YIC Technologies EMProbe, User Manual

Page 1: ...www yictechnologies com EMScanner User Manual V01 0912 ...

Page 2: ... Should YIC Technologies and the user have a separate written agreement with warranty terms covering the material in this document that conflict with these terms the warranty terms in the separate agreement shall control Safety Notices Caution A CAUTION notice denotes a hazard It calls attention to operating procedure practice or the like that if not correctly performed or adhered to could result ...

Page 3: ...lso be installed on the customer supplied PC The patented scanner consists of an array of 1 218 H field magnetic probes spaced every 7 5 mm which provides an effective 3 75 mm resolution The system operates from 150 kHz to 4 GHz and from 150 kHz to 8 GHz with upgradable and optional software license key EMScannerR is a self contained high resolution near field scanning device Simply connect the EM...

Page 4: ...upport as instructed further below 1 Serial number of your unit 2 Software and firmware versions 3 Windows OS information 4 Keysight IO version 5 Spectrum analyser model and firmware level 6 Information View data saved as a text file 7 Description of the problem including screen shots and videos Y I C Technologies 44 0 01252 661036 support yictechnologies com ...

Page 5: ...SMA connector for the scanner and a N connector for the spectrum analyzer 50 ohm input port It transmits RF output of the scanner to the spectrum analyser 4 Micro D control cable It connects the adapter to the scanner to enable control of the scanner s switched probes and to power the scanner 5 USB Cable It connects the PC laptop or desktop to the adaptor The USB Cable provided with the system has...

Page 6: ...ta which it can display and manipulate immediately or store for future data presentation Options Accessories 1 BW Upgrade From 150KHz 4GHs to 150KHz 8GHs 2 Calibration Calibration and testing Software and Firmware updates 3 Customer Care Package Calibration and testing Software and Firmware updates Standard parts labour warranty Installation Hardware Setup 1 Install latest version of Keysight IO C...

Page 7: ...er Ethernet cable If the spectrum analyzer has multiple trigger ports always connect to Trigger 1 IN Hardware Setup 1 Connect the SMB connector to the Adapter and the BNC connector to the external trigger port on the rear panel of the spectrum analyser 2 Connect the B end of the USB cable to the USB port on the Adaptor and A end to any USB port on the computer Connection Diagram ...

Page 8: ... is fast you may not even notice it Orange Initiation mode checking adaptor s firmware Green User mode adaptor is connected and ready 3 USB connection port 4 Micro D control cable connector Adapter 5 Micro D control cable connector Scanner 6 RF output port If your EMScanner still does not work then please contact support yictechnologies com ...

Page 9: ... Typical and click Next 14 Click Install 15 If Microsoft Visual C is not installed on your PC below screen will be displayed Click Yes 16 While the software is installing the following screen will be displayed 17 Click Finish 18 Connect the USB Cable to the EMScanner adaptor and PC a The driver will be automatically installed b If the installation doesn t start automatically follow below steps Ope...

Page 10: ... 1 99 Please check Technical Bulletin 9 if you have a Keysight spectrum analyzer Step 2 PC Setup Several visa libraries may already be installed on the PC Ensure that Keysight Connection Expert is set as primary VISA Go to Control Panel and double click Add or Remove Programs Select Keysight IO Libraries Suite and click Change Select Modify and click Next Select Keysight Visa as primary VISA and c...

Page 11: ...t connect to the spectrum analyzer open Keysight Connection Expert Keysight IO will automatically detect the spectrum analyzer and display the analyzer model If it doesn t click Rescan If it still doesn t detect the analyzer click Manual Configuration ...

Page 12: ...com Select LAN instrument and enter the IP address 172 16 1 148 and click Accept Click Instruments tab to see that spectrum analyzer is successfully detected It has to be a favourite to operate and must have a yellow star ...

Page 13: ...o messages are displayed at the bottom of the screen The EMViewer software automatically detects first the adaptor scanner and then the analyzer If the adaptor is not connected properly EMViewer software gives an error message about the adaptor connection and it doesn t check the spectrum analyzer connection until the adaptor is connected to the PC properly After the adaptor is connected to the PC...

Page 14: ...running any scans with EMScanner First power off the DUT start the EMScanner software and then setup a Spectral Scan for the bandwidth of interest Run the Spectral Scan and analyze the test results If there is any ambient noise being displayed the EMScanner comparison features will allow you to filter it from the actual DUT test results Modes of Operation 1 PCB testing smaller than the scan area P...

