IEC 62209-3:2019

IEC 62209-3 ®
Edition 1.0 2019-09
INTERNATIONAL
STANDARD
NORME
INTERNATIONALE
colour
inside
HORIZONTAL STANDARD
NORME HORIZONTALE
Measurement procedure for the assessment of specific absorption rate of
human exposure to radio frequency fields from hand-held and body-mounted
wireless communication devices –
Part 3: Vector measurement-based systems (Frequency range of 600 MHz
to 6 GHz)
Procédure de mesure pour l'évaluation du débit d'absorption spécifique
de l'exposition humaine aux champs radiofréquence produits par les dispositifs
de communications sans fil tenus à la main ou portes près du corps –
Partie 3: Systèmes basés sur la mesure vectorielle (plage de fréquences
comprise entre 600 MHz et 6 GHz)

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IEC 62209-3 ®
Edition 1.0 2019-09
INTERNATIONAL
STANDARD
NORME
INTERNATIONALE
colour
inside
HORIZONTAL STANDARD
NORME HORIZONTALE
Measurement procedure for the assessment of specific absorption rate of

human exposure to radio frequency fields from hand-held and body-mounted

wireless communication devices –

Part 3: Vector measurement-based systems (Frequency range of 600 MHz

to 6 GHz)
Procédure de mesure pour l'évaluation du débit d'absorption spécifique

de l'exposition humaine aux champs radiofréquence produits par les dispositifs

de communications sans fil tenus à la main ou portes près du corps –

Partie 3: Systèmes basés sur la mesure vectorielle (plage de fréquences

comprise entre 600 MHz et 6 GHz)

INTERNATIONAL
ELECTROTECHNICAL
COMMISSION
COMMISSION
ELECTROTECHNIQUE
INTERNATIONALE
ICS 33.060.20 ISBN 978-2-8322-7355-5

– 2 – IEC 62209-3:2019 © IEC 2019
CONTENTS
FOREWORD . 9
INTRODUCTION . 11
1 Scope . 12
2 Normative references . 12
3 Terms and definitions . 13
4 Symbols and abbreviated terms . 14
5 Overview of the measurement procedure . 14
6 Measurement system specifications . 17
6.1 General requirements . 17
6.2 Phantom specifications . 19
6.2.1 Head phantom specifications – shell . 19
6.2.2 Body phantom specifications – shell . 19
6.2.3 Tissue-equivalent medium properties . 19
6.3 Measurement system requirements . 19
6.3.1 General . 19
6.3.2 Scanning measurement system specifications . 19
6.3.3 Array measurement system specifications . 20
6.4 Device holder specification . 21
6.5 Reconstruction algorithm and peak spatial-averaging specifications . 22
7 Protocol for SAR assessments . 22
7.1 Measurement preparation . 22
7.1.1 General . 22
7.1.2 Preparation of tissue-equivalent medium . 22
7.1.3 System check . 23
7.1.4 Preparation of the device under test (DUT) . 23
7.1.5 Operating modes . 23
7.1.6 Position of the DUT in relation to the phantom . 23
7.1.7 Positions of the DUT in relation to the flat phantom for large DUT . 23
7.1.8 Test frequencies for DUT . 24
7.2 Tests to be performed . 24
7.3 General measurement procedure . 25
7.3.1 General . 25
7.3.2 Measurement procedure for scanning systems . 25
7.3.3 Measurement procedure for array systems . 26
7.4 SAR measurements for simultaneous transmission . 26
7.4.1 General . 26
7.4.2 SAR measurements for uncorrelated signals . 27
7.4.3 SAR measurements for correlated signals . 31
8 Measurement uncertainty estimation. 32
8.1 General . 32
8.2 Requirements on the measurement uncertainty evaluation . 32
8.3 Description of measurement uncertainty models . 33
8.3.1 General . 33
8.3.2 Uncertainty models for array measurement system and scanning
measurement systems . 34
8.3.3 Example uncertainty budget templates . 35

