Determination of whole-body specific absorption rate (SAR) and characterization of ferris wheel radio frequency (RF) exposure system using calorimetric techniques

Abstract

The "Ferris Wheel" RE Exposure System was designed by Motorola Inc. to study the long-term biological effects due to RE exposure [3]. The main goal of this research project was to characterize the "Ferris Wheel" to know how efficient and symmetrical was the exposure system in distributing the RE power among its loads. The characterization of the system was done in terms of power efficiency, SAR, Whole-Body SAR and Localized SAR. Exposure to RF sources is quantified in terms of SAR which defines the rate of electromagnetic deposition per unit mass. Determination of Whole-Body averaged SAR requires to have the actual amount of energy absorbed where as the temperature increase in the tissue material yields the Localized SAR. Calorimetric Techniques were used to characterize the "Ferris Wheel" exposure system in terms of Whole-Body SAR and efficiency. Microwave Studio and XFDTD simulation programs based on Finite Difference Time Domain method were also used to determine the Whole-Body SAR and B-field distribution in the "Ferris Wheel." The B-field distribution inside the FW was measured by using B-field probes and result was compared to that of simulated.