A personal monitor using a surface area sensor

A personal electromagnetic radiation monitor having a surface area sensor to detect the radial electric field component directly from the radiating antenna or a secondary radial field component created by the current induced in the wearer of the personal monitor who is illuminated by the electromagnetic field is presented. The measurement of low frequency electric (E) fields in the presence of a human is difficult because of the field perturbation caused by the human. This monitor uses the very same mechanism for the perturbation of the field to monitor the level of the illuminating field. The radial field is the major energy component of the electromagnetic field near a radiator. It predominates for approximately 1/6 of a wavelength. At low frequencies and at close distances to the radiating antenna, the radial field from the antenna induces a surface charge on the sensor, which results in a displacement current which is measured and compared to a preset threshold value, above which will trigger the alarm. At farther distances from the radiating antenna, where the radial component is not as prominent, the vertical E field becomes the significant field illuminating the person wearing the monitor. The field will induce a current in the person which, in turn, will create a secondary radial E field close to the surface of that person. The surface area sensor will sense this secondary radial E field and cause the personal monitor to respond appropriately.