9 Measurement report . 39
Annex A (normative) Phantom specifications . 40
A.1 SAM phantom specifications . 40
A.1.1 Justification . 40
A.1.2 SAM phantom geometry. 40
A.1.3 Tissue-equivalent medium . 40
A.2 Flat phantom specifications . 41
A.3 Specific phantoms. 42
A.4 Tissue-equivalent medium . 43
Annex B (normative) Calibration and characterization of dosimetric probes. 44
B.1 General . 44
B.2 Types of calibration . 44
B.2.1 Amplitude calibration with analytical fields . 44
B.2.2 Amplitude and phase calibration by transfer calibration . 45
B.2.3 Amplitude and phase calibration using numerical reference . 47
Annex C (informative) Field reconstruction techniques . 49
C.1 General . 49
C.2 Objective of field reconstruction techniques . 49
C.3 Background. 49
C.4 Reconstruction techniques . 51
C.4.1 Expansion techniques . 51
C.4.2 Source reconstruction techniques . 52
C.4.3 Source base function decomposition . 52
C.4.4 Phase reconstruction . 52
C.5 Source reconstruction and SAR estimation from fields measured outside the
phantom. 53
C.6 Additional considerations for field reconstruction in scanning systems . 53
Annex D (normative) SAR measurement system verification and system validation . 54
D.1 Objectives and purpose . 54
D.1.1 General . 54
D.1.2 Objectives and purpose of system check . 54
D.1.3 Objectives of system validation . 54
D.2 SAR measurement setup and procedure for system check and system
validation . 55
D.2.1 General . 55
D.2.2 Power measurement setups . 55
D.2.3 Procedure to measure and normalize SAR . 57
D.2.4 Power measurement uncertainty . 59
D.3 System check . 61
D.3.1 System check antennas and test conditions . 61
D.3.2 System check antennas and test conditions for scanning systems . 61
D.3.3 System check antennas and test conditions for array systems . 61
D.3.4 System check acceptance criteria . 62
D.4 System validation . 62
D.4.1 Validation of array systems and scanning systems . 62
D.4.2 Requirements for system validation antennas and test conditions . 62
D.4.3 Requirements for array systems and scanning systems . 62
D.4.4 Test positions for system validation . 64
D.4.5 System validation procedure based on peak spatial-average SAR . 71

– 4 – IEC 62209-3:2019 © IEC 2019
D.4.6 On-site system validation after installation . 79
D.4.7 System validation acceptance criteria . 80
Annex E (informative) Interlaboratory comparisons . 82
E.1 Purpose . 82
E.2 Monitor laboratory . 82
E.3 Phantom set-up . 82
E.4 Reference devices . 82
E.5 Power set-up . 83
E.6 Interlaboratory comparison – Procedure. 83
Annex F (normative) System validation antennas . 84
F.1 General requirements . 84
F.2 Return loss requirements . 84
F.3 Standard dipole antenna . 85
F.4 VPIFA . 88
F.5 2-PEAK CPIFA . 90
F.6 Additional antennas . 94
Annex G (normative) SAR calibration of reference antennas . 95
G.1 Purpose . 95
G.2 Parameters or quantities and ranges to be determined by calibration method . 96
G.3 Reference antenna calibration setup . 96
G.4 Reference antenna calibration procedure . 97
G.4.1 Verification of return loss . 97
G.4.2 Calibration of reference antennas: step-by-step procedure . 97
G.4.3 Uncertainty budget of reference antenna calibration . 98
G.5 Method and uncertainties for the transfer of calibration between two of more
antennas of the same type using the array system . 102
Annex H (informative) General considerations on uncertainty estimation . 105
H.1 Concept of uncertainty estimation . 105
H.2 Type A and Type B evaluations . 106
H.3 Degrees of freedom and coverage factor . 106
H.4 Combined and expanded uncertainties . 107
H.5 Analytical reference functions . 108
Annex I (normative) Evaluation of measurement uncertainty of SAR results from
scanning vector measurement-based systems with single probes . 111
I.1 Measurement uncertainties to be evaluated by the system manufacturer MM . 111
I.1.1 General . 111
I.1.2 Calibration CF. 111
I.1.3 Isotropy ISO . 111
I.1.4 System linearity LIN . 112
I.1.5 Sensitivity limit SL . 112
I.1.6 Boundary effect BE . 112
I.1.7 Readout electronics RE . 113
I.1.8 Response time RT . 113
I.1.9 Probe positioning PP . 113
I.1.10 Sampling error SE . 113
I.1.11 Phantom shell PS . 114
I.1.12 Tissue-equivalent medium parameters MAT . 114
I.1.13 Measurement system immunity/secondary reception MSI . 116

