Attachment Ex A - Hazard Study

This document pretains to SES-LIC-20130219-00188 for License on a Satellite Earth Station filing.

IBFS_SESLIC2013021900188_986237

Exhibit A – Radiation Hazard Study


Design Analysis

Author:            Alan Jones
Date:              17 August, 2012
Revision:          -
Subject:           Radiation Hazard Analysis of the MNLA VA-91-KA 9.1M Antenna



1. Introduction
This analysis has been prepared to determine the radiation hazard levels for the VA-91-KA
9.1M antenna. This analysis is not intended to certify that a safety hazard does or does not
exist. It is the responsibility of the organization operating the antenna to evaluate the results
of this analysis, along with other sources of data, and determine if a safety hazard exists.

2. Applicable Safety Standards
The safety standards for electromagnetic field exposure vary between different countries and
organizations, and there is not a single worldwide standard currently in effect. Some of the
standards that ViaSat is familiar with are listed in Table 1.
                            TABLE 1 - ELECTROMAGNETIC FIELD EXPOSURE STANDARDS
                                                                        Power Density Limit
 Standard                                           Issuing        Controlled          Uncontrolled
 Number                 Standard Title           Organization     Environments         Environments
 ANSI/IEEE       IEEE Standard for Safety     Institute of
C95.1-1991       Levels with Respect to       Electrical and       10.0 mW/cm2          10.0 mW/cm2
                 Human Exposure to Radio      Electronics           15-300 GHz           15-300 GHz
                 Frequency Electromagnetic    Engineers
                 Fields, 3 kHz to 300 GHz
   OET           Evaluating Compliance with   Federal
Bulletin 65      FCC Guidelines for Human     Communications        5.0 mW/cm2           1.0 mW/cm2
Edition 97-      Exposure to Radiofrequency   Commission            1.5-100 GHz          1.5-100 GHz
     01          Electromagnetic Fields


The standards listed above set exposure limits in terms of the mean squared electric (E2) and
magnetic (M2) field strengths (V2/m2) and/or in terms of the equivalent plane-wave free-space
power density (mW/cm2), as a function of frequency. The power density values given are
those that apply to the transmit frequency band of the VA-91-KA antenna, 28.1 – 30.0 GHz.




VA-91-KA Radiation Hazard Analysis                                               Last Changed: 8/17/12
                                     Exhibit A, Page 1 of 7


Radiation Hazard Analysis of the VA-91-KA 9.1M Antenna                                        17-Aug-12



3. Antenna Description
The antenna being considered in this analysis utilizes a high efficiency 9.14-meter diameter
axi-symmetric dual-reflector design. Some of the antenna dimensions are shown in Figure 1.
                                                            The antenna is capable of transmitting over
                                                            the 28.1 to 30.0 GHz frequency band. This
                                                            analysis will be performed at the mid-band
                                                            frequency of 29 GHz.
                                 feed
                                 aperture
                                                            The antenna is equipped with three high power
                                 5.40" dia                  amplifiers (HPA); each capable of producing a
                                                            maximum output power of 250 watts. The
                                                            HPAs are arranged in a 3 for 2 configuration
                         13.1°                              with only 2 operational at any time for a total
                                                            transmit power of 500 watts.
 360.0 in                              52.0 in
                                                            The power delivered to the antenna is
                                                            determined by subtracting the transmission
                                                            line losses from the HPA output power. The
                                             subreflector
                                                            losses between the HPA output and the
                                                            antenna feed horn are approximately 1.73 dB.
                                                            This results in 335.7 watts maximum being
                                                            radiated by the antenna feed.
            main
        reflector




            FIGURE 1 - ANTENNA GEOMETRY



4. Analysis
4.1 General
The power flux densities in the spatial areas surrounding the antenna can be estimated from
the geometry of the antenna system and by the use of computer programs capable of
computing the near- and far-field radiation patterns of the antenna. The spatial areas around
the antenna will be divided into specific regions and an appropriate analysis method will be
used for each region. The following regions will be considered:
    •       Region between the subreflector and main reflector
    •       Region directly in front of the reflector aperture (parallel beam region)
    •       Nearfield region
    •       Far-field region

