RF Safe

Mobile phone MIMO antenna array miniaturization-based low SAR research in the combined EMF.

PloS one · 2026 · Mixed · Low evidence

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MixedLow evidencePaper 5911

Using simulated multi-pose human models with a miniaturized mobile phone MIMO antenna array as the source, the study analyzed SAR under single-frequency and combined (4G+5G) exposure scenarios. Peak SAR in various tissues under multi-frequency exposure was re…

Study snapshot

PublicationPloS one · 2026
Study typeengineering
Reported directionMixed
Evidence ratingLow

Abstract

Due to the diversification of media functions of mobile phones, users can make calls and access the internet simultaneously, which has significantly increased the usage time of mobile phones. The exposure dose of the users in the combined electromagnetic fields (EMF) should be further quantified to better evaluate the public exposure safety. Different from most conventional EMF safety studies that only focus on a single frequency, this work not only discusses the mobile phone simultaneously operated in fourth-generation (4G) and fifth-generation (5G) mobile communications radiation impact on users, but also verifies that the miniaturized mobile phone multiple-input multiple-output (MIMO) antenna array can significantly reduce the specific absorption rate (SAR) absorbed by users. In this article, a miniaturized mobile phone MIMO antenna array is employed as the radiation source, and multi-pose human models are established to simulate the practical utilization of a smartphone. A systematic analysis of the SAR absorbed by the human model is conducted in both single and combined EMF scenarios. The results indicate that the peak SAR in various tissues under multi-frequency exposure is 1.02 to 15.85 times higher than that under single-frequency exposure.

Machine Enhanced Logic

AI evidence extraction

Structured fields below were generated from the paper’s abstract and metadata to make the evidence easier to inspect. Automated extraction may be incomplete or incorrect; verify important details against the original paper.

Study typeengineering
Effect directionmixed
PopulationHuman models (multi-pose) used for smartphone-use simulations
Sample sizeNot supplied
ExposureRF
Evidence strengthLowConfidence: 74% · Peer reviewed: yes

Main findings

Using simulated multi-pose human models with a miniaturized mobile phone MIMO antenna array as the source, the study analyzed SAR under single-frequency and combined (4G+5G) exposure scenarios. Peak SAR in various tissues under multi-frequency exposure was reported as 1.02 to 15.85 times higher than under single-frequency exposure, and the miniaturized MIMO antenna array was reported to significantly reduce SAR absorbed by users.

Outcomes measured

  • Specific absorption rate (SAR) in tissues under single-frequency vs combined (4G+5G) exposure
  • Peak SAR ratios (multi-frequency vs single-frequency)

Limitations

  • Appears to be based on simulations using human models rather than measurements in people (no empirical exposure measurements described in abstract).
  • Specific frequencies, SAR values, and quantitative magnitude of SAR reduction from miniaturization are not provided in the abstract.
  • No sample size or details of the number/type of human models and poses are provided in the abstract.
View raw extracted JSON
{
  "study_type": "engineering",
  "exposure": {
    "band": "RF",
    "source": "mobile phone",
    "frequency_mhz": null,
    "sar_wkg": null,
    "duration": null
  },
  "population": "Human models (multi-pose) used for smartphone-use simulations",
  "sample_size": null,
  "outcomes": [
    "Specific absorption rate (SAR) in tissues under single-frequency vs combined (4G+5G) exposure",
    "Peak SAR ratios (multi-frequency vs single-frequency)"
  ],
  "main_findings": "Using simulated multi-pose human models with a miniaturized mobile phone MIMO antenna array as the source, the study analyzed SAR under single-frequency and combined (4G+5G) exposure scenarios. Peak SAR in various tissues under multi-frequency exposure was reported as 1.02 to 15.85 times higher than under single-frequency exposure, and the miniaturized MIMO antenna array was reported to significantly reduce SAR absorbed by users.",
  "effect_direction": "mixed",
  "limitations": [
    "Appears to be based on simulations using human models rather than measurements in people (no empirical exposure measurements described in abstract).",
    "Specific frequencies, SAR values, and quantitative magnitude of SAR reduction from miniaturization are not provided in the abstract.",
    "No sample size or details of the number/type of human models and poses are provided in the abstract."
  ],
  "evidence_strength": "low",
  "confidence": 0.74,
  "peer_reviewed_likely": "yes",
  "keywords": [
    "mobile phone",
    "MIMO",
    "antenna array",
    "miniaturization",
    "SAR",
    "combined EMF",
    "4G",
    "5G",
    "multi-frequency exposure",
    "human model simulation"
  ],
  "suggested_hubs": [
    {
      "slug": "who-icnirp",
      "weight": 0.28,
      "reason": "Focuses on SAR and public exposure safety considerations relevant to guideline discussions."
    }
  ]
}
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AI-extracted fields are generated from the abstract and metadata and may be incomplete or incorrect. This material is for informational purposes and is not medical advice.

Identifiers and source

DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0340681
PubMed: 41533703

Read the original paper →

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