Specific Absorption Rate Values of Handsets in Cheek Position at 835 MHz as a Function of Scaled Specific Anthropomorphic Mannequin Models

A specific anthropomorphic mannequin (SAM) model was used to investigate the relation between local specific absorption rate (SAR) and head size. The model was scaled to 80 to 100% sized models at intervals of 5%. We assumed that the shell of the SAM model has the same properties as the head‐equivalent tissue. Five handsets with a monopole antenna operating at 835 MHz were placed in the approximate cheek position against the scaled SAM models. The handsets had different antenna lengths, antenna positions, body sizes, and external materials. SAR distributions in the scaled SAM models were computed using the finite‐difference time‐domain method. We found that a larger head causes a distinct increase in the spatial peak 1‐voxel SAR, while head size did not significantly change the peak 1‐g averaged‐SAR and 10‐g averaged‐SAR values for the same power level delivered to the antenna.     

Body effects on SAR distributions for microwave exposures in a realistic model of the human head.

The finite-difference time-domain (FDTD) simulations of specific absorption rate (SAR) in a human head exposed to microwaves have, to date, been carried out on models of the head only. This was because it was believed that the body effects on the average SAR of the head could be ignored at high frequencies of around 1 GHz. That opinion, however, was based on inappropriate calculation conditions and is therefore unreliable. In this paper, we have re-examined the body effects on the SAR distributions in a realistic homogeneous model of the adult head exposed to microwaves. We found that the SAR on the eye surface of the head-only model exposed to E-polarized waves was 31% smaller than that of the whole-body model at 900 MHz, and 43% larger at 1.5 GHz. For a size that can practically be considered whole-body, it is necessary to have the top of the head to the belly for 900 MHz and to the chest area for 1.5 GHz. The previously unclear body effects of H-polarized waves were assumed to be less than those of E-polarized waves, suggesting that the chest area would be sufficient for both frequencies.     

An automated SAR measurement system for compliance testing ofpersonal wireless devices

An automated specific absorption rate (SAR) measurement system has been developed for compliance testing of personal wireless devices. Unlike other systems, this system uses a model with a lossy ear-shaped protrusion and the accuracy of this experimental setup has been checked by comparing the peak 1-g SARs for ten cellular telephones, five each at 835 and 1900 MHz, with the results obtained using a 15-tissue anatomically based model with the finite-difference time-domain (FDTD) numerical electromagnetic technique. The SAR measurement system uses a three-dimensional (3-D) stepper motor to move a Narda Model 8021 E-field probe to measure the SAR distribution inside a head-shaped tissue-simulant phantom near the radiating device. The head and neck part of the model with an ear-shaped protrusion of 3 mm thickness is made of a lossy outer shell of 5-7 mm thickness of epoxy laced with KCl solution. The phantom is filled with appropriate frequency-specific fluids with measured electrical properties (dielectric constant and conductivity) that are close to the average for gray and white matters of the brain at the center frequencies of interest (835 and 1900 MHz). The implantable E-field probe is calibrated using the FDTD-calculated SAR variations for a slab model at two commonly used frequencies, 835 and 1900 MHz and is checked to have good isotropic characteristics (±0.23 dB) and a wide dynamic range (0.01-10 W/kg). The system is validated using a 223-mm-diameter sphere model. Peak 1-g SAR's for ten telephones using different antennas are within ±1 dB of those obtained using the FDTD numerical method for the anatomical model of the head and neck region     

Realistically tilted and truncated anatomically based models of thehuman head for dosimetry of mobile telephones

