In the aerospace sector, the pressure to secure mission-critical electronic components reliably and efficiently has never been greater. With increasing supply chain volatility, component obsolescence, and heightened compliance demands, here at Ex-El Group we pride ourselves on being more than just a transactional supplier; we provide proven, efficient aerospace procurement services, deep market expertise, and a global supplier network designed for resilience.
A wide variety of critically important components go into keeping aviation platforms and equipment operational and airborne. While major subsystems like propulsion and navigation are among the best-known, no aircraft can remain mission-ready without the interconnect components needed to link its equipment together in a single, effective system.
Ferrari Interconnect Solutions has produced products and systems to meet this need for both the aerospace and defence industry since its inception in 2014. Today, as a partner of Ex-Eltronics, this interconnect solutions company offers an extensive range of products and services to support the use of avionics, launchers, communications, flight gear & helmets, test equipment, and many other important assets and supplemental systems.
In this article, we will have a look at what Ferrari Interconnect Systems offers to its customer base today and how this partnership enables Ex-Eltronics to provide total support for similar systems to its ever-growing customer base.
Interconnect Solutions Defined
Interconnect solutions refer to products and technologies used to connect different parts of an electrical or electronic system. They’re a key component in enabling communication and data transfer between circuit boards, electronic devices, and systems. Interconnect solutions encompass a wide range of components that include cables, connectors, switches, adapters, sockets, and more.
These solutions come in various forms based on their application; for instance, they can be high-speed data connections in avionics and navigation suites, power connectors in engines, or complex cable assemblies in control and communication systems. They play a crucial role in numerous sectors, including telecommunications, aerospace, critical electronics, and first responders, to name a few.
A custom interconnect solution, as offered by Ferrari, ensures a reliable and robust connection, leading to efficient and high-performance operation of the overall system.
Meet Ferrari Interconnect Solutions
Ferrari Interconnect Solutions (FIS) is a company specialising in providing custom cable and wire products and total interconnect solutions used within avionics and pilot-helmet communications systems. Based in Ontario, California, FIS has been committed to delivering high-quality products and services since its inception in 2014, backed by quality certifications such as ISO 9001 and AS9100.
The experts at FIS pride themselves on their capabilities to produce everything from standardised military equipment to complex custom designs and have experience in this sector dating back to 1978.
Being able to provide rapid turnaround on prototype production, short lead times, and a customer-focused approach gives Ferrari a clear competitive edge. Each product is guaranteed to meet or exceed industry standards, meaning clients can always rely on Ferrari Interconnect Systems for reliable, robust, and efficient solutions.
What FIS Offers
Ferrari Interconnect Solutions specialises in the design, manufacture, and integration of interconnect solutions for use with aircraft communication systems and avionics equipment. Additionally, they offer bespoke design services for custom mil/aero flight applications as well as support for co-opted designs and build-to-print applications for flight, non-flight, and ground-based equipment.
Some of their products include:
Pilot and tactical helmet comms system and CEP transition cables
Avionics Box Organized and Ruggedized Wiring
Launch system Interface Cables
EMC and CBRN-compatible cable-harness solutions
Weight-sensitive and Hi-Flex cable-harness systems
Build-to-print and co-opted wired systems
Bespoke cable systems designs
Overmolded cable assemblies
Breakout and coil cable assemblies
Braided metal and textile harnesses
Inline cable electronics (switches, resistors, and diodes)
In addition to these products, FIS offers a wide variety of customary and value-added services, including:
Design, prototype production, and product validation
3D modelling
Box fabrication
Electromechanical assembly
Customer product evaluation
First Article/AS9102 Inspection
Electrical and functional Testing
Drawing on extensive experience in design and manufacturing for the aerospace and defence sector, FIS is one of the most capable providers of custom interconnect solutions. Based on customers’ connector interface and environmental requirements, as well as specific performance criteria, their engineering team can produce reliable, innovative designs subject to extensive quality control and performance testing prior to implementation and delivery.
