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EMPIR project has improved measurements for the rate at which energy is absorbed by the human body when using smartphones

Completed European Metrology Programme for Innovation and Research (EMPIR) project SAR measurement using vector probes (16NRM07, Vector SAR) developed traceable calibration methods, software and modelling tools, as well as uncertainty analysis for the energy from mobile phone electromagnetic fields which is absorbed by their users, called the specific absorption rate (SAR). International regulations require that this does not exceed safe limits.

Previously existing single sensor SAR measurement approaches required excessive testing time and were unable to measure all possible configurations of modern mobile devices. This EMPIR project supported the development of an improved vector-based measurement approach, which uses arrays of sensors to “image” the fields. This is 100 times faster and measures a wider range of parameters than previous methods.

Results from this EMPIR project have confirm the methods described into the new IEC 62209-3 standard Measurement procedure for the assessment of specific absorption rate of human exposure to radio frequency fields from hand-held and body-mounted wireless communication devices - Part 3: Vector measurement-based systems (Frequency range of 600 MHz to 6 GHz), which allows the use of vector based systems for SAR testing, and also supports the development of new 5G standards.

Thanks to a fruitful partnership within the project, LNE, the French National Metrology Institute, has acquired a vector probe measurement system from industrial partner KAPTEOS. This system will be used as a basis for establishing a new calibration and measurement capability towards SAR measurement traceability using traditional and vector‑probe array systems.

Project coordinator Djamel Allal from LNE said

‘Metrologically approved methods developed within the project establishing traceability of dedicated measurement systems will help deploy new 5G devices and MIMO (Multiple-Input Multiple-Output)  and beamforming technologies for which an unprecedented number of test configurations are needed to ensure safety’.

The outcomes from this project will reduce testing time for mobile device manufacturers, decrease the time to market, and build higher public confidence in mobile phone safety.

This EMPIR project is co-funded by the European Union's Horizon 2020 research and innovation programme and the EMPIR Participating States.

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