These regions are illustrated in Figure 2. For a large antenna of aperture diameter D, most of
the energy in the far-field region, beginning at a distance R=2D2/λ, occurs within a conical
volume having a half-angle of λ/D radians. Close to the antenna, the energy is mostly
confined to a cylindrical volume of diameter D. This energy is substantially parallel over the
first part of the Nearfield region, diverging into a cone of half-angle λ/D at a transition range


                                    Exhibit A, Page 2 of 7


Radiation Hazard Analysis of the VA-91-KA 9.1M Antenna                                    17-Aug-12


R 0 =D2/2λ. The transition from one region to the next is gradual, and the dimensions shown
indicate the traditional boundaries. Within the region between the subreflector and main
reflector, the energy radiated by the feed is enclosed in a conical shaped volume extending
from the feed aperture to the subreflector, and from the subreflector to the main reflector.




                                                     λ/D (0.06°)

              D


                     "parallel"
                    beam region
                      R0=D2/2λ
                     (13,268 ft)



                     near-field region R=2D2/λ (53,072 ft)             far-field region


                                           FIGURE 2 - FIELD REGIONS

4.2 Main Reflector – Subreflector Region
The energy radiated from the feed horn is confined to a conically shaped region that extends
from the feed aperture to the surface of the subreflector. The energy reflects from the
surface of the subreflector and is directed back towards the main reflector surface. The feed
horn is designed such that the energy level at the edge of the subreflector is less than the
level at the center of the subreflector. As a first approximation, the energy distribution can
be assumed to be uniform over the conical region’s cross-section and the power density can
be expressed as:
                                                             P
                                                     W =
                                                             A
       where A = cross sectional area of the conical region in square centimeters
               P = radiated power in milliwatts.
At the feed aperture we have a power density of:

                                   A f = π (R f ) = π (6.86 cm ) = 147.76 cm 2
                                              2                    2


                               P = 335.7 W = 3.357 × 105 mW
                               W f = 2271.9 mW/cm 2
At the subreflector we have a power density of:




                                    Exhibit A, Page 3 of 7


Radiation Hazard Analysis of the VA-91-KA 9.1M Antenna                            17-Aug-12



                            As = π (Rs ) = π (66.0 cm ) = 13,701.4 cm 2
                                          2              2


                            P = 335.7 W = 3.357 × 10 5 mW
                            Ws = 24.5 mW/cm 2
Assuming that total reflection occurs at the subreflector, the power density over the reflector
aperture is:

                          Am = π (Rm ) = π (457.2 cm ) = 656,692.9 cm 2
                                      2                  2


                          P = 335.7 W = 3.357 × 10 5 mW
                          Wm = 0.511 mW/cm 2
Throughout most of the region between the subreflector and the main reflector, the actual
power density that exists at a particular point is the combination of direct radiation and
reflected radiation. For example, over most of the reflector aperture a person would be
exposed to direct energy from the subreflector scattered field and to energy reflected from
the main reflector. As a result, the electric field in some regions could be twice as strong,
resulting in a power density four times as strong (power is proportional to voltage squared).
As a conservative estimate, the power densities computed above are multiplied by four,
resulting in the following power density values:
C
                       Feed Aperture             W f x 4 = 9088.0 mW/cm2
                       Subreflector Surface      Ws x 4 =    98.0 mW/cm2
                       Main Reflector Surface W m x 4 = 2.04 mW/cm2


4.3 On-Axis Power Density
The radiated power in the region directly in front of the antenna reflector is primarily
confined to a cylindrical volume having the same diameter as the reflector and extending out
to a distance of approximately R 0 =D2/2λ. In this region, the power density varies as both a
function of distance along the antenna axis and of distance away from the antenna axis.
Figure 3 shows the on-axis power density vs. distance for a circular aperture with a 6 dB edge
taper, computed using the expression derived by Mumford [3]. Also shown in Figure 3 are
approximate formulas by Mumford that can be used to estimate the maximum power density.