I.2 Uncertainty of reconstruction corrections and post-processing to be specified
by the manufacturer MN . 116
I.2.1 General . 116
I.2.2 Evaluation of uncertainty due to reconstruction REC . 116
I.2.3 Impact of noise on reconstruction POL . 117
I.2.4 SAR averaging SAV . 117
I.2.5 SAR scaling SARS . 117
I.2.6 SAR correction for deviations in permittivity and conductivity SC . 118
I.3 Uncertainties that are dependent on the DUT MD . 119
I.3.1 General . 119
I.3.2 Probe coupling with the DUT PC . 119
I.3.3 Modulation Response MOD . 119
I.3.4 Integration time IT . 120
I.3.5 Measured SAR drift SD . 120
I.4 Uncertainties related to the measurement environment ME . 120
I.4.1 General . 120
I.4.2 Device holder DH . 120
I.4.3 Device positioning DP . 121
I.4.4 RF ambient conditions AC . 121
I.4.5 Measurement system drift and noise DN . 121
I.5 Uncertainties of validation antennas MV . 122
I.5.1 General . 122
I.5.2 Deviation of experimental antennas DEX . 122
I.5.3 Power measurement uncertainty PMU . 122
I.5.4 Other uncertainty contributions when using validation antennas OVS . 122
Annex J (normative) Evaluation of the measurement system uncertainty of fixed array
or scanning array vector measurement-based systems . 123
J.1 Measuring system uncertainties to be evaluated by the manufacturer MM. 123
J.1.1 General . 123
J.1.2 Calibration CF. 123
J.1.3 Isotropy ISO . 123
J.1.4 Mutual sensor coupling MSC . 124
J.1.5 Scattering due to the presence of the array AS. 125
J.1.6 System linearity LIN . 126
J.1.7 Sensitivity limit SL . 126
J.1.8 Boundary effect BE . 126
J.1.9 Readout electronics RE . 127
J.1.10 Response time RT . 127
J.1.11 Probe position PP . 127
J.1.12 Sampling error SE . 128
J.1.13 Array boundaries AB . 128
J.1.14 Phantom shell PS . 129
J.1.15 Tissue-equivalent medium parameters MAT . 129
J.1.16 Phantom homogeneity HOM . 131
J.1.17 Measurement system immunity/secondary reception MSI . 132
J.2 Uncertainty of reconstruction, corrections, and post-processing to be
specified by the manufacturer MN . 132
J.2.1 General . 132
J.2.2 Evaluation of uncertainty due to reconstruction REC . 132

– 6 – IEC 62209-3:2019 © IEC 2019
J.2.3 Impact of noise on reconstruction POL . 132
J.2.4 SAR averaging SAV . 132
J.2.5 SAR scaling SARS . 132
J.2.6 SAR correction for deviations in permittivity and conductivity SC . 132
J.3 Measurement system uncertainties that are dependent on the DUT MD . 132
J.3.1 General . 132
J.3.2 Probe or probe-array coupling with the DUT PC . 132
J.3.3 Modulation response MOD . 133
J.3.4 Integration time IT . 133
J.3.5 Measurement system drift and noise DN . 133
J.4 Uncertainties related to the source or noise ME . 133
J.4.1 General . 133
J.4.2 Device holder DH . 133
J.4.3 Device positioning DP . 133
J.4.4 RF ambient conditions AC . 134
J.4.5 Measurement system drift and noise DN . 134
J.5 Uncertainties of validation antennas MV . 134
J.5.1 General . 134
J.5.2 Deviation of experimental antennas DEX . 134
J.5.3 Power measurement uncertainty PMU . 134
J.5.4 Other uncertainty contributions when using validation antennas OVS . 134
Bibliography . 135

