What is the definition of duty cycle during the averaging time for RF exposure?

• A. The total power emitted by the transmitter
• B. The percentage of time that a transmitter is transmitting
• C. The maximum power output at any moment
• D. The duration of transmission in seconds

Answer: (B)

Duty cycle refers to the fraction or percentage of time a transmitter is actively transmitting relative to the total time period being considered. In the context of RF exposure, the duty cycle is crucial in determining the average power exposure over time. When assessing RF safety, it is essential to know not only the power output of a transmitter but also how often and for how long it is actually transmitting.

For instance, if a transmitter operates for 10 seconds in a 100-second window, it has a duty cycle of 10%, meaning it is actively transmitting only a fraction of the total time. This influences the average exposure level a person may experience, as higher duty cycles can lead to greater exposure compared to lower duty cycles, even with the same peak power output.

Other options, while they may pertain to aspects of RF transmission, do not adequately capture the essence of duty cycle as it relates to time management in signal transmission. These aspects include total power, maximum power output, and duration without addressing the critical relationship between transmission time and overall time. Therefore, understanding the duty cycle in this manner is vital for assessing RF safety and compliance with exposure limits.