulses.

Companies such as Ford Motor Company and General Motors Worldwide have included provisions in their immunity standards for testing components against radar pulses. Generating pulses of 600 V/m at these frequencies requires the use of high-power amplifiers and/or very high-gain antennas. During the development of antennas optimised to meet these requirements, a number of issues relating to the testing process were identified. 

In this context, electromagnetic compatibility (EMC) has become a critical factor in ensuring the safety and reliability of modern vehicles. The growing presence of electronic systems, coupled with exposure to increasingly complex electromagnetic environments, makes it essential to validate the immunity of components against external interference. Consequently, the development of specific test methodologies and the application of rigorous standards enable the anticipation of potential faults, improve the design of electronic systems and ensure that vehicles operate safely even under demanding electromagnetic conditions.