Cell Tower and its Radiation

Raj Krithin Katla (ECE-3D ,18R11A04J2)

As the name suggests, this is a basic idea about Cell Tower and its concept of how we utilize this in our daily lives for its relevant applicable purposes. The effects of radiation and its safety measures are to be acknowledged and followed, mainly in the smart cities. The main objective is to let everybody know about the communication channel between electronic devices and the dissipation of power while transmitting and receiving signals through the channel (Microwave Radiation). Inspired by Professor Girish Kumar of IIT Bombay, as he explained about antennas radiation and stating the facts about the effects of it on living things was quite fascinating. Let’s talk a little more about this topic.

DEFINING ANTENNA & CELL TOWER:

An Antenna is simply a transition device which uses electromagnetic energy as a basic platform which internally converts electrons (Electrical Energy) to photons (Electromagnetic energy) and vice-versa to radiate and receive waves. In other words, it acts as structure between a free space wave and a guided wave.

Antennas are placed on a radio mast called a Cell Tower which is cellular-enabled mobile device site, to create adjacent cells in a cellular network. The raised structure typically supports the antenna and one or more sets of transmitter or receivers transceivers, digital signal processors, Control-electronics, a GPS receiver for timing (for CDMA2000/IS-95 or GSM systems), primary and backup electrical power sources, and sheltering.

Cell towers or to say, cell sites are simply an immovable man-made postman who sends and receives data along with their addresses without causing any damage to the postcards. The postman needs a brain to send and receive signal, this is where the antenna comes into the picture. The antenna requires a language or code for communication so, it uses Radio Frequency Energy. It’s fascinating that an antenna on a cell tower transmits and receives millions of data which is much similar to a human brain signals.

CLASSIFICATION OF CELL TOWER ANTENNAS:

These tall tower consisting antennas have two primary types according to their necessities and functions:

A) Rectangular Antenna

1. These are also called as Panel(Radio Antenna).
2. This is used for the communication platform between mobile phones and the BTS (base transceiver station).
3. This Antenna is used for long distance communications.
4. They are used in handling 2G, 3G, and 4G services for cell providers.
5. This Rectangular paneled antenna covers an area within 120 degrees (Semi-directional). From the above picture we can say they are connected in three directions and at the topmost part indeed, to cover 360 degrees (Omni-directional) to have a wider and longer range.

B) Circular Antenna

1. It is also called Parabolic Dish(Circular antenna).
2. These Antennas allows the signals from these cell towers to be strengthened.
3. These antennas are used for short distance receptions.
4. Circular antennas have shorter coverage and are commonly closer to each other in one specific area.

The signal that a circular antenna transmits is directional, and they perform point-to-point links to the tower instead of receiving waves or data to multiple phones and devices.

DIFFERENCES:

Circular antenna due its circular shape has less coverage area and has more focused transmission. It is used mostly for signal reception whereas, a panel antenna has more coverage area, less focused transmission and is used for communication between devices. You can look at these circular antennas like the nerves of the cell towers’ network, and then the rectangular antennas serve as the organs that needed transmissions from the nerves in order to function.

RADIATION:

There are more than 5 lakh cell towers and more than 100 crore users in India. The power produced from a cell tower is approximately 20W and for a cell phone it is 1W. So the total usage for both transmission and receiving of data is 42 W in which 0.001W approximately, is used for data and the other power is dissipated. This power dissipation is nothing but microwave radiation.

To detect the radiation we observe Specific Absorption Rate (SAR) value. SAR value is the rate at which radiation is absorbed by a human body and is measured in Watt per kilogram (W/kg). Microwave radiation causes vibration in the water molecules, which leads to friction and heating. For an instance, if you are having a conversation through your mobile phone with no distance between the phone and your ear, there will be a 1 degree Celsius rise for every 20 minutes in the Ear which is called as Ear Warming. After this, your body undergoes Thermo-Regulatory Mechanism which cools down your ear after the usage. If the usage increases it may lead to ear tumors, considering worst case scenario.

In today’s world, you are exposed to 100 million times more to electromagnetic radiation than your grandparents were, and part of the reason is the radiation from cell phone towers and microwave antennas. Human population centers are flooded with massive amounts of powerful wireless microwave radiation. Cell phone towers emit high-frequency radio waves, or microwaves, that can travel as far as 45 miles over level terrain. The closer you are, the greater is the danger. In 2012, at Mumbai, beside a 20-floor IT company building, there was a 7-floor apartment which had like 10 cell towers facing directly towards building and were couple of 100 feet apart. In 6 months, 6 of the employees were diagnosed with cancer and two died due to living in high radiation area of the building.

Cell Tower Antenna radiation:

1. CDMA(869–890MHz)

2. GSM900(935–960MHz)

3. GSM1800(1805–1880MHz)

4. 3G(2110–2170MHz)

5. 4G(2300–2400MHz)

6. Wi-Fi, Bluetooth(2400–2500MHz)

SAFETY MEASURES:

1. Radiation is reflected by metal objects like an elevator so try to avoid the usage in them.
2. In static state, mobile phones try to find their signal area easily (distance between mobile and cell tower is stable and approximately same), but in motion it’s difficult to find (distance between mobile and cell tower is always varying and is not always the same) and uses more varying signal strength signal for communication which is an indication for more consumption and dissipation of power therefore, radiation is more.
3. Don’t use cell phones when its battery is low & is in low signal strength area as there is more dissipation of power.
4. Cordless phones emit more radiation than a mobile hence make use of regular wired phones as far as possible.
5. WHO classified Wi-Fi radiation as possible class 2Bcarcinogen, mostly avoid being near a Wi-Fi router as it has a frequency of 2400–2500MHz.
6. You can also check the radiation levels in your room by using EMF Hazards Detector or EMF Sensor Free mobile apps.
7. Don’t sleep beside with your cell phones keep a distance minimum of 1 meter and it’s even better to switch ON to flight mode to stop the signals.
8. While talking through a phone even for 2 minutes our electrical brain activity can be altered for 1 hour, for that please keep your phone minimum of 5cms away while speaking or even better to use blue-tooth headsets as it emits 1/100th of a regular phone.
9. We generally keep our cell phones in hip pockets. Our hip produces 80% of our bodies RBC and is susceptible to radiation. Close proximity can also affect fertility. Position the cell phone with keypad facing you. This way antenna faces away from the body tissues which easily absorbs radiation.

CONCLUSION:

Cell towers may have made our lives easier for quick and smooth communication but, more usage of mobile phones or staying near cell towers may lead to adverse affects of our health so, taking precautions such as reducing the usage of phones and staying away like from a cell tower are some simple tips that you could follow.

REFERENCES:

1) https://youtu.be/j2qa_QaJ_Jg

2) https://youtu.be/I5uV5ntL3AQ

3) https://whatsag.com/mobile-technology/what-are-the-types-of-cell-tower-antennas.php