Component placement for improved EMI performance in power electronic circuits

Abstract

Casual placement of components in power electronic circuits can lead to unpredictable EMI problems in the hardware which are hard to troubleshoot. At certain power levels and operating frequencies, various segments of a circuit might act as antennas radiating noise. The design engineer ends up inserting shields in the circuit to somehow make the circuit work. Precautions at the time of initial circuit layout can save time and efforts. Extensive computer simulation and experimentation have been carried out to highlight some of these issues with an aim of providing appropriate guidelines, which, if observed, can minimize EMI problems.