What is EMI?
A basic working definition
 EMI (Electromagnetic
Interference) is broadly defined
as any unwanted electrical or
electromagnetic energy that
causes undesirable responses,
degraded performance, or failure
in electronic equipment.
 For our purposes we are usually
concerned with radiated and
conducted EMI in electronic
equipment in command, control,
information and communication
systems.
Sources of EMI and EMP
Radiated and Conducted
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High frequency devices
Electronics/computers
Cell phones/radios
Wireless/RF energy
Microwave equipment
Power lines
Electric motors
Electrostatic discharge (ESD)
Lightning (LEMP)
Nuclear event (HEMP)
Others
Electromagnetic
Compatibility (EMC)
Glenair is in the EMC business!
 In a perfect world, every electronic
enclosure would have six (6) sides
and be completely sealed or
welded, with no holes or apertures,
providing 100% electronic
shielding and containment.
 In the real world, electronic
enclosures have doors or removable
sides, switches, connectors,
indicators and gauges, thrubulkhead fittings, and other
openings that need to be electrically
“closed” via conductive shielding
products and technologies
EMC Technologies
Delivering clean data streams, undistorted by EMI,
requires a multi-disciplinary approach
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Cable and wire shielding
Grounding springs and pins
Shielded boxes and cases
Conductive platings
Conductive gaskets
EMI backshells
Conduit solutions
Capacitor and diode filter
devices
What is a Filter Connector?
A basic working definition
 Filter connectors use internal capacitors and (optionally) inductors and
diodes (for EMP applications) to “strip off” unwanted noise or
transient voltages from the signal.
 Types include tubular, planar array, chip on flex/board, EE seal and
others
 “Low-pass” filters attenuate high-frequency noise and allow lowfrequency signals to pass
 Each application environment dictates different capacitance values
and cut-off frequencies to affect desired performance
 Virtually any standard connector type can be outfitted with filtering
technology
Why Use a Filter
Connector?
Filters are can be a “planned” addition to an electronic package or, as
frequently occurs, added after a problem has been discovered
 Easiest permanent EMI/EMP solution – designed to strip off
conducted EMI before it passes through the device.
 Variable capacitance from 500 pf to 50,000 pf
 Small package size – doesn’t consume PCB real estate.
 Can easily replace existing non-filtered connector.
 Mates with standard connectors – 5015, 26482, 38999, 24308, 83723,
26500, 83513, Mighty Mouse, ARINC, etc.
 Moves filtering away from sensitive board electronics when a signal
“barrier” is needed in a system.
 Can shunt an unwanted electrical surge fast {1X10^-9}
When it Comes to Filters…
What Glenair CANNOT Do:
FIX THE EMI PROBLEM HERE
$1,000,000
board debug
problem
$2 PCB
filter
solution
When it Comes to Filters…
What Glenair CAN Do: Fix the Problem Here
$300 filter solution
With no re-design necessary
at board level
Electrical Criteria in
Filter Device Specification
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Selection of filter device types is affected
by the electrical criteria of the equipment:
Operating temperature
Range
Working voltage
Current rating
Surge voltage
Dielectric withstanding
voltage
Insulation resistance
Frequency Range of All
Effected Equipment
Multilayer Planar Capacitor
Array
Reduced size, weight and superior performance compared
to discrete discoidal or tubular capacitors
 Most widely applied type of EMI
filter
 Design utilizes rugged ceramic
capacitor arrays and ferrite inductors
in a single block
 Available with different capacitance
values on individual pins
 Connector shell protects the array
from thermal, mechanical and
environmental damage
Basic Filter Array Module Elements
Architecture of the planar array enables mixed capacitance values
as well as feed-thrus
Planar Array Construction
The planar array is a monolithic block of ceramic containing a
combination of capacitors, feed-thrus and ground lines/planes.
Common Filter Element
Architectures
The mechanical architecture of the capacitor and its inductive elements
allows for optimization for different frequency ranges of interference
 C Filter: Single
element filter with
low self inductance
 Pi Filter: Dual capacitors
with a single inductive
element positioned
between
Insertion Loss Evaluation
Measure of the degradation experienced by a signal when a
device, such as a filter connector is inserted into the
transmission path
 Measured in decibels (dB),
insertion loss must be minimized
in low-current electronic
systems.
 Entire interconnect system
contributes to insertion loss;
hence the need for grounding
and shielding technologies.
