Radio frequency electromagnetic field compliance assessment of multi-band and MIMO equipped radio base stations.
Thors B, Thielens A, Fridén J, Colombi D, Törnevik C, Vermeeren G, Martens L, Joseph W. · 2014
View Original AbstractModern cell towers with multiple antennas require larger safety zones when assessed using simpler measurement methods compared to more detailed radiation calculations.
Plain English Summary
Researchers tested different methods for measuring how much radiofrequency radiation people are exposed to from modern cell phone towers that use multiple frequency bands and MIMO technology (multiple antennas working together). They found that the current safety assessment methods can accurately determine safe distances from these towers, though some measurement approaches require larger safety zones than others. This research helps ensure that newer, more complex cell tower designs still meet radiation exposure limits.
Why This Matters
This study addresses a critical gap in how we assess EMF exposure from modern cellular infrastructure. As wireless networks have evolved to use multiple frequency bands simultaneously and MIMO technology for faster data speeds, the traditional methods for calculating safe distances from cell towers needed validation. The researchers found that while these newer, more complex antenna systems can be properly assessed using existing methods, the choice of measurement technique significantly affects the size of required safety zones. What this means for you is that the compliance distances around cell towers may vary depending on which assessment method is used, and some approaches may underestimate the actual safety buffer needed. The reality is that as cellular technology becomes more sophisticated, our exposure assessment methods must keep pace to ensure public protection.
Exposure Information
Specific exposure levels were not quantified in this study.
Study Details
In this paper, different methods for practical numerical radio frequency exposure compliance assessments of radio base station products were investigated.
Both multi-band base station antennas and antennas designed for multiple input multiple output (MIMO...
In general, assessments based on peak field strengths were found to be less computationally intensiv...
Our results showed that field combining methods generally considered as conservative could be used to efficiently assess compliance boundary dimensions of single- and dual-polarized multicolumn base station antennas with only minor increases in compliance distances.
Show BibTeX
@article{b_2014_radio_frequency_electromagnetic_field_2625,
author = {Thors B and Thielens A and Fridén J and Colombi D and Törnevik C and Vermeeren G and Martens L and Joseph W.},
title = {Radio frequency electromagnetic field compliance assessment of multi-band and MIMO equipped radio base stations.},
year = {2014},
url = {https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/24523232/},
}