Attachment Radiation Hazard Ana

This document pretains to SES-LIC-20050412-00428 for License on a Satellite Earth Station filing.

IBFS_SESLIC2005041200428_427040

Radiation Hazard Analysis


This analysis predicts the radiation levels around a proposed earth station complex, comprised of
one or more aperture (reflector) type antennas. This report is developed in accordance with the
prediction methods contained in OET Bulletin No. 65, Evaluating Compliance with FCC
Guidelines for Human Exposure to Radio Frequency Electromagnetic Fields, Edition 97-01, pp
26-30. The maximum level of non-ionizing radiation to which employees may be exposed is
limited to a power density level of 5 milliwatts per square centimeter (5 mW/cm2) averaged over
any 6 minute period in a controlled environment and the maximum level of non-ionizing radiation
to which the general public is exposed is limited to a power density level of 1 milliwatt per square
centimeter (1 mW/cm2) averaged over any 30 minute period in a uncontrolled evironment. Note
that the worse-case radiation hazards exist along the beam axis. Under normal circumstances, it
is highly unlikely that the antenna axis will be aligned with any occupied area since that would
represent a blockage to the desired signals, thus rendering the link unuseable.

Earth Station Technical Parameter Table
Antenna Actual Diameter 1.8 meters
Antenna Surface Area 2.5 sq. meters
Antenna Isotropic Gain 46.8 dBi
Number of Identical Adjacent Antennas* 1
Nominal Antenna Efficiency (e) 66%
Nominal Frequency 14250 MHz
Nominal Wavelength (?) 0.0211 meters
Maximum Transmit Power / Carrier 300 Watts
Number of Carriers 1
Total Transmit Power 300 Watts
W/G Loss from Transmitter to Feed 3 dB
Total Feed Input Power 150 Watts
Near Field Limit Rnf = D²/4? = 38 meters
Far Field Limit Rff = 0.6 D²/? = 92 meters
Transition Region Rnf to Rff

* The Radiation Levels will be increased directly by the number of antennas indicated, on the
assumption that all antennas may illuminate the same area.

In the following sections, the power density in the above regions, as well as other critically
important areas will be calculated and evaluated. The calculations are done in the order
discussed in OET Bulletin 65. In addition to the input parameters above, input cells are provided
below for the user to evaluate the power density at specific distances or angles.

1.0 At the Antenna Surface

The power density at the reflector surface can be calculated from the expression:

PDrefl = 4P/A = 23.63 mW/cm² (1)
Where: P = total power at feed, milliwatts
 A = Total area of reflector, sq. cm

In the normal range of transmit powers for satellite antennas, the power densities at or around the
reflector surface is expected to exceed safe levels. This area will not be accessible to the general
public. Operators and technicians should receive training specifying this area as a high exposure
area. Procedures must be established that will assure that all transmitters are rerouted or turned
off before access by maintenance personnel to this area is possible.


2.0 On-Axis Near Field Region

The geometrical limits of the radiated power in the near field approximate a cylindrical volume
with a diameter equal to that of the antenna. In the near field, the power density is neither uniform
nor does its value vary uniformly with distance from the antenna. For the purpose of considering
radiation hazard it is assumed that the on-axis flux density is at its maximum value throughout the
length of this region. The length of this region, i.e., the distance from the antenna to the end of the
near field, is computed as Rnf above.

The maximum power density in the near field is given by:

 PDnf = (16e P)/(p D²) = 15.68 mW/cm² (2)
  from 0 to 38 meters
Evaluation
 Uncontrolled Environment: Mitigation Required, See Note 1
 Controlled Environment: Mitigation Required, See Note 1

3.0 On-Axis Transition Region

The transition region is located between the near and far field regions. As stated in Bulletin 65,
the power density begins to vary inversely with distance in the transition region. The maximum
power density in the transition region will not exceed that calculated for the near field region, and
the transition region begins at that value. The maximum value for a given distance within the
transition region may be computed for the point of interest according to:

 PDt = (PDnf)(Rnf)/R = dependent on R (3)
 where: PDnf = near field power density
  Rnf = near field distance
  R = distance to point of interest
 For: 38 < R < 92 meters

We use Eq (3) to determine the safe on-axis distances required for the two occupancy conditions:

Evaluation

 Uncontrolled Environment Safe Operating Distance,(meters), Rsafeu: In F-F region, See
Section 4
 Controlled Environment Safe Operating Distance,(meters), Rsafec: In F-F region, See Section 4

4.0 On-Axis Far-Field Region

The on- axis power density in the far field region (PDff) varies inversely with the square of the
distance as follows:

