Cellular Radiation Overview

 

 

Mobile phones allow communication from any location via a network of base stations (cellular antennas). Information is transmitted from the mobile phone to the base station and vice versa via high-frequency electromagnetic fields. 


Radiation intensity is greatest close to its source (the mobile phone's antenna) and decreases sharply with distance from the phone.

The intensity of cellular (non-ionizing) radiation exposure during a call depends on various factors:

 

  • A mobile phone emits less radiation when connection quality is good than when it is poor.
    • Connection quality is, for example, better outdoors than in a building or areas with connectivity interferences (basement, elevator, car, etc)
    • Connectivity improves with proximity to a cellular base station
    • Connectivity can be reduced by phone usage such as antenna orientation (if the phone is held vertically or horizontally), travel speed, etc
  • The proportion of radiation absorbed by the human body when making a call varies according to:
    • The model of mobile phone, conveyed by the Specific Absorption Rate (SAR). Maximum SAR  levels are set by governmental regulating agencies in many countries (e.g. the FCC in the US)
    • The antenna’s proximity from the body

tawkon’s RRI™ (Real-time Radiation Indication) Technology


tawkon is based on the patent-pending RRI™ (Real-time Radiation Indication) technology that collects and analyzes RF-related data extracted from the mobile device. Complex algorithms considering environmental and personal usage factors help determine actual radiation exposure levels. Results are calibrated in an RF lab to ensure radiation levels are accurately monitored and that actions taken actually helped lower the user’s exposure to radiation.

tawkon measures the exposure of the user to the radiation of their own mobile phone. All the information about the transmission power of the mobile phone is available on the device itself, in the cellular protocol stack that manages the cellular modem (baseband). We use this information in the form of different RF parameters extracted from the device itself. We then take into consideration the proximity of the phone to the user (for example if they hold the phone against their ear or on their lap) to help determine the actual exposure level to know when the user is actually exposed physically at any given time.

As part of the production procedure we have, each device goes through a long calibration process in an RF lab prior to its release to make sure that our measurements meet the actual values. The equipment we work with in the RF labs includes – RF chamber, Base station simulators, SAR measurement machines, etc. (same equipment that is being used by the mobile vendors).

 

tRi™ (tawkon Radiation Indication) units denote the absorbed cellular radiation by the user while incorporating three key parameters:

  • Phone SAR – different for each phone model (W/Kg)
  • Dynamic environmental conditions – rural versus urban area, mobility, distance from Cellular Base Station (BTS/Node-B), terrain, etc
  • Personal phone usage – the way the user holds the phone, distance from the user’s head/body, etc.

in4tel_logoThe patent-pending RF component of the tawkon technology was developed and tested by and in collaboration with In4Tel Ltd, a tawkon strategic partner.