PDN Design Strategies : IV . Sources of PDN Noise

This experiment investigates the susceptibility of an ECGmachine to emissions from unintentional emitters such as aGameBoyTM and iPod NanoTM, and intentional emitters such asa Cell Phone, Portable 2.4 GHz Phone, Portable 5.8 GHzPhone and Walkie-Talkie. Experiments were conducted both ina “lab” and hospital environments. The authors demonstratethat all of the above popular electronic devices can interferewith an electrocardiogram (ECG) and corrupt the readings.Heartbeat changes ranging from 14 to 28 beats per minute wererecorded due to EMI from these devices. Although Doctors andMedical Technicians have been alerted to the possibility ofinterference from intentional emitters, they are generallyunaware that popular unintentional emitters can corrupt theirequipment. These results clearly illustrate the need for includ-ing both intentional and unintentional emitters in the EMI con-trol of hospitals, medical offices and home care environments.