LAPLACE INSTRUMENTS

Proudly Made in the UK

Credence Technologies provides a broad range of solutions for the EMC, RF and ESD world

From diagnostics tools, such as active near-field ScanEM probes to complete EMC Compliance setups. 

• Complete integrated test kits all from one source. Excellent back up and support. Extensive documentation with each kit and a telephone help line.

• Excellent performance...100s of systems in use for self certification testing. Low cost ( lowest cost complete system available).

• Powerful PC software specifically written for EMC testing needs, includes all standard limit lines, automatic distance correction, ambient background nulling etc.

Laplace EMC System

 EMC Compliance & Pre-Compliance Systems

No Shield Room Required for Pre-Compliance

Now you can perform radiated and conducted EMC pre-compliance test of your equipment right at your company at your convenience without going to the lab and without spending a fortune on the shielded anechoic chamber.

• Shrink time-to-market by doing EMC test when it is not too late

• Reduce expenditures on lab time -- go to the certified lab when you know you will pass

• Lower cost of your product by applying EMC solutions earlier in design

• Perform CE-Mark self-certification at your company (yes, it is legal!)

• Be in control of your design

LaplaCell600

EMC Compliance Test Cell

30 MHz to 3 GHz

Immunity
IEC61000-4-3

N42.32-2006 Section 8.2

N42.33-2006 Section 8.2

N42.34-2006 Section 8.2

N42.35-2006 Section 8.2

Emissions
EN, FCC, As/NZ, and CISPR

 N42.32-2006 Section 8.5

N42.33-2006 Section 8.5

N42.34-2006 Section 8.5

N42.35-2006 Section 8.5

The cell provides the core of a totally integrated system which will deliver a complete, PC controlled Emissions and Immunity test package.

• You can easily self certify & self calibrate your own test cell

• The cell is a stainless steel fabrication with continuously welded joints all round, giving a totally screened enclosure which is completely maintenance free and will not degrade with time.

• The main body of the cell is made from 18swg sheet giving a very strong unit but with an overall weight of only 100kg. 

• The EUT usable area is contained within a Polypropylene enclosure. 

• All calibration & correction factor data for Emissions & Immunity provided to you.

• 100 Watts Maximum

• 40 V/m Field Strength (standard model, higher available)

EUT Size: 23.64" x 23.64" x 23.64"

60cm x 60cm x 60cm

Usable EUT Test Volume: 30.7" x 32.3" x 34.2"

78cm x 82cm x 87cm
 

Rear view of an LC300/2 showing the main door for access to the EUT volume.
On the right is the access for the filter block terminations.

 

LC300/2, view showing the typical layout of an LC300/2 filter block output. Cables from the EUT in the volume of the cell are terminated here.

 

This is the view of the rear of an LC600/2. On the left is the filter block access door, on the right is the main access to the EUT volume. The cell is shown here with its main access door open.

LaplaCell300/2

EMC Compliance Test Cell

30 MHz to 3 GHz

Immunity
IEC61000-4-3

Emissions
EN, FCC, As/NZ,

and

CISPR standards

The cell provides the core of a totally integrated system which will deliver a complete, PC controlled Emissions and Immunity test package.

• You can easily self certify & self calibrate your own test cell

• The cell is a stainless steel fabrication with continuously welded joints all round, giving a totally screened enclosure which is completely maintenance free and will not degrade with time.

• The main body of the cell is made from 18swg sheet giving a very strong unit but with an overall weight of only 100kg. 

• The EUT usable area is contained within a Polypropylene enclosure. 

• All calibration & correction factor data for Emissions & Immunity provided to you.

• 100 Watts Maximum

• 60 V/m Field Strength (standard model, higher available)

EUT Size: 11.8" x 11.8" x 11.8"

30cm x 30cm x 30cm

Usable EUT Test Volume: 20.0" x 18.9" x 16.1"

51cm x 48cm x 41cm

Immunity
IEC61000-4-3 sets the requirements for RF immunity testing. It specifies fields of up to 10V/m over the range 80MHz to 1GHz and provides minimum performance requirements. The LaplaCell range fully meets these requirements and when used in conjunction with the Laplace synthesizer and power amplifier, provides a complete integrated solution .

 

Emissions
EN, FCC, As/NZ, and CISPR standards all require the use of an OATS (Open Area Test Site) for the measurement of emissions. This is a demanding requirement in terms of space, resources, calibration and expertise. The LaplaCell range provides an ideal alternative solution, delivering equivalent OATS performance without OATS problems.

 

Uniformity: The balanced septum design ensures good uniformity, even when compared with the "industry standard" GTEM type. The above views make this obvious.

