EMC analysis in PCB designs using an expert system

Electronic subsystems with present day´s technology are quite complex and consists of many printed circuit boards. Incidentally printed circuit boards (PCBs) are the ones, which causes most of the electromagnetic interference (EMI) problems. However each sub systems must maintain electromagnetic compatibility (EMC) with other subsystems in order to perform as per the specifications in its intended electromagnetic environment and to meet international regulations. Identifying the potential problems at an earlier stage of the design cycle minimizes the need for design changes by saving time and money. A knowledge based system called EMC Expert, for predicting EMI problems and offering solutions at the design stage of the PCB is presented. EMC Expert is implemented on a HP9000/735 workstation using C++ under X-Windows/MOTIF and is used to analyze PCBs designed by DRDL/CAD centre