Materials Aid EMI Suppression

Feb. 16, 2012
These materials are ideal for use in vehicular collision-avoidance systems, as well as for EMI suppression in a range of applications from HF through millimeter-wave frequencies.

Microwave absorber materials can be "design savers" when electromagnetic interference (EMI) threatens to disrupt the proper operation of an RF/microwave circuit or system. In the case of the Q-Zorb family of microwave absorbers from Laird Technologies, one of the high-frequency systems that benefits from these thin materials is the 77-GHz front-directed millimeter-wave collision-avoidance system now included on many high-end consumer automobiles.

Proper application of these absorbing materials can minimize the effects of EMI on vehicular collision-avoidance-system (CAS) and other critical applications. In a CAS application, for example, sensors are protected from extraneous electromagnetic (EM) radiation by the signal attenuation provided by the absorbing material, which allows the CAS to adjust the cruise control without interference from high-frequency noise. In vehicular collision-avoidance systems, the front collision avoidance system (FCAS), which is also known as adaptive cruise control system, uses 77-GHz transmitters to detect slower vehicles and adjust the cruise control system accordingly. The side-looking collision avoidance system (SCAS) operates at 24 GHzalso known as a lane-change collision-avoidance system.

The Q-Zorb microwave absorbers are designed to ensure the proper operation of both FCAS and SCAS installations. To help designers appreciate the impact of these EM absorbing materials, the company offers a free application note, "Q-Zorb Microwave Absorbers for Collision Avoidance System Applications." This document details the various high-frequency functions provided by collision-avoidance-system electronics and the importance of microwave absorbing materials to the proper operation of these systems.

The firm offers two different types of Q-Zorb magnetic absorbing materials for CAS applications: Q-Zorb HP (tailored for high permeability) and Q-Zorb HF (designed for high frequency use). The former employs novel magnetic fillers to achieve high permeability values at low frequencies, so that very thin sheets of the material can provide substantial reduction of EMI at frequencies below 2 GHz. This material is supplied in sheet thicknesses of 0.15 and 0.50 mm.

Q-Zorb HF is targeted at cavity resonance problems spanning 2 to 18 GHz and higher in frequency. This latter material is available in sheet thicknesses from 0.5 to 3.2 mm or in die-cut forms. Q-Zorb material in 0.020 in. (0.5 mm) thickness, for example, is well suited for applications at 10 GHz and above. These EMI-shielding materials feature a UL-V0 fire retardant rating and can be used at temperatures as high as +350F for reliable application in engine compartments.

Q-Zorb materials can be supplied in standard sheet sizes of 24 x 24 in., 12 x 12 in., and 4 x 6 in. They are essentially thin polymeric materials filled with magnetic particles. They exhibit both high permeability (for high magnetic loss of EM field strength) and high permittivity (for high dielectric losses) in order to suppress unwanted EM fields and signals. The EM energy along the side walls of a cavity are dominated by current flow and the magnetic (H) field, requiring the use of materials with high H-field loss that can suppress or cancel the magnetic field (and the currents causing it). In such a case, the electric (E) field is at a minimum along the cavity walls, and materialssuch as resistive foamsthat only exhibit dielectric loss will not provide adequate attenuation of the magnetic field.

The Q-Zorb materials can be bonded to a surface using contact adhesives or supplied with a pressure-sensitive acrylic adhesive (PSA) for ease of attachment. Both sets of materials are also RoHS compliant. MWRF

Laird Technologies, 3481 Rider Trail S., Earth City, MO 63045; (866) 928-8181, (636) 898-6000, FAX: (636) 898-6100, e-mail: [email protected], www.lairdtech.com.

About the Author

Jack Browne | Technical Contributor

Jack Browne, Technical Contributor, has worked in technical publishing for over 30 years. He managed the content and production of three technical journals while at the American Institute of Physics, including Medical Physics and the Journal of Vacuum Science & Technology. He has been a Publisher and Editor for Penton Media, started the firm’s Wireless Symposium & Exhibition trade show in 1993, and currently serves as Technical Contributor for that company's Microwaves & RF magazine. Browne, who holds a BS in Mathematics from City College of New York and BA degrees in English and Philosophy from Fordham University, is a member of the IEEE.

Sponsored Recommendations

Wideband Peak & Average Power Sensor with 80 Msps Sample Rate

Aug. 16, 2024
Mini-Circuits’ PWR-18PWHS-RC power sensor operates from 0.05 to 18 GHz at a sample rate of 80 Msps and with an industry-leading minimum measurement range of -40 dBm in peak mode...

Turnkey Solid State Energy Source

Aug. 16, 2024
Featuring 59 dB of gain and output power from 2 to 750W, the RFS-G90G93750X+ is a robust, turnkey RF energy source for ISM applications in the 915 MHz band. This design incorporates...

90 GHz Coax. Adapters for Your High-Frequency Connections

Aug. 16, 2024
Mini-Circuits’ expanded line of coaxial adapters now includes the 10x-135x series of 1.0 mm to 1.35 mm models with all combinations of connector genders. Ultra-wideband performance...

Ultra-Low Phase Noise MMIC Amplifier, 6 to 18 GHz

July 12, 2024
Mini-Circuits’ LVA-6183PN+ is a wideband, ultra-low phase noise MMIC amplifier perfect for use with low noise signal sources and in sensitive transceiver chains. This model operates...