IEEE Consumer Electronics Magazine - November/December 2020 - 41

Cover Theme Article: 5G in Consumer Electronics

Human Electromagnetic
Field Exposure in 5G at
28 GHz
Seungmo Kim and Imtiaz Nasim
Georgia Southern University

Abstract-The fifth-generation wireless (5G) has already started showing its capability to
achieve extremely fast data transfer, which makes itself considered to be a promising
mobile technology. However, concerns have been raised on adverse health impacts that
human users can experience in a 5G system by being exposed to electromagnetic fields
(EMFs). This article investigates the human EMF exposure in a 5G system and compares
them with those measured in the previous-generation cellular systems. It suggests a
minimum separation distance between a transmitter and a human user for keeping the
EMF exposure below the safety regulation level, which provides consumers with a general
understanding on the safe use of 5G communications.

CONCERN ON HUMAN EMF
EXPOSURE IN 5G

& AS

A MEANS to fulfill the latest skyrocketing
bandwidth demand, the fifth-generation wireless
(5G) is expected to achieve far higher data rates
compared to the previous-generation wireless
systems. However, the 5G's requirement of a
very high data rate entails an increase in signal
power received at a user's end, which in turn
results in an increase in the amount of electromagnetic energy imposed on the user.1-3 Not

Digital Object Identifier 10.1109/MCE.2019.2956223
Date of publication 11 May 2020; date of current version
9 October 2020.

November/December 2020

only that, this article identifies three technical
features adopted in 5G, which can increase the
human electromagnetic field (EMF) exposure
"further."
First, the 5G targets to operate at higher frequencies (e.g., 28, 60, and 70 GHz4) in addition to
the existing lower frequency bands for cellular
communications. The advantages are 1) the
availability of wide bandwidths and 2) the possibility of integrating a larger number of antennas
in small dimensions.4 At a higher frequency,
however, the EMF "absorption" rate into human
skin also rises.
Second, larger numbers of transmitters will
operate. In 5G, more base stations (BSs) will be

Published by the IEEE Consumer Technology Society

2162-2248 ß 2020 IEEE

41



IEEE Consumer Electronics Magazine - November/December 2020

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of IEEE Consumer Electronics Magazine - November/December 2020