Figure 1 – Evaluation plan checklist . 15
Figure 2 – Illustration of the shape and orientation relative to a curved phantom
surface of the distorted cubic volume for computing psSAR . 22
Figure 3 – Measurements performed by shifting a large device over the efficient
measurement area of the system including overlapping areas – in this case: six tests
performed . 24
Figure 4 – Flow chart for SAR measurements of uncorrelated signals at different
frequencies using a measurement system able to distinguish between different
frequency components (Method 2) . 27
Figure 5 – Illustration of the amplitude spectrum, as function of frequency, for
simultaneously transmitted signals of multiple frequency bands emitted by a DUT . 28
Figure 6 – Illustration of a completely covered signal bandwidth B by the
s
measurement system analysis bandwidth B at single transmission mode . 29
a
Figure 7 – Illustration of a completely covered signal bandwidths B (for i = 2 to N) by
si
the measurement system analysis bandwidth B for simultaneous multiple-frequency
a
transmission mode . 29
Figure 8 – Illustration of a non-coverage of the signal bandwidths B (for i = 2 to N) by
si
the measurement system analysis bandwidth B for simultaneous multiple-frequency
a
transmission mode . 29
Figure 9 – Illustration of a partial-coverage of the signal bandwidths B (for i = 2 to N)
si
by the measurement system analysis bandwidth B for simultaneous multiple-
a
frequency transmission mode . 30
Figure 10 – Illustration of reduction of the measurement system analysis bandwidth B
a
to cover only one signal bandwidth B (for i = 1 to N) for simultaneous multiple-
si
frequency transmission mode . 30
Figure 11 – Illustration of increasing or moving the measurement system analysis
bandwidth B to cover one or more signal bandwidth B (for i = 1 to N) for
a si
simultaneous multiple-frequency transmission mode . 30

Figure A.1 – Sagittally-bisected phantom with extended perimeter, used for scanning
measurement systems . 41
Figure A.2 – Dimensions of the elliptical phantom . 42
Figure C.1 – Coordinate system for 2D planar measurement-system . 50
Figure C.2 – Generic configuration of SAR measurement system . 50
Figure C.3 – Schematic representation of 2D planar measurement-based SAR system
and its coordinate system . 52
Figure C.4 – Source reconstruction from fields outside a phantom . 53
Figure D.1 – Recommended power measurement setup for system check and system
validation . 56
Figure D.2 – Equipment setup for measurement of forward power P and forward
f
coupled power P . 57
fc
Figure D.3 – Equipment setup for measuring the shorted reverse coupled power P . 58
rcs
Figure D.4 – Equipment setup for measuring the power with the reference antenna
connected . 58
Figure D.5 – Port numbering for the S-parameter measurements of the directional
coupler . 60
Figure D.6 – SAM masks for positioning dipole antennas and VPIFAs on the head
phantoms, including holes where the antenna spacer is inserted . 65
Figure D.7 – Flat masks for positioning VPIFAs on the flat phantoms, including a hole
in the centre where the VPIFA spacer is inserted . 66
Figure D.8 – Dipole showing the distance of s = 15 mm . 67
Figure D.9 – 2-PEAK CPIFA showing the fixed distance of s = 7 mm . 67
Figure D.10 – VPIFA positioned showing the fixed distance of s = 2 mm . 68
Figure D.11 – System check and validation locations for the flat phantom . 69
Figure D.12 – System check and validation locations for the head phantom . 70
Figure D.13 – Definition of rotation angles for dipoles . 71
Figure F.1 – Mechanical details of the standard dipole . 87
Figure F.2 – VPIFA validation antenna . 89
Figure F.3 – 2-PEAK CPIFA at 2 450 MHz . 92
Figure F.4 – Detail of the tuning structure and matching structure . 93
Figure G.1 – Measurement setup for waveguide calibration of dosimetric probe, and
similar setup (same tissue-equivalent liquid, dielectric spacer, power sensors and
coupler) for antenna calibration . 95
Figure G.2 – Setup for calibration of a reference antenna . 96
Figure G.3 – Method for the transfer of calibration between two antennas of the same
type using the array system . 103
Figure I.1 – Illustration of SAR measurement results during 8 h and the centred moving
average . 122

