SAM (Specific Anthropomorphic Mannequin) is the standardized head phantom defined in IEEE 1528 and IEC 62209-1 for SAR testing. It is a fiberglass shell shaped to the 90th percentile adult male head, filled with tissue-simulating liquid matching brain tissue dielectric properties (epsilon_r ~40, sigma ~1 S/m at 900 MHz). The SAR probe is inserted through the liquid to map the 3D SAR distribution.

Head phantom (SAM): for phone call SAR. Flat phantom: rectangular tank for body-worn SAR (belt, pocket). Hand phantom: molded hand with tissue liquid for grip loss testing. Torso phantom: for CTIA OTA body loss measurements. Full body: for wearable and BAN testing. Each uses a frequency-specific tissue-simulating liquid recipe targeting the dielectric properties of the body region.

Tissue liquid recipes?

Tissue-simulating liquids are typically water-based solutions with sugar, salt, and surfactants mixed to target specific permittivity and conductivity. At 900 MHz: epsilon_r = 41.5, sigma = 0.97 S/m. At 1900 MHz: epsilon_r = 40.0, sigma = 1.40 S/m. At 2450 MHz: epsilon_r = 39.2, sigma = 1.80 S/m. Recipes must be refreshed periodically as ingredients degrade.

RF Safety

Body Phantom

A Body Phantom is a physical model of the human head, hand, or torso filled with tissue-simulating liquid that matches the dielectric properties of human tissue at specific frequencies. Used for SAR (Specific Absorption Rate) compliance testing per IEEE 1528/IEC 62209, antenna OTA characterization per CTIA, and body loss measurements. The standardized head phantom (SAM) represents the 90th percentile adult male head.

Category: RF Safety

Standard: IEEE 1528, IEC 62209

Understanding Body Phantoms

SAR testing places the device under test (DUT) against the phantom in the standardized position (cheek or tilt for head, 5 mm separation for body). An E-field probe scans through the tissue-simulating liquid to measure the 3D SAR distribution. Peak spatial-average SAR over 1 g (FCC) or 10 g (ICNIRP) must not exceed limits.

OTA testing uses the phantom in an anechoic chamber to measure Total Radiated Power (TRP) and Total Isotropic Sensitivity (TIS) with the body present. This quantifies the real-world antenna performance degradation from body proximity.

Tissue-Simulating Properties

At 900 MHz:
ε_r = 41.5, σ = 0.97 S/m
At 1900 MHz:
ε_r = 40.0, σ = 1.40 S/m
At 2450 MHz:
ε_r = 39.2, σ = 1.80 S/m

SAR = σ|E|² / ρ (W/kg)

Phantom Types

Phantom	Shape	Standard	Application
SAM Head	90th% male head	IEEE 1528	Phone SAR
Flat phantom	Rectangular tank	IEC 62209-2	Body-worn SAR
Hand phantom	Molded hand	CTIA	Grip loss OTA
Torso phantom	Truncated torso	CTIA	Body loss OTA

Common Questions

Frequently Asked Questions

What is SAM?

Standardized head phantom, 90th percentile male, fiberglass shell, tissue liquid fill. IEEE 1528 / IEC 62209 for SAR.

Types?

Head (SAM), flat (body SAR), hand (grip OTA), torso (body loss). Each uses frequency-specific tissue liquid.

Tissue liquid?

Water + sugar + salt + surfactant. Targets ε_r and σ of human tissue. Must be refreshed periodically.

Related Terms

← Body Loss Bolt-Down Package →

SAR Testing

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