# Electromagnetic Field-Aware Radio Resource Management for 5G and Beyond: A Survey
###### Abstract  
The expansion of 5G infrastructure and the deployment of large antenna arrays are set to substantially influence electromagnetic field (EMF) exposure levels within mobile networks. As a result, the accurate measurement of EMF exposure and the integration of EMF exposure constraints into radio resource management are expected to become increasingly important in future mobile communication systems. This paper provides a comprehensive review of EMF exposure evaluation frameworks for 5G networks, considering the impacts of high-energy beams, the millimeter wave spectrum, network densification and reconfigurable intelligent surfaces (RISs), while also examining EMF-aware radio resource management strategies for 5G networks and beyond, with RIS technology as an assistive factor. Furthermore, challenges and open research topics in the EMF evaluation framework and EMF-aware resource management for 5G mobile networks and beyond are highlighted. Despite the growing importance of RIS technology in enhancing mobile networks, a research gap remains in addressing specific EMF exposure considerations associated with RIS deployments. Additionally, the impact of EMF-aware radio resource allocation approaches on RIS-assisted 5G networks is still not fully understood. 28 November 2028 November 2028 November 2028 November 2028 January 2028 January 2028 November 2028 January 2028 November 2028 January 2028 January 2028 November 2028 January 2028 November 2028 November 2028 January 2028 January 2028  
and compared its effects with those of current cellular technologies, taking into account the characteristics that were likely to be implemented in 5G. The simulation results revealed that EMF exposure exceeded the regulatory limits for a very short separation distance between the BSs and user equipment (UE), and the exposure level remained high throughout the network compared to present systems. Another study carried out in Naples, Italy, using the ray-tracing method [2] showed that the saturation of EMF levels had already occurred under current 2G/3G/4G technology and raised concern that the planning of a 5G network will be severely constrained by the limits on maximum EMF levels established in a wide set of regulations. Reportedly, there is growing public concern regarding the potential risk of increased radiation exposure associated with mobile networks [3; 4]. This concern is further supported by the classification of radio-frequency electromagnetic fields (RF-EMFs) as possibly carcinogenic to humans (Group 2B) by the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) in 2011. This classification was based on the observed increased risk of glioma, a malignant type of brain cancer, which has been associated with the use of wireless phones [5]. To address these concerns and ensure public safety, many countries around the world have established their own national standards for EMF exposure limits. These national standards often draw guidance from the guidelines set by the International Commission on Non-Ionizing Radiation Protection (ICNIRP). By adhering to these standards and guidelines, it is possible to mitigate the potential health risks associated with RF radiation exposure from mobile networks. However, it is important to continue conducting research and monitoring the effects of EMF exposure to ensure the ongoing safety and well-being of the public. The local regulatory body overseeing telecommunication companies is responsible for ensuring compliance. However, as the mobile network architecture and deployment scenario grow more complicated, monitoring and compliance auditing become increasingly challenging. The current mobile network's design and optimization consider only spectral efficiency (SE) and energy efficiency (EE) requirements. In the literature, radio resource management in advanced 5G network topologies, such as HetNets, C-RAN, F-RAN, cell-free networks, and ultra-dense networks, has been proposed based on these requirements [6; 7; 8; 9].