In addition, their experts will furnish clients with supplemental producibility and reliability reviews and feedback at no additional cost for customers’ drawings or designs. Plus, FIS can provide custom packaging and supplementary materials including detailed manuals and operation instructions, shortening the implementation time for newly made products and solutions once they reach customers.
Ex-Eltronics & FIS: Partners in Supplying Top-Tier Interconnect Solutions
Ferrari Interconnect Solutions built its reputation for highly adaptable, robust interconnect solutions in the United States, but its products have almost limitless applicability to avionics and comms systems the world over. International organisations interested in acquiring the services of this interconnect solutions company can turn to Ex-Eltronics, the only official distributor of Ferrari products outside of the US.
If you want to learn more about FIS’ extensive range of products and services or to discuss how they can meet your custom design needs, head over to their partner page on our website to learn more. Or, get in touch today to speak with a helpful representative about how Ex-Eltronics and Ferrari Interconnect Solutions can provide the custom interconnect solutions you need.We can also be reached at [email protected] / +44 (0) 1420 590390
Ex-Eltronics has been a leading supplier of aerospace and defence (A&D) sourcing, procurement, and supply services for over four decades. With Kristine Brackenridge-Battaglia at the helm, Ex-Eltronics can claim to be at the forefront when it comes to female empowerment. Here’s what the current landscape looks like for women in the A&D industry and what Kristine has to share about her experience as a leader in the field.
Women in A&D: Where Things Stand in 2023
While strides have been made towards gender equality, there’s still a long way to go. For example, in the US, only 19.4% of engineering positions in A&D are held by women – and in some big-name companies, it’s even less. This is despite numerous studies showing that gender-diverse workplaces tend to be more profitable, more productive, and more appealing to employees. However, certain sectors are moving at a faster pace than others in this direction, and A&D can count itself among that number.
In contrast to engineering and technical subsectors, women in A&D are moving into leadership positions at a faster rate than ever before; Airbus and Rolls Royce are just two of the leading A&D companies with female CTOs. In the United States, women hold 19% of total aerospace and defence CEO positions, nearly four times that of other industries.
With developments such as these, the way of the future is clear: women are set to start occupying more positions at the top and throughout the industry as companies tap into the vast pool of skills and knowledge they offer. To explain her outlook, let’s see what Ex-Eltronics CEO Kristine Brackenridge-Battaglia has to say about her experience in charge of just such a company.
Meet Kristine Brackenridge-Battaglia, CEO of Ex-Eltronics
Chief Executive Officer Kristine Brackenridge-Battaglia is the daughter of Ex-Eltronics’ founding CEO, Charles Brackenridge. As such, she’s been with the company for much of her life, developing her professional skill set in the midst of her family’s legacy.
Can you tell us about your start with Ex-Eltronics?
When I joined the company my father founded in 2006, I started at the bottom, cutting my teeth in various roles [in] Purchasing, Export, Quality & Management, as I developed the skills that would one day lead me to where I am now. As president of the Ex-El Group today, I believe those skills have allowed me to take leadership of the company for the 21st century.
How has your background informed your day-to-day leadership style?
For me, leading an innovative company through the challenges of meeting aerospace and defence needs across the globe is as much about the future as it is about our legacy. My daily goal is to emulate the work ethic and dedication to the consistent quality that my father Charles embodied, as well as his firm belief that “our strengths are based on the partnerships we have created and nurtured in our 45-plus years of business.”
How would you describe your style of leadership?
I’d say I’m a team-oriented leader, committed to providing guidance and support while ensuring customers’ needs are met and obstacles overcome.
How has your time at Ex-Eltronics prepared you to lead the company?
My years of service have helped me to become a problem solver with the experience needed to make major decisions affecting the future of my company. I’ve also developed quality management expertise, making me capable of engaging and strengthening deep-rooted partnerships with suppliers. And I’ve become a detail-focused specialist, well-versed in industry standards and specifications and satisfying customer requirements.
A&D is a complex field, particularly when serving international clients. How have you responded to the regulatory and formal challenges of operating in this industry?
