Optimal settings for narrow-band signal measurements used for exposure assessment around GSM base stations

The use of frequency-selective measurements for the assessment of the worst-case exposure to electromagnetic fields radiated by GSM base stations is widely accepted to check the compliance with the existing regulations when multiple frequency sources are present. In this paper, the influence of different settings of the spectrum analyzer (resolution bandwidth, sweep rate, and detector) on the accuracy of power measurements has been studied with simulations by using a simple model for the spectrum analyzer and the global system for mobile communications (GSM) signal. The effect of adjacent frequency channels, time modulated signals, and down link power control have been investigated. Based on the obtained simulation results, optimal spectrum analyzer settings have been proposed for the exposure assessment around GSM base stations. As a final result, the accuracy of the proposed optimal settings for the spectrum analyzer has been determined.