Page 15: ... from a system under test for both frequency and location 5 In situ testing EMScanner is light and compact The bottom part of EMScanner is made of anodized aluminium making it non conductive Care must be taken to not pierce the anodized surface since the underlying aluminium is conductive The Scanner can easily be placed in a rack mount system to test the PCBs in their working environment A mechan...

Page 16: ...o select a scan type to start a single scan to scan continuously and to stop a scan as well as to specify scan settings Quick Facts about Menu Bar Multiple project files can be opened at the same time Each file will have a dedicated tab showing the project name Click on the tab to view the project file ...

Page 17: ...tware In order to maximize the space to view the scan results Project View can be hidden Click the pin icon to auto hide Project View Project View will be hidden and now you can Maximize the scan window Spectral Spatial Scan windows automatically resizes to fit the screen To display Project View mouse over on Project View tab It will be displayed if the cursor stays on Project View Click on Projec...

Page 18: ...by the checkmark boxes at the bottom of the graph Grid and Peaks can be hidden displayed Unit can be switched between dBuV and dBm Linear scale is the default settings of the graph Log Scale can be selected Peak Scale and Scan Options are listed under View Options Left click and drag to zoom in Right click and select Reset Zoom to return to the original view or Previous Zoom to return to the previ...

Page 19: ...ph to display row column coordinates frequency and amplitude values Spatial view can be adjusted by the checkmark boxes at the bottom of the graph Grid and Overlay can be hidden displayed Interpolation degree of data smoothing in the image can be turned on off By sliding the Set Colour Threshold on the right side of the graph you can increase or decrease the contrast to more clearly identify curre...

Page 20: ...ate the 3D view by left clicking on the graph and moving the mouse When Overlay is checked in 3D view the wheel of the mouse will adjust the transparency But if you press Ctrl key and then use the wheel you can move up and down the overlay to have the tip of the peaks right at the DUT level ...

Page 21: ...www yictechnologies com Left click and drag to zoom in Right click and select Reset Zoom to return to the original view or Previous Zoom to return to the previous zoom level ...

Page 22: ... of the usual Bottom or Top layer Or you could correct the position of the Overlay You can select a block of cells on your current spatial scan and then by clicking on Confirm Selected Cells for New Scan the Spatial Scan Probes settings have automatically been changed to these highlighted cells It is easier than trying to remember the area of the board on which you want to focus for a new scan wit...

Page 23: ... node It can be considered as a subfolder like in Windows directories to store related data You can add different types of scans and or notes to a project node You can rename copy and paste a node or node settings only Module s settings are inherited throughout the module tree only Modules can be used to store data for different revisions of the PCB Nodes that don t contain any data are light colo...

Page 24: ... or select the node and then click the Settings button on the task bar How to View a Node Double click on the node that you want to view or right click and select Open View How to Delete a Node Double click on the node that you want to view Right click on the node that you want to delete and then select Delete Node How to Export Data You can export any data in txt format To export data right click...

Page 25: ...zer Tab lists models and firmware versions of the supported spectrum analyzers Although the EMScanner software detects the spectrum analyzer automatically you can override it by manually selecting the spectrum analyzer from the drop down menu If you connect a different spectrum analyzer after the EMScanner software is launched EMScanner software will not recognize the connection EMScanner software...

Page 26: ...nd path losses It is turned OFF by default as it only matters for far field prediction and comparison with handheld or automated probe measurements Compensation can be quite high at some frequencies If you select Peaks noise peaks above the threshold are compensated while the noise floor is not making any peak look like strong signals If there is any doubt as to whether a compensated peak is in fa...

Page 27: ...e maximum number peaks that can be measured is 30 Peak Hold Also known as Max Hold this is a very important feature as it allows you to run a Spectral Scan continually replacing the peak amplitude with each successive higher measurement This is an excellent way to find the frequency of an intermittent or random signal Spectral Averaging In the Run Continuously mode the Spectral Scan is constantly ...

Page 28: ...o 30 of the probes selected Overlay Editor How to Superimpose Graphical Image of a DUT Overlay Editor superimposes the graphical image of the device under test DUT onto Spectral Scan Probes to guide you in activating the probes EMScanner software supports three file formats JPG HPGL and Gerber RS 274x Design files HPGL and Gerber RS 274x are imported at actual size Once you import the design file ...