Leveraging my experience at all levels of Ex-El’s operations, I’ve developed the skills necessary to become an expert in export management. I’m capable of formulating export compliance policies and procedures, establishing requirements for and overseeing licence generation, and supporting licence applications throughout the corporate and regulatory agency review and approval processes.
Choose Exceptional Leadership and Quality with Ex-Eltronics
With Kristine providing innovative leadership, the Ex-Eltronics team is ready to face any challenge the future of A&D can pose. Supported by dedicated specialists in every relevant area and an extensive network of partners providing top-quality solutions, Ex-Eltronics can meet all your aerospace and defence electronics needs with minimal lead times and maximum quality assurance.
Find out more about Kristine and the rest of the team on our website, or get in touch today to discuss what Ex-Eltronics can do for you.
As we approach the end of 2023, the year has held its challenges for the Aerospace and Defence sector as well as around the world in general. However, 2023 has also seen a string of successes and promising developments for the Ex-Eltronics Group, from fresh talent, branding, and products to the incredible growth of existing relationships.
2023 was a year of growth for Ex-Eltronics, with a range of new Customer relationships developed, new OEM approvals gained, and increasing supply chain successes. Greater recognition and demand for Ex-El’s services and products meant the company needed to take on highly qualified new talent to continue offering our renowned level of service and support.
We are proud to introduce the newest members of the Ex-El Group:
Dorota Kasperek, Internal Sales and Export Coordinator
Phill Tetlow, Buyer
Igor Silva, Buyer
Tony Discipline, Goods in and Inspection
Louise Hatcher, Office Support
Vicki Cooper, Internal Sales
Victor Francois, Accounting
In addition to the newest members of the Ex-El Group, some of the longer-tenured employees of the team reached certain milestones and achievements in their careers, such as Louise Waby who celebrated her 25th anniversary at Ex-Eltronics in April, and Claudia Richens, who started working with Ex-El as an administrator in 2013 and who has since been promoted to the role of Buyer this year.
We also celebrated the careers of a couple of long-tenured Ex-El Group employees who retired from the group in 2023. From our UK Team, Quality and Export Manager Robert Hope announced his retirement from Ex-Eltronics after 24 years of sterling service. The team celebrated Bob’s years of work with a company outing to Goodwood House, West Sussex, while in our US office, we said goodbye to Louise Boyle in our Accounts Payable Department, who had been with the company for over 17 years.
While they may no longer be part of the Ex-El Group, they will always remain part of the Ex-El family. We wish both Bob and Louise all the best in their retirement!
Bob Hope’s retirement party at Goodwood House
In 2023, the Ex-El Group got a brand-new look online with the company rebranding and updating of our website, which reflects changes to the partnership network and services and products offered. The team redesigned and rebuilt our website to include a sleek, new logo, fresh content, a streamlined look, and an improved user experience. Our valued Customers can now connect with the technical support, products, and expertise they need to succeed.
Each September, tens of thousands of representatives from the world’s militaries, national Aerospace and Defence Industries, and governments gather in London to attend Defence and Security Equipment International (DSEI). In 2023, Ex-Eltronics company President Kristine Brackenridge-Battaglia, along with colleagues from our UK office were joined by representatives from EMI Solutions, IEH Corporation, Force Technologies, and KEC to attend the show. We used this opportunity to strengthen existing relationships with Aerospace and Defence agencies and to inform the industry of our latest capabilities and products.
Kristine Brackenridge-Battaglia, Paul Howard, and Louise Waby at DSEI 2023
2023 has been a year of promise and growth at Ex-Eltronics as the company’s network has expanded and the team has added new qualifications, accreditations, and capabilities to our lineup. We plan to continue these successes into the new year by investing in key technologies and improvements.
The Ex-El Group would like to take a moment to thank each and every one of our Customers and Partners, who without, we would have never had the success we had in 2023. We wish everyone a wonderful holiday season and a Happy, Healthy, and Prosperous New Year!