 PDff = PG/(4pR²) = dependent on R (4)
 where: P = total power at feed
  G = Numeric Antenna gain in the direction of interest relative to isotropic radiator
  R = distance to the point of interest
 For: R > Rff = 92 meters
  PDff = 6.72 mW/cm² at Rff

We use Eq (4) to determine the safe on-axis distances required for the two occupancy conditions:

Evaluation


 Uncontrolled Environment Safe Operating Distance,(meters), Rsafeu : 239
 Controlled Environment Safe Operating Distance,(meters), Rsafec : 107

5.0 Off-Axis Levels at the FarField Limit and Beyond

Ipn the far field region, the power is distributed in a pattern of maxima and minima (sidelobes) as
a function of the off-axis angle between the antenna center line and the point of interest. Off-axis
power density in the far field can be estimated using the antenna radiation patterns prescribed for
the antenna in use. Usually this will correspond to the antenna gain pattern envelope defined by
the FCC or the ITU, which takes the form of:

 Goff = 32 - 25log(T)
 for T from 1 to 48 degrees; -10 dBi from 48 to 180 degrees
 (Applicable for commonly used satellite transmit antennas)

Considering that satellite antenna beams are aimed skyward, power density in the far field will
usually not be a problem except at low look angles. In these cases, the off axis gain reduction
may be used to further reduce the power density levels.

For example: At one (1) degree off axis At the far-field limit, we can calculate the power density
as:

Goff = 32 - 25log(1) = 32 - 0 dBi = 1585 numeric

 PD1 deg off-axis = PDffx 1585/G = 0.2224 mW/cm² (5)

6.0 Off-Axis power density in the Near Field and Transitional Regions

According to Bulletin 65, off-axis calculations in the near field may be performed as follows:
assuming that the point of interest is at least one antenna diameter removed from the center of
the main beam, the power density at that point is at least a factor of 100 (20 dB) less than the
value calculated for the equivalent on-axis power density in the main beam. Therefore, for regions
at least D meters away from the center line of the dish, whether behind, below, or in front under of
the antenna's main beam, the power density exposure is at least 20 dB below the main beam
level as follows:

 PDnf(off-axis) = PDnf /100 = 0.157 mW/cm² at D off axis (6)

See page 5 for the calculation of the distance vs elevation angle required to achieve this rule for a
given object height.

7.0 Region Between the Feed Horn and Sub-reflector

Transmissions from the feed horn are directed toward the subreflector surface, and are confined
within a conical shape defined by the feed horn. The energy between the feed horn and
subreflector is conceded to be in excess of any limits for maximum permissible exposure. This
area will not be accessible to the general public. Operators and technicians should receive
training specifying this area as a high exposure area. Procedures must be established that will
assure that all transmitters are rerouted or turned off before access by maintenance personnel to
this area is possible.

Note 1:
Mitigation of the radiation level may take several forms. First, check the distance from the
antenna to the nearest potentially occupied area that the antenna could be pointed toward, and
compare to the distances appearing in Sections 2, 3 & 4. If those distances lie within the
potentially hazardous regions, then the most common solution would be to take steps to insure


that the antenna(s) are not capable of being pointed at those areas while RF is being transmitted.
This may be accomplished by setting the tracking system to not allow the antenna be pointed
below certain elevation angles. Other techniques, such as shielding may also be used effectively.

Evaluation of Safe Occupancy Area in Front of Antenna

The distance (S) from a vertical axis passing through the dish center to a safe off axis location in
front of the antenna can be determined based on the dish diameter rule (Item 6.0). Assuming a
flat terrain in front of the antenna, the relationship is:

 S = (D/ sin a) + (2h - D - 2)/(2 tan a) (7)
 Where: a = minimum elevation angle of antenna
  D = dish diameter in meters
  h = maximum height of object to be cleared, meters

For distances equal or greater than determined by equation (7), the radiation hazard will be below
safe levels for all but the most powerful stations (> 4 kilowatts RF at the feed).

 For D = 1.8 meters
  h = 2 meters
 Then:
  aS
  10 10.9 meters
  15 7.3 meters
  20 5.5 meters
  25 4.5 meters
  30 3.8 meters
  5 21.8 meters
  90 1.8 meters

Suitable fencing or other barrier should be provided to prevent casual occupancy of the area in
front of the antenna within the limits prescribed above at the lowest elevation angle required.



Document Created: 2019-04-20 16:08:24
Document Modified: 2019-04-20 16:08:24

© 2025 FCC.report
This site is not affiliated with or endorsed by the FCC