Cristiano Pastore

Model based design tool for EMC reduction using spread spectrum techniques in induction heating platform

The design process for home appliances is intrinsically driven by product information. The common workflow is usually pre-defined and not flexible. The most difficult part in the design of power electronic boards to be used in household appliances is abiding by the Electromagnetic Compatibility (EMC) regulations. EMC characteristics are difficult to determine in early design stages. In fact electromagnetic compatibility should be taken into account as well as electrical, thermal and mechanical issues. This paper proposes a model-based design tool which allows achieving good performances in term of EMC also in the early design stages. Trough this tool is possible to predict the EMC behavior of the generic power converter using a given modulation. Simulation result and experimental result are presented in this paper, showing a good match in the EMC improvements. The proposed tool is extremely flexible, and can be used proficiently in complex product design, especially in the conceptual design stage. The experimental results confirmed that the derived model can roughly predict EMI. To attenuate EMI in the prototype converter, spread spectrum is employed and its influence on EMI spectra is presented via measurement.