Environmental, social, and governance (ESG) refers to the foregrounding of ethical and sustainable practices when it comes to investment and operations. As climate change continues to affect the planet, consumers and regulators expect the companies they do business with to play a part in today’s most pressing ESG concerns.
At Ex-Eltronics, we aim to go beyond ESG goals and rules set out in legislation to provide the most responsible products and services we can. Take a look at each of our ESG policies and the effect it has in the article below.
REACH
Registration, Evaluation, Authorisation, and Restriction of Chemicals, or REACH, is a European Union regulation adopted to improve the protection of human health and the environment from the risks that can be posed by chemicals. It also promotes alternative methods for analysing the hazards of substances in order to reduce the number of tests on animals.
Given the nature of our products, and based on the information provided by our suppliers and partners, Ex-Eltronics isn’t required to be registered under REACH. In the unlikely event that any hazardous materials are found in our products, the amounts would fall far below the regulation threshold of 1 tonne per year.
Conflict Minerals
Conflict minerals are naturally occurring resources like tin, tungsten, tantalum, and gold, that are extracted in a conflict zone and sold to perpetuate ongoing warfare. These minerals are used in a range of everyday products including electronics and jewellery.
At Ex-Eltronics, we support the humanitarian aims of the Consumer Protection Act of 2010 and are committed to using only responsibly-sourced minerals from reputable manufacturers and distributors. Should it ever come to light that one of our suppliers is sourcing minerals from conflict zones, we’ll end our relationship with them immediately and seek out a more ethical party.
Anti-Bribery
In the context of ESG criteria, bribery refers to the unethical act of offering, giving, receiving, or soliciting something of value to influence the actions of an individual or organisation. Bribery is a principal component of the “governance” aspect in ESG and is strictly prohibited due to its negative impact on the fair and transparent operation of businesses and markets.
Ex-Eltronics’ policy is to conduct our business honestly and ethically, taking a zero-tolerance approach to bribery and corruption. For that reason, we’re committed to upholding all anti-bribery and anti-corruption laws in the jurisdictions where we operate and expect the same from our suppliers and partners. Our offices in the United States and the United Kingdom are also bound by relevant national laws.
Modern Slavery
Modern slavery refers to exploitative practices including forced labour, debt bondage, human trafficking, and child labour. It occupies a significant part of the “social” element in ESG, as it violates fundamental human rights. ESG-conscious businesses have a responsibility to ensure that their operations, as well as their supply chains, are free from modern slavery activities.
We take a zero-tolerance approach to modern slavery along with a commitment to transparency throughout our supply chain to ensure we don’t work with companies that profit from it. Ex-Eltronics also expects partners to adopt similar policies and employees, contractors, agents, and others associated with our company to act accordingly.
Environmental Policy
Concern for the environment was the driving force behind the development and adoption of ESG frameworks. Ex-Eltronics’ policy is to comply with environmental legislation and regulations and to periodically review our environmental performance. We also strive to keep environmental concerns and impacts at the centre of our decision-making and governance processes.
In our workplaces, we aim to minimise energy and water use as well as waste. Instead, we endeavour to reduce, reuse, and recycle whenever possible, and to purchase products and services with minimal environmental impacts. Lastly, Ex-Eltronics aims to keep employees, clients, and the public informed on our environmental policy and practices and to develop and maintain emergency programmes for health, safety, or environmental hazards.
Counterfeit Parts and Products
In ESG contexts, policies against the use of counterfeit or unapproved parts and products are essential from multiple perspectives:
Environmental: Counterfeit products are often produced without consideration for environmental regulations or standards.
Social: Counterfeit goods are usually associated with unfair labour practices, including poor working conditions, exploitation, and even child labour.
Governance: Engagement in counterfeit activities signifies a lack of business ethics and integrity.
As part of our zero-tolerance approach to the use of counterfeit products, Ex-Eltronics only sources new parts directly from manufacturers or authorised distributors, unless specifically requested otherwise by the customer. This supports our aim to achieve full traceability throughout our supply chain and to provide our customers with the highest guarantees of quality and reliability.
