Gigahertz Transverse Electromagnetic Research Articles

Calibrating a Radio Frequency Electrooptic Sensor for Field-Relevant Temperature Conditions in a Laboratory Setting

Legacy high-powered electric field measurement devices, such as flush plate dipoles (D-dots) and waveguides, are the primary diagnostic tools used for free-field experimentation. Unfortunately, these metallic devices perturb the electric field of interest via scattering and require the use of coaxial cables (fluctuate with temperature). Electrooptic (EO) probes offer a potential solution as they minimally perturb the electric field, and fiber-optic cables can be designed to correct or prevent temperature fluctuations. However, to replace the legacy diagnostics, it is critical that the EO probes are calibrated in field-relevant conditions (outdoor temperatures between <inline-formula xmlns:mml="http://www.w3.org/1998/Math/MathML" xmlns:xlink="http://www.w3.org/1999/xlink"> <tex-math notation="LaTeX">$1.4~^{\circ} \text{C}$ </tex-math></inline-formula> and <inline-formula xmlns:mml="http://www.w3.org/1998/Math/MathML" xmlns:xlink="http://www.w3.org/1999/xlink"> <tex-math notation="LaTeX">$49~^{\circ} \text{C}$ </tex-math></inline-formula> ). Characterization of a modern EO sensor is done by using an environmental chamber and a gigahertz transverse electromagnetic (GTEM) cell. The collected data in this article indicates that modern <inline-formula xmlns:mml="http://www.w3.org/1998/Math/MathML" xmlns:xlink="http://www.w3.org/1999/xlink"> <tex-math notation="LaTeX">$\text {LiNbO}_{{3}}$ </tex-math></inline-formula> EO sensors have linear changes across both various temperatures and electric fields. This article outlines the process of creating field-relevant conditions in laboratory settings. Because temperature effects are ubiquitous with most devices, the temperature response of the EO probe needed to be isolated from all other temperature effects. Using a novel way of applying the design of experiments (DoE) method, the temperature response of the EO probe can be isolated and a linear trend can be resolved. The data suggest that the EO probe under test can be used to measure RF fields as long as a small correction factor is applied to 0.52% per °C for every °C away from <inline-formula xmlns:mml="http://www.w3.org/1998/Math/MathML" xmlns:xlink="http://www.w3.org/1999/xlink"> <tex-math notation="LaTeX">$22.0~^{\circ} \text{C}$ </tex-math></inline-formula> in either direction.

Electric Field Sensor Approach to Determine Fidelity and Overmoding Region of GTEM Cell

Characterizing new electric field (E-field) sensors requires knowing the frequency limits of one’s radio-frequency (RF) chamber. A commonly used RF chamber is called a gigahertz transverse-electromagnetic (GTEM) cell that supports transverse-electromagnetic (TEM) fields through the gigahertz spectra. This manuscript proposes a new methodology for determining the range of usable frequencies within a GTEM cell having unknown characteristics (e.g., after moving a GTEM cell from one laboratory to another). Above a certain frequency, all frequencies become overmoded and yield unreliable measurements. We found that comparing international standards to measured data can provide insights into where overmoding occurs. The comparison to international standards was assisted by a derived free-space wave impedance formula in the frequency domain using both flush-plate dipole (D-dot) and magnetic field (B-dot) probes. Overall, this article proposes a new tool for determining the operating frequencies at which GTEM cells can reliably function in accordance with international standards before overmoding occurs.

The HL-60 human promyelocytic cell line constitutes an effective in vitro model for evaluating toxicity, oxidative stress and necrosis/apoptosis after exposure to black carbon particles and 2.45 GHz radio frequency

