Antenna Design for Mobile Devices, 2nd Edition

6Regulations Related to Antenna Engineers

There are three regulations which are of relevance to antenna engineers. The specific absorption rate (SAR) regulates the maximum power density inside human bodies when a phone is used. The hearing aid compatibility (HAC) regulates the maximum value of the electric (E) and magnetic (H) fields, which can interfere with the proper functionality of a hearing aid, around a phone’s speaker. Both E and H fields regulated by the HAC are near field. The electromagnetic interference (EMI) or EM compatibility (EMC) regulates the maximum E field that can radiate into the surrounding environment. The E field regulated by the EMI is a far field which can interfere with the surrounding equipment. Most test procedures can be found on the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) website [1].

6.1 Specific Absorption Rate

There is a good reference book on the history of safety issues related to communication devices: Handbook of Antennas in Wireless Communications, edited by Lal Chand Godara [2]. Chapter 26, “Safety Aspects of Radio Frequency Effects in Humans from Communication Devices,” authored by Alan W. Preece, provides a comprehensive overview on the issue. More information can also be found in the “Telecommunication Health and Safety” column in the IEEE Antenna and Propagation Magazine.

As a brief summary, there is no consistent and solid evidence to support claims of nonthermal effects, such as brain tumors, DNA damage, and so on, when a biology object ...