Page 29: ...ed corner Precise resizing of pictures is also possible with CTRL Arrow keys To import a new PCB file or to remove the image file on the grid view right click anywhere on the grid view and select from the menu Using the wheel of the mouse will adjust the transparency of the JPG file to help set the probes Once you select to import new PCB file it replaces the previous image on the grid To match a ...

Page 30: ...he chosen frequency RBW Resolution Bandwidth It is set by default at 120kHz and can be reduced to the lowest level allowed by the spectrum analyzer Decreasing the bandwidth will improve the amplitude accuracy and increase the sensitivity the scan will however take more time to complete The bandwidth you choose should not be disproportionate to the span The suggested ratio of Span RBW should be 10 ...

Page 31: ...constantly updated with the average between the new measurement and the average of the previous measurements It is a very important feature to help you identify the more persistent noise that could affect pre compliance Replace Data When Running Continuously If you Scan Continuously when this option is checked EMScanner software replaces the previous scan data and keeps the last scan data In order...

Page 32: ... signal will be corrected for the value of the gain or attenuation Internal Analyzer Pre Amp This feature provides extra sensitivity It is ON by default Turn this feature OFF if your spectrum analyzer is not equipped with a Pre Amp Analyzer Tracking Generation This feature will remotely turn on the tracking generator of the spectrum analyzer When you run Spectral or Spectral Spatial Scan the track...

Page 33: ...ows report template Report generator needs Microsoft Office Word To create a report add Report Generator node to any node Node settings window automatically opens Click on the box next to Project to be able to subsequently select any of the node data to export by clicking on each node and scan ID Or simply click on the one scan you wish by first checking the box on the node and then selecting the ...

Page 34: ...magnetic field strength of radiated electromagnetic emissions from an object as a function of both frequency and position on the PCB It collects a series of Spatial Scans over the entire frequency range of interest as opposed to a Spatial Scan which gathers data at single frequency or a Spectral Scan which saves only the composite maximum data set over the scan area Spectral Overlay is a qualitati...

Page 35: ...ifying the tabs in the Spectral Scan settings window The tabs in the Spectral Scan Settings window are covered in the following pages Spectral Scan Tab 1 Enter Start Frequency and Stop Frequency to identify the span of the Spectral Scan to be implemented 2 RBW Resolution Bandwidth It is set by default at 120 kHz and can be reduced to the lowest level allowed by the spectrum analyzer Decreasing the...

Page 36: ...is checked the analyzer goes from the protected AC mode to the unprotected DC mode This enables a much lower noise floor in the low frequency range usually below 10 MHz depending on the spectrum analyzer DC voltage applied to the spectrum analyzer input can however cause damage to the internal circuitry The DC Coupled Mode is currently available for the Keysight EXA below 10 MHz and PSA below 20 M...

Page 37: ...n This feature will remotely turn on the tracking generator of the spectrum analyzer When you run Spectral or Spectral Spatial Scan the tracking generator will output a frequency that tracks the swept frequency The Tracking Generation Feature is currently available for the Keysight FieldFox N9912A Description Tab You can name the node and add a description Click OK To run the scan once click or to...

Page 38: ...vious scan data and keeps the last scan data You will only see the last scan data and display the spectral graph of this data In order to keep all scan data when running the scan continuously uncheck Replace Data When Running Continuously in the Spectral Scan settings You can display spectral graphs of all the scan data Simply click on the scan and the graph will immediately update ...

Page 39: ...the frequencies of interest then individual Spatial Scans to gather data about each frequency of interest In a sweep that takes no longer than a Spectral Scan a Spectral Spatial Scan collects all of the frequency amplitude and location data at the same time This results in a large data base of information that can be manipulated It however can only run once it is not possible to run continuously A...

Page 40: ...ature is not active for Spectral Spatial Scan 7 Spectrum Analyzer in DC Coupled Mode When this option is checked the analyzer goes from the protected AC mode to the unprotected DC mode This enables a much lower noise floor in the low frequency range usually below 10 MHz depending on the spectrum analyzer DC voltage applied to the spectrum analyzer input can however cause damage to the internal cir...

Page 41: ...the value of the gain or attenuation Internal Analyzer Pre Amp This feature provides extra sensitivity It is ON by default Turn this feature OFF if your spectrum analyzer is not equipped with a Pre Amp Analyzer Tracking Generation This feature will remotely turn on the tracking generator of the spectrum analyzer When you run Spatial Scan the tracking generator will output at the centre frequency s...

