Overview

This standard contains the German version of the European Standard EN 62209-1:2016 and is identical to the second edition of the International Standard IEC 62209-1 (July 2016 edition). It is used to measure the specific absorption rate (SAR) caused by the electromagnetic fields of cordless devices, in particular mobile phones, in the frequency range from 300 MHz to 6 GHz in people, and thus the safety of people in such fields. The standard applies to wireless devices that are held in close proximity to the human ear during operation. As part of the revision of the standard, newer (transmission) technologies of wireless devices were also taken into account. The purpose of determining the specific absorption rate (SAR) caused by the devices covered by this standard is to check whether corresponding limit values for the exposure of persons to high-frequency electromagnetic fields are being adhered to. Due to the high prevalence of mobile phones, the measurements of the specific absorption rate are of great importance. The limitation of the electromagnetic fields emitted by these devices is also a safety objective of the Low Voltage Directive and the Radio and Telecommunications Terminal Equipment Directive, and in the future of the Radio Equipment Directive. The measurements are done by exposition of a measurement phantom (body simulator) by the electromagnetic fields and determination of the SAR with the use of a probe. The SAR distribution and finally the maximum peak value of the volume-averaged SAR are then calculated from the measured values obtained. The measurement shall be carried out in a test laboratory that meets certain ambient conditions. The standard has been prepared under the principle of providing a conservative assessment procedure for the specific absorption rate (SAR) generated in the head of the user of a mobile phone based on currently available scientific knowledge. This approach also played a role in the specification of the measurement phantom. The physical characteristics of the measurement phantom (size and shape) shall resemble those of the user's head and neck, since the shape is an important exposure parameter. The phantom model shall be made of a material with dielectric properties similar to those of the head tissue. To allow field scanning inside the measurement phantom, the material shall be liquid and contained in a cup model simulating the head and neck. The relevant specifications for the measuring phantom are included in this standard. The hand holding the wireless device does not need to be modeled; instead, a special holder is used for this. In the newly created informative Annex N, an overview is provided of the current state of research on the question of whether the hand holding the mobile phone has an influence on the determined specific absorption rate. The results of the studies conducted so far have not yet been deemed sufficient by the working group responsible for this standard to include specifications regarding the influence of the hand at this point in time. Furthermore, the present standard contains the description of the measurement procedure. For this purpose, the cordless device to be measured shall be prepared and monitored and held in the positions described in the standard (cheek position, tilted position) by an appropriate holder for the measurement. The individual measurement steps are described in the standard. They consist of measuring the center frequency, determining the most unfavorable position when the previous step has been completed, and finally determining the maximum. The measuring equipment to be used, including the measuring phantom and the tissue-equivalent liquid contained in it, shall be calibrated. The relevant specifications are also included in this standard. Furthermore, the standard specifies requirements for SAR evaluation and for the measurement report. The annexes include, among other things, specifications and information on the specification of the measurement phantom, the calibration of the measurement system (linearity, isotropy, sensitivity) and the uncertainty estimation, the post-processing procedures and the uncertainty estimation, as well as normative specifications for the validation of the measurement system. Compared to the existing standard, the frequency range has been extended to 6 GHz. Furthermore, a quick reference guide has been added in the form of the new Annex O to assist the user in applying the procedure described in this standard. This includes a flowchart and a checklist of the steps to be performed. However, it is not a substitute for following the detailed procedure in the standard. Furthermore, a procedure has been introduced to reduce the testing effort. Finally, the additional informative Annexes K, L, M and N have been added. These also contain information that can be used to reduce the test effort in cases where this is possible.

Document: references other documents

Responsible national committee

DKE/K 764 - Sicherheit in elektromagnetischen Feldern