EMC Short Courses & Consulting

LearnEMC offers one and two-day short courses and consulting on topics related to electromagnetic compatibility. To find out more about arranging an in-house short course for your company, check out the Short Courses section of this website and contact us at LearnEMC@gmail.com.

Recently offered courses

Drs. Todd Hubing and Nancy Hubing of LearnEMC recently teamed up with Dr. Tom Van Doren to present the following two short courses in Greenville, SC.

Grounding & Shielding of Electronic Systems

Most engineers and technicians using or designing electronic systems have not had formal training concerning grounding and shielding techniques. Learning how to solve electromagnetic interference and signal integrity problems on the job can be very expensive for the employer and frustrating for the engineer. Most of the electromagnetic and circuit principles involved are simple, however, the complexity of many systems masks the logic and simplicity of possible solutions.  

This course: treats signals as currents; explains fundamental grounding, shielding, and signal routing principles; clarifies troublesome terminology; and demonstrates many techniques for identifying and fixing electrical interference problems. The principles will be described as concepts rather than theoretical equations. The emphasis on concepts will make the course useful for people with a wide range of experiences. Several interference mechanisms and shielding techniques will be demonstrated.

Printed Circuit Board Layout for EMC and Signal Integrity 

Printed circuit board layout is often the single most important factor affecting the electromagnetic compatibility of electronic systems. Boards that are auto-routed or laid out according to a list of “design rules” do not usually meet electromagnetic compatibility requirements on the first pass; and the products using these boards are more likely to require expensive EMC “fixes” such as ferrites on cables and shielded enclosures. Taking the time to ensure that components are properly placed and traces are optimally routed will generally result in products that meet all electromagnetic compatibility and signal integrity requirements on time and on budget.

Proper layout is particularly important in mixed-signal boards (boards with both analog and digital circuits). Minor mistakes in the layout of these boards can make the difference between a reliable product and a product with severe susceptibility problems. Recognizing poor design features early in a product’s development can save a lot of time and expense later on. This course stresses the fundamental concepts and tools that board designers must be familiar with to avoid electromagnetic compatibility and signal integrity problems. Students completing the course will be able to make good decisions regarding component selection, component placement, and trace routing. In addition, students will have the knowledge and tools necessary to design effective power distribution and grounding strategies for both digital and mixed-signal boards.