Protocol for personal RF-EMF exposure measurement studies in 5th generation telecommunication networks

Abstract

Background The general population is exposed to Radio-Frequency Electromagnetic Fields (RF-EMFs) used by telecommunication networks. Previous studies developed methods to assess this exposure. These methods will be inadequate to accurately assess exposure in 5G technologies or other wireless technologies using adaptive antennas. This is due to the fact that 5G NR (new radio) base stations will focus actively on connected users, resulting in a high spatio-temporal variations in the RF-EMFs. This increases the measurement uncertainty in personal measurements of RF-EMF exposure. Furthermore, a user’s exposure from base stations will be dependent on the amount of data usage, adding a new component to the auto-induced exposure, which is often omitted in current studies. Goals The objective of this paper is to develop a general study protocol for future personal RF-EMF exposure research adapted to 5G technologies. This protocol will include the assessment of auto-induced exposure of both a user’s own devices and the networks’ base stations. Method This study draws from lessons learned from previous RF-EMF exposure research and current knowledge on 5G technologies, including studies simulating 5G NR base stations and measurements around 5G NR test sites. Results To account for auto-induced exposure, an activity-based approach is introduced. In survey studies, an RF-EMF sensor is fixed on the participants’ mobile device(s). Based on the measured power density, GPS data and movement and proximity sensors, different activities can be clustered and the exposure during each activity is evaluated. In microenvironmental measurements, a trained researcher performs measurements in predefined microenvironments with a mobile device equipped with the RF-EMF sensor. The mobile device is programmed to repeat a sequence of data transmission scenarios (different amounts of uplink and downlink data transmissions). Based on simulations, the amount of exposure induced in the body when the user device is at a certain location relative to the body, can be evaluated. Conclusion Our protocol addresses the main challenges to personal exposure measurement introduced by 5G NR. A systematic method to evaluate a user’s auto-induced exposure is introduced.

RF-EMF Exposure Measurement for 5G Over Mm-Wave Base Station With MIMO Antenna

“…The massive MIMO system can provide high beamforming gain to compensate for mm-Wave extrema signal attenuation, which is realized by high dimensional antenna array-based directional transmission [15]. However, as these advanced technologies are implemented, there is growing concern about the potential effects on health and safety from exposure to radiofrequency (RF-EMF) emitted by 5G base stations [18][19][20][21][22][23][24][25]. People are concerned about EMF exposure because EMF exposure cannot be prevented or managed [26].…”

Measurement and Simulation-Based Exposure Assessment at a Far-Field for a Multitechnology Cellular Site up to 5G NR

“…Both methods have focused on single technology assessment (2G, 3G, 4G, IoT, or 5G), and recently there is some focus given on accumulated exposure from multi-technology coexisting at a single site, and few studies investigated this subject [37] which we believe is important to address. More factors need to be considered and require further investigation, such as the co-location of the multi-operator situation at the same site, accumulated radiation from neighboring and surrounding sites, actual radiation considering the number of users, traffic load (system utilization), and especially for 5G NR, the time-averaged power and spectral efficiency [38,39].…”

Instruments to measure environmental and personal radiofrequency-electromagnetic field exposures: an update

“…Standalone RF-EMF exposure assessment tools, including exposimeters, have demonstrated their capabilities to assess exposures up to 6 GHz. It is likely that measurement approaches for 5G NR may differ slightly from conventionally applied methods, mainly because of the beam forming technology [ 83 ]. A methodology for assessing environmental or personal 5G (sub 6 GHz)-related RF-EMF has recently been proposed [ 83 ].…”