Numerical Analysis of Electromagnetic Field Exposure from 5G Mobile Communications at 28 GHZ in Adults and Children Users for Real-World Exposure Scenarios

Abstract

The recent development of millimeter-wave (mmW) technologies, such as the fifth-generation (5G) network, comes with concerns related to user exposure. A quite large number of dosimetry studies above 6 GHz have been conducted, with the main purpose being to establish the correlation between different dosimetric parameters and the skin surface temperature elevation. However, the dosimetric studies from 28 GHz user equipment using different voxel models have not been comprehensively discussed yet. In this study, we used the finite-difference time-domain (FDTD) method for the estimation of the absorption of radiofrequency (RF) energy from a microstrip patch antenna array (28 GHz) in different human models. Specifically, we analyzed different exposure conditions simulating three real common scenarios (a phone call scenario, message writing scenario, and browsing scenario) regarding the use of smartphones/tablets by four different individuals (adult male and female, child male and female). From the results of Absorbed Power Density (Sab), it is possible to conclude that all the considered exposure scenarios comply with the safety limits, both for adult and children models. However, the high values of the local Specific Absorption Rate (SAR) in the superficial tissues and the slight differences in its distribution between adults and children suggest the need for further and more detailed analysis.

Assessment of Human Exposure Levels Due to Mobile Phone Antennas in 5G Networks

“…Entering into more detail on the numerical results for each investigated configuration, the user absorbed power density peaks obtained for the homogenous skin model were in line with the work of Morelli et al [24], where the exposure levels caused by a microstrip patch antenna array (at 28 GHz) for mobile applications were evaluated in different human models with a single skin layer. The peak values of the different human models were indeed in the range between 0.13-0.43 W/m 2 for an input power of 15 dBm (32 mW).…”

“…Efforts have also been made to determine the maximum averaging area for power density that limits the maximum temperature increase to a given threshold for frequencies above 6 GHz for plane wave, dipoles and array antenna [21]. Furthermore, some research involved the use of realistic anatomical models to assess the exposure levels in terms of specific absorption rate and absorbed power density [22][23][24], whereas others focused on multilayer modeling of the skin when exposed to plane-wave to underline how, at high frequencies, a detailed skin model is necessary to correctly estimate the assessment of exposure levels [25][26][27].…”

Anti-Oxidative and Immune Regulatory Responses of THP-1 and PBMC to Pulsed EMF Are Field-Strength Dependent

“…The rampant and permanent increase in both public and occupational exposure to various EMF fuels ongoing discussion on health concerns, with the recent implementation of 5G as the most prominent example [ 51 , 52 ]. The complexity of such physical stimuli, in particular, necessitates considering the applied conditions such as frequency and field strength, as well as the fundamental medical condition of the individual.…”

Design and SAR assessment of three compact 5G antenna arrays

“…The results represented the SAR and radiation penetration in the brain model, and therefor SAR, decreases with increasing depth and frequency. In 16 the SAR values in head model of children and adults at 28 GHz (30 mW) and a microstrip antenna as a field source have been simulated. The results showed that absorption in tissues decreasing rapidly in depth.…”