Electronics Guide

IEEE Electromagnetic Compatibility Society

The IEEE EMC Society is the premier professional organization for EMC practitioners worldwide. Benefits of membership include:

Technical resources: Access to the IEEE Transactions on EMC, the field's leading peer-reviewed journal, along with conference proceedings, standards documents, and technical publications.

Conferences and symposia: The annual IEEE International Symposium on Electromagnetic Compatibility brings together practitioners from around the world for technical presentations, workshops, and networking.

Technical committees: Participation in committees focused on specific technical areas allows members to contribute to the field's advancement and stay current with developments.

Local chapters: Regional chapters provide local networking and educational opportunities, bringing professional development closer to home.

Distinguished Lecturer Program: The society sponsors speakers who present at chapters worldwide, bringing expertise to local audiences.

Awards and recognition: The society recognizes outstanding contributions through various awards, providing professional recognition for achievement.

Other Relevant Organizations

Beyond the IEEE EMC Society, several other organizations serve EMC professionals:

SAE International: For automotive EMC, SAE provides standards, conferences, and technical committees focused on vehicle electromagnetic compatibility. The SAE EMC Standards Committee develops widely used automotive EMC standards.

iNARTE (now RABQSA International): Provides professional certifications for EMC engineers and technicians, offering recognized credentials for demonstrating competence.

EMCIA (EMC Industry Association): A trade association focused on the commercial aspects of EMC, including test laboratory services, equipment manufacturing, and consulting.

Regional societies: Organizations such as the Asia-Pacific EMC Conference (APEMC) provide regional focus and networking opportunities.

Standards organizations: ANSI, IEC, CENELEC, and other standards bodies welcome participation from qualified professionals, providing opportunities to influence the development of EMC requirements.

Maximizing Society Membership

To gain maximum benefit from professional society membership:

• Attend meetings and conferences regularly to build relationships
• Volunteer for committees and leadership positions
• Contribute to publications and presentations
• Mentor newer members and welcome newcomers
• Take advantage of educational resources and programs
• Pursue certifications and recognitions offered through societies

Active engagement yields far greater benefits than passive membership. The connections made through active participation often prove invaluable for career advancement and technical problem-solving.

Major EMC Conferences

IEEE International Symposium on EMC+SIPI: The premier annual conference for EMC professionals, combining electromagnetic compatibility with signal and power integrity. Features technical papers, workshops, tutorials, an extensive exhibit floor, and numerous networking events.

Asia-Pacific EMC Conference (APEMC): Major conference serving the Asia-Pacific region, rotating among host countries. Provides international perspective and connection with the growing Asian electronics industry.

EMC Europe: European symposium bringing together researchers and practitioners from across Europe and beyond. Strong emphasis on both academic research and practical applications.

DesignCon: While focused on high-speed design, includes substantial EMC and signal integrity content. Strong industry participation and practical focus.

Industry-specific conferences: Automotive EMC events (such as those organized by SAE), medical device conferences, aerospace and defense symposia, and telecommunications conferences address EMC within specific application contexts.

Getting Value from Conferences

Before the conference:

• Review the program and identify must-attend sessions
• Identify people you want to meet and reach out in advance if appropriate
• Prepare questions for speakers and exhibitors
• Bring business cards and be ready to discuss your work

During the conference:

• Attend a mix of familiar and unfamiliar topics to broaden perspective
• Visit the exhibit floor to see new products and technologies
• Attend social events and networking sessions
• Take notes and collect materials for later review
• Exchange contact information with interesting connections

After the conference:

• Follow up with new contacts promptly
• Review notes and proceedings while information is fresh
• Share relevant insights with colleagues
• Consider submitting a presentation for the next conference

Presenting at Conferences

Presenting at technical conferences builds professional visibility and contributes to the field. Successful presentations require:

Valuable content: Original research, novel applications, practical insights, or comprehensive tutorials. The content should offer something attendees cannot easily find elsewhere.

Clear communication: Well-organized presentations with clear graphics and appropriate pacing. Practice improves delivery.

Engagement: Interaction with the audience through questions, demonstrations, or discussion enhances impact.

Follow-up: Making slides available, answering questions after the session, and being accessible for follow-up discussions extends the value of the presentation.

Many conferences offer different formats: full technical papers (with peer review and proceedings publication), workshop presentations, tutorials, and poster sessions. Choose the format that best suits your content and objectives.

Academic Journals

IEEE Transactions on Electromagnetic Compatibility: The premier peer-reviewed journal for EMC research. Publishes original research on EMC theory, measurement, modeling, and applications. Essential reading for those involved in advanced EMC work.

IEEE Transactions on Antennas and Propagation: Relevant for antenna-related EMC topics, particularly unintentional radiation and susceptibility.

