Publications
Mastering EMC:
The Importance of Pre-Compliance Testing
Presented at the IEEE Symposium on Product Compliance Engineering, 2024
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Abstract: Early detection of EMC issues can significantly reduce product development costs and time-to market. This presentation explores the application of practical EMC pre-compliance strategies to ensure regulatory compliance for a wide range of products. In addition to illustrating typical equipment used for pre-compliance testing, we look at a specific product example, illustrating the cost-justification for implementing EMC pre-compliance along with the cost and time savings it affords for future product development.​
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SBA 2024
Growth Accelerator Competition
Pre-Compliance for STEM/R&D Growth
Submission for Stage One
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Problem: Most products developed from STEM/R&D technology contain electronics that are subject to US Federal Communications Commission (FCC) standards. Up to 97% of those products fail FCC testing, resulting in significant product redesign, significant additional development costs and product delays. Failures are the result of lack of awareness and misinterpretation of the regulations, lack of sufficient knowledge of electromagnetic compatibility (EMC) design principals, and inadequate pre-compliance testing. The knowledge and methods to achieve these requirements are generally established by well capitalized organizations, through years of experience -putting underserved / undercapitalized
business at a significant disadvantage.​
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Goal: To become a catalyst for successful product development by educating innovators about regulatory requirements and supporting the integration of electromagnetic compatibility considerations and testing in the early stages of STEM/R&D commercialization.
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Strategy: Develop and distribute informational and educational materials designed to simplify and explain FCC regulations and their impact on STEM/R&D product development. Form partnerships with Ecosystem members in the EMC community to provide product developers with training, equipment, and low-cost pre-compliance testing services.
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Outcome: Streamlined, lower cost STEM/R&D product development, that meets Federal requirements and equal opportunity for underserved / undercapitalized business through education and availability of resources.
3 Ways to Fail an
RFI Emissions Test
Originally 5 Ways to Fail an Emissions Test, presented at the Signal Integrity, Power Integrity & EMC Technical Seminar sponsored by Diversey/Intellibot and Rohde & Schwarz on January 15, 2020. Updated for the High Tech Consulting meeting, May 8, 2024.
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Abstract: The Internet of Things (IOT) is very popular right now. Everyone wants to remotely connect their devices, however ensuring they comply with Radio Frequency Emissions (RFI) regulations can be a real challenge. This presentation dives into three common reasons products fail RFI emissions testing, using real-world examples to illustrate these pitfalls.​
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Streamline Equipment Development With Modular Approvals
Presented at the Rohde & Schwarz Demystifying EMC 2023 global virtual conference.
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The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) regulates RF devices in the United States, requiring that all radios be approved for use. As radios such as cellular, WiFi, Bluetooth, Zigbee and RFID become increasingly common in modern equipment, manufacturers must adhere to a complicated radio testing and approval process which can add time and cost to product development. To streamline this process an option is available known as FCC Modular Approvals. This certification allows a radio device to be used in specific product applications without having to certify the entire product; thus saving both time and money during development stages of production.
Abstract: Streamline Equipment Development With Modular Approvals provides a comprehensive overview of the FCC certification process and how manufacturers can streamline their product development by utilizing FCC Modular Approvals. ​​
Modular Approval Checklist
Developed as a companion checklist to Streamline Equipment Development With Modular Approvals paper presented at the Rohde & Schwarz Demystifying EMC 2023 global virtual conference.
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FCC system approval is the traditional method for authorizing a system containing radio transmitters. This method is limiting because the entire product must be submitted for authorization and the radios cannot be transferred to any other system.
FCC modular approvals provide a method to authorize the radio module, independent of the host system. The radio module can then be used inside a variety of host systems without additional radio certification. Modular approval provides significant advantage to product design, however the approval process can be quite confusing, requiring the coordination of multiple external entities and dozens of documents. The Modular Approvals Checklist, developed by Striper Solutions, provides a means for managing the typical approval process while providing communication between the involved entities. ​
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Agile Methods for Reducing Product Development Failures
A white paper produced for AgileLeanHouse
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Data on new product development failure is difficult to gather, as there is often little retrospective on canceled projects. According to Clayton Christensen, a professor at Harvard Business School, 95% of all new products fail. In addition, 92% of all startups fold within three years because their products fail.
Abstract: Addressing Product Development Failures is a short white paper analyzing common root-cause development failures. The paper shows how four basic Agile methods can be used in conjunction with a structured development process to identify, address and reduce those failures. The paper is not proposing that you switch to a complete Agile product development process, rather it illustrates existing Agile methods that can supplement an existing process to improve communication, collaboration, and decision making, resulting in reduced development risk.​​
Electronic Design and the Post-Pandemic Supply Chain
A 2022 case study of critical components, illustrated using with a robotics Inertial Measurement Unit (IMU) part shortage.
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Abstract: No matter what you do to 'on-shore' manufacturing, PC boards use components that are dependent on global supply conditions. The Covid-19 pandemic has stressed the supply chain to the breaking point. The Electronic Design and the Post-Pandemic Supply Chain article and presentation provide a case study, using a robotics Inertial Measurement Unit (IMU) to explain the state of the electronics supply chain and important checks for design and manufacturing for this year and years to come.
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2024 Update: This article is a good retrospective for understanding global inflation following the pandemic. As delivery of basic goods was interrupted and brokers increased inventory, demand significantly outpaced supply and prices rose. In the years following, there is no major factor to drive basic goods prices back down, causing the prices of all goods to rise in response.
Presentation
Article
ISO 9001
Product Development Flowchart
ISO 9001 is an internationally recognized standard that establishes standards for quality management systems. These requirements apply to all aspects of an organization's operations, including product development. The product development process described in ISO 9001 is intended to reinforce a development system that is customer focused and quality based -and can be utilized by companies of all sizes.
Every company has a different culture and will need to develop a process that works best in their environment. There are, however, a basic set of checks and balances to ensure that products are developed consistently and with a quality outcome. The Product Development Flowchart summarizes these steps in a set of flowcharts that can be used as the basis for a 9001:2015 product development process.
