Jaguar Land Rover has opened a new Electromagnetic Compatibility (EMC) laboratory at Gaydon, to test the next generation of vehicles for electrical and radio interference. The facility will ensure future vehicles meet current and future legislation and quality standards for connectivity and electronics. The new Range Rover Sport, which launched in May, is the first vehicle to be tested at the laboratory.
EMC is the ability of the electrical equipment and systems to function correctly in their electromagnetic environment. Bluetooth, GPS, WiFi, 4G, 5G, adaptive cruise control, wireless charging and blind spot monitoring are all examples of vehicle services and features that the facility will test for EMC. It works through limiting the unintentional generation and reception of electromagnetic energy to reduce the risk of unwanted effects such as electromagnetic interference.
JLR’s new vehicle laboratory features two chambers: an electrically ‘quiet’ rolling road that enables engineers to test vehicles at speed, as well as equipment to assess the performance of individual components, such as batteries or electric motors.
Peter Phillips, the senior manager for electromagnetics and compliance at Jaguar Land Rover, said: “The importance of testing our vehicles for electromagnetic compatibility cannot be underestimated. Opening this new testing facility is an important step forward for the business and it will play a crucial role in helping us deliver quality, legal, and customer satisfaction.”