Solving Interference Problems in Electronics
A fresh look at electronics in the real world of Electromagneticinterference, the physical environment, and utility power . ..
Despite the many advances in electronics, the semiconductorrevolution, and technologies that perform well above 100MHz--problems of noise and interference remain. One reason is theinability of circuit theory to address a number of real-worldissues--utility power, grounding, the character of buildings, thenature of long cables, or questions of radiation vis-a-visequipment.
Solving Interference Problems in Electronics tackles all theseareas with an amazingly accessible and down-to-earth approach thatbridges the gap between the practical world and today'selectronics. Highly original and pragmatic, the book useselementary principles of physics to shed new light on EMI, andshows students and engineering professionals how to solve problemsthat are often beyond the scope of circuit theory.
Drawing on his 30 years experience in the field, author RalphMorrison:
* Defines EMI broadly to accommodate utility power and the physicalenvironment.
* Puts questions of grounding and shielding in a completely newlight.
* Uses very simple mathematics that make it easy to understand whatis happening and why.
* Shows how interference is generated and how it impacts design.
* Describes instrumentation design and specifications, includingthe nature of feedback and commonly encountered problems.
* Provides methods and techniques for testing and evaluatingdesigns.
* Deals with questions of radiation and its correlation toequipment.
* Covers interference questions in computer manufacturing andsystems design.
* Provides many illustrations that clarify difficult material andexplain complex processes.
Why Read This Book
You will learn pragmatic, physics‑based strategies for diagnosing and fixing real‑world interference problems that circuit theory often misses—utility power noise, grounding in buildings, long cables, and unintended radiation. Morrison’s accessible, hands‑on approach gives you techniques you can apply on the bench or in the field to stop mysterious noise and improve product robustness.
Who Will Benefit
Embedded/firmware/hardware engineers and technicians who design, debug, or certify products and need practical methods to find and eliminate EMI/EMC problems in real installations.
Level: Intermediate — Prerequisites: Basic circuit theory and analog electronics, familiarity with PCB layout and connectors, and practical experience using an oscilloscope and basic test instruments.
Key Takeaways
- Diagnose common EMI sources and coupling paths in real installations, including power lines, buildings, and long cables.
- Design and apply effective grounding, bonding, and shielding strategies to reduce radiated and conducted interference.
- Implement filters, surge suppression, and cable‑management techniques that work in practice, not just on paper.
- Measure and troubleshoot interference with common instruments and simple test setups to isolate problems quickly.
- Optimize PCB layout and connector usage to minimize susceptibility and emission in embedded systems.
- Translate pragmatic fixes into repeatable design rules and retrofit solutions for legacy equipment.
Topics Covered
- 1. The Real‑World Problem: Noise Beyond Circuit Theory
- 2. Fundamental Physics of Interference and Coupling Mechanisms
- 3. Radiated vs. Conducted Interference: How Signals Escape and Enter
- 4. Grounding and Bonding in Buildings and Equipment
- 5. Shielding: Materials, Construction and Penetrations
- 6. Utility Power and Power‑Line Noise Issues
- 7. Cables, Connectors and Long‑Line Effects
- 8. Filters, Surge Suppressors and Simple Protection Circuits
- 9. PCB Layout, Ground Planes and Return Paths
- 10. Measurement Techniques and Practical Instrumentation
- 11. Troubleshooting Procedures and Field Repair Tips
- 12. Case Studies and Real‑World Examples
- 13. Applying Practical Rules to Product Design and Compliance
Languages, Platforms & Tools
How It Compares
Covers similar, highly practical ground‑up EMI troubleshooting as Henry Ott’s Noise Reduction Techniques, but Morrison is more conversational and focused on utility power, buildings, and field fixes compared with Ott’s deeper theoretical treatment; also complements Tim Williams' EMC for Product Designers with more hands‑on problem solving.
