Adaptive maximum power limiting using capacitive sensing in a wireless device

A wireless device for satisfying Specific Absorption Rate (SAR) compliance criteria, comprising:

• a first capacitance sensor;
• a second capacitance sensor, wherein an outer surface of the wireless device comprises a first face and a second face, the first capacitance sensor and the second capacitance sensor positioned at different faces of the outer surface;
• and
• a processor configured to:
• collect data from the first and the second capacitance sensors, the data related to a proximity between an object as a human body or a phantom of a simulated human body and the outer surface of the wireless device, wherein the proximity corresponds to a separation distance to the first face when the object is located proximately to the first face, wherein the proximity corresponds to a separation distance to the second face when the object is located proximately to the second face, wherein the first face is associated with a first range of separation distance to the first face, the first range associated with a first output power limit, wherein the second face is associated with a second range of separation distance to the second face, the second range associated with a second output power limit, and wherein the first range with the first output power limit and the second range with the second output power limit indicate a difference in output power limits between when the object is located proximately to the first face and when the object is located proximately to the second face,
• adjust a radio frequency (RF) transmitter output power limit of the wireless device to the first power limit satisfying the SAR compliance criteria when the separation distance to the first face is in the first range according to the data collected, and
• adjust the RF transmitter output power limit of the wireless device to the second power limit satisfying the SAR compliance criteria when the separation distance to the second face is in the second range according to the data collected.