Assessing exposure from different vehicular antennas in military applications: a computational study

Abstract

Category: Public Health / Electromagnetic Exposure Assessment Tags: military, electromagnetic fields, vehicular antennas, computational modeling, RF exposure, safety, occupational health DOI: 10.3389/fpubh.2025.1620240 URL: frontiersin.org Overview Military personnel frequently operate in close proximity to electromagnetic (EM) sources such as vehicular communication antennas. Despite this occurrence, detailed evaluations of exposure scenarios remain limited. This study bridges this gap by examining EM exposure from military vehicular antennas, covering a broad spectrum of frequencies (high frequency-HF, very high frequency-VHF, ultrahigh frequency-UHF), power levels, and positions. Methods - Computational modeling was used to simulate realistic military scenarios, including personnel partially outside armored vehicles and using personal protective equipment. - Simulations spanned a broad spectrum of frequencies (HF, VHF, UHF), different power levels, antenna types, and locations. Findings The analysis revealed substantial variability in EM exposure levels depending on the configuration and conditions: - All simulated scenarios complied with the ICNIRP Basic Restrictions (BR). - Certain cases exceeded the Reference Levels (RL), particularly under specific positioning and frequency combinations. Conclusion These findings, based on a detailed case-specific analysis, suggest that personnel safety in military contexts is generally maintained, even in the presence of variable exposure conditions and elevated levels of radiated E-field. Considering the basic structure of the radiating source (i.e., monopole) and the nature of near-field interactions, the paper suggests that safe exposure conditions could be expected across a range of antenna-operator positioning configurations. Building on previous research, it provides relevant insights for operational instructions and improving safety regulations in the military field.

AI evidence extraction

Main findings

Computational simulations of military vehicular antenna scenarios found that all modeled cases complied with ICNIRP Basic Restrictions, while some configurations exceeded ICNIRP Reference Levels depending on positioning and frequency. The study concludes that personnel safety is generally maintained across the simulated conditions despite variability in exposure.

Outcomes measured

• Simulated electromagnetic exposure levels across HF/VHF/UHF scenarios
• Compliance with ICNIRP Basic Restrictions (BR)
• Exceedance of ICNIRP Reference Levels (RL) in some configurations

Limitations

• Computational modeling study; no direct measurements reported in the abstract
• Specific frequencies (numeric values), power levels, and quantitative exposure metrics are not provided in the abstract
• Results are scenario- and configuration-dependent

Suggested hubs

• occupational-exposure (0.9)
  Focuses on exposure scenarios for military personnel operating near vehicular antennas.
• who-icnirp (0.75)
  Findings are framed around compliance with ICNIRP Basic Restrictions and Reference Levels.

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    "study_type": "exposure_assessment",
    "exposure": {
        "band": "RF",
        "source": "vehicular communication antennas (military)",
        "frequency_mhz": null,
        "sar_wkg": null,
        "duration": null
    },
    "population": "Military personnel operating near vehicular communication antennas (simulated scenarios)",
    "sample_size": null,
    "outcomes": [
        "Simulated electromagnetic exposure levels across HF/VHF/UHF scenarios",
        "Compliance with ICNIRP Basic Restrictions (BR)",
        "Exceedance of ICNIRP Reference Levels (RL) in some configurations"
    ],
    "main_findings": "Computational simulations of military vehicular antenna scenarios found that all modeled cases complied with ICNIRP Basic Restrictions, while some configurations exceeded ICNIRP Reference Levels depending on positioning and frequency. The study concludes that personnel safety is generally maintained across the simulated conditions despite variability in exposure.",
    "effect_direction": "mixed",
    "limitations": [
        "Computational modeling study; no direct measurements reported in the abstract",
        "Specific frequencies (numeric values), power levels, and quantitative exposure metrics are not provided in the abstract",
        "Results are scenario- and configuration-dependent"
    ],
    "evidence_strength": "low",
    "confidence": 0.7399999999999999911182158029987476766109466552734375,
    "peer_reviewed_likely": "yes",
    "keywords": [
        "military",
        "electromagnetic fields",
        "vehicular antennas",
        "computational modeling",
        "RF exposure",
        "safety",
        "occupational health",
        "ICNIRP",
        "basic restrictions",
        "reference levels",
        "HF",
        "VHF",
        "UHF"
    ],
    "suggested_hubs": [
        {
            "slug": "occupational-exposure",
            "weight": 0.90000000000000002220446049250313080847263336181640625,
            "reason": "Focuses on exposure scenarios for military personnel operating near vehicular antennas."
        },
        {
            "slug": "who-icnirp",
            "weight": 0.75,
            "reason": "Findings are framed around compliance with ICNIRP Basic Restrictions and Reference Levels."
        }
    ]
}

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