High-frequency experimental characterization of impedance bonds used in railway systems

Abstract

The development of EMC models of complex railway systems requires accurate characterization of all the units integrated in the railway environment. In line with this aim, in this paper two methods are proposed for the characterization of impedance bonds (IBs) up to 100 MHz. The first method makes use of a signal generator and an oscilloscope for the measurement of open-circuit impedances, whereas the second foresees the measurement of scattering parameters via a vector network analyzer. This experimental characterization of IBs proves to be useful for multiconductor-transmission-line (MTL) modeling of the railway infrastructure, aimed at analyzing its impact on the electromagnetic emissions radiated to the outside world.