Extrapolation techniques evaluating 24 hours of average EMF emitted by radio base station installations: spectrum analyzer measurements of LTE and UMTS signals

Abstract

Extrapolation techniques evaluating 24 hours of average EMF emitted by radio base station installations: spectrum analyzer measurements of LTE and UMTS signals Mossetti S, de Bartolo D, Veronese I, Cantone MC, Cosenza C, Nava E. Extrapolation techniques evaluating 24 hours of average electromagnetic field emitted by radio base station installations: spectrum analyzer measurements of LTE and UMTS signals. Radiat Prot Dosimetry. 2016 Dec 1. Abstract International and national organizations have formulated guidelines establishing limits for occupational and residential electromagnetic field (EMF) exposure at high-frequency fields. Italian legislation fixed 20 V/m as a limit for public protection from exposure to EMFs in the frequency range 0.1 MHz-3 GHz and 6 V/m as a reference level. Recently, the law was changed and the reference level must now be evaluated as the 24-hour average value, instead of the previous highest 6 minutes in a day. The law refers to a technical guide (CEI 211- 7/E published in 2013) for the extrapolation techniques that public authorities have to use when assessing exposure for compliance with limits. In this work, we present measurements carried out with a vectorial spectrum analyzer to identify technical critical aspects in these extrapolation techniques, when applied to UMTS and LTE signals. We focused also on finding a good balance between statistically significant values and logistic managements in control activity, as the signal trend in situ is not known. Measurements were repeated several times over several months and for different mobile companies. The outcome presented in this article allowed us to evaluate the reliability of the extrapolation results obtained and to have a starting point for defining operating procedures. ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

AI evidence extraction

Main findings

Vector spectrum analyzer measurements of UMTS and LTE base station signals were used to identify technical critical aspects of guideline-referenced extrapolation techniques for estimating 24-hour average EMF. The measurements were used to evaluate the reliability of extrapolation results and to inform operating procedures for compliance control activities.

Outcomes measured

• Reliability/critical aspects of extrapolation techniques for estimating 24-hour average EMF from base station UMTS and LTE signals
• Compliance assessment procedures relative to Italian limits/reference levels (V/m)

Limitations

• No quantitative results reported in the provided abstract (e.g., measured field levels, error metrics, or reliability statistics)
• No specific frequencies, sites, or number of measurements reported
• No health outcomes assessed; focus is on measurement/extrapolation methodology

Suggested hubs

• who-icnirp (0.28)
  Discusses guideline-based limits/reference levels for RF exposure and compliance assessment context.

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    "peer_reviewed_likely": "yes",
    "keywords": [
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        "Italian legislation",
        "CEI 211-7/E",
        "compliance assessment",
        "Radiation Protection Dosimetry"
    ],
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