Contents
IEEE Consumer Electronics Magazine - November/December 2020 - Cover1
IEEE Consumer Electronics Magazine - November/December 2020 - Cover2
IEEE Consumer Electronics Magazine - November/December 2020 - Contents
IEEE Consumer Electronics Magazine - November/December 2020 - 2
IEEE Consumer Electronics Magazine - November/December 2020 - 3
IEEE Consumer Electronics Magazine - November/December 2020 - 4
IEEE Consumer Electronics Magazine - November/December 2020 - 5
IEEE Consumer Electronics Magazine - November/December 2020 - 6
IEEE Consumer Electronics Magazine - November/December 2020 - 7
IEEE Consumer Electronics Magazine - November/December 2020 - 8
IEEE Consumer Electronics Magazine - November/December 2020 - 9
IEEE Consumer Electronics Magazine - November/December 2020 - 10
IEEE Consumer Electronics Magazine - November/December 2020 - 11
IEEE Consumer Electronics Magazine - November/December 2020 - 12
IEEE Consumer Electronics Magazine - November/December 2020 - 13
IEEE Consumer Electronics Magazine - November/December 2020 - 14
IEEE Consumer Electronics Magazine - November/December 2020 - 15
IEEE Consumer Electronics Magazine - November/December 2020 - 16
IEEE Consumer Electronics Magazine - November/December 2020 - 17
IEEE Consumer Electronics Magazine - November/December 2020 - 18
IEEE Consumer Electronics Magazine - November/December 2020 - 19
IEEE Consumer Electronics Magazine - November/December 2020 - 20
IEEE Consumer Electronics Magazine - November/December 2020 - 21
IEEE Consumer Electronics Magazine - November/December 2020 - 22
IEEE Consumer Electronics Magazine - November/December 2020 - 23
IEEE Consumer Electronics Magazine - November/December 2020 - 24
IEEE Consumer Electronics Magazine - November/December 2020 - 25
IEEE Consumer Electronics Magazine - November/December 2020 - 26
IEEE Consumer Electronics Magazine - November/December 2020 - 27
IEEE Consumer Electronics Magazine - November/December 2020 - 28
IEEE Consumer Electronics Magazine - November/December 2020 - 29
IEEE Consumer Electronics Magazine - November/December 2020 - 30
IEEE Consumer Electronics Magazine - November/December 2020 - 31
IEEE Consumer Electronics Magazine - November/December 2020 - 32
IEEE Consumer Electronics Magazine - November/December 2020 - 33
IEEE Consumer Electronics Magazine - November/December 2020 - 34
IEEE Consumer Electronics Magazine - November/December 2020 - 35
IEEE Consumer Electronics Magazine - November/December 2020 - 36
IEEE Consumer Electronics Magazine - November/December 2020 - 37
IEEE Consumer Electronics Magazine - November/December 2020 - 38
IEEE Consumer Electronics Magazine - November/December 2020 - 39
IEEE Consumer Electronics Magazine - November/December 2020 - 40
IEEE Consumer Electronics Magazine - November/December 2020 - 41
IEEE Consumer Electronics Magazine - November/December 2020 - 42
IEEE Consumer Electronics Magazine - November/December 2020 - 43
IEEE Consumer Electronics Magazine - November/December 2020 - 44
IEEE Consumer Electronics Magazine - November/December 2020 - 45
IEEE Consumer Electronics Magazine - November/December 2020 - 46
IEEE Consumer Electronics Magazine - November/December 2020 - 47
IEEE Consumer Electronics Magazine - November/December 2020 - 48
IEEE Consumer Electronics Magazine - November/December 2020 - 49
IEEE Consumer Electronics Magazine - November/December 2020 - 50
IEEE Consumer Electronics Magazine - November/December 2020 - 51
IEEE Consumer Electronics Magazine - November/December 2020 - 52
IEEE Consumer Electronics Magazine - November/December 2020 - 53
IEEE Consumer Electronics Magazine - November/December 2020 - 54
IEEE Consumer Electronics Magazine - November/December 2020 - 55
IEEE Consumer Electronics Magazine - November/December 2020 - 56
IEEE Consumer Electronics Magazine - November/December 2020 - 57
IEEE Consumer Electronics Magazine - November/December 2020 - 58
IEEE Consumer Electronics Magazine - November/December 2020 - 59
IEEE Consumer Electronics Magazine - November/December 2020 - 60
IEEE Consumer Electronics Magazine - November/December 2020 - 61
IEEE Consumer Electronics Magazine - November/December 2020 - 62
IEEE Consumer Electronics Magazine - November/December 2020 - 63
IEEE Consumer Electronics Magazine - November/December 2020 - 64
IEEE Consumer Electronics Magazine - November/December 2020 - 65
IEEE Consumer Electronics Magazine - November/December 2020 - 66
IEEE Consumer Electronics Magazine - November/December 2020 - 67
IEEE Consumer Electronics Magazine - November/December 2020 - 68
IEEE Consumer Electronics Magazine - November/December 2020 - 69
IEEE Consumer Electronics Magazine - November/December 2020 - 70
IEEE Consumer Electronics Magazine - November/December 2020 - 71
IEEE Consumer Electronics Magazine - November/December 2020 - 72
IEEE Consumer Electronics Magazine - November/December 2020 - 73
IEEE Consumer Electronics Magazine - November/December 2020 - 74
IEEE Consumer Electronics Magazine - November/December 2020 - 75
IEEE Consumer Electronics Magazine - November/December 2020 - 76
IEEE Consumer Electronics Magazine - November/December 2020 - 77
IEEE Consumer Electronics Magazine - November/December 2020 - 78
IEEE Consumer Electronics Magazine - November/December 2020 - 79
IEEE Consumer Electronics Magazine - November/December 2020 - 80
IEEE Consumer Electronics Magazine - November/December 2020 - 81
IEEE Consumer Electronics Magazine - November/December 2020 - 82
IEEE Consumer Electronics Magazine - November/December 2020 - 83
IEEE Consumer Electronics Magazine - November/December 2020 - 84
IEEE Consumer Electronics Magazine - November/December 2020 - 85
IEEE Consumer Electronics Magazine - November/December 2020 - 86
IEEE Consumer Electronics Magazine - November/December 2020 - 87
IEEE Consumer Electronics Magazine - November/December 2020 - 88
IEEE Consumer Electronics Magazine - November/December 2020 - 89
