ETD

• 5G NR
• controlled measurements
• exposure limit
• OTA measurements
• safety

This thesis presents an experimental study on the measurement and analysis of 5G New Radio (NR) signals, combining controlled laboratory experiments with real on-air measurements. The work begins with a detailed characterization of 5G NR signals generated in laboratory conditions, allowing the validation of measurement techniques and the understanding of key signal features such as synchronization signal blocks (SSBs), time-division duplexing behavior, and power distribution.
Subsequently, on-air measurement campaigns were conducted using a portable spectrum analyzer in different real environments, including urban and semi-urban scenarios. These measurements focused on evaluating electromagnetic field levels, channel power, time-domain behavior, and beamforming characteristics of active 5G base stations. Field strength was estimated by converting measured channel power values into electric field levels, enabling a comparison with regulatory exposure limits.
Finally, the thesis introduces an autonomous post-processing approach based on IQ data acquisition and MATLAB analysis. From a single IQ capture, spectrograms are reconstructed and OFDM symbol boundaries are identified through correlation-based techniques, enabling the detection of SSB timing and structure without relying on proprietary decoding tools. Overall, the results demonstrate the consistency of laboratory and on-air measurements and confirm that the observed exposure levels remain well below critical thresholds.