Abstract

Overview

The study focuses on the nature of electromagnetic field (EMF) exposure facilitated by massive multiple-input multiple-output (mMIMO) technology in 5G networks. Specifically, the research utilizes a reconfigurable mMIMO testbed and data from a commercial 5G base station (BS) to explore EMF exposure in real-world scenarios.

Findings

• Significant variations in EMF exposure are observed depending on beam directions and environmental context.
• Exposure levels are influenced by the number of users and traffic load, highlighting the stochastic nature of 5G BS exposure.
• Environmental factors such as indirect propagation paths or blocked paths can enhance exposure variability.
• The standard definition of exclusion boundaries based on the 95-th percentile does not flexibly accommodate the deployment in regions with strict EMF limits.

Conclusion

This study provides crucial insights into the dynamic nature of EMF exposure in 5G technologies and raises concerns about the current standards for defining safety boundaries. The outcomes suggest a need for revised approaches to EMF regulation to better protect public health in light of emerging 5G technologies.