The overall objective of this project is to provide the essential methods, software, data and validation required for the successful completion of the international standard IEC 62209-3 related to the measurement of SAR from handheld wireless telecommunications devices using vector based systems.

The specific objectives are to:

  1. Develop traceable methods for the calibration of time-domain probes i.e. single vector probes and vector probe arrays up to 6 GHz. In addition to verify the accuracy of such measurement systems after calibration and to determine the properties of associated sealed phantoms.
  2. Establish methods for uncertainty propagation through multivariate models, using the principles given in the ‘Guide to the expression of uncertainty in measurement’ (GUM). This will include identifying the sources of measurement uncertainties and their propagation through multivariate transformations for single vector probe systems and vector probe array systems.
  3. Verify the reliability of measurement systems for a wide range of transmitter types and improve the measurement of telecommunication signals and SAR measurement for a wide range of device types. This will include the development of improved data processing used with time-domain probes.
  4. Develop test protocols for MIMO devices using vector probe arrays in order to determine the maximum SAR value (worst case) by combining MIMO signal figures.
  5. Facilitate the uptake of the developed measurement systems and contribute to the standards development work of the technical committee IEC – TC 106 on the successful adoption of IEC 62209-3 standard vector-based SAR measurement systems in Europe. In addition, to ensure that the outputs of the project are aligned with the needs of IEC – TC 106 and in a form that can be incorporated into the standards at the earliest opportunity.