National Radio Research Agency and TTA to Host International Meeting on High-Frequency Electromagnetic Immunity Testing

Experts from 14 Countries Gather in Seoul
Discussions on Expanding Test Frequency and Bandwidth for 6G Preparation

The National Radio Research Agency under the Ministry of Science and ICT and the Korea Information and Communication Technology Association announced on November 17 that they will jointly host the International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC) SC77B WG10 (High-Frequency Electromagnetic Immunity Test International Standardization Working Group) international meeting from November 18 to 21 at the Best Western Premier Gangnam in Seoul. The meeting will be attended by more than 30 experts from 14 countries, including Korea, Canada, the United States, Germany, and France, with participation from global companies such as Apple and Siemens.

Electromagnetic immunity testing is a procedure that evaluates whether equipment can operate stably without malfunction despite external electromagnetic interference. It is considered a core standard directly linked to daily life and industrial safety for devices such as smartphones, autonomous vehicles, and aviation and railway control systems. With the advent of the 5G and 6G era and the expansion of broadband high-frequency usage, international interest in electromagnetic interference issues in high-frequency environments is growing.

In 2019, Korea was the first to propose and lead the development of an IEC international standard for radiated immunity testing methods for broadband signals. This standard was officially published as the final international standard (IEC 61000-4-41) in November last year. Efforts are also underway to introduce this standard domestically by establishing and revising electromagnetic compatibility criteria and national standards.

This international standard provides a testing method for evaluating the electromagnetic stability of equipment against signals with bandwidths of 100 MHz or less in frequency environments below 6 GHz. It is currently used to verify the influence of 5G radio waves. However, considering the future advent of 6G and changes in industrial environments, the need to revise the standard has been raised.

At this meeting, discussions will be held to expand the upper limit of the test frequency from the current below 6 GHz to above 6 GHz, and to extend the test signal bandwidth to more than 100 MHz. The goal is to proactively establish electromagnetic immunity test standards applicable to next-generation communication and industrial equipment such as 6G. If the international standard is adopted, it is expected to enhance the global credibility of Korea’s testing and certification technology and strengthen the export competitiveness of domestic companies' products.

Jung Changrim, Director of the National Radio Research Agency, stated, "Standards for responding to high-frequency electromagnetic environments are a key element directly linked to advanced industrial competitiveness." He added, "This meeting will serve as an opportunity for Korea to take the lead in setting international standards for electromagnetic safety and reliability." He further emphasized, "Based on the research and technological capabilities accumulated by industry, academia, and research institutes, we will actively support Korea in establishing itself as a leading country in electromagnetic standards."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.