Impedance: The aim of a test cell is to emulate an OATS test. Free space impedance as applies to OATS sites is 377 ohm. Conventional test cells are 50 ohm systems. The unique design of the LaplaCell matches the incoming 50 ohm impedance to around 200 ohm inside the cell, a much closer match to free space impedance.

RF Immunity Test Setup

Construction
The cell is a stainless steel fabrication with continuously welded joints all round, giving a totally screened enclosure which is completely maintenance free and will not degrade with time. The main body of the cell is made from 18swg sheet giving a very strong unit but with an overall weight of only 100kg. The EUT usable area is contained within a Polypropylene enclosure. No internal parts of the cell are accessible to the user. The door is fitted with a clear glass window and a fine grade stainless steel mesh for EM screening. Both the glass and the mesh can be easily removed for cleaning. The periphery of the door mates with a mesh wire EMC gasket in the door frame so that the integrity of the screening is maintained. In the door frame a micro-switch is located to detect when the door is not fully closed. At the nose of the cell, an N type connector and a 5 way DIN connector provide the RF input/output and connections to the internal field sensor respectively.
The RF connector is used as an input from an RF power amplifier for immunity testing. For emissions testing this connector is connected to an emissions analyzer.
The 5 way DIN connector provides power to the internal sensor and the DC level back from the sensor to the field control system (normally provided by the RF1000).
Also wired via this connector is the door interlock signal.

Internal sensor.
This sensor is built into the design of the cell. It is arranged so as to provide an output matched to the field strength as measured in the EUT volume.
Full scale of 2 volts corresponds to 10V/m on standard cells.
Alternative models are calibrated to higher field strengths.
The field sensor requires a supply of 5V at 20mA.
Each cell is shipped fully calibrated for sensor output vs field strength.

EUT input/output facilities
Comprehensive I/O filter facilities are provided at the rear of the cell. A cable duct between the EUT volume and the filter unit is designed so that cable entry is quick and easy. Inside the filter unit a connection panel with mains socket and a quick connect terminal block are provided. The terminal block can accept up to 12 connections. An additional connector provides an interface for internal lighting and a camera. (Optional extras)

Within the body of the filter unit each connection is RF filtered, then terminated on a matching set of connectors See diagrams.

 

Upper part of I/O filter unit showing termination facilities for EUT.

 

The standard I/O arrangement comprises:

• Mains supply. IEC input with Mains outlet for EUT (UK, European (Schuko), US or Australian/New Zealand connector. Specify at time of ordering)

• Signals. 12 way Wago quick release terminal block rated at 240V ac 6A each line.

• Connections for internal illumination and camera

Each line is pi-filtered with 5nF to ground. For High Speed data transmission lines, which may be compromised by this capacitance, an alternative common mode inductively filtered system can be provided.
A key point is that the I/O facilities can be customized to suit individual requirements at minimal cost.
For those EUTs which normally have long I/O cables, the impedance of the filter can be matched to simulate the long length. Again, these requirements can be designed to order.

Emissions
Details of the Antenna factor calibration are shown below.

The nominal A.F. is the correction applied to results from the cell to convert them to levels as measured on a three meter OATS. This calibration is obtained by measurements of an Emissions Reference Source (which is a transfer standard from NPL in London) in 12 (effectively 27) locations throughout the EUT volume. The 4 highest readings are averaged to provide the calibration data. The total range of A.F. is 33dB which is identical to the range found on typical EMC antennas for use in OATS.

To check the uniformity of the cell, the second plot compares the highest reading and the 4th lowest readings with the A.F. data. This shows excellent correspondence of the A.F. with the highest readings, and results within 10dB at all frequencies for the lowest readings. These low reading explains why standard procedure in test cells of all kinds is to move the EUT around the cell and measure the emissions in at least 4 locations.

The final chart shows the maximum deviation between the calibrated A.F. and the worst position within the cell.

 

View of connection panel for external cabling.

RF3000 

RF Signal Synthesizer

80 MHz to 3.0 GHz

Immunity
IEC61000-4-3

PC controlled RF synthesizer for immunity testing matched to the requirements of IEC61000-4-3 and featuring automatic scanning to pre-programmed schedules. To make the best use of the immunity test facilities for both compliance testing and product investigations, several useful features have been developed.

These include:

• Powerful EUT monitoring with real time display correlated to field strength and frequency.

• Sweep can be continuous or 'pause on fault' or 'stop on fault'. Additional EUT excitation output, either pulsed or continuous.

• Flexible single frequency search mode. Automatic ramping of field strength and fine control of frequency.

