Radiated Spurious Emission Limits for Host Integrated Radios
Integrating approved radio modules into custom host enclosures alters radiated spurious emissions, demanding targeted spot checks to preserve market compliance.
Co-Location Analysis
Meaning
RF assessment procedures determine the physical and electromagnetic compatibility of multiple antennas or modules mounted on the same printed circuit board. Co-location analysis evaluates how transmitter signals affect adjacent receivers to prevent desensitization and front end overload. This engineering step determines the necessary physical isolation, filtering and timing coordination required to maintain reliable concurrent wireless operations.
Proximity Evaluation
Electromagnetic isolation requires precise distance management between active transmission elements. In a typical co-location analysis, the physical separation between cellular, Wi-Fi and satellite positioning antennas is calculated to estimate path loss. This math identifies potential crosstalk before the circuit board layout is finalized, reducing the need for costly board redesigns.
Interference Minimization
Filtering components blocks unwanted harmonics and out of band emissions from entering sensitive receiver stages. When executing co-location analysis, engineers simulate the spectral emissions of each transmitter against the block filters of neighboring modules. This simulation highlights the need for bandpass filters or shielding cans to protect weak signals, such as GPS, from being drowned out by high power cellular bursts.
It also identifies when time-division multiplexing is necessary to coordinate transmissions dynamically, ensuring that the devices do not transmit simultaneously on conflicting frequencies.
Placement Verification
Physical board mockups confirm the simulated coupling levels through active laboratory measurements. The practical phase of co-location analysis involves mounting the actual modules and running them at maximum transmission power while measuring receiver noise floors on the same board. It delivers the empirical validation necessary to sign off on the mechanical enclosure and antenna placement for final production.