Realistically tilted models of the human head have been developed to improve the accuracy of the numerical simulation of coupling between the human head and cellular telephones for the likely tilted positions of the antennas vis a vis the head. A “best fitting” technique is used to rotate an approximately 2×2×3 mm resolution model of the human head based on MRI scans of a male volunteer so that the handset may be modeled in the vertical position without stairstep approximation. With this technique, it is possible to move the head with six degrees of freedom in space, instead of the usual three, due to the simple translation thereby allowing a more realistic analysis of the EM coupling between cellular telephones and the human head. Furthermore, to avoid the problem of the large amount of computer memory required for the whole head simulations, we introduced new truncated head models, and the possibility of using them was carefully analyzed. Comparisons of the SAR (specific absorption rate) distributions show that it should be possible to use half head models at 835 MHz and even smaller one-third head models at the personal communications services (PCS) frequency of 1900 MHz. It is shown that, by using the truncated one-third model, it is possible to run with just 42 Mbytes of memory a case that originally needed 85 Mbytes. The truncated models should help to render these large SAR analyses possible by most of the commonly available workstations     

Comparisons of computed mobile phone induced SAR in the SAM phantom to that in anatomically correct models of the human head

The specific absorption rates (SAR) determined computationally in the specific anthropomorphic mannequin (SAM) and anatomically correct models of the human head when exposed to a mobile phone model are compared as part of a study organized by IEEE Standards Coordinating Committee 34, Sub-Committee 2, and Working Group 2, and carried out by an international task force comprising 14 government, academic, and industrial research institutions. The detailed study protocol defined the computational head and mobile phone models. The participants used different finite-difference time-domain software and independently positioned the mobile phone and head models in accordance with the protocol. The results show that when the pinna SAR is calculated separately from the head SAR, SAM produced a higher SAR in the head than the anatomically correct head models. Also the larger (adult) head produced a statistically significant higher peak SAR for both the 1- and 10-g averages than did the smaller (child) head for all conditions of frequency and position.     

Effects of Ear Shape and Head Size on Simulated Head Exposure to a Cellular Phone

The dependence of the specific absorption rate (SAR) on ear shape and head size have been investigated using human-head and cellular-phone models. Cubical and realistic head models were used. Various ear shapes were used with the cubical head model whereas a low-loss thin ear or a lossy realistic ear was used with the realistic head models. The SAR distribution depends significantly on the shape of the ear, regardless of the head model. The effects of the head size have been investigated using a 90th-percentile head model and a Japanese-average head model. The head size has considerably less effect than the ear shape. The measurement results have been validated by numerical calculation, and support the use of the specific anthropomorphic mannequin (SAM) standard head model.     

Heating of tissue by near-field exposure to a dipole: a modelanalysis

We report a numerical study of the induced electric fields and specific absorption rate (SAR) produced by microwave radiation from a half-wavelength dipole near tissue models, and the resulting transient and steady-state temperature rises. Several models were explored, including a uniform semi-infinite plane of tissue, uniform sphere, a phantom model of the head filled with tissue-equivalent material, a numerical model of the head with uniform dielectric properties (obtained from a digitized computed tomography image), and a numerical model of the head with different dielectric properties corresponding to various tissues. The electromagnetic calculations were performed for half-wave dipoles radiating at 900 and 1900 MHz at various distances from the model, using the finite-difference-time-domain (FDTD) method. The resulting temperature rises were estimated by finite element solution of the bioheat equation. The calculated SAR values agree well with an empirical correlation due to Kuster. If the limiting hazard of such exposures is associated with excessive temperature increase, present exposure limits are very conservative and guidelines that are easier to implement might provide adequate protection.     

Study on SARs in Head Models With Different Shapes by Age Using SAM Model for Mobile Phone Exposure at 835 MHz

Four head models with the outer shapes of different ages were established using the specific anthropomorphic mannequin (SAM) model of IEEE Standard 1528. The criteria of head height, face length, head length, and head breadth by age were applied to build the models. We assumed that the shells of all the head models have the same dielectric properties with the head-equivalent tissue in order to simulate a real pressed ear. The cheek and tilt positions of three bar-type phone models were used, and the positioning processes against each head model were described in detail. Antenna input impedances of the phones under the test positions and specific absorption rate (SAR) distributions in the head models were computed using the finite-difference time-domain (FDTD) technique. Spatial peak SARs averaging over 1 and 10 g were compared for fixed input and radiated powers of all the phones. The effect of the dielectric properties in a younger head model on SAR result was analyzed. First, input resistance of the phone antennas in the cheek position gradually increased when head size grew with age, but those for the tilt position showed a slight decrease. Second, for a fixed input power, the head models by age changed peak 1- and 10-g SARs by approximately 15%. The electromagnetic absorption depths in the head models in the same test position were about the same, but the head-averaged SAR was higher in the younger model because of the smaller head volume. Third, for a fixed radiated power, the peak SARs got relatively lower in the smaller head model and higher in the larger head model, compared with those for the fixed input power since the smaller head model needs lower input power. Fourth, it was shown that simultaneous change in the conductivity and permittivity of head tissue within 20%-30% did not have a significant influence on energy absorption.     

