Glen Dash

Contents

Publications
    EMC
    Regulatory Law
    Maxwell's Equations
    Archives
    Archaeology
Ventures
    Executive Games
    Dash, Straus and Goodhue
    Compliance Design
    Compliance Engineering
    Curtis Straus
    Conformity
    Dash Foundation for Archaeological Research
Inventions
    Video Games
        Television Tennis
        Face Off TV Hockey/Soccer
        Tank
        Intellivision
    3D Displays
    Consumer Products
        Wireless headphones
        Video Cameras
        Games and Toys
    EMC Instrumentation
        Roberts Antennas
        Biconical Antennas
        ESD Simulators
        Part 68 Workstation

Publications

A Dash of EMC

"EMI: Why Digital Devices Radiate"
The causes of digital device EMI are more subtle, and the cures less obvious, than most would believe.
HTML format (680 kB)
PDF format (260 kB)

"How RF Anechoic Chambers Work"
This article describes the basic physics behind anechoic chambers.
HTML format (226 kB)
PDF format (94 kB)

"Experiments in EMC: How Common Mode Currents Are Created"
Understanding how common mode currents are created is the key to understanding why digital devices radiate and what to do about it.
HTML format (309 kB)
PDF format (117 kB)

"Computational Magic and the EMC Engineer"
Computational methods have the potential to revolutionize EMC design and analysis.
HTML format (861 kB)
PDF format (432 kB)

"Know the Theory of Partial Inductance to Control Emissions"
Nothing is more central to the understanding why digital devices radiate, and what to do about it, than understanding the theory of partial inductance.
HTML format (546 kB)
PDF format (162 kB)

"Designing Enclosures for EMC Compliance"
While science has devised new computational methods for enclosure design, the best tool for the job may still be your thumb.
HTML format (426 kB)
PDF format (152 kB)

"On-Chip Design for Better Noise Control"
ICs can be designed to minimize noise problems right at the source.
HTML format (306 kB)
PDF format (138 kB)

"Designing Log Periodic Antennas"
Lightweight and precise, log periodic antennas are a favorite among EMC engineers.
HTML format (1.2 MB)
PDF format (547 kB)

"Applying Computational Methods to Test Site and Antenna Design"
Computational methods make understanding test site and antenna design easy.
HTML format (252 kB)
PDF format (395 kB)

"Rethinking the Role of Power and Return Planes"
Power and return planes can be designed to do more than just control supply impedances.  They can be used for shielding as well.
HTML format (819 kB)
PDF format (834 kB)

"Circuit Models Make Shield Design Simple"
Sure, shielding can cure coupling and crosstalk.  But shielding theory can be complex.  Circuit models make things easy.
HTML format (185 kB)
PDF format (73 kB)

"Shiver Me Timers!  Using Spread Spectrum Clock Generators"
Using Spread Spectrum Clock Generators (SSCG) is a creative way to deal with EMI problems.  But SSCGs must be used with care.
HTML format (948 kB)
PDF format (358 kB)

"Minimizing Ringing and Crosstalk"
Preserving signal integrity means controlling ringing and crosstalk on PCBs.  Here's a primer on the subject.
HTML format (296 kB)
PDF format (91 kB)

"A Simplified Algorithm for the Selection of Materials used to Construct Open Area Test Sites"
One of the most critical tasks in building an Open Area Test Site is deciding which materials to use.  Fortunately, there's an easy way to choose.  
PDF format (328 kB)

"The Current Driven Model -- Experimental Verification and the Contribution of Idd Delta to Digital Device Radiation"
The "Current Driven Model" helps explain why digital devices radiate, and why radiation can be so difficult to root out.  
PDF format ( 963 kB)


A Dash of Regulatory Law

"OSHA's Electrical Standard -- What It Covers, and What It Doesn't"
As a general rule, all electrical equipment used in the workplace must be listed by a Nationally Recognized Testing Laboratory.  But there are exceptions. Know when you must comply, and when you don't.
PDF Format (901 KB)

