Electromagnetic Assessment of UHF-RFID Devices in Healthcare Environment
Source abstract
Abstract
In this work, the evaluation of electromagnetic effect of Ultra High Frequency Radio Frequency Identification (UHF-RFID) passive tags used in the healthcare environment is presented. In order to evaluate exposure levels caused by EM field (865–868 MHz) of UHF-RFID readers, EM measurements in an anechoic chamber and in a real medical environment (Hospital Universitario de Canarias), as well as simulations by 3D Ray Launching algorithm, and of biophysical exposure effects in human models are presented. The results obtained show that the EM exposure is localized, in close vicinity of RFID reader and inversely proportional to its reading range. The EM exposure levels detected are sufficient to cause EM immunity effects in electronic devices (malfunctions in medical equipment or implants). Moreover, more than negligible direct effects in humans (exceeding relevant SAR values) were found only next to the reader, up to approximately 30% of the reading range. As a consequence, the EM risk could be firstly evaluated based on RFID parameters, but should include an in situ exposure assessment. It requires attention and additional studies, as increased applications of monitoring systems are observed in the healthcare sector—specifically when any system is located close to the workplace that is permanently occupied.
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Research context
OpenAlex topics: Electromagnetic Fields and Biological Effects · Electromagnetic Compatibility and Measurements · Wireless Body Area Networks
SciVX discovery tags are terminology-based. OpenAlex topics are source-provided classifications.
Affiliations
Instituto de Salud Carlos III, 28029 Madrid, Spain
Dirección General de Telecomunicaciones y Ordenación de los Servicios de Comunicación Audiovisual, 28071 Madrid, Spain
Engineering and Telematic Department, Hospital Universitario de Canarias, 38320 La Laguna, Spain
Electrical, Electronics and Communications Department, Universidad Pública de Navarra, 31006 Pamplona, Spain
Central Institute for Labour Protection–National Research Institute (CIOP-PIB), 00-701 Warszawa, Poland
School of Engineering and Science, Tecnologico de Monterrey, Monterrey 64849, NL, Mexico
Funding
Instituto de Salud Carlos III · Sub-Directorate-General for Research Assessment and Promotion · National Centre for Research and Development
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