EMI Shielding Solutions for Medical Applications Whitepaper

As technology evolves, EMI shielding becomes increasingly important. EMI shielding, as a key component of engineering design, should be considered at all levels of design from the PCB layout to the enclosure. Engineers are faced with an array of shielding options to suit their needs at each design stage.

Electromagnetic interference (EMI), also known as radio frequency interference (RFI), results when an outside source causes noise or interference in an electrical path or circuit. Shielding is necessary to prevent EMI from causing electronic devices to malfunction. Such malfunctions can range from the innocuous — an odd noise on a car radio — to the serious — an accident related to failing safety equipment.

The significant advancement in electronic devices, particularly in communication and wireless technology, has led to a substantial increase in electromagnetic interference (EMI). These unwanted signals not only compromise the efficiency of equipment but also disrupt the operation of communication systems. One example is microprocessors, which use high-frequency signals in their operation and can cause nearby equipment to malfunction if these signals are allowed to escape from the device.

This paper aims to give engineers a look at what technological advances will challenge current approaches to EMI shielding and provides a detailed overview of the materials currently on the market.