Study of specific absorption rate (SAR) induced in two child head models and in adult heads using mobile phones

This paper gives a first comparison of specific absorption rate (SAR) induced in a child-sized (CS) head and an adult head using a dual-band mobile phone. In the second study, the visible human head is considered and comparison of SAR induced in a CS or child-like (CL) head and an adult head using a dual-band mobile phone is given. All the peaks of average SAR over a mass of 10 and 1 g in the head and the power budget are determined in the two comparisons using the finite-difference time-domain method. The differences between the results for adult and CS or CL heads are given at 900 and 1800 MHz. No important differences are noted for the peak SAR averaged over 10 g (SAR10 g), between the two adult head models, as well as between the two child head models. The peak SAR10 g in the brain of the CS or CL head is slightly more significant than that for the adult one.     

Comparison of finite-difference time-domain SAR calculations withmeasurements in a heterogeneous model of man

A finite-difference time-domain technique was used to calculate the specific absorption rate (SAR) at various sites in a heterogeneous block model of man. The block model represented a close approximation to a full-scale heterogeneous phantom model. Both models were comprised of a skeleton, brain, lungs, and muscle. Measurements were conducted in the phantom model using an implantable electric-field probe and a computer-controlled data acquisition system. The calculation and measurement of SAR distributions were compared primarily in the head (including the neck) and chest. To obtain the necessary spatial resolution with the computer model, the head and neck were modeled with approximately 105,000 cells, while 86,000 cells were used to configure the chest. Planewave fields, polarized in the E orientation, were utilized to irradiate the models at an exposure frequency of 350 MHz. Reasonable correlation existed between the calculations and measurements.     

Initial analysis of SAR from a cell phone inside a vehicle by numerical computation

The purpose of this paper is to analyze the influence of the metallic structures of a realistic car body frame on the specific absorption rate (SAR) produced by a cell phone when a complete human body model is placed at different locations inside the vehicle, and to identify the relevant parameters responsible for these changes. The modeling and analysis of the whole system was conducted by means of computer simulations based on the full wave finite-difference time-domain (FDTD) numerical method. The excitation considered was an 835 MHz lambda/2 dipole located as a hands-free communication device or as a hand-held portable system. We compared the SAR at different planes on the human model, placed inside the vehicle with respect to the free space situation. The presence of the car body frame significantly changes the SAR distributions, especially when the dipole is far from the body. Although the results are not conclusive on this point, this change in SAR distribution is not likely to produce an increase above the limits in current guidelines for partial body exposure, but may be significant for whole-body exposure. The most relevant change found was the change in the impedance of the dipole, affecting the radiated power. A complementary result from the electromagnetic computations performed is the change in the electromagnetic field distribution inside a vehicle when human bodies are present. The whole vehicle model has been optimized to provide accurate results for sources placed inside the vehicle, while keeping low requirements for computer storage and simulation time.     

