Determination of Measurement Points in Urban Environments for Assessment of Maximum Exposure to EMF Associated with a Base Station

Agostinho Linhares,Antonio José Martins Soares,Marco Antonio Brasil Terada

doi:10.1155/2014/297082

Agostinho Linhares, Antonio José Martins Soares + Show 1 more

Open Access

https://doi.org/10.1155/2014/297082

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Abstract

A base station (BS) antenna operates in accordance with the established exposure limits if the values of electromagnetic fields (EMF) measured in points of maximum exposure are below these limits. In the case of BS in open areas, the maximum exposure to EMF probably occurs in the antenna’s boresight direction, from a few tens to a few hundred meters away. This is not a typical scenery for urban environments. However, in the line of sight (LOS) situation, the region of maximum exposure can still be analytically estimated with good results. This paper presents a methodology for the choice of measurement points in urban areas in order to assess compliance with the limits for exposure to EMF.

Highlights

The mobile communications technology has revolutionized the telecommunications industry worldwide over the last two decades
This paper presents a methodology to estimate the probable location of maximum exposure to electromagnetic fields (EMF) associated with a base station (BS) antenna in urban areas as well as suburban or rural areas, filling a gap not covered by current international standards [6,7,8], which address selection of points of investigation, without covering how to identify locations of maximum exposure
This paper presented a methodology to estimate the probable location of maximum exposure to EMF associated with a BS antenna in any environment for line of sight (LOS) cases, filling a gap not covered by current international standards

Summary

Introduction

The mobile communications technology has revolutionized the telecommunications industry worldwide over the last two decades. International bodies have established EMF exposure limits for personal protection [1, 2] that are endorsed by World Health Organization (WHO) [3] as well as measurement standards to assess the compliance of radio communication stations with the exposure limits [4]. Three basic components have to be taken into account when evaluating human exposure to EMF: radio frequency (RF) source, wireless channel, and exposed person. The second is related to the path loss, considering that the wave propagates in an uncontrolled and lossy medium and is subject to variations due to distance between EMF source and exposed person and due to shadowing and multipath [5]. The third component is related to characteristics of the exposed person, including, but not limited to, height, weight, and position (standing up, sitting down, lying, etc.)

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