                              Exhibit A, Page 4 of 7


Radiation Hazard Analysis of the VA-91-KA 9.1M Antenna                                                17-Aug-12




                            10




                             1
 Power Density (mW/cm^2)




                            0.1




                           0.01
                                                                  3                           4              5
                              100                         1×10                             1×10           1×10

                                                                      Distance (feet)
                                     Exact Expression
                                     Approximate Expression
                                  FIGURE 3 - ON-AXIS POWER DENSITY VS. DISTANCE FOR A CIRCULAR APERTURE
                                             WITH A 6 DB PARABOLIC ON PEDESTAL APERTURE TAPER


The simple expression for the maximum on-axis power density in the near-field region is:
                                                                          4P
                                                                  Wnf =      mW/cm 2
                                                                          Am
where P is the transmit power and A m is the reflector aperture area. For the VA-91-KA
antenna, this is:

                                               Am = π (Rm ) = π (457.2 cm ) = 656,692.9 cm 2
                                                              2                    2


                                               P = 335.7 W = 3.357 × 10 5 mW
                                               Wnf = 2.045 mW/cm 2
The simple expression for the maximum on-axis power density in the far-field region is:
                                                                          Am P
                                                              W ff =             mW/cm 2
                                                                          λ2 r 2


                                                   Exhibit A, Page 5 of 7


Radiation Hazard Analysis of the VA-91-KA 9.1M Antenna                                 17-Aug-12


where λ is the wavelength and r is the distance from the aperture.
Table 4-1 shows the on-axis distance required to reach various power density levels. These
distances are measured along the boresite axis of the antenna in the direction of the
satellite.

                            TABLE 4-1: ON-AXIS DISTANCE VS POWER DENSITY
                Power Density (W ff ) mW/cm2       Distance (meters) Distance (feet)
                            2.045                       ≤ 3,176          ≤ 10,420
                             1.0                         4,542             14,901
                             0.5                         6,423             21,073
                             0.1                        14,363             47,122




4.4 Off-Axis Power Density
In order to determine the variation of power density off of the antenna axis, more
sophisticated antenna analysis methods must be used. One such tool is the GRASP8 computer
code, which permits the near- and far-field patterns of dual-shaped reflector antennas, such
as the VA-91-KA antenna, to be analyzed. Previous analyses of similar antennas shows that
the power density is relatively constant over the angular region corresponding to the
cylindrical projection of the main reflector aperture, and that the power drops off rapidly
outside the main reflector boundaries. The magnitude of the power density corresponds to
the on-axis power density levels predicted by the approximate expression in the previous
sections. Because the on-axis power density for the VA-91-KA antenna is well below the 10.0
mW/cm2 power density limit of the IEEE C95.1 standard, it is not necessary to compute the
off-axis power density levels.

5. Summary of Results
The results of the analyses are summarized in Table 2.
                                     TABLE 2 - SUMMARY OF RESULTS
                                                           Comparison to Safety Standard
                                      Power                                  FCC OET Bulletin 65
                                     Density             IEEE C95.1          (uncontrolled areas)
           Region                    mW/cm2              10 mW/cm2                1 mW/cm2
Feed Aperture                          9,087.6            Exceeded                  Exceeded
Subreflector Surface                      98.0            Exceeded                  Exceeded
Main Reflector Surface                    2.04            Acceptable                Exceeded
Aperture Plane                            2.04            Acceptable                Exceeded
Near-field at a Radius of                 2.04            Acceptable                Exceeded
10,000 feet
Far-field (beam peak)               See Figure 3          Acceptable                Acceptable




                                Exhibit A,Page 6 of 7


Radiation Hazard Analysis of the VA-91-KA 9.1M Antenna                           17-Aug-12


These results indicate that the only region where the referenced safety standards are
exceeded is the following:
   •   The conical shaped region between the feed and subreflector and directly on
       boresight with the aperture out to approximately 15,000 ft (4572m). Personnel
       hazards in this area may be avoided by disabling the transmitter whenever
       anyone attempts to access the area between the feed and subreflector and
       whenever the antenna is pointed toward an inhabited location.

6. References
   1. IEEE Std. C95. 1-1991, IEEE Standard for Safety Levels with Respect to Human
      Exposure to Radio Frequency Electromagnetic Fields, 3 kHz to 300 GHz
   2. Federal Communications Commission, Evaluating Compliance with FCC Guidelines for
      Human Exposure to Radiofrequency Electromagnetic Fields, OET Bulletin 65, Revision
      97-01, Appendix A, August 1997.
   3. Mumford, W.W., “Some Technical Aspects of Microwave Radiation Hazards”, Proc. IRE,
      vol. 49, pp. 427-447, February 1961.




                              Exhibit A, Page 7 of 7



Document Created: 2013-02-14 15:42:58
Document Modified: 2013-02-14 15:42:58

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