FDTD computation of temperature rise in the human head for portabletelephones

Temperature rises in the human head for portable telephones were computed with an anatomically based head model at 900 MHz and 1.5 GHz. The specific absorption rate (SAR) in the human head was determined using the finite-difference time-domain (FDTD) method, while a bioheat equation was numerically solved also using the FDTD method. The portable telephone was modeled by a quarter-wavelength monopole antenna on a dielectric covered metal box. The source geometries considered were the telephone barely touching the ear and the telephone pressing the ear, both having a vertical alignment at the side of the head. The antenna output power was set to be consistent with the portable telephones of today: 0.6 W at 900 MHz and 0.27 W at 1.5 GHz. Computed results show that a phone time of 6-7 min yields a temperature rise of approximately 90% of the steady-state value. Application of the ANSZ/IEEE safety guidelines restricting the 1-g-averaged spatial peak SAR to 1.6 W/kg results in the maximum temperature rise in the brain of 0.06°C, and application of the ICNIRP/Japan safety guidelines restricting the 10-g-averaged spatial peak SAR to 2 W/kg results in the maximum temperature rise in the brain of 0.11°C, both at 900 MHz and 1.5 GHz     

人体受到电磁辐射的仿真研究

基于可变网络的时域有限差分法,仿真了暴露于900MHz移动通信基站天线远区场中的人体和移动电话天线近区场中的人体头部电磁模型中产生的比吸收率分布,分析了基站天线和手机天线辐射对人体的影响。以理想点源天线作为基站天线,在人体正前方入射频率为900MHz的正弦平面波,仿真结果显示,人体在基站天线照射下的平均SAR值符合国际卫生部标准;以900MHz单频PIAF天线作为手机天线置于高仿真人体头部1cm处,仿真结果与环保标准比较,人体头部受到的照射剂量远低于安全标准。     

Reduction of the Peak SAR in the Human Head With Metamaterials

The electromagnetic interaction between the antenna and the human head is reduced with metamaterials. Preliminary study of SAR reduction with metamaterials is performed by the finite-difference time-domain method with lossy Drude model. It is found that the specific absorption rate (SAR) in the head can be reduced by placing the metamaterials between the antenna and the head. The antenna performances and radiation pattern with metamaterials are analyzed. A comparative study with other SAR reduction techniques is also provided. The metamaterials can be obtained by arranging split ring resonators (SRRs) periodically. In this research, we design the SRRs operated at 900 and 1800 MHz bands. The design procedure will be described. Numerical results of the SAR values in a muscle cube with the presence of SRRs are shown to validate the effect of SAR reduction. These results can provide helpful information in designing the mobile communication equipments for safety compliance     

Temperature rise for the human head for cellular telephones and forpeak SARs prescribed in safety guidelines

The bioheat equation is solved for an anatomically based model of the human head with a resolution of 3 × 3 × 3 mm to study the thermal implications of exposure to electromagnetic (EM) fields typical of cellular telephones both at 835 and 1900 MHz. It is shown that similar to the measured data, up to 4.5°C temperature elevation may be caused for locations of the pinna by a cellular telephone warmed by electronic circuitry to temperatures as high as 39°C with temperature increases for the internal tissues such as the brain and eye that are no more than 0.1°C-0.2°C higher than the basal values. Similar to previous studies by other authors, additional temperature increases due to EM fields of cellular telephones are fairly small and typically less than 0.1°C. Another objective was to study the thermal implications of the SAR limits for the occupational exposures of 8 W/kg for any 1 g, or 10 W/kg for any 10 g of tissue suggested in the commonly used safety guidelines. Such specific absorption rates (SARs) would lead to temperature elevations for the electromagnetically exposed parts of the brain up to 0.5°C with 10 W/kg for any 10 g of tissue resulting in somewhat higher temperatures and for larger volumes. Similar temperature increases are also calculated by increasing the arterial blood temperature, except that the temperature increases due to the SAR are for the more limited volume rather than the entire brain     

Use of the finite-difference time-domain method for calculating EMabsorption in man models

The finite-difference time-domain method is used to calculate the specific absorption rate (SAR) within the human body. SAR distributions are calculated using incident frequencies of 100 MHz and 350 MHz for three different cases: (1) a homogeneous man model in free space; (2) an inhomogeneous man model in free space; and (3) an inhomogeneous man model standing on a ground plane. These various cases are used to evaluate the advantage of inhomogeneous models over homogeneous models, and grounded models versus free space models. Comparison is made between the results obtained here and those obtained using the method of moments     