"Know When You Need to List Your Product -- And When You Don't"
A confusing patchwork of state, local and federal regulations govern electrical equipment  Here's a road map to help guide you through the regulatory maze.
PDF Format (898 KB)

"The EU in a Nutshell"
The European Union is a remarkable institution, a kind of "super state."  Here is a primer on how it operates, and how it regulates products within its borders.
PDF Format (1654 KB)

"Inside the EU -- How it Really Works"
It's the European Union, not the individual member states, that primarily regulate the sale of  products within their borders.  Here's the inside story on how the EU really operates.
PDF Format (1009 KB)

"EU Regulation of Medical Devices -- Part 1"
One set of rules now governs the marketing of medical devices in the entire European Union.  Find here an in depth guide for complying.
PDF Format (1049 KB)

"EU Regulation of Medical Devices -- Part 2"
Part 2 of our in depth guide on complying with the EU's rules governing medical devices.
PDF Format (999 KB)

"A History of Medical Device Regulation in the United States"
To really understand the FDA's process of clearing medical devices for market, you have to know how the rules evolved.  
PDF format (929 kB)

"Registration, Listing, and Investigation of Medical Devices"
The first step in getting your medical device to market is to follow the FDA's rules for listing and registration.  
PDF format (1054 kB)

"Obtaining Clearance for Medical Devices"
Clearance under 501(k) as "substantially equivalent" is the key hurdle most medical device manufacturers must overcome.  
PDF format (1036 kB)

"Current Good Manufacturing Procedures for Medical Device Manufacturers"
It's after the FDA's clearance of a device for marketing that the challenge really begins.  Know how to set up GMPs that will meet the FDA's rules.  
PDF format (3078 kB)

"Current Good Manufacturing Practices for Medical Devices"
Part 2 of our series on setting up GMPs to meet the FDA's rules.  
PDF format (900 kB)


A Dash of Maxwell's -- A Maxwell's Equations Primer

"A Dash of Maxwell's -- Chapter I -- An Introduction."  Written specifically for the web, this series is intended as a primer on electromagnetic field theory.  The first chapter introduces Maxwell's Equations for static fields.
HTML Format (130 KB)
PDF Format (266 KB)

"A Dash of Maxwell's -- Chapter II -- Why Things Radiate." This chapter explains Maxwell's Equations for the dynamic case and introduces the "integral form" of the equations.
HTML Format (119 KB)
PDF Format (121 KB)

"A Dash of Maxwell's -- Chapter III -- The Difference a Del Makes." This chapter explains the "differential form" of Maxwell's Equations.
HTML Format (83 KB)
PDF Format (190 KB)

"A Dash of Maxwell's -- Chapter IV -- Equations Even a Computer Can Love." This chapter introduces a "computational" form for Maxwell's Equations which allows our computers to do most of the work.
HTML Format (190 KB)
PDF Format (64 KB)

"A Dash of Maxwell's -- Chapter V -- Radiation From a Small Wire Element." This chapter computes the radiation from a small wire element, an essential building block for the Method of Moments.
HTML Format (485 KB)
PDF Format (114 KB)

"A Dash of Maxwell's -- Chapter VI -- Method of Moments." This chapter explains the Method of Moments and provides examples of its use.
HTML Format (465 KB)
PDF Format (157 KB)
 

A Dash of the Past

"Antennas Developed by Roberts"
Typewritten by Willmar K. Roberts, this paper describes the Roberts Antenna, which became the Reference Antenna for both the American National Standard C63 and for the FCC.  The antenna can be built by anyone, and here's how Roberts built his.
PDF Format (388 KB)

"EMI/RFI Regulations and Compliance"
Presented at MIDCON in 1984, this paper describes the evolution of the FCC rules governing digital devices, and how the FCC was going about the business of ensuring compliance.
PDF Format (1114 KB)

"Antennas for EMI Measurement"
This 1983 paper explains how the antennas used to measure emissions from digital devices evolved.
PDF Format (358 KB)


Related Web Sites

Vintage Home Video Games  David Winter is the leading authority on vintage video games. Find here information on games and their makers.

The RF Cafe  Find here everything needed for RF design except for the coffee.