Head to our Quality Standards page if you’re interested in getting further details about our ESG policies. If you have any specific questions about our practices, get in touch today via our website or contact us at [email protected] / +44 (0) 1420 590390.
The military equipment market is the bedrock of national and multinational security, supplying vitally important goods suited to a wide range of missions and tasks to militaries around the world. But just as national governments require ready access to military equipment to ensure their own security, the procurement process itself requires watertight security protocols to safeguard stakeholders and prevent weaponry from falling into the wrong hands.
Security is a concern not just for governments but for the contractors and manufacturers who supply the world’s defence organisations as well. Below, we’ll take a look at some of the most common security concerns in the aerospace and defence sector and what Ex-Eltronics is doing to minimise risk.
An Overview of Security Risks in the Aerospace and Defence Sector
Cybersecurity
Cybersecurity is gaining ground as the most sensitive and talked-about aspect of security. Modern workplaces and companies increasingly rely on computerised or digital equipment for protection and to enhance operational efficiency. A cybersecurity risk is anything that could allow unauthorised individuals to access computer systems, data, or assets remotely, using malware, phishing attacks, or other means of electronic attack.
Here are the most effective ways to counter these risks:
Implement a company-wide cybersecurity system;
Educate staff members on digital security practices and principles; and
Ensure partnered companies and contractors have similar systems in place.
Insider Attacks
As the name implies, an insider attack is any violation of security protocols carried out by any current or former employee or associate of an organisation. This could include an individual using a key to access areas that they’re not authorised to enter, downloading or sharing sensitive data (intentionally or unintentionally), or outright theft of information or equipment. Other forms of insider threats include espionage, theft, and acts of violence or property destruction.
Countermeasures for insider attacks vary from providing employees with area-restricted keys to thorough vetting for former staff members and new hires, as well as ensuring the companies you work with have similar policies in place for their employees.
Technological Vulnerabilities
A technological risk arises when there exist potentially exploitable vulnerabilities in hardware or software. The most common example is when a program isn’t regularly updated, leaving it exposed to cyberattacks. Other examples include service outages or using unsecured cloud-based services, or equipment or software subject to invasive data laws.
Steps to Take to Ensure Supplier Performance
It’s wise to take steps to ensure a prospective supplier has employed a variety of security measures to protect their own assets and personnel and, by extension, yours. Basic steps to follow include:
Auditing: Perform a review of a supplier’s security arrangements.
Stress testing: This involves simulating low-probability, high-impact disruptions to a supplier’s operations and estimating how long it will take them to meet demand and fully recover from a security failure.
Incident and crisis management: Any prospective supplier should be able to demonstrate an up-to-date, flexible incident and crisis management process to ensure they’re able to withstand and recover from unexpected security risks.
Horizon scanning: This involves keeping abreast of new and evolving security threats as well as the solutions being developed or refined to meet them.
Cyber Essentials Plus Certification: the Ex-Eltronics Solution
As part of our commitment to ensuring security and peace of mind for all our partners and valued clients, Ex-Eltronics is a participant in Cyber Essentials. A government-backed, industry-supported cybersecurity scheme, Cyber Essentials offers two levels of certification. The basic self-assessment option provides companies with a checklist of potential cybersecurity risks and instructions on how to assess their vulnerability to them. Cyber Essentials Plus goes one step further by including a hands-on technical audit covering on-site internal and off-site external vulnerability scans and tests of the relevant systems.
As recipients of a Cyber Essentials Plus accreditation, Ex-Eltronics has the following security requirements in place:
Active firewalls
Secure configuration
User access controls
Malware protection
Patch management
This ensures that our security is up to the latest national and industrial standards. It is often required for work on sensitive government contracts or projects, such as those involving the development, maintenance, deployment, and transportation of defence equipment.
