Modular Transmitter Devices Approvals Update (posted on 8/13/07)
The FCC has amended its rules to provide for more efficient equipment authorization of both existing modular transmitter devices and emerging partitioned (or "split") modular transmitter devices. The requirements for Modular Approvals are now divided into two categories, single modular transmitters and split modular transmitters. Split transmitters consist of two basic components: the "radio front end" or radio elements and the "firmware" or hardware on which the software that controls the radio operation resides. Split modular Transmitters must meet most of the requirements of a Modular Approval transmitter plus 4 additional requirements. Split modular devices must be filed with the FCC directly, and a letter or test report must state how compliance with each of the 8 Modular Approval General Requirements (listed on DA 00-1407) is met. Full information relating to this action is documented in FCC ET Docket No. 03-201.

Updated FCC policy for RFID passive tag tests
The FCC recently announced that they would no longer require passive ID tags to be certified under Part 15 of their rules. Several stipulations apply: The Passive tags must not be powered by any source other than the RF signal. The passive tag carrier must not be in FCC Restricted Bands (FCC 5.205), the tag reader determines the 20dB BW, the receive bandwidth in the tag reader must be less than or equal to the modulated signal from the tag reader or the passive tag (FCC 15.247(a)(1)). In addition, the tag reader can transmit a half-duplex signal made of a data modulated signal with a CW signal used to power the passive tag. Tag does not to be in test area when testing the tag reader. Un-modulated tag reading systems cannot operate under Part 15.247, but can operate under Part 15.249

Updated FCC Policy for a Transmitter module
integrated onto a PC motherboard
The FCC will now allow approval of a transmitter integrated in a PC motherboard. This approval process is similar to that of a WLAN PCI card, and it requires a composite filing to be done for the radio and the motherboard. The motherboard "subassembly" can be subject to either Declaration of Conformity or Certification, as defined in FCC Part 15.102. During testing for FCC regulations, the enclosure must be closed for the radio portion of the emissions testing and must be open for the motherboard emissions testing (FCC Part 15.32). This ruling also requires that the antenna itself must be located outside the enclosure. The FCC regulations for connectored antennas still apply. Any change to either motherboard or xmitter has to be a new FCC Filing. The assembly has to be labeled by itself. Only connectored or cabled antennas are allowed. The "20cm distance" warning still applies as per RF Exposure rules.

AC line-conducted emissions measurements of Part 15 transmitters that operate at frequencies less than 30MHz:
The FCC will accept AC power-line measurements for intentional radiators operating at frequencies of less than 30MHz according to ANSI C 63.4 sec. 13.1.3.1 and Annex H1 b) with a dummy load connected to the RF output in place of the Transmit antenna. The FCC gives the following procedure:
1. Test with antenna attached for compliance with 15.207 limits outside the transmitter fundamental emission band.
2. Install the dummy load and re-test test for compliance with 15.207 limits in the fundamental band only.

Ultra Wide Band second FCC Report & Order
In April the FCC released the Second Report & Order (FCC Docket 04-285) regarding Ultra Wide Band Systems. This document provides additional clarification as to definitions, requirements, and test methods of these systems. New rules apply to systems operating in the frequency range of 5.925GHz – 7.250GHz, 16.2GHz - 17.7GHz, and 22.1GHz – 29GHz. The document regarding these changes to the Part 15 Rules can be found at: http://hraunfoss.fcc.gov/edocs_public/attachmatch/FCC-04-285A1.pdf

The first Report & Order released in February 2002 can be found at: http://hraunfoss.fcc.gov/edocs_public/attachmatch/FCC-02-48A1.pdf

Released 04/04/2005 from the FCC
UNLICENSED PCS DEVICES WILL NO LONGER BE SUBJECT TO COORDINATION REQUIREMENTS AFTER APRIL 4, 2005. (DA No. 05-1005). OET.
Contact: Joe Dichoso at (301) 362-3024, email: Joe.Dichoso@fcc.gov
or Jamison Prime at (202) 418-7474, email: Jamison.Prime@fcc.gov
News Media Contact: Bruce Romano at (202) 418-2124

Click to download:
http://hraunfoss.fcc.gov/edocs_public/attachmatch/DA-05-1005A1.doc
http://hraunfoss.fcc.gov/edocs_public/attachmatch/DA-05-1005A1.pdf
http://hraunfoss.fcc.gov/edocs_public/attachmatch/DA-05-1005A1.txt

FCC ID Labeling
The following is the results of research done at D.L.S. Electronic Systems, Inc. and is placed here to minimize others having to do the same research over. It is believed to be an accurate interpretation of the FCC rules but no responsibility is accepted by the author or D.L.S. Electronic Systems, Inc.

Bill Stumpf, Site manager

FCC labeling information interpretation:
A question came up recently about applying the FCC ID inside a battery cover. We've all seen this before, but some stipulations apply. First of all, the device must be small enough so as to prohibit the label from going on the outside of the unit. An FCC ID can be placed under a battery cover, but not on the cover itself. The thought is that the cover could be lost or replaced, leaving no FCC ID on the device. Also, the FCC ID must be visible to the consumer upon purchase. In other words, if the consumer receives the device with the batteries not installed, then he would have to remove the cover in order to install the batteries before use, thereby exposing the FCC ID. If the unit comes with the batteries installed, the manufacturer must supply a tag or note attached to the device that states that it contains an FCC approved transmitter. An example of this would be a key FOB for a car. If there is no FCC ID on the outside of the FOB, the car manufacturer would have to supply to the consumer, the note or tag, since generally the FOB has the battery installed. Of course as always the FCC ID and statements must be visible on the device packaging and/or owners manual.

