Date of Award

2012

Document Type

Thesis

Publisher

Edith Cowan University

Degree Name

Master of Engineering Science

School

School of Engineering

Faculty

Faculty of Computing, Health and Science

First Supervisor

Professor Daryoush Habibi

Second Supervisor

Dr Xiaoli Zhao

Abstract

This thesis presents the results of our investigation into the measurement and filtering of microwave radiation, and the subsequent development of a microwave reduction solution for modern building architecture utilising Energy Saving Glass (ESG), in conjunction with Frequency Selective (FSS) surfaces through which useful signals can be filtered. In the investigation, radiation power density levels arising from the three common microwave sources (radio base stations, mobile phones, and microwave ovens) were measured, and the results were compared with the standards provided by the Australian Radiation Protection and Nuclear Safety Agency. For the radio base stations, the relationship between radiation intensity levels and the important location parameters at the measurement point, e.g., line of sight, distance and elevation, are discussed in detail. Our results show that locations having the same elevation level as the RBS receive higher level of radiation, compared to those locations not at the same level. Power density of the radiation from microwave ovens was measured at various distances and angles. The results indicate that most of the radiation is emitted through the main door of the ovens, with the doors normally being assembled utilising simple float glass. ESG was found to have desirable radiation attenuating characteristics, and was identified as an effective replacement for float glass in microwave oven doors. In our investigation of the third potentially hazardous source of microwave radiation, the mobile handset, measurements were carried out in order to analyse power density levels during both call and idle times. Our results confirm that some handsets do not change power level, while others use higher power to communicate with the base station during a call. It is our recommendation that the manufacturers label each handset with the specific transmission power level in order to provide users with the relevant information. The conclusions drawn from our investigations lead us to recommend that ESG be used in buildings close to RBS, so that the levels of unnecessary radiation are reduced. However, useful signals would still be transmitted by utilising the dual bandpass FSS filters designed as part of this work. We designed two distinct models of bandpass FSS filters on hard coated ESG. The first filter that we designed will block microwave signals coming from weather radar, personal communication devices, power transmission lines and emergency service radios, while transmitting useful UMTS and Wi-Fi signals; minimising the radiation impact. Only 7.30% of the coating area of the glass was removed to enable transmission in the U850 and U2100 frequency bands. The second design requires the removal of 12.35% of the coating area to enable transmission in the U800, U850, U1900 and U2100 frequency bands. Simulation results for the two designs show stable frequency responses for both TE and TM polarisations at normal and oblique incident angles, with attenuation's below 10 dB within the passbands. Parametric studies on geometrical dimensions, substrate permittivity, and thickness help clarify the effects of these parameters upon the overall performance of FSS on hard coating ESG, and help the process of FSS design optimisation.

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