 Insertion loss values are
predictable for each filter type.
(Pi)
(Pi)
EMP/HEMP
“EMP can be produced on a large scale using a single nuclear device”
- Congressional Research Report
 High Electro Magnetic Pulse (HEMP)
refers to the detonation of a nuclear
bomb at a high altitude, which generates
a very fast pulse (RF) which can be
captured by antennas and long
unshielded lines, damaging sensitive
electronic circuitry. Sometimes referred
to as Nuclear EMP (NEMP).
 Lightning can also generate destructive
EMP. This is referred to as LEMP.
 Other potential sources of EMP include
electrostatic discharge (ESD)
Glenair’s EMP Solution: Transient
Voltage Suppression (TVS) Filter
Connectors
Products meet RTCA DO-160 Requirements (electrical performance
benchmarks for withstanding EMP, HEMP, lightning strike
and other induced voltage surges)
 TVS technologies shunt EMP voltage
transients directly to ground
 TVS diodes and diode modules are
integrated into the filter connector
package
 Diodes can be removed/replaced with
relative ease
 Decision point: can the capacitor absorb
the surge or is a TVS device needed to
reduce the surge – or both.
Protecting Sensitive
Circuits from EMP
Glenair manufactured EMI/EMP Sub-Assemblies
Special Technical Considerations and
Connector Packaging Options
Most filter connectors are “custom.”
Some design decisions affect performance and compliance
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Space grade applications
Hybrid fiber optic/electrical
Soldering procedures vs. clips
Lead free designs for RoHS
Composite materials and lightning
Hermetic sealing
Operating temps to -55° to 125°C
Machined shells/flange location
Clinch nuts/helicoils
Fixed contacts vs. crimp contacts
Variable length PC tails
EMI grounding fingers and gaskets
Package size issues, such as occur with the
addition of crimp contacts or TVS diodes.
Filtered connectors are usually “system”
qualified.
Filter Adapters (Connector Savers)
 Non-Filtered interconnect systems can be
easily upgraded with the addition of a gobetween filter adapter.
 Filtered Glenair Sav-Con Adapters are
installed between the existing plug and
receptacle—enabling filtering without having to
change exiting connectors or box layouts
 Glenair Sav-Con Filter Adapters can be built
for any connector series including MIL-DTL38999, MIL-DTL-26482, MIL-C-83723, MILDTL-24308, MIL-C-83513, and others
Full Spectrum EMI/EMP
Product Line
Glenair’s commitment to complete coverage
of the popular filter technologies and connector styles
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Contact termination: PCB, solder-cup, crimp,
etc.
Connector style: Receptacle, Jam Nut, Box or
Wall mount, Hermetic, Plug, Adapter, or Thru
Bulkhead.
Compatibility: Intermateable with standard
(non-filter) connectors
Connector Series: D38999, M83723, M26482,
ARINC, M24308, M83513, etc.
Connector types: circulars, rack and panel, DSub and Micro, hybrid electrical/fiber optic,
etc.
Standard Part Number Development
New Application Development
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Connector Series or Specification
Shell Style
Insert Arrangement
Contact Gender
Class
Shell Rotation Position
Shell Material and Finish
Termination Style
Temperature Tolerance
Equipment Operating Frequency Range
Filter Type
Filter Capacitance
Insertion Loss
IR
DWV
Labeling and Marking
Use the Application Checklist!
Applications for Filter
Connectors
DO-160 High Reliability, Mission Critical Systems
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Avionics
Missile Control Systems
Radio Transmitters
Fire Control Systems
Radar and Jamming Devices
Satellite Communications and
Sensors
 Data Transmitters
 HEMP Protection
 Many Others
Summary: Why Choose Glenair for
EMI/EMP Filter Connectors?
New for 2007: Glenair Capacitor Array Capability!
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Full-spectrum EMI capabilities: Screening, grounding, and filtering
Unmatched depth of knowledge and technical support in filter technology
Fast turnaround on both custom and catalog filter connector solutions
Turnkey filter connector cable/harness assemblies
Free application engineering and design services
Advanced lead-free filter packaging
Circuit protection diodes available for all connector types
Integrated circuit board real-estate within the filter connector envelope
State-of-the-art test and qualification capabilities
Popular multi-layer array filters available for every Glenair connector
Availability: Service, technical support, designs, stock