Biological effects and application of non-ionizing microwave radiation

Abstract

Electromagnetic radiation is the basic building block of a wireless communication system. With the increase in the utilization of communication systems, it is necessary to investigate the effects of such radiation on human beings as it can cause health issues. High frequency ionizing microwave radiation has been used for medical purposes including cancer treatment which tend to be invasive. In this project, a new model is proposed as a non-invasive hyperthermia cancer treatment. This model consists of two sub-models. It operates at a frequency of 60 GHz and is compared with 2.45 GHz systems which are used for invasive hyperthermia treatment. Simulation results prove that a 6 kelvin temperature increase is achieved using 60 GHz with an uncharged particle model at approximately 10 kW/m2 power density. Simulation results also prove that 2.45 GHz shows negligible temperature increase. This makes the 60 GHz uncharged particle model a better solution for non-invasive hyperthermia treatment. Simulation results based on the proposed model also prove that communication systems utilizing 60 GHz are safe for public and commercial deployment while operating in compliance with standard industry power density limits. It is proven by simulation results that at a power density of 10 W/m2 and 50 W/m2, which are specified by FCC and ICNIRP as maximum power densities for the general public and occupational groups, respectively, the temperature increase in the particle is in the range of milli to micro kelvin. This negligible increase confirms that 60 GHz communication systems operating at low power density have no thermal effects on the human body while 60 GHz systems can be used for hyperthermia treatment at high power density.