Radiofrequency exposure near an attocell as part of an ultra ‐high density access network

In the future, wireless radiofrequency (RF) telecommunications networks will provide users with gigabit‐per‐second data rates. Therefore, these networks are evolving toward hybrid networks, which will include commonly used macro‐ and microcells in combination with local ultra‐high density access networks consisting of so‐called attocells. The use of attocells requires a proper compliance assessment of exposure to RF electromagnetic radiation. This paper presents, for the first time, such a compliance assessment of an attocell operating at 3.5 GHz with an input power of 1 mW, based on both root‐mean‐squared electric field strength (Erms) and peak 10 g‐averaged specific absorption rate (SAR10g) values. The Erms values near the attocell were determined using finite‐difference time‐domain (FDTD) simulations and measurements by a tri‐axial probe. They were compared to the International Commission on Non‐Ionizing Radiation Protection's (ICNIRP) reference levels. All measured and simulated Erms values above the attocell were below 5.9 V/m and lower than reference levels. The SAR10g values were measured in a homogeneous phantom, which resulted in an SAR10g of 9.7 mW/kg, and used FDTD simulations, which resulted in an SAR10g of 7.2 mW/kg. FDTD simulations of realistic exposure situations were executed using a heterogeneous phantom, which yielded SAR10g values lower than 2.8 mW/kg. The studied dosimetric quantities were in compliance with ICNIRP gu...

Source: Bioelectromagnetics - January 31, 2017 Category: Radiology Authors: Arno Thielens, G ünter Vermeeren, Olivier Caytan, Guy Torfs, Piet Demeester, Johan Bauwelinck, Hendrik Rogier, Luc Martens, Wout Joseph Tags: Research Article Source Type: research