The system is controlled from any PC via a Windows software package and serial port. No additional interface cards are required.

RF1000

RF2000 

RF Signal Synthesizer

30 MHz to 1.0 GHz

30 MHz to 2.4 GHz

Immunity
IEC61000-4-3

PC controlled RF synthesizer for immunity testing matched to the requirements of IEC61000-4-3 and featuring automatic scanning to pre-programmed schedules. To make the best use of the immunity test facilities for both compliance testing and product investigations, several useful features have been developed.

These include:

• Powerful EUT monitoring with real time display correlated to field strength and frequency.

• Sweep can be continuous or 'pause on fault' or 'stop on fault'. Additional EUT excitation output, either pulsed or continuous.

• Flexible single frequency search mode. Automatic ramping of field strength and fine control of frequency.

The system is controlled from any PC via a Windows software package and serial port. No additional interface cards are required.

RF1100

RF Power Amplifier

80 MHz to 1.0 GHz

Immunity
IEC61000-4-3

10 V/m in 

LaplaCell 300

RF broadband power amplifier 80MHz - 1GHz at 10W continuous output.

A fixed gain, low distortion power amplifier with excellent stability over a wide range of VSWR.

The Laplace power amplifiers are air cooled RF broadband amplifiers which are designed for a wide range of applications. They feature good linearity and wide bandwidth together with high gain. The solid state booster stage is of type A/B (push pull) which combines excellent stability with good inter-modulation behavior.

Although specified from 80MHz, these amplifiers are usable down to 30MHz with very little degradation in performance specification.

RF1200

RF Power Amplifier

800 MHz to 2.0 GHz

Immunity
IEC61000-4-3

10 V/m in 

LaplaCell 300

RF broadband power amplifier 800MHz - 2GHz at 10W continuous output.

A fixed gain, low distortion power amplifier with excellent stability over a wide range of VSWR.

The Laplace power amplifiers are air cooled RF broadband amplifiers which are designed for a wide range of applications. They feature good linearity and wide bandwidth together with high gain. The solid state booster stage is of type A/B (push pull) which combines excellent stability with good inter-modulation behavior.

SA1020

RF Pre-Amplifier

18dB Gain

5KHz to 500MHz

Picture Soon

SA3000 

Spectrum Analyzer

10 kHz to 3.0 GHz EMC Analyzer

Emissions
EN, FCC, As/NZ, and CISPR standards

The Laplace SA3000 EMC analyzer provides an exceptionally cost effective tool to manufacturers and others who wish to measure EMC emissions from their products. Entirely controlled from an intuitive Windows software package, the analyzer can enable a self-test and self-certification strategy to be adopted with confidence.

The software is a true Windows program which means that results can be easily transferred to printer and disk and to other applications such as Word and Excel.

A full range of compatible accessories are available, including compact test cells and antennas, all fully calibrated to 3GHz.

SA1000

10 kHz to 1.1 GHz 

EMC

 Spectrum Analyzer

Emissions

EN, FCC, As/NZ,

& CISPR Standards

A high performance, high specification, Fully PC Controlled, Spectrum Analyzer for compliance measurements with advanced Windows software.

Auto Limit Level & Antenna Factor Compensation

• EMC compliance tests to EN standards

• True average and quasi-peak measurements

• Powerful PC based software with Test Director Expert System to assist testing.

• Unique single frequency mode for non-steady emissions

• Auto compensation for test site errors when used with the ERS

Large Loop Antenna

RF 300

 Large Loop Antenna

For EN55015 

Developed specifically to meet the requirements of EN55015 for the testing of luminaires. Fully compliant and calibrated with 3 orthogonal loops mounted on a wooden frame. 

• Loop diameter: 2 meter

• Calibration factors supplied on disk read by EMC Engineer Windows software

RF 400

RF Absorbing Clamp

For

EN55014 and CISPR16

EN55014 specifies the use of an RF absorbing clamp for the measurement of emissions for frequencies over 30MHz. This method offers many advantages over the alternative technique of using open test area sites and broadband antennas with the attendant problems of reflections, background radiation, ground plane effects and lack of space. The RF400 is designed to fully meet the requirements of EN55014 and CISPR16. Each unit is supplied with calibration data enabling the measurement of emissions with a high degree of confidence.
 

• Fully compliant with CISPR16
  Accepts cables up to 0.75" (19mm)

• Split toroid makes cable insertion easy

• Large diameter wheels for smooth running

• Each unit calibrated and correction factors included

• Motorized version available

• Shaped PTFE cable guides at each end ensure cable alignment and prevent chaffing.