Every electronics developer is familiar with the issue of interference from frequencies on cables or printed circuit boards. Fortunately, there is now a flexible and easy-to-use solution to this problem: the Flex Suppressor series. Regardless of whether it is to pass EMC tests or to improve the overall application performance through protected signal integrity or improved communication range. Flex Suppressor comes in a range of shapes and variants, e.g. in various sheet sizes and as meter-long rolls and strips. In the following, the application is presented on the basis of three application areas.
Reducing electromagnetic interference
One of the biggest challenges in electronics is electromagnetic interference (EMI). This type of interference can significantly impact the performance of electronic devices, thereby leading to malfunctions.
When an application is impacted by electromagnetic interference, applying a piece of Flex Suppressor to the source or path of the interference can immediately and effectively resolve the issue. Due to its special structure and material composition, Flex Suppressor absorbs unwanted radiation emissions in a range from 30 MHz to 1 GHz. This results in more stable and reliable operation, particularly in applications subjected to high levels of electromagnetic stress.
The most important factors to consider in this application are the frequency range being covered and the space available for the thickness of Flex Suppressor. A thicker piece of Flex Suppressor is more efficient, but also more expensive. To find the optimum cost/performance ratio, the thickness must be weighed against the attenuation in the desired frequency range (Fig. 1).
An application scenario is shown in Fig. 2. In this case, the integrated circuit (IC) is the noise source. Due to reflections from the metal package, the EMI emission in the FM band exceeds the EMI regulations. An effective countermeasure is to attach a piece of Flex Suppressor (e.g. EFF4(039)) directly above the source of interference.
Improved signal transfer
As the demand for better reception sensitivity in high-capacity and fast mobile devices grows, noise-canceling measures in high-frequency bands are becoming increasingly crucial.
Flex Suppressor
- protects against the effects of radiated noise at the source or on the transmission line,
- is effective against high-frequency interference generated by electronic devices, and
- minimizes crosstalk.
This improves signal purity and increases the reliability of data transmission. And this is vital for applications in high-frequency technology, telecommunications, and other fields where precise signal transmission is essential.
The range of possible applications is almost unlimited. The thin, flexible material can be cut into any shape and is ideal for use in portable devices or in areas with limited space. Further, Flex Suppressor can be used in a wide frequency range from MHz to GHz.
Fig. 3 shows the effect of Flex Suppressor on the RFID antenna of a cell phone. In this test, the cell phone is used as the transmitter and the antenna (read/write device) as the receiver. The actual communication range can be determined by moving the cell phone toward the antenna. Flex Suppressor helps to triple the communication range. This can determine whether direct contact is still necessary for NFC or RFID, or if gesture-based interactions can be conducted from a distance.
Suppression of interference from cables
Electronic devices and systems are often impacted by interference from unshielded cables. This interference can be caused by electromagnetic fields emitted by neighboring cables or external sources.
The latest addition to the Flex Suppressor family is the flexible EST tape, a suppressor tape. A major advantage is its ease of use: The EST tape is simply wrapped around the outer surface of a cable and can be shortened to the required length without the need for cutting tools. It is therefore ideal for quickly and easily checking EMI noise sources and for EMI troubleshooting, especially during the test phase. Developers can use it to carry out initial tests in order to determine how much shielding is required for the respective application.
In summary, using Flex Suppressor products helps manage and optimize the electromagnetic environment of electronic systems, ensuring reliable and trouble-free performance.
For more information and a direct ordering option, please visit our e-commerce platform at www.rutronik24.com.
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