The cellular and molecular mechanisms by which atmospheric pollution from particulate matter and/or electromagnetic fields (EMFs) may prove harmful to human health have not been extensively researched. We analyzed whether the combined action of EMFs and black carbon (BC) particles induced cell damage and a pro-apoptotic response in the HL-60 promyelocytic cell line when exposed to 2.45 GHz radio frequency (RF) radiation in a gigahertz transverse electromagnetic (GTEM) chamber at sub-thermal specific absorption rate (SAR) levels. RF and BC induced moderately significant levels of cell damage in the first 8 or 24 h for all exposure times/doses and much greater damage after 48 h irradiation and the higher dose of BC. We observed a clear antiproliferative effect that increased with RF exposure time and BC dose. Oxidative stress or ROS production increased with time (24 or 48 h of radiation), BC dose and the combination of both. Significant differences between the proportion of damaged and healthy cells were observed in all groups. Both radiation and BC participated separately and jointly in triggering necrosis and apoptosis in a programmed way. Oxidative-antioxidant action activated mitochondrial anti-apoptotic BCL2a gene expression after 24 h irradiation and exposure to BC. After irradiation of the cells for 48 h, expression of FASR cell death receptors was activated, precipitating the onset of pro-apoptotic phenomena and expression and intracellular activity of caspase-3 in the mitochondrial pathways, all of which can lead to cell death. Our results indicate that the interaction between BC and RF modifies the immune response in the human promyelocytic cell line and that these cells had two fates mediated by different pathways: necrosis and mitochondria-caspase dependent apoptosis. The findings may be important in regard to antimicrobial, inflammatory and autoimmune responses in humans.

Experiment Reproducibility and Electric Field Uniformity in GTEM

Giga-Hertz Transverse Electromagnetic (GTEM) cell is a simpler and cheaper alternative to the full-scale anechoic chamber. It is an equipment of choice in a lot of partial discharge (PD) research, especially for antenna validation. According to a good practice the cell must be validated, or also known as calibrated, for its usability. The calibration term means validating the uniformity of electrical field produced at the point of measurement. This paper introduced a verification technique to be used to validate the integrity of input and response signals. This step is essential so that the reproducibility of the experiment is warranted and also to support the calibration analysis result. It was found that the input and response signals were reproducible and consistent. The calibration analysis on the existing bespoke GTEM showed that electric field uniformity at the prescribed area of testing complied with an established practice. Therefore, the GTEM cell can be used to conduct related experiment.

Exposure to 2.45 GHz radiofrequency modulates calcitonin-dependent activity and HSP-90 protein in parafollicular cells of rat thyroid gland

In this study we analyzed the response of parafollicular cells in rat thyroid gland after exposure to radiofrequency at 2.45 GHz using a subthermal experimental diathermy model. Forty-two Sprague Dawley rats, divided into two groups of 21 rats each, were individually exposed at 0 (control), 3 or 12 W in a Gigahertz Transverse Electro-Magnetic (GTEM) chamber for 30 min. After radiation, we used simple or fluorescence immunohistochemistry to measure calcitonin cells or cellular stress levels, indicated by the presence hyperplasia of parafollicular cells, heat shock protein (HSP) 90. Immunomarking of calcitonin-positive cells was statistically significant higher in the thyroid tissue of rats exposed to 2.45 GHz radiofrequency and cell hyperplasia appeared 90 min after radiation at the SAR levels studied. At the same time, co-localized expression of HSP-90 and calcitonin in parafollicular cells was statistically significant attenuated 90 min after radiation and remained statistically significantly low 24 h after radiation, even though parafollicular cell levels normalized. These facts indicate that subthermal radiofrequency (RF) at 2.45 GHz constitutes a negative external stress stimulus that alters the activity and homeostasis of parafollicular cells in the rat thyroid gland. However, further research is needed to determine if there is toxic action in human C cells.

