Post by Rinconrolla on Jul 8, 2010 20:48:50 GMT -5
Today, we also made a visit to one of Toyota’s eight electromagnetic compatibility (EMC) vehicle-level testing chambers. The chance to show off our state-of-the-art facilities that give us the opportunity to test for a wide range of signal interference conditions was one of the best parts of today’s trip for me, personally.
Basically, there are two kinds of electromagnetic compatibility: emissions (or the energy that electronic components create) and immunity (or incoming energy from outside electronics such as power lines, radar, broadcast antennas, etc.).
Toyota began studying electromagnetic compatibility (EMC) on vehicle systems in 1979, investigating radio frequency interference in sealed rooms well before the introduction of advanced electronic systems in our cars and trucks.
Our EMC test chambers — impressive expanses about the size of a high school gym — are highly controlled lab environments capable of replicating interference in hundreds of different scenarios, ranging from small mobile devices to large radio broadcast antennas. All of the testing robotics are made of plastic and diagnostic equipment is purposefully kept in shielded rooms so as not to influence test results. You can see a video of one in action here.
In general, Toyota exceeds international EMC standards, with our vehicles subjected to test conditions that are intended to surpass anything they will experience on the road. For example, while the regulation for a certain part level antenna radiation test is 30 volts per meter (V/m), Toyota’s target is more than six times greater than what is required. Toyota builds those kinds of margins into our testing to help ensure that, even under “worst-case” scenarios, our vehicles will operate properly and safely.
I’m happy to report that construction is currently underway on our ninth EMC vehicle-level testing chamber at the Toyota Technical Center in Saline, Michigan. This is our first such testing facility in the U.S., and is scheduled to become operational in 2011. Our ninth EMC testing chamber is another proof of Toyota’s commitment to localizing its operations and moving more decision-making processes closer to the ground where our customers live and drive. I know I certainly will be spending a lot of time there!
Kristen Tabar
General Manager, Electronic Systems
Toyota Technical Center, Michigan, USA
Basically, there are two kinds of electromagnetic compatibility: emissions (or the energy that electronic components create) and immunity (or incoming energy from outside electronics such as power lines, radar, broadcast antennas, etc.).
Toyota began studying electromagnetic compatibility (EMC) on vehicle systems in 1979, investigating radio frequency interference in sealed rooms well before the introduction of advanced electronic systems in our cars and trucks.
Our EMC test chambers — impressive expanses about the size of a high school gym — are highly controlled lab environments capable of replicating interference in hundreds of different scenarios, ranging from small mobile devices to large radio broadcast antennas. All of the testing robotics are made of plastic and diagnostic equipment is purposefully kept in shielded rooms so as not to influence test results. You can see a video of one in action here.
In general, Toyota exceeds international EMC standards, with our vehicles subjected to test conditions that are intended to surpass anything they will experience on the road. For example, while the regulation for a certain part level antenna radiation test is 30 volts per meter (V/m), Toyota’s target is more than six times greater than what is required. Toyota builds those kinds of margins into our testing to help ensure that, even under “worst-case” scenarios, our vehicles will operate properly and safely.
I’m happy to report that construction is currently underway on our ninth EMC vehicle-level testing chamber at the Toyota Technical Center in Saline, Michigan. This is our first such testing facility in the U.S., and is scheduled to become operational in 2011. Our ninth EMC testing chamber is another proof of Toyota’s commitment to localizing its operations and moving more decision-making processes closer to the ground where our customers live and drive. I know I certainly will be spending a lot of time there!
Kristen Tabar
General Manager, Electronic Systems
Toyota Technical Center, Michigan, USA
Aww man, at least you tried. What are you planning to try next?
