RF Compliance Studies and Field Surveys
Key Benefits
- Direct measurement verification of RF fields can be more expedient
- Theoretical analysis can often be less expensive than measurement studies
- Studies can be used to demonstrate compliance for FCC and OSHA purposes
Capabilities
Richard Tell has over 54 years of real-world experience related to assessing electromagnetic field hazards. This accumulated background has touched virtually every conceivable aspect of electromagnetic fields as they may be related to issues of safety. This knowledge has been acquired through his extensive hands-on work in the field conducting measurement studies or at the computer analyzing the fields associated with various RF sources. Because of this, when Richard Tell Associates, Inc. is commissioned to perform any kind of RF study, clients can count on a comprehensive, thorough, detailed and accurate report with a researchy flavor that helps identify important insights.
RF Compliance Studies and Field Surveys include both direct measurement and theoretical analysis capabilities.
RF Field Measurement Studies
Field measurements may be performed with broadband, isotropic, true rms field probes, using spatial averaging and time averaging methods, and narrow-band field strength receivers or spectrum analyzers with associated calibrated antennas. Investigation of induced body currents and contact currents are performed with state-of-the-art instruments for assessing compliance with portions of the IEEE C95.1-2019 standard.
Past projects have included studies of, for example:
- wireless communications facilities for cellular telephone including 5G small cells,
- PCS, paging, SMR, MDS and conventional two-way radio services,
- high power domestic and international broadcast stations,
- air traffic control, weather and police radars,
- electric power substations and power lines,
- earth stations for satellite communications,
- electric automobiles, trucks and buses,
- RF heat sealers and induction heaters,
- microwave communications systems,
- switching power supply technology,
- high current vacuum furnaces
- electric power smart meters
- electric fish barriers,
- computer monitors,
- solar PV farms
and the list goes on. Some studies are very specific such as the direct measurement of transmitter up-time activity using computer controlled scanning receivers to evaluate the uncertainty involved in point-in-time survey measurements at wireless antenna sites.
Large field studies are accomplished through professional relationships between Richard Tell Associates, Inc. and a select group of qualified subcontractors.
Theoretical RF Compliance Studies
Theoretical studies of RF fields normally involve the application of computer based antenna analysis methods in which antennas are modeled with method-of-moment (MOM) techniques or other analytical methods as appropriate. In each case, attention is generally focused on the near-field region wherein RF fields are usually most intense and have the greatest potential for exceeding RF exposure limits. An emphasis on near-field calculation methods is often mandatory to avoid overly conservative estimates of field levels produced by commonly used far-field concepts that may result in unnecessary expenditures for mitigating fields.