Radiofrequency at 2.45 GHz increases toxicity, pro-inflammatory and pre-apoptotic activity caused by black carbon in the RAW 264.7 macrophage cell line

Environmental factors such as air pollution by particles and/or electromagnetic fields (EMFs) are studied as harmful agents for human health. We analyzed whether the combined action of EMF with fine and coarse black carbon (BC) particles induced cell damage and inflammatory response in RAW 264.7 cell line macrophages exposed to 2.45 GHz in a gigahertz transverse electromagnetic (GTEM) chamber at sub-thermal specific absorption rate (SAR) levels. Radiofrequency (RF) dramatically increased BC-induced toxicity at high doses in the first 24 h and toxicity levels remained high 72 h later for all doses. The increase in macrophage phagocytosis induced after 24 h of RF and the high nitrite levels obtained by stimulation with lipopolysaccharide (LPS) endotoxin 24 and 72 h after radiation exposure suggests a prolongation of the innate and inflammatory immune response. The increase of proinflammatory cytokines tumor necrosis factor-α, after 24 h, and of interleukin-1β and caspase-3, after 72 h, indicated activation of the pro-inflammatory response and the apoptosis pathways through the combined effect of radiation and BC. Our results indicate that the interaction of BC and RF modifies macrophage immune response, activates apoptosis, and accelerates cell toxicity, by which it can activate the induction of hypersensitivity reactions and autoimmune disorders.

Microtubular structure impairment after GSM-modulated RF radiation exposure.

The objective of the study was to investigate whether low-level 915 MHz GSM-modulated radiofrequency (RF) radiation impairs microtubular structure and affects normal cell growth. V79 cells were exposed to a GSM-modulated field in a Gigahertz Transversal Electromagnetic Mode cell (GTEM cell) for 1, 2, and 3 h. Signal generator combined with power and chip modulator generated the electromagnetic field (EMF). The electric field strength was adjusted to 10, 20, and 30 V/m, and the average specific absorption rate (SAR) was calculated to be 0.23, 0.8, and 1.6 W/kg. The structure of microtubule proteins was assessed by indirect immunocytochemistry, and cell growth was determined based on cell counts taken every day over six post-exposure days. Three-hour radiation exposure significantly altered microtubule structure regardless of the electric field strength. Moreover, on the third post-exposure day, three-hour radiation significantly reduced cell growth, regardless of field strength. The same was observed with two-hour exposure at 20 and 30 V/m. In conclusion, 915 MHz GSM-modulated RF radiation affects microtubular proteins in a time-dependent manner, which, in turn, affects cell proliferation. Our future research will focus on microtubule structure throughout the cell cycle and RF radiation effects on mitotic spindle.

PD Signal Propagation in GIS: Ultra-High Frequency Detection-Based Modeling

Gas-insulated switchgears (GIS) have become essential parts of electrical power substations due to the associated merits of these capital assets. Although such resilient devices can rarely suffer from failure, partial discharge (PD) is responsible for around 85% of their recorded collapses. Ultra-high frequency (UHF) techniques have been widely used in the detection and localization of PD for a long time because of their immunity to noise and high sensitivity. Understanding electromagnetic (EM) wave behavior in GIS systems is significant for improving the utilization of UHF sensors in PD detection and for the optimal allocation of UHF antennas inside GIS systems. Thus, this paper is devoted to building a detailed 3D finite element (FE) model based on UHF detection techniques to understand the propagation behavior of EM waves inside GIS. A disk-type UHF sensor is used for acquiring EM waves inside the GIS. The sensitivity of the sensor has been obtained using a gigahertz transverse-electromagnetic (GTEM) test cell. The proposed model investigates the impact of multiple disconnecting parts including L-structure, relative angle between PD source and sensors, and disconnecting switches on the propagation of electromagnetic waves based on step 1 of the CIGRE recommendations. To validate the modeled GIS, a simple L-structured model is initially built, and a comparative analysis has been conducted between the built model and the experimental and analytical results from the literature.

On the design and fabrication of a large GTEM cell and its challenges

This paper presents the design of a large Gigahertz Transverse Electromagnetic (GTEM) cell for Electrical/Electronic Sub-Assembly (ESA) testing of a car or other information technology (IT) equipment as well as the challenges of its design and fabrication. The 7.5 meter long and 4 meter width and 4 meter height dimensions of this cell are large enough to test ESAs inside. The operating frequency band is from 30 MHz to 6 GHz based on CISPR standards. To increase the operating frequency of the GTEM and to improve the uniformity of the wave, hybrid absorbers are mounted at the end wall. These absorbers consist of ferrite tile and pyramid absorbers, which have large bandwidth and high performance. The dimensions of the GTEM cell are too large and therefore full wave simulation is difficult and time consuming. In this paper, we have introduced a two-step method to convert a pyramidal absorber into a one-layer flat absorber. This technique simplifies our GTEM cell full wave simulation. On the fabrication side, the effect of distortion of a long metal sheet on the performance of the room are numerically examined. Finally, the acceptable measurement results of the GTEM are reported.

