R. Villar

Comparison of FDTD-calculated specific absorption rate in adults and children when using a mobile phone at 900 and 1800 MHz.

In this paper, the specific absorption rate (SAR) in scaled human head models is analysed to study possible differences between SAR in the heads of adults and children and for assessment of compliance with the international safety guidelines, while using a mobile phone. The finite-difference time-domain method (FDTD) has been used for calculating SAR values for models of both children and adults, at 900 and 1800 MHz. Maximum 1 g averaged SAR (SAR1 g) and maximum 10 g averaged SAR (SAR10 g) have been calculated in adults and scaled head models for comparison and assessment of compliance with ANSI/IEEE and European guidelines. Results show that peak SAR1 g and peak SAR10 g all trend downwards with decreasing head size but as head size decreases, the percentage of energy absorbed in the brain increases. So, higher SAR in childrens brains can be expected depending on whether the thickness of their skulls and surrounding tissues actually depends on age. The SAR in eyes of different sizes, as a critical organ, has also been studied and very similar distributions for the full size and the scaled models have been obtained. Standard limits can only be exceeded in the unpractical situation where the antenna is located at a very short distance in front of the eye.

FDTD assessment of human exposure to electromagnetic fields from WiFi and bluetooth devices in some operating situations

In this work, the numerical dosimetry in human exposure to the electromagnetic fields from antennas of wireless devices, such as those of wireless local area networks (WLAN) access points or phone and computer peripherals with Bluetooth antennas, is analyzed with the objective of assessing guidelines compliance. Several geometrical configurations are considered to simulate possible exposure situations of a person to the fields from WLAN or Bluetooth antennas operating at 2400 MHz. The exposure to radiation from two sources of different frequencies when using a 1800 MHz GSM mobile phone connected via Bluetooth with a hands-free car kit is also considered. The finite-difference time-domain (FDTD) method is used to calculate electric and magnetic field values in the vicinity of the antennas and specific absorption rates (SAR) in a high-resolution model of the human head and torso, to be compared with the limits from the guidelines (reference levels and basic restrictions, respectively). Results show that the exposure levels in worst-case situations studied are lower than those obtained when analyzing the exposure to mobile phones, as could be expected because of the low power of the signals and the distance between the human and the antennas, with both field and SAR values being far below the limits established by the guidelines, even when considering the combined exposure to both a GSM and a Bluetooth antenna.

On the safety assessment of human exposure in the proximity of cellular communications base-station antennas at 900, 1800 and 2170 MHz

In this work, the procedures for safety assessment in the close proximity of cellular communications base-station antennas at three different frequencies (900, 1800 and 2170 MHz) are analysed. For each operating frequency, we have obtained and compared the distances to the antenna from the exposure places where electromagnetic fields are below reference levels and the distances where the specific absorption rate (SAR) values in an exposed person are below the basic restrictions, according to the European safety guidelines. A high-resolution human body model has been located, in front of each base-station antenna as a worst case, at different distances, to compute whole body averaged SAR and maximum 10 g averaged SAR inside the exposed body. The finite-difference time-domain method has been used for both electromagnetic fields and SAR calculations. This paper shows that, for antenna-body distances in the near zone of the antenna, the fact that averaged field values be below the reference levels could, at certain frequencies, not guarantee guidelines compliance based on basic restrictions.

Comparison of SAR and induced current densities in adults and children exposed to electromagnetic fields from electronic article surveillance devices

Electronic article surveillance (EAS) devices are widely used in most stores as anti-theft systems. In this work, the compliance with international guidelines in the human exposure to these devices is analysed by using the finite-difference time-domain (FDTD) method. Two sets of high resolution numerical phantoms of different size (REMCOM/Hershey and Virtual Family), simulating adult and child bodies, are exposed to a 10 MHz pass-by panel-type EAS consisting of two overlapping current-carrying coils. Two different relative positions between the EAS and the body (frontal and lateral exposures), which imply the exposure of different parts of the body at different distances, have been considered. In all cases, induced current densities in tissues of the central nervous system and specific absorption rates (SARs) are calculated to be compared with the limits from the guidelines. Results show that induced current densities are lower in the case of adult models as compared with those of children in both lateral and frontal exposures. Maximum SAR values calculated in lateral exposure are significantly lower than those calculated in frontal exposure, where the EAS-body distance is shorter. Nevertheless, in all studied cases, with an EAS driving current of 4 A rms, maximum induced current and SAR values are below basic restrictions.

Uniform PO and PTD solution for calculating plane wave backscattering from a finite cylindrical shell of arbitrary cross section

The plane wave backscattering from a perfectly conducting three-dimensional shell of arbitrary cross section has peen studied. A uniform physical optics (PO) solution, valid across the reflection limits, is derived. The solution, derived from an asymptotic evaluation of the PO integral, includes end-point contributions that account for the diffracted field on edges. It can be improved by the fringe fields derived from an analytical integration of the equivalent edge currents of the physical theory of diffraction (PTD). It is computationally efficient for electrically large shells and compares very well with the finite-element method. >

High-frequency backscattering from a singly curved screen

The backscattering of an arbitrary plane wave from singly curved sheets is considered. An uniform and analytical solution derived from an asymptotic evaluation of the physical optics integral is shown. The solution includes contributions from the straight edges of the screen and is valid on and near the reflection limits. That solution can be combined with the analytical result of the integral of equivalent currents of the physical theory of diffraction (PTD). A graphical comparison of these analytical calculations of the radar cross section (RCS) with other methods and experimental results is presented. >

High-frequency approximation for cone-tip backscattering at arbitrary aspects from bodies of revolution

We consider the high-frequency backscattering, at arbitrary aspects, of a perfectly conducting cone and derive a closed form expression for the cone-tip diffraction from the physical optics (PO) integral. This contribution is used in a high-frequency computer code for calculating backscattering. Results for a cone-sphere are presented and compared with other works.

Backscattering from a discontinuity in curvature

In this, work, a uniform high-frequency solution based on an asymptotic analysis of the physical optics (PO) integral for a conducting surface is presented for backscattering of plane waves for a discontinuity in curvature for arbitrary surfaces. This approximation is valid near caustics. Far from caustics, a solution derived from the uniform theory of diffraction (UTD) is used. The results of computer code, which demonstrate the accuracy of this technique, are presented. >