Physikalisch-Technische Bundesanstalt

Tasks

Since the basic work of J. C. MAXWELL (1831 - 1879) and the practical realization of H. HERTZ (1857 - 1894) it is known that electromagnetic waves can propagate without transmission lines and without any medium in free space at the speed of light. Especially the frequency range between ca. 10 kHz and 100 GHz (radio frequency) is increasingly used for communications (radio broadcast, television, mobile phone and other wireless communications of all kind) and for other special tasks in private households, industry and medicine. All these applications cannot be dismissed from one’s thoughts in modern life. Despite the rapid increase of the number of electronic devices and emitters they are not allowed to due any harm to humans nor to interfere with each other. In the future it can be expected that frequencies in the THz region (100 GHz – 3 THz) will be used which is still mostly unused.

To fulfill this fundamental task of a peaceful coexistence of many technical facilities at the same location the PTB makes its technical contribution. The tasks of the working group 2.21 include:

• Realization of electric and magnetic radio-frequency field strength
• Calibration of measuring instruments for field-strength and power flux density
• • Electromagnetic Compatibility (EMC) of equipment
• Electromagnetic Compatibility (EMC) of equipment
• Calibration of EMC testing generators
• Procedures for evaluation of EMC test environments
• Competence Center for EMC
• Generation and measurement of electrical subnanosecond pulses
• Retraceable power and field strength measurements of digital signals
• Extension of measurement capabilities into the sub-mm range (THz metrology)
• Retraceable power and field strength measurements
• Metrology for future THz communication systems
• Dosimetry of non-ionizing radiation for the field exposition of biological samples

In the study of biological effects of electromagnetic fields ("electromagnetic pollution") PTB conducts field exposition experiments together with cooperation partners from biology. The task of PTB is to guarantee an exact dosimetry during exposition. For further information about this subject matter, e. g. personal security guidelines and prescriptive field strength limits we refer to:

• BfS - Bundesamt für Strahlenschutz (Federal Office for Radiation Protection)
• BAuA - Bundesanstalt für Unfallschutz und Arbeitsmedizin (Federal Institute for Occupational Safety and Health),
• BNetzA - Bundesnetzagentur für Elektrizität, Gas, Telekommunikation, Post und Eisenbahnen (Federal Network Agency (former RegTP))

Contact

Head of Working Group		Dr. Thomas Kleine-Ostmann Phone: +49-531 592-2210 Fax:    +49-531 592-2256 E-Mail: Thomas Kleine-Ostmann
Address		Physikalisch-Technische Bundesanstalt Working Group 2.21 - Electromagnetic Fields Bundesallee 100 38116 Braunschweig Germany