EMR Analysis ACMA PDF

Introduction
Following documents illustrate the governing rules of issuing RF spectrum licences and the
statement of compliances to be adhered while operating RF sources.
Act means the Radiocommunications Act 1992. This act covers management of the radiofrequency
spectrum such as rules governing the issuance of spectrum and efficient assignment and utilisation
of the resource
ARPANSA standard means the Radiation Protection Standard for Maximum Exposure Levels to
Radiofrequency Fields — 3 kHz to 300 GHz published by the Australian Radiation Protection and
Nuclear Safety Agency and assigned the number ISBN 0-0642-79400-6.
AS 2772.2 means the Australian Standard Radiofrequency radiation Part 2: Principles and methods of
measurement — 300 kHz to 100 GHz (AS 2772.2) published by Standards Australia.
NATA means the National Association of Testing Authorities, Australia (ACN 004 379 748).
NATA-accredited body means a body accredited by NATA to assess or measure radiofrequency field
strength levels in accordance with AS 2772.2.
As listed in the brief description of each of the above documents, several agencies have contributed
to formulate the national standards and compliance regimes for operating Radio communications of
any form. The licensees or their nominated agents have the right to operate Radio communications
behalf of the licensees.
Electromagnetic Radiation and it applicability to Licensees
With regard to the Electromagnetic Radiations (EMRs), the Apparatus Licence to operate radios will
encompass EMR levels that are not harmful to the general public. The ARPANSA has stipulated the
safe levels and have been incorporated to Australian Standards 2772.2. The ACMA enforces those
conditions while granting the Apparatus Licences.
The licence determination for Apparatus Licence specifies two basic levels of EMR compliance,
namely Level 1 and Level 2 criteria
The level 1, basically stipulated a single transmitter operation and Level 2 for other than single
transmitter operations. Although NSWPF Transmitters operate in compliance to Level 1 criterion
(per Transmitter basis), as each station has more than one Transmitters NSWPF has to comply with
Level 2 criteria which is not a simple proposition.
Accordingly, by Law, NSWPF has to maintain the EMR records for all its Radio gear as per Level 2
criteria. Further the determination guideline stipulates the methods of compilation of EMRs and also
lists the eligible candidates to carry out such analysis behalf of the client agency. This shows the
Licensee need to employ an accredited agency to carry out EMR testing and compilation of records.
Ambiguities arising out of regulations
Reading through relevant parts of these documents and applying the basic principles of EMR, the
protection of public due to harmful radiations should be determined for the cumulative effects of
the radiated or leaked RF power from the transmitters in the target frequency band 3KHz to 100GHz.
Maintaining individual agency records for their multiple Licences will not be sufficed to estimate the
harmful radiation levels. The licences of all the agencies that have a presence of the target location
need to be evaluated by someone to correctly estimate the RF levels. Therefore, it is of the view that
one agency, preferably the site owner should be asked to compile the reports behalf of its tenants
and maintain records at the location or at a central place for ACMA to review and assess. It is also
favourable to build such clauses in the tenancy agreements with the site controller.
Compliance Criteria
Level 1 criteria
(1) This section applies to a transmitter (other than a mobile station):

(a) for which:
(i) the average total power supplied by the transmitter to all antennas fed
by the transmitter is not more than 100 W; and
(ii) each antenna fed by the transmitter is installed so that it is inaccessible
to a member of the general public; or
(b) for which:
(i) the bottom of the lowest antenna fed by the transmitter is at least 10 m
above ground level; and
(ii) the average total equivalent isotropically radiated power of all antennas
fed by the transmitter is not more than 3 200 W in any direction; or
(c) that is a point-to-point link operating at more than 1 GHz.
Example for subparagraph (a) (ii)
The following are examples of a type of place that is inaccessible to a member of the general
public:
 the area around an antenna that is fenced and where entry is through a locked gate
 the area around a tower where the tower cannot be climbed except by the use of an external
aid.
(2) This section applies to a mobile station for which the average total power supplied
by the station to all antennas fed by the station is not more than 100 W.
(3) The licensee must give information to the ACA, within 20 days after the date of a
request by the ACA, showing that the licensee is complying with section 8 in
relation to the transmitter.
(4) If the licensee is unable to comply with a request under subsection (3) within the
20 days the licensee must:
(a) advise the ACA in writing; and
(b) include evidence that the licensee is unable to comply; and
(c) propose a date by which the licensee will be able to comply.
(5) Any advice provided under subsection (4) must be received by the ACA within 20
days of the original request for information.
(6) The ACA must have regard to any written advice provided under subsection (4)
before instituting regulatory action against the licensee for contravening
subsection (3).
(7) If the ACA elects not to take regulatory action mentioned in subsection (6) against
the licensee, the ACA must advise the licensee of this as soon as practicable.
Note Regulatory action by the ACA against a licensee to suspend or cancel an apparatus licence
under section 126 or 128 of the Act, is reviewable under section 285 of the Act.
Level 2 criteria
(1) This section applies to a transmitter to which section 9 does not apply.
(2) After 31 May 2003, the licensee must:
(a) be able to show that the licensee complies with section 8 in relation to the
transmitter by:
(i) measuring RF fields in accordance with AS 2772.2; or
(ii) calculating RF fields using a model or method that is derived from the
mathematical formulae mentioned in Appendix B to AS 2772.2; and
(b) keep records in accordance with section 15.
Note for subparagraph (a) (ii) Models or methods include:
 mathematical modelling
 computer software programs
 charts and graphs.
(3) If the licensee spatially averages measurements taken for subparagraph (2) (a) (i),
the licensee must do so in accordance with section 2.7 of the ARPANSA standard.
Multi-transmitter sites
(1) This section applies to a licensee that:
(a) operates a transmitter on a site that has more than 1 transmitter; and
(b) keeps documentation that:
(i) includes the results of an assessment in accordance with subparagraph
10 (2) (a) (i) or 10 (2) (a) (ii); and
(ii) shows that the transmitters on the site, taken as a whole, comply with
section 8.
(2) If the licensee:
(a) is requested to give the ACA documentation under subsection 9 (3); and
(b) gives the ACA all of the documentation the licensee keeps under paragraph
12 (1) (b);
the licensee is taken to have complied with subsection 9 (3).
(3) A licensee that keeps documentation referred to in paragraph 12 (1) (b) is taken to
have complied with paragraph 15 (1) (e).
Note Paragraph 15 (1) (e) deals with records containing results and methods of assessments
under paragraph 10 (2) (a) or subsection 13 (1).

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Introduction

Electromagnetic Radiation and it applicability to Licensees

(1) This section applies to a transmitter (other than a mobile station):

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