Methods and apparatus for providing user rf exposure monitoring and

Abstract

A method and system wherein a system gateway (18) determines, from closed loop power control information, a power density at an antenna (13a) of a user terminal 13. The gateway also maintains a record of a duration of time that the power density exceeds a specified threshold. The gateway determines if an averaged transmitted power density associated with the antenna of the user terminal will equal or exceed at least one of a predetermined threshold level, within a specified period of time, or an absolute threshold level. If the gateway determines that a threshold will probably be exceeded if the call connection is maintained, the gateway terminates the connection prior to a time that the user terminal averaged transmitted power density level equals or exceeds the predetermined or absolute threshold level. A tone or a visual indicator may be employed to warn the user that a current connection or call will be terminated. Provisions are made for allowing predetermined types of calls (e.g., emergency calls) to be made during a cutoff period wherein the user terminal is prohibited from placing further calls. It within the scope of the invention to perform the power density monitoring function also within the user terminal. In this case information may be transferred to the GW over a return link, and majority voting or some other technique can be employed by the GW before terminating the connection. In this case the power density determination made at the GW has priority over that made in the user terminal to prevent a user terminal from intentionally or inadvertently defeating the power density monitoring function.