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Specific Absorption Rate (SAR) Guidelines
Portable RF exposure evaluation must be completed on host devices that provide
≤
20.0 cm
of separation distance between the transmitter antenna and the end user.
Portable Device Definition
The FCC defines a Portable Device as a device having a transmitting antenna located at a
distance
≤
20cm from the user.
Mobile Device Definition
The FCC defines a Mobile Device as a device having a transmitting antenna located at a
distance
≥
20cm from the user.
SAR Compliance
European and US certification bodies require that you test Specific Absorption Rate (SAR).
SAR is a measure of energy absorbed by organic tissue over a specific time. The factors that
affect SAR readings are:
l
output power
l
frequency of the radiation
l
proximity to antenna
l
antenna counterpoise
l
duty cycle
Early in the physical design stage of the UE, the antenna and the mechanical engineering
design teams must collaborate on the design to ensure that they can meet the SAR
requirements. Carefully reading and understanding the FCC requirements can help designers
choose the antenna type, the antenna location, and the industrial design of the UE. The
placement and characteristics of the main antenna are the most critical factors affecting SAR
performance.
