Appendix 2

Weighting Filters

Chapter 6 introduced the exposure evaluation using the weighted peak

method applicable to low-frequency fields. It applies weighting functions whose
design is not necessarily immediate for non-specialists. This appendix presents
the main functions regarding the EMF Directive.

These functions are either analog filters or digital filters. In theory, they
should cover the band from 1 Hz to 10 MHz. In practice, they are often
limited to 400 kHz in measurement devices, due to design constraints. This
limitation generally does not pose a difficulty, since the equipment rarely
radiates beyond 100 kHz if low frequencies are considered.

The weighted peak method is applicable to the external electric field, to

magnetic induction and to internal electric fields or current density. Thus, the
weighting functions apply to action levels (reference levels) as well as to
exposure limit values (basic restrictions). These functions, and therefore the
structure of the filters, depend on the limit selected.

A2.1. Weighting filter: introduction

The general public limits (reference levels) of the 1998 ICNIRP

Guidelines in the frequency band from 8 Hz to 100 kHz are used to
introduce the design of a weighting filter.

The design of the filter is simple when the weighting function is

approximate. Its transfer function follows the weighting function (Chapter 6)
as closely as possible, as shown in Figure A2.1. The weighting function is

Human Exposure to Electromagnetic Fields: From Extremely Low Frequency (ELF) to Radiofrequency,
First Edition. Patrick Staebler.
© ISTE Ltd 2017. Published by ISTE Ltd and John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
364 Human Exposure to Electromagnetic Fields

represented by a solid line up to 100 kHz, in comparison with the levels fixed
by the Guidelines represented by the piecewise linear curve (dotted line).

Figure A2.1. Piecewise linear and approximate weighting (1998

ICNIRP – general public) from 8 Hz to 100 kHz (peak values)

The weighting function is constant beyond 800 Hz (Figure A2.1). It presents

a slope proportional to f below 800 Hz (slope of 20 dB per decade or 6 dB per
octave). This is the response curve of a first-order high-pass filter associated
1
with a gain amplifier , which corresponds to the inverse of the peak
2.6.25
reference level. The filter may be designed with a resistor and a capacitor (RC
filter) [ICN 10], as shown in Figure A2.2.

Figure A2.2. Weighting filter principle

 Appendix 2 365

B(t) is in µT. The RC product has a value of 1/ (2·π·fc). fc corresponds to the

break frequency usually called the cutoff frequency (fc = 800 Hz).

The capacitor behaves like a short circuit at high frequencies. The circuit
gain is therefore that of the amplifier. In these conditions, a high-frequency
sinusoidal signal with peak amplitude lower than 6.25√2 will give a peak
output level lower than 1, max|W(t | ≤ 1. The limit exposure level is not
exceeded in this case. The general public exposure is compliant with the
1998 ICNIRP Guidelines and the EC Recommendation.

At frequencies lower than 800 Hz, the impedance of the capacitor becomes
greater than the resistance, causing a decrease in the gain of the function.
Ultimately, a direct input signal (with zero frequency) is completely stopped by
the capacitor; the output level is zero. This signal is thus canceled, as can be seen
(or guessed) on the weighting curves (Figure A2.1).

The RC filter attenuates a sinusoidal signal at 50 Hz of a ratio of 16 in

relation to a high-frequency signal. A signal with an rms value of 100 µT
(100√2 µT peak) will therefore give a maximum output level equal to 1.

The gain (module) of the transfer function of this circuit is written

according to the frequency f (Hz):

1 f2
WL( f ) = . [A2.1]
2.Blh f 2 + fc 2

where fc is the cutoff frequency of the filter (Hz), and Blh is the high-
frequency reference level (6.25 µT if the intention is to assess exposure with
regard to the magnetic field reference levels for the general public).

It can be verified that the gain of this function is zero for a frequency of
zero (f = 0). When f tends toward infinity, the term under the root tends
toward 1.

