Spread Spectrum Information
All Cisco radio-based products comply with both the ANSI C95.1-1991 IEEE Standards for Safety Levels with Respect to Human Exposure as well as the FCC Office of Engineering and Technology Bulletin 65 Evaluating Compliance with the FCC Guidelines for Human Exposure. Cisco radios are evaluated for RF Safety Compliance per the requirements of FCC Part 2.1091 and 2.1093 of the FCC rules as well as RSS-102 requirements from Industry Canada. The compliance is based on the results of the Maximum Permissible Exposure Studies for mobile or fixed devices and per Specific Absorption Rate Tests for portable devices.
By definition, portable devices are devices that are designed to operate with the antenna less than 20cm from the user or bystander. An example would be a radio installed in a Palmtop device, which could be belt worn and used or some laptop installations. Mobile and fixed devices are designed to be used at distances greater than 20 cm from the user. This includes systems mounted in desktops, ceiling mounted systems, or systems with the antenna mounted on the roof or tower.
Cisco wireless devices generally operate at power levels 5 or 6 times lower than that of standard cell phones and at lower duty cycles. The lower power and duty cycle decreases the user's exposure to RF fields, thus reducing the exposure level.
For portable devices, the spread spectrum radios operate at one-tenth of the recommended exposure requirements for this type of device.
Cisco systems are also designed to reduce emissions that can interfere with medical devices. Cisco products such as the various spread spectrum radio meet both the FCC and European emission levels required for devices operating in medical environments specifically EN 55011 emission standards.
In September, 1996, an independent test was conducted by a hospital before the installation of Cisco Spread Spectrum Systems. The results showed that the Cisco Systems 2.4 GHz radios did not interfere or degrade the performance of heart pacemakers when operated at close proximity to such a device. Additional studies are currently ongoing with Cisco WLAN radios and medical implant devices.
The various Cisco radio products do not produce any harmful ionization. The bottom line is that Cisco Systems products are safe, provided that they are not used in a manner inconsistent with intended use.
The above information was retrieved from Cisco Systems Wireless Systems and RF Safety Issues whitepaper.
Power Safety Information
Students and staff are advised that if they intend to plug their laptops into power points on campus, Griffith University will not be liable for any damage that may occur to their personal equipment. Students and staff are advised to only use the manufacturer's power supply that came with their laptop and use a surge protector/power filter.
Australian Government Standards
The Australian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA) provides the standards that manufacturers must adhere to when selling goods in Australia. The Electromagnetic energy (EME) human health exposure regulations information can be found at:
Contact us
Support and feedback
Faults and problems with Wi-Fi access services should be logged with IT Service Centre.
View Wi-Fi safety information.
