Signal transformations for analysis of supraharmonic EMI caused by switched-mode power supplies

Switched-Mode Power Supplies (SMPSs) are a relevant source of conducted emissions, in particular in the frequency interval of supraharmonics, between 2 kHz and 150 kHz. When using sampled data for assessment of compliance, methods other than Fourier analysis should be considered for better frequency resolution, compact signal energy decomposition and a shorter time support. This work investigates the application of the Wavelet Packet Transform (WPT) and the Empirical Mode Decomposition (EMD) to measured recordings of SMPS conducted emissions, featuring steep impulses and damped oscillations. The comparison shows a general accuracy of the amplitude estimate within the variability of data themselves, with very good performance of WPT in tracking on stationary components in the low frequency range at some kHz. WPT performance however may vary appreciably depending on the selected mother wavelet for which some examples are given. EMD and its Ensemble EMD implementation show a fairly good accuracy in representing the original signal with a very limited number of base functions with the capability of exploiting a filtering effect on the low-frequency components of the signal.