Absorption of microwave energy by muscle models and by birds of differing mass and geometry

Spheres composed of phantom muscle of radius 1.5, 2, 3, 4, 6 and 8 cm, as well as birds (parakeets, quail, pigeons, chickens, turkeys) were exposed to far-field plane waves at power densities of incident radiation between 182 and 560 mW/cm2 and at frequencies of 775, 915 and 2450 MHz. Specific absorption rate (SAR) patterns were determined by thermographic techniques for both spheres and birds. The measured SAR patterns in spheres were comparable to those from theoretical predictions. The SAR patterns in birds, however, varied markedly from those obtained from spheres of comparable mass. The results indicate that the geometrically complex animal is not represented by simple geometric models for making absorption studies. Thermograms of birds exposed in the flying position indicated that the SAR is high in the wings. The behavioral response of the birds to the exposure was variable. Threshold power densities for biological or behavioral reactions were determined for each bird at all three frequencies. The lowest power density associated with reactivity by the chicken was 5.8 mW/cm2 (corresponding to SARs of 3.1 W/kg in the head and 3.9 W/kg in the neck) at 775 MHz.     

On the behaviour of a compact antenna system with non-resonant elements in the presence of the human head

A novel handset antenna technique to solve the increasing demand of mobile bands, the loading effects (mismatching and efficiency losses) and the power absorption introduced by the head is analysed in terms of bandwidth, efficiency and SAR (specific absorption rate). The technique proposed integrates non-resonant elements and its results are compared with those obtained by a planar inverted-F antenna. The main antenna parameters (bandwidth, efficiency in free-space, efficiency regarding the human head presence and SAR) are compared in terms of electromagnetic simulation and measurements. The study concludes that the novel antenna architecture achieves multiband operation from 824–960 MHz and 1710–2170 MHz and become robust to human loading while occupying a reduced volume of just 250 mm³ in a typical handset phone.     

Evaluation of the SAR distribution in the human head for cellularphones used in a partially closed environment

The purpose of this paper is to calculate the specific absorption rate (SAR) distribution in a human head exposed to the electromagnetic field emitted from a handheld cellular phone operating in the 900 MHz range in a partially closed environment. The environment could be, for example, the interior of a car, a condition of exposure which is largely diffused nowadays. The presence of reflecting surfaces near the phone modifies the current distribution on, and the emitting properties of, the phone antenna. Therefore, the distribution of the absorbed power inside the head is different from that absorbed in the free space exposure condition. The finite-difference time-domain (FDTD) method has been used to evaluate the SAR in a realistic anatomically based model of the human head for different antenna-handset configurations and for different antenna-head distances. The environmental effects have been simulated through partially or totally reflecting walls located in various positions with reference to the phone. It is found that the presence of a horizontal reflecting wall over the head decreases the SAR values in the part of the head directly exposed to the phone antenna, while it increases the SAR values in the part not directly exposed. On the contrary, the presence of a vertical wall, located in proximity of the phone and parallel to it, raises the SAR values everywhere into the head     

Convergence of Local and Average Values in Three-Dimensional Moment-Method Solutions (Short Papers)

Block models using 8, 64, 216, 512, 1000, 1728, and 2744 cubical cells were used to evaluate the load and average specific absorption rate (SAR) for a dielectric cube irradiated by an EM plane wave. All seven models were used in examples for 0.5-cm and 2.5-cm saline cubes at 400 MHz and a 30-cm cube of biological tissue at 27.12 MHz. In each example, the solutions using 8 or 64 cells were similar to that for a sphere rather than a cube. Many cells are needed to approximate the sharp variation of the electric field near corners and edges of a dielectric cube. The heterogeneity of the electric field in an object having corners and edges causes a frequency-independent error (FIE) in addition to the more generally observed frequency-dependent error (FDE) associated with the electrical size of the object. FIE causes the average SAR to converge less rapidly than local values of SAR at locations distant from the corners and edges. An extrapolant is described that corrects for FDE but not FIE in order to estimate the volume average SAR.