GL-01 — Guidelines for the Measurement of Radio Frequency Fields at Frequencies from 3 KHz to 300 GHz

Issue 2
October 2005

Spectrum Management and Telecommunications

Guideline

Acknowledgement

A joint government/industry committee under the auspices of Industry Canada prepared the present document. A subcommittee under the Broadcasting Technical Advisory Committee (B-TAC) had previously produced part of the work.

Members of the Committee were:

Members of the B-TAC Sub-Committee

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Table of Contents

1. Introduction
   • 1.1 Background
   • 1.2 Scope
     • 1.2.1 Purpose
     • 1.2.2 Measurements
     • 1.2.3 Sources of Emission
2. Measurement Parameters
   • 2.1 Frequency Range
     • 2.1.1 3 kHz to 300 MHz
     • 2.1.2 300 MHz to 300 GHz
   • 2.2 Source Parameters
     • 2.2.1 Modulation
     • 2.2.2 Near Field and Far Field Regions
     • 2.2.3 Power Levels and Power Density
     • 2.2.4 Radiation Pattern
     • 2.2.5 Polarization
     • 2.2.6 Single or Complex
   • 2.3 Radiation Leakage
   • 2.4 Secondary Radiation
   • 2.5 Induced and Contact Currents
   • 2.6 Specific Absorption Rate (SAR)
   • 2.7 Measurement Errors
3. Instrumentation
   • 3.1 Types of Measuring Instruments
     • 3.1.1 Electric and Magnetic Field Strength Meters
     • 3.1.2 Spectrum Analyzers
     • 3.1.3 Power Density Meters
     • 3.1.4 Shaped Frequency Response
     • 3.1.5 Combined Electric and Magnetic Field Probes
     • 3.1.6 Induced Current Meters
     • 3.1.7 Contact Current Meters
   • 3.2 Desirable Performance Characteristics
     • 3.2.1 Physical Characteristics
     • 3.2.2 Electrical Performance Characteristics
   • 3.3 Calibration
     • 3.3.1 Methods
     • 3.3.2 Evaluation of Survey Instruments
     • 3.3.3 Practical Measurement Accuracy
4. Measurement
   • 4.1 Preliminary Considerations
   • 4.2 Procedures
     • 4.2.1 General Considerations
     • 4.2.2 Far Field Measurements: Single Source
     • 4.2.3 Far Field Measurements: Complex Source
     • 4.2.4 Near Field Measurements
     • 4.2.5 Specific Absorption Rate (SAR) Measurement
     • 4.2.6 Induced Current and Contact Current Measurement

References

Appendix 1

• Section A - Procedures for Measuring the Levels of RF Energy at and in the Vicinity of FM/Digital Radio, VHF/UHF/Digital TV and MDS Transmitting Sites
• Section B - Procedures for Measuring the Levels of RF Energy at and in the Vicinity of AM Radio Transmitting Sites

Appendix 2 - Measurement Procedure for Microwave Installations

Appendix 3

• Section A - Procedures for Measuring the Levels of RF Energy Associated With Land Mobile, Cellular and PCS Services
• Section B - Procedures for Measuring the Levels of RF Energy Associated with the
  Portable and Mobile Units of Land Mobile, Cellular and PCS Services

Appendix 4 - Measurement Procedures for Radar Installations

Appendix 5 - Guidelines for Measurement Uncertainties

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