Human Exposure to RF Fields in 5G Downlink

Abstract

Human Exposure to RF Fields in 5G Downlink Nasim I, Kim S. Human Exposure to RF Fields in 5G Downlink. Submitted on 10 Nov 2017 to IEEE International Communications Conference. arXiv:1711.03683v1. Abstract While cellular communications in millimeter wave (mmW) bands have been attracting significant research interest, their potential harmful impacts on human health are not as significantly studied. Prior research on human exposure to radio frequency (RF) fields in a cellular communications system has been focused on uplink only due to the closer physical contact of a transmitter to a human body. However, this paper claims the necessity of thorough investigation on human exposure to downlink RF fields, as cellular systems deployed in mmW bands will entail (i) deployment of more transmitters due to smaller cell size and (ii) higher concentration of RF energy using a highly directional antenna. In this paper, we present human RF exposure levels in downlink of a Fifth Generation Wireless Systems (5G). Our results show that 5G downlink RF fields generate significantly higher power density (PD) and specific absorption rate (SAR) than a current cellular system. This paper also shows that SAR should also be taken into account for determining human RF exposure in the mmW downlink. Open access paper: arxiv.org Note: Although this is not a peer-reviewed paper, this may be the first study to explore potential RF exposures under 5G.

AI evidence extraction

Main findings

The paper reports modeled/estimated human RF exposure levels for 5G downlink and states that 5G downlink RF fields generate significantly higher power density and specific absorption rate than a current cellular system. It also argues SAR should be considered when determining human RF exposure in mmWave downlink.

Outcomes measured

• power density (PD)
• specific absorption rate (SAR)

Limitations

• Not peer-reviewed (arXiv preprint)
• No specific frequency, SAR, or PD values reported in the provided abstract
• Population/sample size and study design details not described in the provided abstract

Suggested hubs

• 5g-policy (0.6)
  Focuses on 5G mmWave downlink exposure levels and implications for exposure assessment.

{
    "study_type": "engineering",
    "exposure": {
        "band": "mmWave",
        "source": "5G downlink (cellular base station)",
        "frequency_mhz": null,
        "sar_wkg": null,
        "duration": null
    },
    "population": null,
    "sample_size": null,
    "outcomes": [
        "power density (PD)",
        "specific absorption rate (SAR)"
    ],
    "main_findings": "The paper reports modeled/estimated human RF exposure levels for 5G downlink and states that 5G downlink RF fields generate significantly higher power density and specific absorption rate than a current cellular system. It also argues SAR should be considered when determining human RF exposure in mmWave downlink.",
    "effect_direction": "harm",
    "limitations": [
        "Not peer-reviewed (arXiv preprint)",
        "No specific frequency, SAR, or PD values reported in the provided abstract",
        "Population/sample size and study design details not described in the provided abstract"
    ],
    "evidence_strength": "very_low",
    "confidence": 0.7399999999999999911182158029987476766109466552734375,
    "peer_reviewed_likely": "no",
    "keywords": [
        "5G",
        "downlink",
        "millimeter wave",
        "mmWave",
        "RF exposure",
        "power density",
        "specific absorption rate",
        "SAR",
        "directional antenna",
        "small cells"
    ],
    "suggested_hubs": [
        {
            "slug": "5g-policy",
            "weight": 0.59999999999999997779553950749686919152736663818359375,
            "reason": "Focuses on 5G mmWave downlink exposure levels and implications for exposure assessment."
        }
    ]
}

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