You can learn more about the security measures in place at Ex-Eltronics, along with our industrial and quality assurance accreditations, by visiting our Quality Certifications page. If you’re interested in finding out what we can do to protect your assets and operations or have special security requirements, get in touch today to set up a consultation or contact us at [email protected] / +44 (0) 1420 590390.
As part of Ex-Eltronics’ ongoing commitment to staying on the leading edge of electronic design, we headed to EMC and Compliance International, held at Newbury Racecourse, in May 2023.
EMC and Compliance International is the UK’s leading independent trade show focused on all aspects of electromagnetic compatibility (EMC) and compliance. Exhibitors at this prestigious expo represent the electronics, electrical, industrial, aerospace, medical, and defence sectors and beyond.
This year’s show gave the Exel team access to expertise on new EMC directives, components, test techniques and equipment, and the latest EMC modelling. Also featured were two days of training and technical workshops delivered by world-renowned EMC experts.
The show has transformed since the days it was held at Ascot, and with the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, we have noticed a change in how it engages with engineers and suppliers. Let’s take a look at what we learned from this year’s show and how it could shape the electronics landscape to come.
What’s New at EMC & Compliance International 2023?
The 2023 EMC and Compliance International was held over three floors of the main grandstand, with the main exhibition on the ground floor, and talks and seminars taking place over the 2nd and 3rd floors. Thanks to this quieter, calmer atmosphere, engineers and representatives from a wide selection of companies and agencies could engage with their counterparts at their convenience.
For instance, discussions were held with graduate engineers just starting on their journey into commercial design. This was an opportunity to encourage the next generation of engineers to understand the importance of implementing EMC principles in their forthcoming portfolios. In turn, they were able to get to know some of the field’s leading suppliers and solutions, all under one roof.
Further dialogue stemmed from the technical workshops, such as “EMC Design for the Power & Electronics Applications,” held during the two-day event. Enquiries and input came from a range of experts, from EMC consultants to highly experienced engineers, working on everything from military to electric vehicle projects.
The Importance of EMC & Compliance International
Recent years have seen a significant shift in the emphasis on electromagnetic compliance and design principles. Engineers seek to ensure the equipment they build and use remains serviceable even in the most demanding or unexpected of scenarios.
The very nature of EMC design requires the inclusion of systems, subsystems, and components, which may add cost, weight, or both. In many cases, this is an important design consideration due to factors such as increasingly strict and detailed EMC standards and regulations. It also features in the protection of products against poorly-shielded designs in surrounding environments.
For that reason, it’s easier – and vitally important – to include EMC principles at the beginning of the design process before the design has matured or at the very end when pre-compliance is being checked. Ideally, designers should accommodate EMC considerations as early as possible rather than waiting to retrofit established designs with the necessary protective components. The worst-case scenario is having to implement an EMC solution after the device has failed an EMC test.
The 2023 EMC and Compliance International was a chance to bring the EMC and Compliance communities together to share knowledge, network, and do business face-to-face. In a post-Covid climate and with hybrid working environments the norm, it meant that engineers who are ‘stuck’ at home also get a chance to visit and speak with suppliers on neutral ground. The importance of establishing those communication lines will be key to securing future business opportunities.
How Did Ex-Eltronics Contribute?
Representatives from Ex-Eltronics were in attendance at Newbury to promote two of our technical partners, KEC Limited and EMI Solutions. Representing decades of combined experience, EMI Solutions Inc’s FlexFilter products and KEC’s range of EMC backshells and associated accessories are among the most trusted products of their kind currently on the market. Built to accommodate a wide range of military specifications, these two companies are equipped to address our customers’ wide-ranging EMC needs. Read more on this in our latest article, “The War on EMI: Filtering v Shielding.”
Ex-Eltronics believes that by having a presence at the show, we were able to connect with new engineers and designers of potential EMC solutions and advise any buyers or project engineers on where they could go to source such solutions once these have been implemented.
Want to keep up to date with the latest news and industry insights from Ex-Eltronics? Then visit our News Section today and check out our partner pages for EMI Solutions and KEC Limited to see what we had to show at EMC and Compliance International 2023. You can also get in touch to discuss your electronics needs or to set up a consultation today via our website or contact us at [email protected] / +44 (0) 1420 590390.