From the FCC
Revision of Parts 2 and 15 of the Commission's Rules to Permit Unlicensed National Information Infrastructure (U-NII) devices in the 5 GHz band. By this Order and effective immediately, we extend for one year the transition periods, 1 adopted in the 5 GHz U- NII Report and Order and described herein, for unlicensed National Information Infrastructure (U- NII) equipment operating in the 5.250- 5.350 GHz band. 2 This action will allow devices to continue to obtain equipment authorizations and to be marketed under the rules in effect prior to the adoption of the 5 GHz U- NII Report and Order pending the development of measurement procedures for evaluating such devices for compliance with the new rules.

Click to download:
[PDF | Word | TXT]

FCC
FCC Amends the Commission's Rules Concerning Airport Terminal Use Frequencies in the 450-470 MHz Band of the Private Land Mobile Radio Services.
http://hraunfoss.fcc.gov/edocs_public/attachmatch/DA-05-175A1.pdf

FCC Issues Reminder on Pulsed RF Measurements
The FCC's Office of Engineering and Technology (OET) recently issued a Public Notice concerning the proper technique to use in assessing the compliance of equipment generating pulsed emissions. A number of unlicensed devices using pulsed emissions operate under Part 15 of the FCC Rules, which set limits on the peak level of emissions generated. The problem concerns accuracy of measurement: when the pulses are narrow, they occupy a wide spectrum, and may not be measured correctly unless an effect known as "pulse desensitization" is taken into account.

In the Notice, the FCC reminds equipment manufacturers and test laboratories that a pulse desensitization factor must be used when appropriate to accurately measure the peak emission level, and that its use is required by FCC rule section 15.35(a). The FCC also noted that some laboratories and manufacturers appear to be unaware of the need for a pulse desensitization correction factor (PDCF) and are not applying it.

The text of the FCC's Public Notice may be found at: http://hraunfoss.fcc.gov/edocs_public/attachmatch/DA-04-3946A1.pdf

The phenomenon of pulse desensitivity occurs when the resolution bandwidth used in making the measurement is much narrower than the bandwidth of the measured signal, which is broadened due to the pulsing. A pulsed signal contains many discrete spectral components, spaced by the repetition frequency, which can spread out a considerable distance from the carrier. If the receiver (or spectrum analyzer) used for the measurement is set to too narrow a resolution (or equivalently, if the signal is wider than the maximum resolution bandwidth available) these components will not be included in the level reported by the instrument. The PCDF accounts for this as a function of the pulse characteristics and the resolution of measurement. It is added to the measured values to infer the correct value for peak emission strength.

The FCC Notice lists two references for further information on pulse desensitivity, although, unfortunately, the second one is out of print and difficult to locate:

1. "Spectrum and Network Measurements," by Robert A. Witte, Noble Publishing, 2001, originally published by Prentice-Hall, 1993, and

2. Hewlett Packard Application Note 150-2 (1971), "Spectral Analysis-Pulsed RF."

It is also reported that ANSI's C63 Committee on Electromagnetic Compatibility is planning to include information about pulse desensitization factors in a future edition of the well known ANSI C63.4, "American National Standard for Methods of Measurement of Radio-Noise Emissions from Low-voltage Electrical and Electronic Equipment in the Range of 9 kHz to 40 GHz." This standard is incorporated by reference into the FCC's rules as the test procedure to use when determining compliance for most devices subject to the FCC's Part 15 rules.

FCC
A new section 15.240 has been added for devices that use radio frequency energy to identify the contents of commercial shipping containers. The following link can be used to access the full ET 01-278 Document. http://hraunfoss.fcc.gov/edocs_public/attachmatch/FCC-04-98A1.doc

FCC
The FCC has initiated changes to the rules, updating certain regulations for unlicensed radio frequency devices contained in Parts 2, 15 and 18 of our rules. Specifically, they are: 1) changing certain emission levels in the restricted bands above 38.6 GHz; 2) eliminating the prohibition on data transmissions and making other changes to rules governing Part 15 remote control devices; 3) modifying the rules for radio frequency identification systems to allow for improved operation; 4) simplifying the labeling requirement for manufacturer self-authorized equipment; and 5) making other changes to update and correct the rules. Follow this link for further information: www.fcc.gov/oet/

FCC First Report and Order Initiates Part 15 Rule Change
The FCC has adopted new regulations which requires radar detectors to comply with radiated emission limits in the 11.7 GHz to 12.2 GHz band. The document announcing the new requirements is ET-Docket 01-278, released July 19, 2002. The new rule emphasizes that radar detectors must now be certified to demonstrate compliance with the emissions limits before they can be marketed. The reason for the ruling is to reduce the interference from radar detectors to very small aperture satellite terminals (VSATs).

FCC
1) Part 15.231 is restricted to devices that transmit control signals, but now allow for data to be sent with the control signal. Also the FCC has increased (from 1 second per hour) the allowed polling transmission time to 2 seconds per hour.

2) The limits for Part 15.225 RFID devices have been increased. As well, the allowed frequency range has been widened, and powered RFID tags can be approved as a system (one FCC ID) in conjunction with the tag reader.

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