Evaluation of potential GPRS 900/1800-MHz and WCDMA 1900-MHz interference to consumer electronics

This study assessed the potential for interference to consumer electronics from radio frequency (RF) fields radiated by general packet radio service (GPRS) 900/1800-MHz and wideband code division multiple access (WCDMA) 1900-MHz handsets. The study was enhanced by additional testing with fields that were characteristic of radio transmissions from GSM 900/1800-MHz handsets and 900/1800-MHz fields that comply with the requirements of the international immunity standard to RF fields, IEC 61000-4-3. Four examples of consumer electronics were tested-a television, radio, CD player, and telephone. Generally, each device exhibited some form of interference at most of the test field levels (1, 3, 10, and 30 V/m). GPRS/GSM 1800-MHz and WCDMA signals never caused interference to any device at 1 V/m. The IEC 61000-4-3-specified test signal consistently produced more audio/visual interference than GPRS- or GSM-type signals at the same test frequency and carrier field strength level. Audio/visual interference produced by WCDMA signals was generally lower than that produced by GPRS. These results, combined with the inherently lower maximum output power of WCDMA, indicate that WCDMA will usually pose a lower risk of interference compared with GPRS for similar separation distances between handsets and common items of consumer electronics.