Whether you work in defence, aerospace, or industrial environments, electromagnetic interference is a bane to your operations. But what’s the best way to deal with it?
In simple terms, electromagnetic interference (EMI) refers to the effects of electromagnetic fields, such as radio frequencies, on sensitive electronic devices and systems. It’s surprisingly widespread and can be severely detrimental to your systems. Fortunately, there are two possible solutions to this issue: filtering and shielding.
EMI filtering and shielding are two different techniques used to address EMI in electronic devices or systems. With electronic systems, there are concerns regarding radiated and conducted susceptibility AS WELL AS radiated and conducted emissions, which are EMI noise coming from your own system.
But what’s the difference? Read on for more details on the pros and cons of EMI filtering and shielding and what you can do to protect your equipment from radiating or being susceptible to these effects of EMI.
A Brief History of EMI, EMC, and the Need for Protection
By the 1930s, radios were rapidly becoming household essentials across the world, and users began to notice the strange effects the frequencies had on other electronics and electrical devices. The phenomenon, called “electromagnetic interference,” made it clear that a method for protecting devices from errant radio signals was needed. An approach to these issues came in 1933, when the International Special Committee on Radio Interference (CISPR), a sub-committee of the Paris-based International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC), issued the earliest recommendations for minimising EMI. Emissions limitations came about as systems were connected to ensure that noise created in one system would not interfere with the performance of another.
The need for more comprehensive EMI filtering and shielding methods and equipment in defence applications was recognised as early as 1967. That year, the aircraft carrier USS Forrestal, then deployed in the Gulf of Tonkin in support of U.S. forces in Vietnam, suffered a catastrophic fire when an electronic anomaly triggered a Zuni rocket. This led to 134 deaths and nearly 200 injuries. It was later determined that an incorrectly fitted shielded cable connector and multiple electromagnetic fields on the flight deck caused the rocket to fire, igniting a fuel tank on a nearby aircraft.
Later, when mobile phones and other portable electronics became more prevalent in the 1990s, multiple airlines realised that signals from these and other devices could interfere with the avionics suites, hindering an aircraft’s ability to fly or navigate safely. Military leaders found that electromagnetic interference, whether natural or manmade, could disrupt global positioning system technology (GNSS) badly enough that unmanned aerial vehicles could not be reliably flown. GNSS disruption and EMI due to military activity represents a notable civil aviation safety-of-flight concern that continues today.
After radio, many other forms of electromagnetic interference were recognised, including microwaves, infrared, as well as gamma and X-rays, each of which may be countered with an array of methods and devices. CISPR’s recommendations form the basis of modern international EMI prevention standards, as well as define how electronic devices can co-exist without interference affecting performance. This is referred to as electromagnetic compatibility.
Electromagnetic compatibility (EMC) defines the ability of electrical and electronic equipment to operate acceptably when exposed to external electromagnetic sources and limiting internally generated unwanted electromagnetic energy. EMC covers three areas. Limiting EMI emissions generated by the equipment, its susceptibility to external sources of EMI, and its level of immunity when functioning in its defined environment.
Different Types of EMI
Electromagnetic interference can be classified into four general types based on either the source or bandwidth of the original signal. Narrowband EMI is that produced by mobile phones or radio or television transmissions whereas broadband EMI has a wider radio spectrum with unintentional radiation emitted from sources such as electric power transmission lines. Depending on the source, EMI can be classed as intentional, unintentional, intersystem, or intra-system:
Unintentional, or “non-functional”, EMI is generated by devices not intended to do so, such as welding equipment, DC motors, computers, and power lines.
Intentional EMI (IEMI) is that emitted by a device specifically designed to do so, typically as part of an electronic warfare system, like electronic countermeasures and electromagnetic pulse (EMP) weapons.
Intra-system EMI refers to interference generated between two components of a system or device, whereas intersystem EMI occurs between two or more separate systems.
