Reduction of EMC simulation efforts using design of experiments

The six sigma quality tool Design of Experiments (DoE) is used in EMC simulations to support the preventive EMC validation process of electric and hybrid cars. DoE is a toolbox used to determine the effect of multiple input parameters on a desired target value by varying all input parameters effectively and simultaneously. Applying the DoE method to EMC simulations can be profitably used in the EMC validation to identify and to analyze influencing parameters. Reliability and protection of high-voltage systems in vehicles is an issue of increasing importance, which can be improved using virtual analysis for defined problems. The application of DoE is used to simplify and delimit the defined solution approach for EMC simulation and is presented using the example of shielded cables for high-voltage systems. Improving the shielding effectiveness of the high-voltage cables, enhances the high-voltage system of a car and therefore the whole car EMC. The DoE results show which parameters influence the effectiveness of the screening. As a consequence, there are parameters demanded for virtual analysis which do not influence the result, and therefore can be chosen in a parameter range or even set to standard values in the simulation design process to narrow the degrees of freedom. The use of preventive quality methods like DoE can lead to a considerable reduction of simulation efforts and improves daily work for simulation engineers.