SMP3-Streamer: Human Exposure to Electromagnetic Field Testing in the Automotive Industry
The automotive industry stands at a technological crossroads, driven by increasing electrification and the proliferation of advanced electronic systems. In this scenario, ensuring vehicle safety and performance goes beyond traditional mechanics. Electromagnetic Fields (EMF) emitted by a vehicle’s electrical and electronic components, especially in Electric Vehicles (EVs), present unique challenges and an urgent need for precise measurements compliant with strict standards. This is where Wavecontrol’s SMP3-Streamer automotive testing system emerges as a revolutionary solution. Designed specifically to address these challenges, SMP3-Streamer not only simplifies the EMF measurement process but also ensures compliance with the most demanding regulations, positioning Wavecontrol at the forefront of electromagnetic measurement instrumentation with over 28 years of global experience.
In this article, we will delve into what the SMP3-Streamer System is and why it is revolutionary, the automotive standards it supports, its key technical features, the benefits it brings to the automotive industry, and its various use cases and applications.
What is SMP3-Streamer and Why is it Revolutionary?
The SMP3-Streamer is an advanced software option for Wavecontrol’s SMP3 EMF meter, designed to transform the process of electromagnetic field measurements in the automotive industry. Its revolutionary nature lies in its ability to offer real-time EMF measurements with precision and efficiency, significantly differentiating itself from existing solutions on the market. Unlike traditional methods, which often involve lengthy setup times and post-analysis, SMP3-Streamer allows continuous data visualization and recording, facilitating quick problem identification and design validation.
Among its unique capabilities, its ability to perform time and frequency domains testing simultaneously stands out, covering a wide spectrum crucial for the complex electromagnetic environment of modern vehicles. This real-time EMF measurement function is vital for engineers who need to instantly evaluate the impact of design changes or component operation. The intuitive interface and direct integration with SMP3 hardware make the software not only powerful but also user-friendly, reducing the learning curve and optimizing workflows. The Streamer’s functionalities allow for the direct loading of automotive test plans, significantly streamlining testing and ensuring consistency and repeatability of results.
Supported Automotive Standards
Regulatory compliance is a fundamental pillar in the automotive industry, and SMP3-Streamer is designed to ensure manufacturers meet critical global regulations. The system integrates support for various standards governing vehicle EMF measurements, offering a comprehensive solution for automotive EMF compliance testing.
Key supported standards include, among others:
- GB/T 37130: This Chinese standard is essential for electric vehicles, and the SMP3-Streamer facilitates testing according to its guidelines, enabling measurements at the points defined by this standard and ensuring conformity for the Asian market.
- MBN 10284-2: This Mercedes-Benz standard is crucial for suppliers working with this manufacturer. The SMP3-Streamer allows for the specific measurements required, including synchronized data logging with GPS and vehicle speed.
- TSC 7048G: A Toyota standard, also covered by the Streamer’s capabilities, underlining its versatility in meeting the requirements of different global manufacturers.
- IEC 62764: This series of international standards is fundamental for safety in electric vehicles, and the SMP3-Streamer is prepared to assist in EMF exposure assessment according to its specifications.
- ISO 11451: The SMP3’s EMF measurement capabilities make it relevant for this series of vehicle electromagnetic compatibility standards.
The SMP3-Streamer system not only enables test execution but also automates the generation of detailed reports, demonstrating conformity with the limits set by each standard. This drastically reduces data processing time and the likelihood of manual errors, ensuring that compliance with regulations is efficient and accurate.
Key Technical Features
The superior performance of SMP3-Streamer is based on a series of advanced technical features that make it an indispensable instrument for EMF testing automotive standards:
- Wide Frequency Range (1 Hz – 400 kHz): One of its key strengths is its ability to measure electromagnetic fields across an extremely wide frequency range, from 1 Hz to 400 kHz. This coverage is critical for the automotive industry, as it encompasses both low-frequency electric fields associated with EV propulsion systems and radio frequency fields generated by communication and entertainment systems.
- Simultaneous Time and Frequency Domain Measurements: The SMP3-Streamer stands out for its ability to perform simultaneous time and frequency domain measurements. This allows engineers to gain a holistic view of the vehicle’s electromagnetic environment, identifying both overall exposure and specific source contributions across different frequency bands. The simultaneous display of time and domain frequency measurements on screen offers unparalleled flexibility for analysis.
- Adjustable Frequency Resolution: The software allows for adjustable frequency resolution, which is essential for accurately identifying interference sources or specific components in the spectrum, and it is a specific requirement of the principal standards in the sector. This feature, along with the ability to set markers and enable peak tracking, facilitates detailed and precise spectral analysis, crucial for professional EMF measurement instruments.
