Examining the accuracy of RF exclusion zones for rooftop base station antenna arrays

Exclusion zones for rooftop antennas are often presented to building owners, within which it is said that areas will not comply with exposure limits and guidance. These exclusion zones can be very large, sometimes extending 40 metres or more. In recent work we have shown that these exclusion zones can be reduced significantly by using the various tools available to RF assessment specialists, namely measurement, spatial/ time averaging, and SAR modelling. This allows personnel on rooftops to work relatively close to RF antenna arrays and base stations.