Impact of Electromagnetic Radiation of 4G/5G Base Stations on Medical Short-Range Devices in Urban Area

Abstract

Impact of Electromagnetic Radiation of 4G/5G Base Stations on Medical Short-Range Devices in Urban Area A. Svistunou, V. Mordachev, E. Sinkevich, M. Ye, A. Dubovik and I. Shakinka. Impact of Electromagnetic Radiation of 4G/5G Base Stations on Medical Short-Range Devices in Urban Area. 2022 International Symposium on Electromagnetic Compatibility – EMC Europe, 2022, pp. 537-542, doi: 10.1109/EMCEurope51680.2022.9901031. Abstract The impact of electromagnetic radiation created by micro base stations of 4G/5G cellular networks on receivers of medical short-range devices of different systems (capsule endoscopy system, body area network system, and active implant system) located inside buildings is analyzed for urban area. The analysis is made by the use of computer simulation involving the multipath radiowave propagation model which takes into account outdoor- to-indoor propagation. To perform the simulation, a 3D model of a fragment of urban area containing buildings of a height from 6 m to 60 m is developed. The integrated interference margin is used as a criterion of electromagnetic compatibility. Results of the analysis show that 4G/5G base stations can create the interference to all considered types of medical short-range devices in cases when emitters are located outside buildings and receptors are located inside buildings. In order to achieve electromagnetic compatibility between these base stations and considered medical systems, recommendations on reducing of levels of electromagnetic interference are given. Results of this research can be used to ensure safe operation of 4G/5G base stations with respect to vital medical devices. ieeexplore.ieee.org Conclusions As follows from the obtained results, LTE BS and 5G BS located outside buildings can potentially create interference to all considered types of MD SRDs located inside buildings. Compliance with the requirements of standards [2]-[8] does not guarantee the absence of interference to MD SRDs. Therefore, we advise the following measures to reduce the risk of interference to MD SRD operation: 1) to set more stringent requirements on susceptibility characteristics of the MD SRD receivers in frequency bands of BS operation, as well as on spurious emission of BS transmitters in frequency bands of MD SRD operation; 2) to use additional filters in order to decrease the level of spurious emissions of BS transmitters in MD SRD frequency bands; 3) to locate BS antennas in a way that ensures the absence of the line-of-sight irradiation of hospital buildings; 4) to locate MD SRD in rooms situated on the ground floor; 5) to locate MD SRD far from windows of the room. In this work, the worst case models of emission spectra and susceptibility characteristics in the frequency domain are employed (the upper envelope of a spectrum and the lower envelope of a susceptibility characteristic). Therefore, the calculated values of the EMC criterion are pessimistic, i.e., these values concern the worst situation. The authors intend to verify the obtained results by experiments in order to define more precisely the restrictions needed to ensure the safe use of 4G/5G BS equipment. The results of this work can be used in the field of standardization for improving standards intended to ensure the EMC between considered equipment, as well as in the field of design/upgrade/deployment of mobile communication systems for the diagnostics of intersystem EMC between 4G/5G BS and medical devices.

AI evidence extraction

Main findings

Computer simulations using a multipath outdoor-to-indoor propagation model in a 3D urban area scenario indicated that LTE/5G base stations located outside buildings can potentially create interference to receivers of the considered medical short-range devices located inside buildings. The authors state that compliance with existing standards does not guarantee absence of interference in the modeled worst-case conditions and provide mitigation recommendations (e.g., filtering, antenna placement to avoid line-of-sight to hospital buildings, device placement away from windows/ground floor).

Outcomes measured

• Electromagnetic compatibility (EMC) / interference risk to medical short-range device receivers (capsule endoscopy system, body area network system, active implant system) located indoors
• Integrated interference margin (as EMC criterion)

Limitations

• Simulation study (no experimental verification reported)
• Worst-case emission spectra and susceptibility characteristics were used; authors describe results as pessimistic
• Specific operating frequencies, power levels, and quantitative interference margins are not provided in the abstract/excerpt

Suggested hubs

• 5g-policy (0.55)
  Addresses potential interference from 4G/5G base stations and provides recommendations relevant to deployment/standardization.

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    "study_type": "engineering",
    "exposure": {
        "band": "RF",
        "source": "4G/5G micro base stations",
        "frequency_mhz": null,
        "sar_wkg": null,
        "duration": null
    },
    "population": null,
    "sample_size": null,
    "outcomes": [
        "Electromagnetic compatibility (EMC) / interference risk to medical short-range device receivers (capsule endoscopy system, body area network system, active implant system) located indoors",
        "Integrated interference margin (as EMC criterion)"
    ],
    "main_findings": "Computer simulations using a multipath outdoor-to-indoor propagation model in a 3D urban area scenario indicated that LTE/5G base stations located outside buildings can potentially create interference to receivers of the considered medical short-range devices located inside buildings. The authors state that compliance with existing standards does not guarantee absence of interference in the modeled worst-case conditions and provide mitigation recommendations (e.g., filtering, antenna placement to avoid line-of-sight to hospital buildings, device placement away from windows/ground floor).",
    "effect_direction": "harm",
    "limitations": [
        "Simulation study (no experimental verification reported)",
        "Worst-case emission spectra and susceptibility characteristics were used; authors describe results as pessimistic",
        "Specific operating frequencies, power levels, and quantitative interference margins are not provided in the abstract/excerpt"
    ],
    "evidence_strength": "low",
    "confidence": 0.7399999999999999911182158029987476766109466552734375,
    "peer_reviewed_likely": "unknown",
    "keywords": [
        "4G",
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        "LTE",
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        "electromagnetic compatibility",
        "EMC",
        "interference",
        "outdoor-to-indoor propagation",
        "multipath",
        "urban area",
        "medical short-range devices",
        "capsule endoscopy",
        "body area network",
        "active implant"
    ],
    "suggested_hubs": [
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