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Fig. 1. Arc damage from the ADEOS-II Satellite caused by unmitigated ESD. Courtesy: NASA.

Comprehensive Charging and Material Characterization Services for Space Missions

The space environment is dynamic, complex, and harsh, leading to possible mission failures. Energetic charged particles emitted by the sun pose the biggest risk to a spacecraft and its components. A buildup of these particles can potentially alter a spacecraft’s material properties leading to electrostatic discharge (ESD) related arcing, degraded insulators, and other undesirable effects. […]

Map of Pittsfield, Mass.

Space, Fuel Tanks, and Optics: A look at EMA’s Testing Capabilities

Western Massachusetts has a long history of innovation, with William Stanley’s Electric Manufacturing Company producing the first electric transformer in Pittsfield back in 1891. Today, EMA is continuing that tradition. EMA has developed a series of labs at our Pittsfield offices that can recreate the space environment, measure the impacts of lightning strikes, and more. […]

Ansys Services Partner Network

EMA Joins the Ansys Partner Services Network

EMA is excited to announce that we recently joined the Ansys Partner Services Network. This opportunity facilitates EMA access for Ansys customers to EMA consulting, test, and measurement services. The partnership is expected to foster innovation, improve efficiency, and accelerate time-to-market for customer projects. Ansys Partner SErvices The Ansys Services Partner Network is a select […]

Optimizing Schematics: The Importance of Design Review

Devices must comply with EMI/EMC standards and regulations, but where do you start in the testing process? You can start by using simulation. This is a good option because you know how a product will behave, but it could end up costing you in the long run. “PCBs are so complex nowadays that if you […]

Simulation model of the rail system in Ansys EMC Plus.

Achieving Railroad Safety in Transmission Line Shared Corridors

In the intricate landscape of railroad operations, the emergence of inductive interference from electrical transmission lines presents a formidable challenge, potentially threatening both safety and the seamless functionality of signaling systems. Advance coordination by electric companies with railroads can also be a challenge. This was the reality faced by CSX in the Grand Rapids, Michigan […]

Location of the plasma library in Charge Plus.

Ansys EMC Plus and Charge Plus 2024 R2 What’s New

2024 R2 new updates are now available for Ansys EMC Plus and Ansys Charge Plus. This latest release continues to improve the user experience and workflow efficiency. ANsys EMC Plus EMC Plus is a device and platform level electromagnetic (EM) modeling solution. Application areas include electromagnetic environmental effects (E3), cables, EMI/EMC, and RF de-sense. Key […]

Image of the Sun from Sept. 16, 2024 (left). Sunspots reported on Sept. 16, 2024 (right).

Solar Activity is Increasing, How to Protect Yourself from an EMP

Scientists are increasingly observing more and more sunspots on the Sun’s surface. This increase in space weather has the potential to cause electromagnetic pulses (EMP), or sudden bursts of electromagnetic (EM) energy, leading to major disruptions here on Earth. Increasing Solar Activity Space weather is an all-encompassing term for the variations in the space environment […]

Schematic design of an induction heating rice cooker

EMC Compliance Testing of Electronic Medical Devices

Electronic medical devices are complex instruments. They can not only keep hearts pumping and continuously monitor blood glucose levels, but they also have to keep working without fail in complicated electromagnetic (EM) environments. To keep patients safe, all electronic medical devices must meet electromagnetic compatibility (EMC) standards. Definitions The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) […]

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