Numerical Analysis and Measurement of Electric field Strength inside GTEM Cell at GSM Frequencies

A miniaturised gigahertz transverse electromagnetic (GTEM) cell is designed and fabricated to generate uniform electric (E-) field, essential for studying the radio frequency exposure effect on tissue equivalent liquids at global system for mobile (GSM) communication frequencies (914 MHz and 2.10 GHz). The simulation procedure is discussed and its results are compared with measurement data. The E-field strength inside the GTEM cell is scanned using a microstrip based E-field probe and complete uncertainty evaluation procedure is discussed. Theoretically, simulated and measured E-field strength is reported with expanded uncertainty.

Calibration Proposal for UHF Partial Discharge Measurements at Power Transformers

The continuous, non-intermitted service of electrical grids relies on the reliability of their assets, e.g., power transformers. Local insulation defects can result in serve failures such as breakdowns with severe subsequent costs. The prevention of such events is crucial. Hence, partial discharge (PD) activity at power transformers is evaluated directly in the factory before shipment. Additionally, PD activity can be monitored during service using the ultra-high frequency (UHF) method. In this contribution, a calibration procedure is proposed for the UHF method. The calibration process is required to ensure both, reproducibility and comparability of UHF measurements: Only a calibrated UHF measurement procedure can be introduced supplementary to IEC 60270 in acceptance tests of power transformers. The proposed calibration method considers two factors: The influence of the UHF-antenna’s sensitivity and the PD recorder characteristics including accessories such as cable damping, pre-amplifier, etc. The former is addressed by a characterization of UHF sensors using the standard antenna factor (AF) in a gigahertz transverse electromagnetic (GTEM) cell. The PD recorder’s influence is corrected by using a defined, invariable test signal as reference for all recording devices. A practical evaluation of the proposed calibration procedure is performed in a laboratory setup using different UHF recording devices and UHF sensors using artificial PD signals and real voltage-driven PD sources.

Validation of Potential Effects on Human Health of in Vivo Experimental Models Studied in Rats Exposed to Sub-Thermal Radiofrequency. Possible Health Risks Due to the Interaction of Electromagnetic Pollution and Environmental Particles

Studies are based on the exposure of Sprague-Dawley rats (250 male and 250 female rats) to electromagnetic fields (EMF) at different frequencies in standing and travelling wave chambers. Values of specific absortion rate (SAR) for all of these experiments were obtained from commercially available FDTD-based simulation software based on numerical phantom animals. An experimental radiation system was developed with a standing-wave cavity which keeps electromagnetic parameters constant while facilitating stress-free exposure of animals to non-thermal radiation. This makes it possible to directly measure the power absorbed by the animal and determine whole-body mean SAR according to weight. All studies using this setup were performed with global system for mobile communication (GSM) radiation at 900 MHz. The simple picrotoxin model made allow to identify morphological signs of neurotoxicity in rat brain tissue. Experiments involving travelling waves were done in a commercial Gigahertz Transverse ElectroMagnetic (GTEM) chamber connected to one or two vector signal generators (to carry single or multiple EMF exposure frequencies). In the diathermy model, rat thyroid and thymus exposed to 2.45 GHz radiation showed visible morphological and immune effects. Cellular stress in the cerebral cortex, the cerebellum or both seems to be more associated with the type of signal than with additive effects of combined frequencies. Finally, some hypothesis related with the future models about the ElectroMagnetic (EM) pollution are established. In an urban environmental that combines the electromagnetic and chemical pollution of environmental particles, cortical excitability, inflammatory response, and cell injury can be modified.

