Safety+and+Legal

Tags: [|Antenna range safety], [|Mini-Circuits SSG-4000HP signal generator], [|Transmit antenna]

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=SAFETY AND LEGAL=

This page outlines all of the safety regulations and legal information relevant to the antenna range. It is recommended that new users and anyone expecting to be present during tests at the antenna range view this page and inform themselves about the safety and legal information provided. After viewing this page, you will know about safe operating procedures and general legal information regarding the antenna range.

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 * ==== Contents ====
 * Antenna Range Safety
 * Regulations ||

Antenna Range Safety

 * To safely conduct tests in the antenna range:
 * Before transmitting a signal, it is important that nobody is inside the anechoic chamber, or otherwise standing in front of the transmit antenna.
 * The antenna is high gain, so the energy is very focused and therefore not safe to be standing directly in the path of radiation. It is recommended to stand behind the transmit antenna if one wishes to view a test in action, because that area has likely over 50 dB of reflection loss, deeming it very safe and out of the way of the path of radiation.
 * Since the primary safety concerns regard exposure to the power being transmitted in the anechoic chamber, it is notable that according to the RF Safety FAQ on the main website for the Federal Communications Commission (FCC), “applicable limits depend upon the type of sources (e.g, whether a cellphone or a broadcast transmitting antenna” 5]. The antenna range is designed to broadcast at 2.4 GHz, the same frequency as wireless internet. This is known to be a safe operating frequency for human exposure.
 * The RF Safety FAQ does mention the absolute limits regarding transmitted frequencies, stating that “the most restrictive limits on whole-body exposure are in the frequency range of 30-300 MHz where the human body absorbs RF energy most efficiently when the whole body is exposed” 5]. The signal generator only has the capability to output a minimum of 250 MHz, so if a test requires an output frequency of less than 250 MHz, then safety measures should be observed. Otherwise, operating in the antenna range is very safe for human body exposure.

Regulations

 * The FCC has regulations regarding power signals at any given frequency. According to the document, “Understanding the FCC Regulations for Low Power, Non-licensed Transmitters”, some of the regulations are directly applicable to the antenna range.
 * Home-built transmitters may be run without a license
 * The transmit antenna is not allowed to interfere with any licensed transmitters, otherwise “If a home-built Part 15 transmitter does cause interference to licensed radio communications, the Commission will require its operator to cease operation until the interference problem is corrected” 4].
 * Home-built transmitters do not need to be registered as long as they are not being marketed no more than 5 have been set up for an individual. Also, at a frequency range of 2.4-2.5 GHz, the maximum transmit power permitted is 30 dBm. The range is currently set to operate at 13 dBm, which is far below what is specified in that regulation.