Electromagnetic compatibility (EMC) compliance is a regulatory requirement for virtually all electronic products. For RF systems, EMC design deserves attention from the earliest design stages to avoid costly late-stage redesigns.
Design-Stage EMC
The most effective EMC strategies are implemented during initial design. Proper PCB layout, grounding architecture, shielding, and filtering are far easier and less expensive to incorporate from the start than to retrofit later.
Emissions vs. Immunity
EMC compliance covers both emissions (what your product radiates) and immunity (what your product can tolerate). RF systems face unique challenges because the intentional signals can be close in frequency to unintentional emissions limits.
Pre-Compliance Testing
Pre-compliance testing during development catches issues early when they're cheapest to fix. While a full compliance test chamber is ideal, useful screening measurements can be performed with basic equipment and proper methodology.
Certification Strategy
Different markets have different regulatory requirements (FCC, CE, IC, etc.). Understanding the applicable standards early helps guide design decisions and test planning for efficient certification.