- Intuitive and Customizable Interface: The SMP3-Streamer user interface has been designed with ease of use in mind. It allows for clear real-time data visualization, and the ability to overlay standard limits directly onto measurements. Simplicity in setting up tests and adapting visualization to user needs has been prioritized.
- Advanced export features: The software offers powerful data export capabilities, including simple excel files, graphs, combined report for multiple tests points in same vehicle, raw digital data for advanced post-processing, and more.
- Post processing capabilities: The SMP3-Streamer solution offers a series of absolutely essential post-processing functionalities: markers, worst-case markers, modification of the exposure limit, comparison with measurements stored in memory, etc.
Benefits for the Automotive Industry
The implementation of Wavecontrol’s SMP3-Streamer translates into tangible benefits that directly impact efficiency, accuracy, and compliance in the automotive industry, mitigating risks associated with automotive electromagnetic exposure.
- Reduced Testing Time: Thanks to its real-time measurement capabilities and automated test plans, SMP3-Streamer drastically minimizes the time required to complete test cycles. The ability to load predefined test plans and automatic report generation eliminates manual steps and optimizes workflow, leading to significant savings in time and resources.
- Enhanced Precision: High frequency resolution, wide dynamic range, and the ability to perform simultaneous measurements ensure exceptional data accuracy. This is crucial for identifying even the most subtle EMF sources and ensuring vehicles comply with the strictest exposure limits, validating the integrity of EMF measurement equipment.
- Automated and Simplified Compliance: One of the biggest challenges in automotive testing is the complexity of regulatory standards. SMP3-Streamer simplifies this process by integrating standard limits directly into the visualization and by automating compliance report generation. This ensures that test results are easily interpretable and that conformity with regulations is verifiable and effortlessly documented.
- ROI and Operational Efficiency: By reducing test time, improving precision, and automating compliance, SMP3-Streamer optimizes the operational efficiency of automotive testing centers and R&D departments. This translates into a significant return on investment (ROI), as it allows companies to accelerate product development cycles, reduce costs associated with retesting, and avoid non-compliance penalties.
Use Cases and Applications
The SMP3-Streamer is a versatile tool with multiple applications in the automotive industry, addressing specific challenges related to vehicle electromagnetic safety and performance.
Electric Vehicle (EV) Testing
With the rise of electric vehicles, evaluating low-frequency EMFs generated by high-voltage batteries, electric motors, and charging systems is fundamental. SMP3-Streamer enables precise measurements inside and outside the vehicle, assessing occupant and environmental exposure. The ability to log EMF data synchronized with vehicle speed and GPS allows for the creation of electromagnetic exposure maps during driving.
Electronic Component Validation
Before final integration into the vehicle, individual electronic components such as inverters, on-board chargers, and infotainment systems must be tested to ensure their EMF emissions are within acceptable limits and that they are mutually compatible. The SMP3-Streamer facilitates these component-level tests, ensuring that each part meets the requirements of “automotive EMF safety testing solutions.”
Certification for Different Markets
Each region or country may have its own specific EMF regulations for vehicles. The SMP3-Streamer’s ability to adapt to standards like GB/T 37130 (China), JASO TP-13002 (Japan), and IEC 62764-1 (International) makes it an ideal solution for those seeking vehicle certification in global markets. This is crucial for ensuring “electromagnetic field compliance automotive industry.”
Certification for Manufacturers
Beyond market regulations, many automotive manufacturers establish their own EMF standards. The SMP3-Streamer system offers the necessary flexibility to meet these manufacturer-specific requirements (such as MBN 10284-2 or TSC 7048G), ensuring vehicles and their components gain the necessary approval for commercialization by various automotive brands.
Research and Development (R&D)
In early design and prototyping phases, the SMP3-Streamer provides R&D engineers with an agile tool to quickly evaluate the impact of design modifications on EMF emissions, accelerating the optimization process and reducing development costs. It is an “advanced automotive testing software” for prototype optimization.
Conclusion
Wavecontrol’s SMP3-Streamer software represents a huge improvement in how EMF human exposure measurements are done in the automotive industry. By offering real-time measurements, comprehensive support for key industry standards, an intuitive interface, and advanced analysis capabilities, it not only optimizes the testing process but also ensures safety and regulatory compliance in an ever-evolving automotive industry. Wavecontrol, with its solid experience of over 28 years in EMF measurement, positions itself as the ideal strategic partner for companies seeking the most advanced and reliable solutions in this field.
Don’t let the challenges of EMF measurements slow down your innovation. The SMP3-Streamer is the tool you need to ensure compliance, reduce testing times, and improve operational efficiency.
Request a personalized demonstration of the SMP3-Streamer today and discover how we can help you optimize your electromagnetic testing processes. You can also download the full technical datasheet to learn about all its capabilities in detail or contact our experts to resolve any questions.
