UT Coordinating a 2.5M project to improve Electromagnetic Compliance

Network for Evaluation of Propagation and Interference Training

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New communication and automation technologies help the society to become smarter and sustainabler but there has been evidence that the electromagnetic interference they create can possibly cause deadly accidents. Little is known on how to avoid or control this electromagnetic interference propagating within modern complex systems there fore the training of researchers in the seel ectromagnetic effects and mitigations is required. The EU-funded doctoral network, led by Prof. Frank Leferink in collaboration with Dr. Robert Vogt fromt he Power Electronics and Electromagnetic Compatibility (PE) group at the Facultyof Electrical Engineering, Mathematics and Computer Science (EEMCS) will support 10 individual research projects to develop a Network for Evaluation o fPropagation and Interference Training (NEPIT).

The widespread use of modern communication systems, the higher penetration of automated systems (e.g. autonomous driving, surgery, high-techmachines, and agriculture), the higher complexity present in large systems andi nfrastructures, and the higher dependence of modern society on technology,creates an urgent need to recruit and train researchers in electromagnetic effects. The field of electromagnetic compatibility is often understood as the control of electromagnetic interference. Most people recognize the buzzingsound the radio makes when an SMS or a call arrives on those early mobilephones. This issue seems to be solved but lots of other, often times worse in terference problems are still present around us and affect safety andfunctionality of our electronic environment.

Therefore the NEPIT project, coordinated by Prof. Frank Leferink, brings together world leading experts from Enschede, Magdeburg, Wrocław, Ancona,Dresden and Eindhoven to create a training Network of highly skilled engineers through an integrated doctoral training program based on research in Evaluationof Propagation and Interference that underpins all future technological developments. Specific innovations expected to be achieved are novel testmethodologies and modelling strategies that will allow for greater accuracy in predicting and controlling electromagnetic effects in complex systems.

An essential prerequisite for such ambitious goal is to overcome the significantinter disciplinary barriers – between deterministic and statistical approaches,between the disciplines of EMC and EM propagation, between the techniques usedin wireless communication system analysis and electromagnetic interference studies, instrumentation, engineering, modelling and scientific computing – as well as the inter-sector barriers

“'I am envisioning a reverberant future for the next generationof researches trained via this project, with enormous benefits for humanity(although society is not aware of it, yet”

of Project Coordinator Prof Frank Leferink

Our scientific objectives are to develop novel methods to model,simulate, design, evaluate, implement, measure and monitor using cost-effective,reliable, and efficient methodologies (including design guidelines) in thefield of EM propagation and interference, with a particular focus onelectrically large (w.r.t. wavelength) and complex systems.

Our societal objectives are the implementation of the newly developedand acquired knowledge into standards and validated methods by closecollaboration with industry via secondments, training schools and case studies,and thus actually contribute to the Horizon Europe ambition

“In recent years, EMC engineers have focused on exploring the use of CEM tools to gain a better understanding of the electromagnetic behaviour and interactions of various electrical/electronic systems and complex vehicle bodies such as aircraft or automobiles. This,together with EMC measurements, helps us to better predict, identify andanalyse potential EMC problems and also to effectively design solutions.

The field is still relatively newand qualified engineers who are able to understand and use these tools at therequired level are rare. Our goal is both to help expand their ranks and todelve deeper into the use of CEM tools in solving these problems.”

of Evektor’s senior CEM&CEM engineer Ing.Zdeněk Řezníček, Ph.D.

NEPIT is funded by Horizon Europe (HORIZON) through the Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions (MSCA) Training & Mobility Actions (TMA) in theform of a Doctoral Networks (DN) which will host 10 doctoral candidates across Europe and beyond. The inter/multi-disciplinary characteristics is guaranteed by the presence of five academic beneficiaries (University of Twente, Otto-von-Guericke-Universita et Magdeburg,  Wrocław University of Scienceand Technology, Università Politecnica delle Marche Eindhoven University ofTechnology) and one industrial beneficiary (Lumiloop, spin-off company from the Technical University of Dresden) located in four countries (the Netherlands,Germany, Poland and Italy) which possess top class expertise in electromagnetic interference, electronic control, wireless systems, antennas, and propagation.

Furthermore, the inter-sectoral characteristic is guaranteed by thesupport of a series of industrial entities: ten Industrial partnerorganisations from five European countries (The Netherlands, Germany, Czechia,Italy and Poland) and even one Industrial partner from Japan. Having PhilipsHealthcare, Rohde&Schwarz, EVEKTOR, THALES, Telecom Italia, metraTec,National Aerospace Laboratory, Canon Production Printing, Poznanski Instytut Technologiczny,Fokker, Kawasaki Heavy Industries, etc., forms a fully interrelated,integrated, and international consortium.

Connect to LinkedIn to keep updated about the project and the upcoming recruitment for the ten doctoral candidate positions and visit nepit.eu.