If the asymptotes of the filter gain overlap the reference levels at the
lowest and highest frequencies perfectly, there is a difference of 30 % at the
cutoff frequency between the two functions. This difference, which
corresponds to 3 dB, is accepted by ICNIRP, because, on the one hand, the
reference levels have been derived cautiously from the basic restrictions,
and, on the other hand, it describes more accurately the biophysical
366 Human Exposure to Electromagnetic Fields

mechanisms and the electrophysiological model of a nerve (the peripheral

nervous system consists of myelinated nerves, which are modeled by a
cascade of RC filters under the excitability thresholds [JOK 00]).

Furthermore, a physical filter obligatorily introduces a phase difference

dependent on the gain between the output signal and the input signal. The phase
of the transfer function of the RC filter is written in radians:

π
ϕ( f ) = − arctan ( f / fc ) [A2.2]
2

where f is the frequency (Hz) and fc = 800 Hz. It is represented in degrees by

the graph in Figure A2.3.

Figure A2.3. Phase curve of a first-order high-pass filter

This phase corresponds to phase ϕi introduced in [6.27].

The representation of the filter shows that the exposure index is

proportional to the signal at frequencies higher than the cutoff frequency. It
can be demonstrated to be proportional to the derivative of the signal below
this frequency.
 Appendix 2 367

A2.2. Weighting according to the EMF Directive (ICNIRP 2010)

The weighting functions presented in the first part of this section refer to
magnetic induction (action levels). In the second part, they refer to the
induced electric fields (exposure limit values).

A2.2.1. Exposure versus low action levels

Low action levels (LALs) aim to protect against sensory effects. They
should be considered for the exposure of the central nervous system of the
head (section 5.2.2.1).

According to the principle outlined in the previous section, the weighting

function to be used for calculating exposure indices is the inverse of the
curve representing LALs (Figure 5.5). The filter is a little bit more advanced
than that presented in the previous section, since the reference level changes
slope four times.

The slope of the filter is proportional to f 2 below 8 Hz, to f between 8 and

25 Hz, zero between 25 and 300 Hz, and then again proportional to f
between 300 Hz and 3 kHz, then zero above this point. The phase is 180°,
90°, 0°, 90° and 0° over these bands.

Figure A2.4. Weighting function (Bode plot) according to low ALs for B as
defined by the EMF Directive (peak values)
368 Human Exposure to Electromagnetic Fields

Four elementary filters are required for design. Their cutoff frequencies
are f1 = 8 Hz, f2 = 25 Hz, f3 = 300 Hz, f4 = 3 kHz. The gain at the highest
frequencies is 1/(100√2). It goes down to 1/(1,000√2) around 100 Hz.

The gain according to f of this function is written as follows:

2
⎛f ⎞
1 + ⎜⎜ 3 ⎟⎟
1 ⎝ f ⎠
WL LAL ( f ) = . [A2.3]
Blh. 2 ⎡ ⎛ f ⎞2 ⎤ ⎡ ⎛ f ⎞2 ⎤ ⎡ ⎛ f ⎞2 ⎤
⎢1 + ⎜⎜ 1 ⎟⎟ ⎥ . ⎢1 + ⎜⎜ 2 ⎟⎟ ⎥ . ⎢1 + ⎜⎜ 4 ⎟⎟ ⎥
⎢ ⎝ f ⎠ ⎥ ⎢ ⎝ f ⎠ ⎥ ⎢ ⎝ f ⎠ ⎥
⎣ ⎦ ⎣ ⎦ ⎣ ⎦

Blh (action level at the highest frequencies) is equal to 100 µT.

As for [A2.1], when frequency (f) tends toward infinity, the gain tends
toward 1/(Blh√2), and when it tends toward 0, the gain tends toward 0.

The phase of this function is a simple trigonometric function sum. It is

written in radians according to the frequency:
ϕ ( f ) = π − arctan ( f / f1 ) − arctan ( f / f 2 )
[A2.4]
+ arctan ( f / f3 ) − arctan ( f / f 4 )

It is represented, thus, with the theoretical (piecewise linear) phase curve

in degrees (Figure A2.5).