IEEE Consumer Electronics Magazine - November/December 2020 - 90
IEEE Consumer Electronics Magazine - November/December 2020 - 91
IEEE Consumer Electronics Magazine - November/December 2020 - 92
IEEE Consumer Electronics Magazine - November/December 2020 - 93
IEEE Consumer Electronics Magazine - November/December 2020 - 94
IEEE Consumer Electronics Magazine - November/December 2020 - 95
IEEE Consumer Electronics Magazine - November/December 2020 - 96
IEEE Consumer Electronics Magazine - November/December 2020 - 97
IEEE Consumer Electronics Magazine - November/December 2020 - 98
IEEE Consumer Electronics Magazine - November/December 2020 - 99
IEEE Consumer Electronics Magazine - November/December 2020 - 100
IEEE Consumer Electronics Magazine - November/December 2020 - 101
IEEE Consumer Electronics Magazine - November/December 2020 - 102
IEEE Consumer Electronics Magazine - November/December 2020 - 103
IEEE Consumer Electronics Magazine - November/December 2020 - 104
IEEE Consumer Electronics Magazine - November/December 2020 - 105
IEEE Consumer Electronics Magazine - November/December 2020 - 106
IEEE Consumer Electronics Magazine - November/December 2020 - 107
IEEE Consumer Electronics Magazine - November/December 2020 - 108
IEEE Consumer Electronics Magazine - November/December 2020 - 109
IEEE Consumer Electronics Magazine - November/December 2020 - 110
IEEE Consumer Electronics Magazine - November/December 2020 - 111
IEEE Consumer Electronics Magazine - November/December 2020 - 112
IEEE Consumer Electronics Magazine - November/December 2020 - 113
IEEE Consumer Electronics Magazine - November/December 2020 - 114
IEEE Consumer Electronics Magazine - November/December 2020 - 115
IEEE Consumer Electronics Magazine - November/December 2020 - 116
IEEE Consumer Electronics Magazine - November/December 2020 - Cover3
IEEE Consumer Electronics Magazine - November/December 2020 - Cover4
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/ieee/consumerelectronics_20240102
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/ieee/consumerelectronics_20231112
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/ieee/consumerelectronics_20230910
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/ieee/consumerelectronics_20230708
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/ieee/consumerelectronics_20230506
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/ieee/consumerelectronics_20230304
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/ieee/consumerelectronics_20230102
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/ieee/consumerelectronics_20221112
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/ieee/consumerelectronics_20220910
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/ieee/consumerelectronics_20220708
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/ieee/consumerelectronics_20220506
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/ieee/consumerelectronics_20220304
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/ieee/consumerelectronics_20220102
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/ieee/consumerelectronics_20211112
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/ieee/consumerelectronics_20210910
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/ieee/consumerelectronics_20210708
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/ieee/consumerelectronics_20210506
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/ieee/consumerelectronics_20210304
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/ieee/consumerelectronics_202010
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/ieee/consumerelectronics_202009
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/ieee/consumerelectronics_202007
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/ieee/consumerelectronics_202004
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/ieee/consumerelectronics_202003
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/ieee/consumerelectronics_202001
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/ieee/consumerelectronics_201910
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/ieee/consumerelectronics_201909
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/ieee/consumerelectronics_201907
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/ieee/consumerelectronics_201905
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/ieee/consumerelectronics_201903
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/ieee/consumerelectronics_201901
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/ieee/consumerelectronics_201811
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/ieee/consumerelectronics_201809
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/ieee/consumerelectronics_201807
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/ieee/consumerelectronics_201805
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/ieee/consumerelectronics_201803
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/ieee/consumerelectronics_july2017
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/ieee/consumerelectronics_april2017
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/ieee/consumerelectronics_january2017
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/ieee/consumerelectronics_october2016
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/ieee/consumerelectronics_july2016
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/ieee/consumerelectronics_april2016
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/ieee/consumerelectronics_january2016
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/ieee/consumerelectronics_october2015
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/ieee/consumerelectronics_july2015
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/ieee/consumerelectronics_april2015
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/ieee/consumerelectronics_january2015
https://www.nxtbookmedia.com