cSAR3D: The Only Vector SAR System to Fully Meet the Demanding Requirements of IEC 62209-3

Recent tests from independent laboratories have shown that cSAR3D meets the stringent requirements of draft IEC 62209-3. All evaluated cSAR3D systems pass the validation protocol. The validation results show that the reported measurement uncertainty is conservative - the estimated uncertainty is below the 30% upper bound for cSAR3D Flat and cSAR3D Quad. This is good news for cSAR3D users who expect high quality from SPEAG products. The news is also timely given the recent approval of IEC 62209-3 for publication as a Publicly Available Specification (IEC PAS 63151). Publication of IEC 62209-3 as an International Standard is expected in 2018.

cSAR3D has a simple and fully-featured user interface. The hardware can also be controlled remotely for automation or combined with DASY6.

cSAR3D employs an array of over 1000 electric field sensors to evaluate the specific absorption rate (SAR) in the phantom, allowing fast measurement acquisition in < 1 sec. Novel 3D field reconstruction algorithms calculate the SAR in the volume of the phantom with high accuracy. The cSAR3D has the benefit of being modular. Head and flat phantoms can be used independently and budget-conscious users can build a system according to their needs.

cSAR3D is the most accurate and repeatable vector measurement-based system on the market. Two independent laboratories have evaluated cSAR3D using the IEC 62209-3 validation protocol.  All test results on Flat and Head phantoms are within the acceptance criteria, validating the accuracy of the measurement uncertainty. The accuracy has been validated by comparison with Sim4Life simulations and DASY measurements. The average and standard deviation of cSAR3D results to numerical targets is 0.0 dB and 0.55 dB, respectively, demonstrating that cSAR3D is a best-in-class array system. The results also showed that the measurement accuracy was not dependent on the source type. A complete set of validation antennas is available from SPEAG.

Detailed uncertainty evaluation of cSAR3D has been conducted in accordance with the draft IEC 62209-3 and is valid over the full frequency range (600 MHz – 6 GHz) over a wide range of measurement configurations. cSAR3D Flat and Quad systems meet the 30% uncertainty limits of IEC 62209-3, while the cSAR3D Heads have an estimated expanded uncertainty of 36%. The uncertainty budget is documented and available in the software, allowing the user to assess the confidence in the SAR measurements. cSAR3D systems are calibrated at our dedicated calibration lab in Zurich. The laboratory is fully accredited to the ISO/IEC 17025 quality standard, exceeding the traceability requirements in IEC 62209-3. After calibration, the accuracy of each cSAR3D is verified.

Ease of use has been a prime design consideration; the cSAR3D software has an intuitive user interface with powerful features to automate SAR testing. Automation features include a robust base station simulator interface for call handling, a Python scripting interface to create measurement projects and process data, and a remote interface allowing sites to use their own automated test software and analysis tools and to extend scalability to multi-site environments. An automated device positioner enables precise and repeatable device positioning on the phantoms using a robot.

At least 40% time/cost savings can be made in compliance measurements when the cSAR3D hardware is integrated with industry standard DASY6 using the recently developed and fully featured cSARD6 combining software that creates an automated and powerful SAR compliance system. It provides the speed of cSAR3D and the DASY6 advantages of precision, versatility and full compatibility with all international SAR measurement standards - 'The best of both worlds'.

To learn more about why cSAR3D is the market leader in SAR array systems and the preferred choice of regulators, test labs and wireless device manufacturers, please contact us at info@speag.swiss.