Figure A2.5. Phase of the weighting function according to low ALs for B
 Appendix 2 369

The constraint, to not have a gain differing by more than 3 dB from the
theoretical limits and to limit the phase difference to 90°, is respected.

As indicated in section 6.5.2.3, the field must generally be processed

simultaneously over three channels when it is measured over three axes. This
filter should be duplicated, as shown in Figure 6.8.

A2.2.2. Exposure versus high action levels

The high action levels (HALs) of the EMF Directive aim to protect
against health effects, which may appear in the head and trunk of the
exposed person in their workplace (section 5.2.2.1). These values were also
given by the 2010 ICNIRP Guidelines. They were derived from the basic
restrictions.

Assessment of the exposure level in relation to HALs follows the process

applicable to LALs with a simple weighting function. This function is
plotted in Figure A2.6.

Figure A2.6. Weighting function according to high ALs for B

as defined by the EMF Directive (peak values)
370 Human Exposure to Electromagnetic Fields

The module of the function represented above is written as follows:

1 1
WL HAL ( f ) = . 2
[A2.5]
2 .Blh ⎛ f ⎞
1 + ⎜⎜ 4 ⎟⎟
⎝ f ⎠

Blh is equal to 100 µT. The cutoff frequency f4 is equal to 3 kHz.

When the frequency tends toward infinity, the gain tends toward
1/(Blh√2), and when it tends toward 0, the gain tends toward 0.

The phase of this function is also given by [A2.2]. Its curve is illustrated in
Figure A2.7.

Figure A2.7. Phase of the weighting function according to high ALs for B

A2.2.3. Exposure versus action levels relating to limbs

The EMF Directive defines action levels aiming to protect the limbs
(lbAL) of an exposed worker from health effects (section 5.2.2.1). These
values were also derived from the basic restrictions defined by the 2010
ICNIRP Guidelines.
 Appendix 2 371

The resulting weighting function is illustrated by Figure A2.8.

The gain of this function is written as follows:

1 1
WLlbAL ( f ) = . 2
[A2.6]
2 .Blh ⎛ f ⎞
1 + ⎜⎜ 4 ⎟⎟
⎝ f ⎠

Blh is 300 µT here. The cutoff frequency f4 is 3 kHz. This notation is the
same as [A2.5].

Figure A2.8. Weighting function according to limb AL(B)s (peak values)

There is a constant ratio of 3 between the gain of this function and that of
the previous one [A2.5]. For this reason, the limb AL exposure index can be
obtained directly by dividing the result from the high AL function by 3:
WPM
WPM IEHAL
IElbAL = [A2.7]
3
372 Human Exposure to Electromagnetic Fields

The phase curve associated with [A2.6] is identical to the previous phase
curve (Figure A2.7).

A2.2.4. Exposure indices for induced electric fields

It is more practical to assess the exposure with the action levels (or
reference levels) than with the exposure limit values (or basic restrictions).
However, when the former are exceeded, an alternative is to verify the
exposure in relation to the latter.

At low frequencies (1 Hz ≤ f ≤ 10 MHz), the exposure limit values are

defined in terms of the induced electric field in the EMF Directive. This field
is calculated when the coupling coefficient has been determined (relationship
between the induced field and the external field for a given exposure – see
concept in section 8.6).

The weighted peak method is also applied to induced electric

fields [ICN 10, EC 01]. This section presents the weighting functions
applicable to this domain. The exposure indices are calculated as described
in Chapter 6.

A2.2.4.1. Exposure versus sensory effect exposure limit values

The sensory effect exposure limit values (ELVSs) aim to protect against
sensory effects. They should be considered for the exposure of the central
nervous system of the exposed person’s head.

