Features of Electromagnetic Situation Estimation Near the 5G Base Station Antennas

Abstract

The economic attractiveness of 5G networks influences the speed of their worldwide deployment drastically, putting the deployment process ahead of environmental studies. The analysis of 5G network parameters which affect the evaluation of electromagnetic ecology was carried out. It has shown the difference between 5G and 3G/4G networks in the frequency band number, network topology, transmitting power, the radiation parameters of antenna systems, as well as the antenna systems location relative to the service areas and in distance to possible people location. These differences resulted in the following conclusions: it is incorrect to use the decimeter wave propagation models for estimation, and it is incorrect to use maximum permissible power level per unit of human skin surface area as an exposure criterion as well. Hence, the current documents for electromagnetic ecology regulation do not reflect the electromagnetic background of 5G networks. The article presents two possible ways to solve the detected contradiction: medical and biological research for 5G frequencies; scientifically based generalization of international experience in regulation with a transition to the practice of recommendations. It is shown that since the medical and biological research in Russia began only in 2020, it is possible to use the V.I. Mordachev method for the transition period. It is proposed to use the total intensity of electromagnetic background in the territory of broadband networks deployment, which operate in several frequency bands, and to use the old exposure criterion. In the paper the research results were given for a private case of 5G network functioning in three frequency bands (4.4 GHz, 24 GHz and 37 GHz) in Kaliningrad, St. Petersburg and Moscow. The given research results showed the environmental safety of the deployed networks. In addition, it was shown that the technique could be used to assess the electromagnetic ecology in the 5G network territory in the transition phase until new regulations are adopted.