Page 42: ...ies com To run the scan click Once the scan is completed a spectral view and a spatial view will be displayed By default view tabs are set to full composite spectral and spatial views for the entire selected frequency ...

Page 43: ...osite View under spectral graph and User Composite View under spatial view Single Frequency Marker Single Frequency Marker is selected by default Click on the frequency of interest on spectral graph A red cross will indicate the selection Spatial graph will update to display the emissions on the board at the selected frequency Selected frequency will be displayed under Freq List Frequency List nex...

Page 44: ...ns on the board at the selected frequencies Selected frequencies will be displayed under Freq List Frequency List next to the spatial graph The amplitude and frequency displayed for each cell will be the maximum amplitude for that cell across the selected frequencies To clear frequency markers right click on the spectral graph and select Clear Selected Frequency Marker ...

Page 45: ...uency spectrum viewed 1 Select either Full Composite View or User Composite View on spectral graph 2 Right click on the spectral view 3 Select Delta Marker Select 4 Move the mouse to the desired position to measure the delta In the example below delta marker is set at 11 100 MHz and the mouse is moved over to 33 100 MHz Both are displayed above the spectral graph ...

Page 46: ... each frequency You can select single or multiple cells on the Composite Spatial view to analyze their amplitudes and frequencies Select Full Composite View under spatial graph and User Composite View under spectral view Single Frequency Marker Single Frequency Marker is selected by default Click on the cell of interest on spatial graph A cross will indicate the selection Spectral graph of the sel...

Page 47: ...lti Cells Select Select multiple cells of interest on spatial graph A cross will indicate the selection Full User Composite View tab overlays spectral graph of user selected cells on to the full spectral graph Spectral graph of the selected cell will be displayed in green on the spectral graph ...

Page 48: ...www yictechnologies com User Composite View tab displays the spectral graph of user selected cells To clear frequency markers right click on the spatial graph and select Clear Selected Frequency Marker ...

Page 49: ...Description Tab You can name the node and add a description Click OK To run the scan close the settings and run once Immediately upon running the scan you see a message describing where you need to position the handheld probe ...

Page 50: ... bandwidth within their common overlapping range overlapping frequency range even though they may have different frequency ranges e g Spectral 1 10 MHz 80 MHz and Spectral 2 30 MHz 120 MHz Add Spectral Overlay node to Project node Node settings window automatically opens After you click OK Spectral Overlay window opens Go to the Spectral View Select the data from the data list that you want to ove...

Page 51: ...ns with the same resolution bandwidth within their common overlapping range even though they may have different frequency ranges e g Spectral 1 10 MHz 80 MHz and Spectral 2 30 MHz 120 MHz A common use for this is to compare the spectral of a production device with the prototype device This is especially important for conformance testing where a prototype has received EMC approval and you want to c...

Page 52: ...lly opens After you click OK Spectral Comparison window opens Go to the Spectral View Select the data from the data list that you want to subtract from and click drag drop it on to Test View Repeat these steps for the second data and drop it on to Reference View Click Compare Spectral View tab and mouse over the graph to analyze the difference ...

Page 53: ...ations of the probe polarizations Each of the 1218 probes on the EMScanner is created by using the vias and traces in a PCB to form a loop This small loop does not respond well to magnetic fields parallel to it essentially creating a blind spot The response of a single probe to magnetic fields in a given orientation is shown below ...

Page 54: ...n of magnetic field that the probes do not respond to essentially creating a blind spot This blind spot can be eliminated by measuring a DUT twice with a small physical shift between two scans A scale model of the probes is shown below It effectively combines two separate loop probes into one X Loop This setup is to provide a cumulative sensitivity as shown in the figure below This is a small 5x5 ...

Page 55: ...esults are shown below in the top right Now if this device is rotated 90 then dead spots will switch to the alternate row Although the high level results are as expected the presence of these low values distracts the eye Furthermore since the dead spots do not rotate they may give the impression that the scan results are completely different ...

Page 56: ... is shown below The image on the left shows a diagonal trace with one standard scan The image on the right shows the same trace after two interleaved scans Creating a Blind Spot Reduction Node 1 Interleaved Scan a Right click on the project node and select Add Node and then Spatial Scan node and check Interleaved Scan box ...

Page 57: ...the first scan c Run the second spatial scan After the first scan a message box will pop up indicating to move the DUT up by exactly 1 row Another way to describe the direction up is along the shorter axis towards the lower row numbers Do not change the orientation or position along the longer axis of the board After you move the DUT click OK to run the second scan ...

