FCC posted on 7/6/06
On 06/29/2006 (FCC No. 06-96) the FCC announced a revision of Parts 2 and 15 of their rules for Unlicensed National Information Infrastructure (U-NII) Devices in the 5 GHZ Band. The Memorandum Opinion and Order clarifies rules for unlicensed National Information Infrastructure devices in the 5.25-5.35 and 5.47-5.725 GHz bands, including Radio Local Area Networks (see OET Docket No. 03-122). Measurement procedures have been updated as a result of equipment development, and as testing methodologies have been refined. The International Telecommunication Advisory Committee-Radiocommunication (ITAC-R) Government/Industry Project Team (Project Team) has worked to develop revised measurement procedures for performing DFS compliance measurement tests for U-NII equipment operating in the 5.25-5.35 GHz and 5.47-5.725 GHz bands. Recently, the Project Team reached consensus on revised compliance and measurement procedures for DFS, and the National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) presented these recommendations to the Commission. The revised DFS measurement procedure includes modified definitions, technical requirements (e.g., detection thresholds and new response requirements), radar test waveforms, test procedures, and test report guidelines.

The following link can be used to obtain full information:
http://hraunfoss.fcc.gov/edocs_public/attachmatch/FCC-06-96A1.doc

RSS-133e Issue 3 became effected 06/18/05
A new standard, RSS-133e Issue 3 has been released by Industry Canada. The standard pertains to 2 GHz Personal Communications Services and came into effect on Saturday June 18th, 2005. The following link can be used to access this standard: http://strategis.ic.gc.ca/epic/internet/insmt-gst.nsf/en/sf01520e.html

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.