Hermes Project
Summary
In November 2002, Mobile Radiocommunications Laboratory started the operation of the first electromagnetic radiation monitoring network in Greece, named “Hermes program”. The development of this network was motivated by the lack of previous systematic measurement and recording of electromagnetic field strength levels over the country and aimed at providing valid, up-to-date information to citizens about the results of these measurements, namely, the exposure level to non-ionizing electromagnetic radiation.
Figure 1: Hermes Project website.
Figure 2: System architecture.
The system at its present state (May 2019) comprises 124 remote monitoring stations spread all over Greece and two control units located in two university laboratories (National Technical University of Athens, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki). The Mobile Radiocommunications Laboratory of NTUA controls stations located in the Southern Greece while the University of Thessaloniki controls the Northern parts.
The stations are located at schools, universities, public buildings and private flats. There are multiple criteria for the selection of the measurement sites. High population concentration is among the most important ones. The special features of each location, such as the presence of buildings of particular interest for the local community (e.g. schools and hospitals) and the existence of antennas in the close vicinity of the sites are also taken into account. It should be explicitly noted that the aim of this monitoring network is to provide the public with accurate information about the electromagnetic radiation at sensitive areas all over Greece rather than to measure the radiation emitted from specific antennas. As a result, the technical characteristics (emitted power, main lobes, etc) of the nearby antennas are not a priori known, as we do not focus on distinctive antennas.
Figure 3: Setup for ad-hoc measurements.
Figure 4: Indicative results of power flux density measurements for a specific time period.
Figure 5: Indicative results of power flux density regarding frequency selective measurements.
Figure 6: Contribution of each sub-band to the total electric field (frequency selective measurements).
Hermes Program Impact for ICCS / NTUA
Hermes program is a development project and from 2002 up to date has funded many research activities of the Mobile Radiocommunications Laboratory of the NTUA, while from the project resources, the Laboratory equipment has been upgraded and expanded. Also, a requirement of the project is the certified electromagnetic radiation measurements according to the standard ISO17025:2005, as a result, the Mobile Radiocommunications Laboratory has been accredited with the above standard by the National Accreditation System (ESYD). Also, from the beginning of the project (2002) it offers three (3) jobs with contract. The engineers are accredited and able to perform electromagnetic radiation measurements while supporting the proper functioning and maintenance of the monitoring network.
For more information please contact:
- Professor Konstantina Nikita, Tel.: 210 7722285, Fax: 210 7722285, email: knikita@ece.ntua.gr
- Nektarios Moraitis, Teaching and Research Associate, Tel. 210 7723848, Fax: 210 7723851, email: morai@mobile.ntua.gr