Detecting E and H fields with microstrip transmission lines

Microstrip-like transmission lines are used to detect transient electric and magnetic (E and H) fields. Theory and experiment are compared for three different cases. The method can detect E and H fields on a ground plane, or may be integrated into a closed platform for E-H measurements during EMC testing. An application example using a desktop computer is shown. In situ measurements in a closed platform during EMC testing show that system ESD failures are caused by E-H fields, and not by direct voltage or current stress. Therefore, E-H field information measured by using microstrip-like transmission lines on PCBs in a closed platform during EMC tests will give insights to the exact nature of system failures due to ESD.