Page 58: ...tial Scans at the same frequency You can use this feature to for example find the failure point position in a production circuit board after a spectral difference has pinpointed a frequency that is significantly different between the two PCBs This is useful for repairing faulty boards or pinpointing manufacturing process problems Two Spatial Scans that will compared must have overlapping cells Add...

Page 59: ...are actually being emitted from the DUT and are not ambient background signals being retransmitted by the DUT 1 Run a Spectral Scan over the frequency range of interest with the unpowered PCB on scanner This is to eliminate the possibility that the DUT is acting like an antenna or signal conduit for non local sources 2 Power on the PCB and go through step 1 3 Compare the powered and unpowered scan...

Page 60: ...ture time based feature can be very helpful a If the device has some intermittent activity select Continuous Spectral Scan with Peak Hold ON followed by a Continuous Spatial Scan with Peak Hold applied for each of the frequencies of interest b If the device emits continuously select Spectral Spatial Scan 2 Choosing Spans and Resolution Bandwidths RBW It is recommended that you scan a small frequen...

Page 61: ...gle User Spatial of a Spectral Spatial Scan as all boards have time variances The ability to capture time based events is a benefit unique to Y I C Technologies j If you have a very strong intentional radiator it may be advantageous to either conduct scans excluding this frequency a scan below the frequency and a scan above the frequency or add a passband filter customer provided that selectively ...

Page 62: ...2 Does the system require annual calibration The EMScanner does not require calibration after shipment The scanner elements are passive and will not require further calibration If you believe that one or more of the probes have been damaged the unit can be returned to Y I C Technologies for verification and repair 3 What is the frequency and amplitude accuracy of the EMScanner measurements Frequen...

Page 63: ...of the DUT are some distance away from Y I C Technologies scanner and signals from these devices may be mixed with the noise floor We recommend that a low noise amplifier be placed in series between the scanner and the spectrum analyzer to differentiate the signal from the noise floor We also recommend that you reduce the RBW to improve the signal to noise ratio It is important to recognize that s...

Page 64: ...alue in the Amplitude Adjustment menu Can I correct this without rescanning If you forget to set the amplitude adjustment you can re enter the Amplitude Adjustment area and modify the processed scans without rescanning for all the types of scans 11 How can I find the frequency of an intermittent or random signal Run a continuous Spectral or Spatial Scan with Peak Hold It will replace the peak ampl...

Page 65: ...Test Site OATS or Semi Anechoic Chamber SAC radiated EMI levels of a printed circuit board PCB The Far Field Application supports regulatory compliance limits Class A or Class B FCC CISPR and Industry Canada 10 m 3 m and 1 m test distances This is an optional feature Part 3000 0304 that can be purchased separately Please contact Y I C Technologies 15 I want to do a Pass or Fail test What feature s...

Page 66: ... a typical Spatial Scan take EMScannerR Less than one second though highly dependent on the spectrum analyzer performance 19 I am designing multiple layer boards How can EMScanner help to diagnose EM problems Currently there are no measurement techniques on the market that can exactly see what is going on inside a multi layer board A chamber for example will only deal with far field and will not d...

Page 67: ...fore you operate this device Give attention to all safety precautions Retain the instructions for future reference This device must be installed and used in strict accordance with manufacturer s instructions as described in the user documentation that is included with this device User must comply with all warning and caution statements in the instructions Observe all warning and caution symbols th...

Page 68: ...s Postpone installation until there is no risk of thunderstorm or lightning activity in the area Do not cover the device or block the airflow to the device with any other objects Keep the device away from excessive heat and humidity and keep the device free from vibration and dust Wipe the device with a clean dry cloth Never use cleaning fluid or similar chemicals Do not spray cleaners directly on...

Page 69: ...t Pursuant to Part 15 21 of the FCC Rules any changes or modifications to this product not expressly approved by party responsible for compliance might cause harmful interference and void the FCC authorization to operate this product CE mark EMScanner conforms to the following standards and other related normative documents Electromagnetic emissions Council Directive 2004 108 EC EN61326 1 Ed 2 0 2...

Page 70: ... providing real time test solutions to antenna and PCB designers and verification engineers without the need for a chamber The EMScanner is a compact EMC and EMI diagnostic tool Y I C Technologies solutions dramatically increase designer productivity and substantially reduce time to market and project development costs support yictechnologies com www yictechnologies com ...