IEEE Transactions on Microwave Theory and Techniques: Covers high-frequency topics relevant to EMC at microwave frequencies.

Other journals: Various regional and specialized journals publish EMC-related content, including the IEICE Transactions (Japan), Progress in Electromagnetics Research, and journals focused on specific application areas.

Trade Publications

Trade publications provide practical information accessible to working engineers:

IEEE EMC Society Magazine: Society newsletter with feature articles, standards updates, and society news.

Interference Technology: Trade magazine covering EMC products, applications, and industry news.

Signal Integrity Journal: Focus on high-speed design with substantial EMC content.

EDN, EE Times, and similar publications: General electronics trade publications that regularly cover EMC topics.

Publishing Your Work

Contributing to the literature enhances professional reputation and advances the field:

Conference papers: Often the first step in publishing, conference papers share new work with peers and establish priority for ideas.

Journal articles: Peer-reviewed journal publication provides lasting contribution to the field and strong professional recognition.

Application notes and white papers: For practical insights and case studies, application notes reach practitioners directly.

Books and book chapters: Major undertakings that consolidate expertise and provide comprehensive treatment of topics.

Quality writing takes time and effort, but the professional benefits and satisfaction of contributing to the field make the investment worthwhile.

Standards Organizations

IEC (International Electrotechnical Commission): Develops international EMC standards through Technical Committee 77 (Electromagnetic compatibility) and product-specific committees. IEC standards often serve as the basis for national and regional requirements.

CISPR (International Special Committee on Radio Interference): Develops standards for measuring and limiting radio interference. CISPR standards are fundamental to EMC compliance worldwide.

ISO (International Organization for Standardization): Develops automotive and other application-specific EMC standards, often jointly with IEC.

ANSI (American National Standards Institute): Coordinates US standards activities and provides the US voice in international standards work.

SAE International: Develops automotive EMC standards widely used in North America and referenced globally.

IEEE Standards Association: Develops standards for various technologies, including some EMC-related topics.

Getting Involved

Standards participation is open to qualified professionals:

Through employers: Many companies send representatives to standards meetings. Express interest to your management if your company participates.

Through professional societies: IEEE and other societies sponsor participation in standards work and can provide entry points.

As an expert: Individuals with recognized expertise may be invited to participate or can request to join relevant committees.

Through national bodies: National committees provide input to international standards and may have lower barriers to participation.

Benefits of Standards Participation

Active participation in standards development offers significant benefits:

• Deep technical knowledge: Standards work requires understanding the technical basis for requirements, developing expertise beyond simply applying rules
• Advance notice: Participants learn about upcoming changes before they are published, allowing preparation time
• Influence: Ability to shape requirements based on practical experience and technical knowledge
• Networking: Regular interaction with leading experts from around the world
• Recognition: Contributors are acknowledged in standards documents and recognized within the community

Building Consulting Expertise

Successful EMC consultants typically have:

Deep technical expertise: Broad knowledge across EMC topics with particular depth in specialty areas. Expertise that clients cannot easily develop internally.

Practical experience: Years of hands-on experience solving real problems. Understanding of what works in practice, not just theory.

Industry knowledge: Understanding of specific industries, their standards requirements, and common challenges.

Professional network: Connections with potential clients, referral sources, and complementary service providers.

Communication skills: Ability to explain complex concepts clearly and work effectively with clients at all levels.

Business Considerations

Beyond technical expertise, consulting requires business skills:

Marketing and business development: Finding clients through networking, speaking, writing, and referrals.

Proposal writing: Clearly defining scope, deliverables, timeline, and pricing for potential engagements.

Project management: Managing time, resources, and client expectations across multiple engagements.

Financial management: Pricing services appropriately, managing cash flow, and handling business finances.

Legal and insurance: Understanding liability, obtaining appropriate insurance, and using proper contracts.

Consulting Models

EMC consultants operate under various business models:

Independent consultant: Solo practice offering personal expertise directly to clients.

Consulting firm: Multi-person firm offering broader capabilities and capacity.

Affiliate network: Independent consultants collaborating on larger projects while maintaining separate businesses.

Part-time consulting: Consulting alongside other employment, either with employer permission or after retirement.

Role of the Expert Witness

Expert witnesses provide opinions and testimony on technical matters beyond the knowledge of judges and juries. In EMC cases, experts may address:

• Whether a product met applicable EMC standards
• Whether EMI caused or contributed to an incident
• Whether EMC design practices met professional standards
• The technical basis for damages calculations
• Patent disputes involving EMC technology

Qualifications and Credentials

Expert witnesses must be qualified in court based on their credentials and experience:

Education: Advanced degrees in relevant fields enhance credibility.

Experience: Extensive practical experience in the specific technical area at issue.

Publications: Peer-reviewed publications demonstrate recognized expertise.