Design of Wideband GHz Electric Field Sensor Integrated with Optical Fiber Transmission Link for Electromagnetic Pulse Signal Measurement.

The detection of high frequency overvoltage and partial discharge is of great significance in evaluating the insulation condition of high-voltage power equipment. A wideband GHz electric field (E-field) sensor for electromagnetic pulse (EMP) signal measurement was proposed in this paper. An optical fiber transmission link was adopted in the design in order to implement high-voltage isolation and reduce electromagnetic interference during transmission. The designed sensor was mainly made up of a differential electric field (D-dot) antenna, transmitter, and receiver. The D-dot antenna was designed to detect high frequency E-field strength and generate a corresponding voltage signal, which was converted into an optical signal by the transmitter. The optical signal could be transmitted a large distance through an optical fiber without electromagnetic interference and changed back to a voltage signal again by a receiver. The design process of the sensor was introduced in detail, and experiments were performed using a gigahertz transverse electromagnetic (GTEM) cell and an EMP simulator to verify it. The results indicated that the designed sensor had a good performance besides an expectable delay due to the optional amplifier.

Taking Into Account GTEM Field Nonuniformities in Radiated Immunity Simulations Through a Simple Measurement

When performing immunity measurements through the 10 × 10 cm aperture that some gigahertz transverse electromagnetic (GTEM) cells feature, its field uniformity is generally unknown. Yet, this (non)uniformity causes an error on test results. Measuring the field uniformity by taking a grid of samples would be time-consuming. Even with such a measurement, it would be hard to predict the magnitude of this error in immunity measurement results. Therefore, another approach to the problem was taken: several imperfections of the GTEM cell were characterized simultaneously by measuring its input reflection coefficient. Then, the immunity of a device under test was simulated with the nominal GTEM field plus the first reflection. Entering this field model into the simulation corrected the major error in the 0.1-2.0 GHz range in some of our test cases, with no degradation in any case. Thanks to the speed of this method, it may be broadly applied, even only to quantify the effect of some of the GTEM's imperfections on a given immunity measurement.

A Novel Two-Cap Filter for Routing Noise Suppression Using Extended EBG Analysis

This paper proposes a novel two-cap wideband filter that suppresses the high-frequency noise in a power trace routing. By combining electromagnetic bandgap (EBG) theory and decoupling capacitors, the EBG propagation characteristics are studied and a systematic design procedure is proposed. Advanced Design System (ADS) and gigahertz transverse electromagnetic (GTEM) cell measurement are used to validate the accuracy of the proposed analysis and the validity of the design. It is found that the filter gives a 67% stopband with 20-dB suppression, using only two capacitors that are spaced one-twentieth of a wavelength apart.

Application of UHF sensors for PD measurement at power transformers

The reliability of electrical energy networks depends on both, the quality and reliability of its electrical equipment, e.g. power transformers. Local failures inside their insulation may lead to breakdowns and hence to high outage and penalty costs. Power transformers can be tested on partial discharge (PD) activity before commissioning and monitored during service in order to prevent these events. In the first part, this contribution presents different types of ultra-high frequency (UHF) sensors for PD measurement. Various applications of UHF sensors and proper sensor installation are discussed. The second part of the contribution is about the necessity of UHF measurement comparability and reproducibility. Therefore, a new calibration procedure for the UHF method is proposed and discussed in respect of the procedure for the IEC 60270 compliant conventional electric method. The characterization of UHF sensors is a key precondition for the UHF calibration process in order to obtain calibration for the full measurement path. Sensor characteristics are described by the antenna factor (AF) which is determined under inside transformer conditions in an oil-filled Gigahertz Transversal Electromagnetic cell (GTEM cell). In addition to the calibration procedure, the performance of the installed sensor has to be determined. The evaluation is based on the concept of transmitting electromagnetic waves through the transformer tank from one UHF sensor to another. This performance check procedure is used in this contribution for the examination of the influence of the sensor's insertion depth into the tank. These results are compared to the reference GTEM cell measurement used for calibration.