The weighting function in peak value is plotted in Figure A2.9 (inverse of

the CNS curve in Figure 5.3). It will be noted that the curve is not limited to
400 Hz, unlike the limits. Beyond this point, the curve represents the health
effect exposure limit values. This does not alter the results at all, because
compliance with these values must be verified either way, and this avoids
curtailing the spectrum of the signal and simplifies the processing. This
example is given in rms value in the appendix of the 2010 ICNIRP
Guidelines [ICN 10].

The cutoff frequencies are f1 = 8 Hz, f2 = 25 Hz, f3 = 400 Hz, f4 = 3 kHz.

The minimum limit value (ELVSmin peak) is 70 mV·m–1 (50 mV·m–1 rms).
 Appendix 2 373

Figure A2.9. Gain response of the weighting function for sensory

effect ELVSs (peak values)

The theoretical function (piecewise linear) reaches the inversed value, i.e.
1/(0.07 V·m–1) at 20 Hz. The approximate function is expressed as follows:

2
⎛ f ⎞
1 + ⎜⎜ ⎟⎟
1 ⎝ f3 ⎠
WL( f ) = . [A2.8]
ELVS min peak ⎡ ⎛ f ⎞ 2 ⎤ ⎡ ⎛ f ⎞ 2 ⎤ ⎡ ⎛ f ⎞ 2 ⎤
⎢1 + ⎜⎜ 1 ⎟⎟ ⎥ . ⎢1 + ⎜⎜ ⎟⎟ ⎥ . ⎢1 + ⎜⎜ ⎟⎟ ⎥
⎢⎣ ⎝ f ⎠ ⎥⎦ ⎢⎣ ⎝ f 2 ⎠ ⎥⎦ ⎢⎣ ⎝ f 4 ⎠ ⎥⎦

This expression shows that when the frequency f tends toward zero or
toward infinity, the gain tends toward 0.

The phase of the function is a sum of trigonometric functions (arctan). It is

therefore represented (Figure A2.10) together with the piecewise linear phase
curve.

The exposure index for induced fields (exposure limit values) is

calculated as for magnetic fields (action levels).
374 Human Exposure to Electromagnetic Fields

Figure A2.10. Phase response of the weighting function for sensory effect ELVS

A2.2.4.2. Exposure versus health effect exposure limit values

Health effect exposure limit values (ELVHs) aim to protect against health
effects. They should be considered for the exposure of the peripheral
nervous system present throughout the exposed person’s body (head, trunk
and limbs, section 5.2.1.1).

The weighting function is plotted in Figure A2.11 (inverse of the PNS

curve in Figure 5.2). The peak values are taken into account.

The cutoff frequency (f4) is 3 kHz. The approximate curve is expressed as

follows:

2
⎛ f ⎞
1 + ⎜⎜ ⎟⎟
WL ( f ) =
1
. ⎝ f3 ⎠
ELVH min crête ⎡ ⎛ f ⎞2 ⎤ ⎡ ⎛ f ⎞2 ⎤ ⎡ ⎛ f ⎞2 ⎤ [A2.9]
⎢1 + ⎜⎜ 1 ⎟⎟ ⎥ . ⎢1 + ⎜⎜ ⎟⎟ ⎥ . ⎢1 + ⎜⎜ ⎟⎟ ⎥
⎢⎣ ⎝ f ⎠ ⎥⎦ ⎢⎣ ⎝ f 2 ⎠ ⎥⎦ ⎢⎣ ⎝ f 4 ⎠ ⎥⎦

where ELVHmin peak (low-frequency limit) is equal to 1.1 V·m–1 corresponding

to 800 mV·m–1 rms.
 Appendix 2 375

Figure A2.11. Gain response of the weighting function for health effect ELVs

This function corresponds to the frequency response of a first-order low-

pass filter. Its phase response is illustrated in degrees by Figure A2.12.

Figure A2.12. Phase response of the weighting function for health effect ELVS
376 Human Exposure to Electromagnetic Fields

The phase expressed in radians as a function of the frequency is the

following:

ϕ ( f ) = − arctan ( f / f 4 )
[A2.10]