What is EMI Filtering?
EMI filtering is an important consideration in the design and manufacture of electronic devices to ensure their reliable operation and compliance with regulatory requirements for electromagnetic compatibility (EMC).
EMI filtering refers to the process of reducing or eliminating the interference caused by electromagnetic signals in electronic devices or systems. It is a technique used to filter out unwanted electromagnetic signals (noise) that can disrupt the operation of electronic devices or cause electromagnetic interference.
EMI filters are usually placed at the input or output of the device and can be panel-mounted or PCB-mounted. They consist of a combination of passive components such as capacitors, inductors, and resistors, which are designed to attenuate or suppress electromagnetic interference in a given frequency range. They are often used in electronic devices such as power supplies, audio equipment, computer systems, and other electronics that require a high level of reliability and EMC.
EMI filters are typically low-pass filters, which allow lower frequency signals to pass whilst blocking high-frequency signals or ‘noise’. Capacitors block these certain frequencies and allow others through. The capacitors discharge to the ground plane, allowing them to reduce the signal in the higher frequencies. Inductors work differently; they absorb energy from the higher frequencies and turn it into heat, resulting in the dampening of the high-frequency noise. Custom filters can be made by ‘tuning’ the combination of the capacitors and inductors to the specific frequencies required.
EMI filters can be classified into two types: differential mode filters and common mode filters. Differential mode filters attenuate the interference that occurs between two signal lines, while common mode filters attenuate the interference that occurs between a signal line and the ground.
What is EMI Shielding?
EMI shielding is the process of reducing the electromagnetic radiation emitted by electronic devices or systems and also preventing external electromagnetic signals from interfering with the operation of these devices. EMI shielding is necessary because electromagnetic radiation can interfere with the operation of other electronic devices, causing malfunctions or errors. EMI shielding involves the use of conductive materials such as copper or aluminium to block or attenuate electromagnetic signals from entering or leaving the device.
EMI shielding can be achieved by placing a conductive shield around the device (called a Faraday Cage) or by coating the device with a conductive material. The conductive shield or coating creates a barrier that prevents electromagnetic signals from entering or leaving the device, thereby reducing the risk of electromagnetic interference. EMI shielding can be applied to electronic components, circuit boards, cables, and even entire electronic devices or systems.
How Filtering Compares to Shielding
Your choice between filtering and shielding depends on various factors, such as the sensitivity of your device as well as the amount of EMI it will generate. Conductivity, size, and cost will also play a part in choosing the best EMI solution.
Shielding takes a holistic approach to EMI management while filters target specific areas of EMI. As much as shielding reflects incoming energy, some absorption still takes place. Converting into heat energy, this then requires some type of thermal management. Also, the quality of the material used in shielding not only influences the output but the weight of the system as well i.e., thicker shields are more effective but are heavier. And while shielding reflects and cages EMI, filters are capable of eliminating EMI by addressing the most vulnerable points in a system that produce the most interference. As a result, filters may be custom fitted to your specific needs.
Count on Ex-El for All Your EMI Filtering Needs
At Ex-El, we have long understood the importance of protecting sensitive industrial and mission-critical military electronics against all forms of electromagnetic interference. That’s why we specialise in the creation of off-the-shelf and custom EMI filtering solutions utilising our partner EMI Solutions.
The EMI filter modules, filtered connectors, and FlexFilter Inserts that we supply to our customers are subjected to the most rigorous testing standards and comply with the highest military and industrial specifications to keep your systems reliable in the most demanding of environments and applications.
We also offer a range of EMC backshells, glands, and panel fittings, which offer 360˚ EMC screening through distribution partnerships. The EMC backshells we supply are UK designed and manufactured, with integral and additional strain relief options as well as environmental sealing options to IP68.
For more information on the products Ex-Eltronics has to offer to see to your EMI needs, visit our partner pages at KEC Limited and Amphenol LTD. To discuss your needs or to find out more about what we can do for you, reach out to us today.
