Capstone ~45 min Interactive

Structured Debug Methodology + Case Studies

Everything so far becomes one repeatable loop: measure → localize → hypothesize → change one thing → re-measure the delta → confirm margin. Here's the flow, a decision tree, four worked cases, and a checklist to run before every lab booking.

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Learning objectives. Apply the six-step debug loop; use the decision tree to pick the right fix family; work through four real-world case studies; and use the pre-compliance checklist to enter the lab with margin.
1 Measure peak, RBW 2 Localize near-field 3 Hypothesize source? 4 One change single var 5 Δ re-measure keep/revert 6 Margin 6–10 dB repeat for the next worst peak
Attack the worst peak first; one variable at a time; stop when every emission has 6–10 dB of margin.

Answer two questions about the peak you're chasing to get the fix family to try first.

Pick a real-world failure to see the measurement, the debug path, the fix, and the resulting margin.

Run this before booking the accredited lab (see RE best-practices for the RE-specific version):

  • Ambient sweep captured (EUT off) and understood.
  • All emissions have ≥ 6–10 dB margin on the bench (Peak detector).
  • Every external cable checked with a current probe; CM chokes fitted where needed.
  • Return paths continuous; no high-speed net crosses an unstitched split.
  • Decoupling/PDN verified; connector-area filtering populated.
  • Enclosure seams bonded; longest slot well under λ/2 at the top frequency.
  • Shielded-cable shields 360°-bonded (no pigtails).
  • Immunity pre-checks (ESD/EFT/RI) passed to the required criterion; watchdog verified.
  • Final config photographed and locked (cable dress matters!).
Course complete. You can now build a bench, read the spectrum, localize a source, fix it at the right level, and enter the accredited lab with margin — tying together the RE, CE, ESD and Surge courses into one workflow.
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