EMFields Measuring Equipment - The COM, the Electrosmog Detector and 3G transmissions
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The COM microwave monitor was designed to measure GSM (2G) and TETRA mobile phone handsets, digital cordless (DECT) phones and GSM and TETRA masts. It will also measure VHF FM radio and UHF TV signals.
The spread spectrum technology used in 3G, although putting out higher overall levels of power, are much harder to measure using a broadband instrument such as the COM. This is because they rely on lots of low(ish) level signals of different frequencies, instead of a more powerful single frequency signal. Thus the COM will significantly under-read 3G signals.
WLANs & WiFi most of the time only emit very short bursts of radiation with big gaps in between. In order to get a realistic reading on the COM it is important for the wLAN link to be working at maximum capacity. Getting the link to work at maximum capacity involves transferring large files (e.g. larger than 10MB) while taking the measurements. The difference in signal quality can clearly be heard on the Electrosmog Detector, changing from occasional quiet 'clicks' (background) to a sustained 'buzzing' noise (working at capacity). Neither the COM nor the Electrosmog Detector is capable of detecting or measuring the next generation of wLANs in the 5-6 GHz frequency band which are gradually becoming available. The new instrument, the Acousti-Meter soon to be available from EMFields, will be able to detect and measure this.
WiMAX in Europe is being most commonly implemented at 3.6 GHz. This is above the frequency of about 3 GHz where the COM and Electrosmog Detector's performance falls off. Both instruments should detect WiMAX but will under-register.
We have had reports of some 3G phones not registering on the Electrosmog Detector. At present we do not understand this, as other 3G phones used in the same locations do register. As some 3G phones can transmit their signals via local WiFi hotspots, it may be that the ones that we can't hear are using this method. We are investigating further.