Near Field Exposure Conditions by UHF-RFID Systems in Smart Healthcare Environments

Abstract

Near Field Exposure Conditions by UHF-RFID Systems in Smart Healthcare Environments S. de Miguel-Bilbao et al. Near Field Exposure Conditions by UHF-RFID Systems in Smart Healthcare Environments. 2021 IEEE International Joint EMC/SI/PI and EMC Europe Symposium. 2021, pp. 13-18, doi: 10.1109/EMC/SI/PI/EMCEurope52599.2021.9559189. Abstract Short range wireless RFID technology has many applications in socialcare and healthcare environments, having to coexist with other sources of electromagnetic (EM) radiation and even with patients’ implanted devices. This work provides an overview of exposure conditions in near EM field conditions and evaluates this exposure. The near EM field conditions by RFID reader is discussed based on the results of measurements inside an anechoic chamber under strict experimental conditions, and numerical modelling with simulation software. The obtained results were considered with respect to the human EM exposure evaluation principles and exposure limitations provided by the relevant international guidelines and regulations. In areas close to the RFID reader, the local exposure to EM radiation has the near field nature, i.e. the impedance of EM field significantly differs from the far field (free space). Evaluating human exposure requires measurements of the electric and magnetic field strength, or even the numerical modelling of Specific Energy Absorption Rate (SAR). It was found that a near field nature of EM radiation near an RFID reader ranges several times longer when the operator is present nearby, compared to the same emitting device considered alone in the empty space. This is of significance when evaluating EM exposure of humans (patients or health care personnel, especially users of medical implants) if, for any reason, they are less than 50 cm away from an RFID reader, especially when emission from it exceed 2 W. ieeexplore.ieee.org

AI evidence extraction

Main findings

Based on anechoic-chamber measurements and numerical modelling, the EM radiation close to an RFID reader shows near-field characteristics (field impedance differs from free space). The near-field nature near an RFID reader was found to extend several times farther when an operator is present nearby compared with the device alone in empty space. The authors highlight significance for human exposure evaluation when people are within 50 cm of a reader, especially if emissions exceed 2 W.

Outcomes measured

• Near-field exposure conditions around UHF-RFID readers
• Electric field strength and magnetic field strength measurements (mentioned as required for evaluation)
• Specific Absorption Rate (SAR) numerical modelling (mentioned as potentially required)
• Comparison of near-field extent with/without operator nearby
• Assessment relative to international exposure guidelines/regulations (not specified)

Limitations

• No specific RFID frequency reported in the abstract
• No quantitative exposure levels (E/H fields or SAR values) reported in the abstract
• No sample size or participant details reported (appears to be measurement/modelling work)
• International guidelines/regulations referenced but not named

Suggested hubs

• occupational-exposure (0.6)
  Discusses exposure relevance for healthcare personnel/operators near RFID readers in healthcare environments.

{
    "study_type": "exposure_assessment",
    "exposure": {
        "band": "RF",
        "source": "UHF-RFID reader",
        "frequency_mhz": null,
        "sar_wkg": null,
        "duration": null
    },
    "population": "Humans in smart healthcare/socialcare environments (patients, healthcare personnel; mentions users of medical implants)",
    "sample_size": null,
    "outcomes": [
        "Near-field exposure conditions around UHF-RFID readers",
        "Electric field strength and magnetic field strength measurements (mentioned as required for evaluation)",
        "Specific Absorption Rate (SAR) numerical modelling (mentioned as potentially required)",
        "Comparison of near-field extent with/without operator nearby",
        "Assessment relative to international exposure guidelines/regulations (not specified)"
    ],
    "main_findings": "Based on anechoic-chamber measurements and numerical modelling, the EM radiation close to an RFID reader shows near-field characteristics (field impedance differs from free space). The near-field nature near an RFID reader was found to extend several times farther when an operator is present nearby compared with the device alone in empty space. The authors highlight significance for human exposure evaluation when people are within 50 cm of a reader, especially if emissions exceed 2 W.",
    "effect_direction": "unclear",
    "limitations": [
        "No specific RFID frequency reported in the abstract",
        "No quantitative exposure levels (E/H fields or SAR values) reported in the abstract",
        "No sample size or participant details reported (appears to be measurement/modelling work)",
        "International guidelines/regulations referenced but not named"
    ],
    "evidence_strength": "insufficient",
    "confidence": 0.7399999999999999911182158029987476766109466552734375,
    "peer_reviewed_likely": "unknown",
    "keywords": [
        "UHF-RFID",
        "near field",
        "exposure assessment",
        "anechoic chamber",
        "numerical modelling",
        "SAR",
        "electric field",
        "magnetic field",
        "smart healthcare",
        "medical implants",
        "operator presence"
    ],
    "suggested_hubs": [
        {
            "slug": "occupational-exposure",
            "weight": 0.59999999999999997779553950749686919152736663818359375,
            "reason": "Discusses exposure relevance for healthcare personnel/operators near RFID readers in healthcare environments."
        }
    ]
}

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