Below are the questions asked during the live event, along with their respective answers.

Q: Are Real-Time Spectrum Analyzers used for other types of debugging or is it exclusively for EMI Pre-Compliance?
A: Real-Time Analyzers are used for all types of RF Signal analysis and debugging including Spectrum monitoring, RF Device Characterization, Multi-Domain Debugging, as well as Pre-Compliance measurements.

Q: How does a Real-Time Analyzer’s 100% POI affect EMI measurements?
A: EMI, especially these PreCompliance measurements, are usually not concerned with the exact power level of transient events. They are more concerned with how the power of a transient event is recorded by a specific detector type. For Real-Time analysis of EMI events we find it more useful to set up the system for seamless or gapless capture. This increases the POI but makes for better visualization and capture of transient events for the purposes of Pre-Compliance debugging.

Q: How does having a dual mode analyzer (both swept and real-time) improve my EMC Measurements?
A: The combination of Swept and Real-Time is a powerful set of capabilities for EMI. The swept mode analyzer closely replicates the measurements of a true EMI receiver and includes Quasi-Peak and RMS Average detectors as well as EMI bandwidth settings. Whereas, the Real-Time mode makes it possible to seamlessly capture transient events. This make debugging and problem analysis much more straightforward. Both tools are important at different points in a EMC test process.

Q: For pre-compliance Conducted Emission with pre-compliance receiver, what is the sweep time for emission measurement?
A: This varies depending on the industry and precise testing protocol. Some tests are now even allowing real-time measurements to be used for testing. This can significantly reduce test times on many of the common setups.

Q: What was the name of the book from the guest speaker?
A: EMI Troubleshooting Cookbook for Product Designers
You can find more information here.

Q: Do radiated tests have to be made in an anechoic chamber?
A: Final radiated emissions tests are done in an EMC chamber, but much of the Pre-Compliance work can be done without a chamber. By characterizing the background noise in the local environment and in some cases using near field probes to dampen more remote noise sources much of the evaluation and debugging tests within Pre-Compliance can be done in an open environment. As long as you are aware of the errors that can be introduced we find it very useful to test Pre-Compliance radiated emissions even without a complete chamber.