Conducted Measurements
Conducted measurements refer to test methods that evaluate electrical signals through direct conductive connections. The term encompasses two distinct testing disciplines:
EMC Conducted Testing: Measures unwanted electromagnetic disturbances (interference) on power and signal lines
RF Conducted Testing: Characterizes intentional radio frequency signals at antenna connectors or RF ports
While both use conductive connections, they serve different purposes, use different equipment, and address different regulatory requirements.
Conducted EMC Testing
In electromagnetic compatibility (EMC) testing, conducted measurements evaluate unwanted disturbances that travel through power or signal lines.
Typical application areas:
Measurement of conducted emissions on AC or DC power lines
Verification of compliance with CISPR and EN standards for residential, commercial, and industrial environments
Certification under FCC Part 15.107/15.207, CISPR 11/22/32, EN 55032, EN 61000-6-3
Common measurement parameters:
Conducted emissions (150 kHz – 30 MHz), measured in dBµV
Measurement setup:
Line Impedance Stabilization Network (LISN) for coupling the DUT to the test system
Spectrum analyzer or EMI receiver for evaluation
Shielded environment to suppress ambient interference
→ Detailed information: Conducted Emissions
Conducted RF Testing
In RF testing, conducted measurements characterize intentional radio signals directly at antenna connectors or RF test ports, bypassing over-the-air propagation.
Typical application areas:
Determination of RF output power for Wi-Fi, LTE, Bluetooth, and other transmitters
Measurement of modulation bandwidth and occupied bandwidth (OBW)
Detection of harmonics and spurious emissions at the RF port
Compliance with FCC §15.247, FCC §15.407, EN 300 328, EN 301 489-1/-3, MIC Japan
Common measurement parameters:
Output power: measured in dBm
Occupied bandwidth / modulation bandwidth: measured in MHz
Harmonics and spurious emissions: measured in dBm or dBc
Measurement setup:
RF test cables, attenuators, and matched loads
Spectrum analyzer or power meter for signal characterization
Shielded test environment to minimize external signals
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