In vitro non-thermal oxidative stress response after 1800 MHz radiofrequency radiation.

In this study possible connection between radiofrequency exposure (RF) and development of oxidative stress was investigated by measuring impairment in cellular oxidation-reduction balance immediately after RF exposure. Fibroblast cells V79 were exposed for 10, 30 and 60 minutes to 1800 MHz RF radiation. Electric field strength was 30 V/m and specific absorption rate (SAR) was calculated to be 1.6 W/kg. Electromagnetic field was generated within Gigahertz Transversal Electromagnetic Mode cell (GTEM) equipped by signal generator, amplifier and modulator. Cell viability was determined by CCK-8 colorimetric assay and level of reactive oxygen species (ROS) was detected by dihydroethidium staining. Reduced glutathione (GSH) and glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px) were used to assess cell antioxidant activity while lipid oxidative damage was evaluated measuring concentration of malondialdehyde. Viability of V79 cells remained within normal physiological values regardless of exposure time. Increased level of superoxide radicals was detected after 60-min exposure. Significantly higher GSH level was observed immediately after 10-min exposure with higher but insignificant activity of GSH-Px. Lipid oxidative damage in exposed cell samples was not observed. Short-term RF exposure revealed transient oxidation-reduction imbalance in fibroblast cells following adaptation to applied experimental conditions.

Study on the Disc Sensor Based on the Cavity Mold Theory

Ultra-high-frequency (UHF) sensor is the vital component of a partial discharge detection system and its coupling performance is affected by structural parameters. On the basis of the cavity model theory, this paper studied the influence of the disc electrode diameter, the thickness, the dielectric constant of the dielectric substrate, and the position of the coaxial connection on the performance of the disc-type UHF sensor with the application of the XFdtd software. The simplified finite-difference time-domain simulation model for the gigahertz transverse electromagnetic (GTEM) cell has been established, and the influence of the coaxial feed position on the performance of the disc-type UHF sensor is studied via the frequency domain effective heights in the simulation. The result shows that as the disc electrode diameter, the thickness, and the dielectric constant of the dielectric substrate increase, the working frequency band shifts toward the reducing direction. The position of the coaxial connection has an obvious effect on the resonant mode of sensor, too.

Near‐field shielding measurement of small shield cans in metallic mobile devices for RF interference analysis

A novel near-field shielding measurement method is presented for small shield cans used in modern mobile devices with metallic cases. To effectively capture electromagnetic leakage through the shield cans at the very near-field region, a stripline mounted on a test board is utilised similar to the integrated circuit stripline method. Using simulation and measurement, it is verified that the proposed method is more accurate and effective than the conventional gigahertz transverse electromagnetic (GTEM) cell measurement method for shielding evaluation of small shield cans used in metallic mobile devices from an radio-frequency interference point of view.

Experimental Characterization of the Response of an Electrical and Communication Raceway to IEMI

This paper reports the results of two experimental campaigns aimed at studying the high-frequency response of a raceway containing low voltage power, telephone, and Ethernet cables, to external electromagnetic field illumination. The raceway was tested against HPEM transients inside a gigahertz transverse electromagnetic (GTEM) cell and low-power fields inside a reverberation chamber (RC). The high-power electromagnetic (HPEM) tests revealed that the low-voltage power cables have the greatest coupling under a hyperband illumination, compared to telephone and Ethernet cables. The RC tests allowed the determination of statistical transfer functions from random incident field configurations into DM voltage in cable loads. The responses were found to be governed by the raceway under test at the lower frequencies (below 1 GHz). Between 0.2 and 1 GHz, the raceway gives about 10 dB higher coupling than a short patch cable. The difference is even greater at lower frequencies and for shielded cables. In the frequency band 1–3 GHz, little difference was observed between short patch cables and the full raceway, but both were still significantly higher than direct coupling to the measurement card. Beyond 3 GHz, the coupling is clearly dominated by the terminal equipment. The experiments performed in this paper provide a better understanding of the expected induced voltages and currents in commercial cable systems when exposed to intentional electromagnetic interference (IEMI)-like signals.