Table 1 – Evaluation plan checklist . 16
Table 2 – Uncertainty budget template for the evaluation of the measurement system
uncertainty of the 1 g or 10 g psSAR to be carried out by the system manufacturer . 36
Table 3 – Uncertainty budget template for evaluating the uncertainty in the measured
value of 1 g SAR or 10 g SAR from a DUT . 37
Table 4 – Uncertainty budget template for evaluating the uncertainty in the measured
value of 1 g SAR or 10 g SAR from a validation antenna . 38

– 8 – IEC 62209-3:2019 © IEC 2019
Table 5 – Uncertainty budget template for evaluating the uncertainty in the measured
value of 1 g SAR or 10 g SAR from the system check . 39
Table A.1 – Dielectric properties of the tissue-equivalent medium . 43
Table B.1 – Uncertainty analysis for single-probe calibration in waveguide . 45
Table B.2 – Uncertainty analysis for transfer calibration of array systems . 46
Table B.3 – Uncertainty analysis of transfer calibration of array systems . 48
Table D.1 – Example of power measurement uncertainty in % . 60
Table D.2 – Modulations and multiplexing modes used by radio systems . 64
Table D.3 – Peak spatial-average SAR (psSAR) averaged over 1 g and 10 g values for
the flat phantom filled with tissue-equivalent medium for the antennas specified in
Annex F . 72
Table D.4 – Peak spatial-average SAR (psSAR) averaged over 1 g and 10 g values for
antenna generating two peaks on the flat phantom filled with tissue-equivalent medium
for the antennas specified in Annex F . 73
Table D.5 – Peak spatial-average SAR (psSAR) averaged over 1 g and 10 g values on
the head left and right phantom for the antennas specified in Annex F . 74
Table D.6 – Peak spatial-average SAR (psSAR) averaged over 1 g and 10 g values for
antenna generating two peaks on the head left and right phantom for the antennas
specified in Annex F. Modulations are as specified in Table D.2 . 79
Table D.7 – Set of randomised tests for on-site system validation using flat phantom
1 g and 10 g psSAR, normalized to 1 W forward power, using the antennas specified in
Annex F . 79
Table D.8 – Set of tests for on-site system validation using left and right head
phantoms for 1 g and 10 g psSAR for the antennas specified in Annex F . 80
Table F.1 – Return loss values for antennas specified in Annex F and flat phantom
filled with tissue-equivalent medium . 85
Table F.2 – Mechanical dimensions of the reference dipoles . 86
Table F.3 – Dimensions for VPIFA antennas at different frequencies . 90
Table F.4 – Dielectric properties of the dielectric layers for VPIFA antennas . 90
Table F.5 – Thickness of substrates and planar metallization . 93
Table F.6 – Dielectric properties of FR4 . 93
Table F.7 – Values for the antenna dimensions in Figures F.4 and F.5 . 94
Table G.1 – Example uncertainty budget for reference dipole antenna calibration for
1 g and 10 g averaged SAR (750 MHz to 3 GHz) . 99
Table G.2 – Example uncertainty budget for reference antenna calibration (PIFA) for 1
g and 10 g averaged SAR (750 MHz to 3 GHz) . 100
Table G.3 – Example uncertainty budget for reference antenna (dipole) calibration for
1 g and 10 g averaged SAR (3 GHz to 6 GHz) . 101
Table G.4 – Example uncertainty budget for the calibration of an antenna using the
transfer method, as percentages . 104
Table H.1 – Parameters of analytical reference functions and associated reference
peak 10 g SAR value . 109

INTERNATIONAL ELECTROTECHNICAL COMMISSION
_____________
MEASUREMENT PROCEDURE FOR THE ASSESSMENT
OF SPECIFIC ABSORPTION RATE OF HUMAN EXPOSURE
TO RADIO FREQUENCY FIELDS FROM HAND-HELD AND
BODY-MOUNTED WIRELESS COMMUNICATION DEVICES –

Part 3: Vector measurement-based systems
(Frequency range of 600 MHz to 6 GHz)

FOREWORD
1) The International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC) is a worldwide organization for standardization comprising
all national electrotechnical committees (IEC National Committees). The object of IEC is to promote
international co-operation on all questions concerning standardization in the electrical and electronic fields. To
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