Now that mobile wireless devices are used by even junior students, many are beginning to wonder what is the base station of cellular communication and what impact it has on a person. It is not surprising that the news is constantly mentioned about the scandals caused by the installation of towers with transmitters on the roofs of high-rise residential buildings without agreement with the tenants. Today we will try to understand what is really happening and whether the danger is real?
Mobile networks
It is difficult to imagine the modern world without the means of communication: it is very convenient to get a mobile phone out of your pocket and, having dialed the desired number, communicate with someone. Alas, for the convenience you have to pay. And not only money, but also your own health. Any wireless device, being active, negatively affects a person. Phone is no exception. Since it is difficult to abandon it, having become acquainted with what a base station is and with the principles of its operation, it is possible to reduce the total harmful effect.
There are three main types of connection:
- Directly between the two devices;
- Through satellite;
- In the system where the base station is used.
Direct communication requires that devices are in the range of their own transceiver modules, which is not always possible, since in many cases this would require huge power and external antennas. Communication via the satellite is too expensive and is not designed for one-time service to millions of subscribers, which is typical for terrestrial mobile GSM networks, which are based on a unit-base station. Accordingly, the last thing remains - cellular communication.
Network structure
To answer the question, what is a base station, let's imagine a simple situation when you need to establish a wireless connection between two phones. While they are in the coverage area of their own transmitters, there are no problems. However, since the power is low, with some removal of the devices from one another, the connection is lost. To solve this, it was suggested to establish between the telephones an intermediate link with a transceiver module that would capture the emitted signals and, amplifying them, broadcast further. In fact, we can assume that the phones are getting closer. This link is the base station (BS, tower). Since it does not require mobility and there is no strong restriction on power supplies and capacities, the coverage area of one BS is much larger than that of a conventional mobile phone. In order to ensure global coverage, it was decided to locate stations at polygon-cell nodes. Such a scheme is optimal. That is why the base stations of cellular communication can be found everywhere - these are nodes of polygons. It's that simple. Where does the statement of harm come from?
The Danger of Mobile Devices
To understand what is happening, you need to understand the basics of the mechanism of cellular networks. Imagine four subscribers, two of whom talk, and two - no, although their mobile phones are connected to the network (active card, food is). For the talkers everything is simple: the communication channel on the base stations is open and the transfer is carried out. But the other two mobile devices periodically exchange data with the nearest BS. In fact, the station uses the mobile to determine its location. This is necessary so that when trying to make a call, the communication channel is formed without delays related to setting up the chain of towers. The conclusion is simple: even if the phone is not used for conversation, it periodically communicates with the network, radiating radio waves. It is not difficult to guess that although their intensity is low, with a large number of subscribers, the tower practically does not turn off, constantly moving the devices. Hence the experience of residents of high-rises with BS on the roofs.
How to protect yourself
When making a call, the greatest radiation is at the time of connection, so it is recommended that the first seconds after connecting do not bring the phone too close to your ear.
Since the telephone and the BS have to exchange data, when in a bad reception zone (underground transitions) the device raises the transmitter power to reach the tower. If this connection is violated, then the subscriber does not register on the network. Conclusion: in case of poor reception, you need to keep the mobile phone away from yourself.