Professional recognition: Certifications, awards, and leadership positions in professional organizations.

Prior expert witness experience: Track record as an expert witness, including testimony that has been admitted.

Expert Witness Skills

Beyond technical expertise, expert witnesses need specific skills:

Clear communication: Explaining complex concepts in terms accessible to non-technical audiences.

Report writing: Preparing clear, well-organized written opinions that withstand scrutiny.

Deposition testimony: Handling questioning by opposing counsel in a professional and effective manner.

Trial testimony: Presenting testimony clearly and credibly before judges and juries.

Objectivity: Maintaining objective, unbiased opinions based on technical facts regardless of which party retained the expert.

Developing Expert Witness Practice

Building an expert witness practice takes time:

• Develop and maintain impeccable credentials
• Network with attorneys who handle relevant cases
• Consider training in expert witness skills and procedures
• Start with smaller cases to gain experience
• Maintain comprehensive documentation of qualifications
• Understand the ethical obligations of expert witnesses

Technical Career Tracks

EMC Design Engineer: Designing products for EMC compliance, working within product development teams. Career progression leads to senior engineer, principal engineer, and technical fellow positions.

EMC Test Engineer: Conducting EMC testing and supporting compliance efforts. May lead to test laboratory management or specialized technical roles.

EMC Research: Advancing the field through research in academic or industrial research settings. May lead to professor, research director, or chief scientist positions.

EMC Specialist: Deep expertise in specific technical areas such as automotive EMC, medical device EMC, or military EMC. Recognized expert status in specialty area.

Management Tracks

EMC Laboratory Manager: Managing test laboratory operations, staff, and accreditation. May lead to director of laboratory services or quality assurance leadership.

Engineering Manager: Managing EMC engineering teams within product development organizations. May lead to director of engineering or VP of engineering positions.

Corporate EMC Manager: Leading EMC strategy and compliance across an organization. May lead to executive positions in quality, regulatory affairs, or technology.

Entrepreneurial Paths

Consulting practice: Building an independent consulting business or founding a consulting firm.

Test laboratory: Starting or acquiring an EMC test laboratory.

Product company: Developing and marketing EMC products (test equipment, shielding materials, filters, etc.).

Training and education: Building a business around EMC training services.

Planning Your Career

Effective career planning considers:

• Personal interests and strengths
• Market demand for different roles
• Required skills and experience for target positions
• Geographic factors and mobility
• Work-life balance priorities
• Long-term industry trends

Regular career reflection and adjustment keeps development on track as circumstances and priorities evolve.

Finding Mentors

Effective mentors can be found through various channels:

Workplace: Senior colleagues with EMC expertise can provide ongoing guidance. Formal mentoring programs may match mentees with appropriate mentors.

Professional societies: Many societies offer mentoring programs connecting members across organizations.

Conferences: Meeting experienced practitioners at conferences can lead to ongoing mentoring relationships.

Educational connections: Former professors and instructors may continue to provide guidance after formal education ends.

Being an Effective Mentee

Mentees can maximize value from mentoring relationships by:

• Being clear about goals and what help is needed
• Respecting the mentor's time and preparing for meetings
• Following through on advice and commitments
• Providing feedback on what is and is not helpful
• Expressing appreciation for the mentor's investment
• Eventually paying it forward by mentoring others

Becoming a Mentor

Experienced professionals should consider serving as mentors:

Benefits for mentors:

• Satisfaction of helping others develop
• Fresh perspectives from mentees
• Development of leadership and coaching skills
• Contribution to the profession's future
• Expanded professional network

Effective mentoring practices:

• Listen actively to understand mentee needs
• Share experiences, including failures and lessons learned
• Provide honest feedback constructively
• Open doors and make introductions
• Set appropriate boundaries and expectations
• Maintain confidentiality

Personal Knowledge Systems

Organizing technical knowledge for future reference:

Technical library: Organized collection of books, papers, standards, and other reference materials. Digital organization with effective search capabilities.

Design archives: Examples of previous work that can inform future designs. Documentation of what worked and what did not.

Lessons learned: Systematic capture of insights from projects, problems, and experiences. Regular review to reinforce learning.

Resource contacts: Network of experts and resources for various technical areas. Maintained contact information and notes on expertise.

Organizational Knowledge Management

Contributing to organizational knowledge resources:

• Documenting institutional knowledge before experienced employees depart
• Building design guidelines and best practices libraries
• Creating case study collections from past projects
• Maintaining lessons learned databases
• Developing training materials for knowledge transfer

Continuous Learning Habits

Habits that support ongoing knowledge development:

• Regular reading of technical literature
• Attending conferences and training sessions
• Participating in technical discussions and forums
• Teaching and presenting to solidify understanding
• Experimenting with new tools and techniques
• Reflecting on experiences to extract lessons