The FCC Certification Process:

Going Wireless

Many manufacturers hesitate to use wireless features because of the

uncertainty of the certification process.

But we are here to tell you that the certification

process for the United States is really not as bad

as it seems.

The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) • The FCC regulates radio frequencies in the U.S.

• They make sure wireless broadcasters can share the wireless

spectrum without interfering with each other.

• They require that any device that radiates RF energy to be

tested for compliance with the FCC rules

Licensed Broadcasts

Some broadcasters are licensed to broadcast on a specific spectrum,

such as a radio station. A radio station can be licensed to operate at

100.3MHz in a region and the FCC regulations prevent someone else

from using that spectrum.

Unlicensed Broadcasts

The FCC allows unlicensed broadcasts as well subject to regulations to

prevent interference. The FCC rules for unlicensed broadcasting from

below 1MHz in excess of 32GHz are included in CFR 47 Part 15.

Licensed & Unlicensed Broadcasts

• The FCC requires any device that radiates RF energy to be tested

for compliance with the FCC rules.

• Part 15 - deals with the operational aspects and requirements for

devices that emit RF energy and are to be operated without the end

user needing a license

• Part 2 - deals with issues of marketing and authorization and

includes details on the certification and approval process

FCC Compliance

The 8 Step FCC Certification

Process

• Have a clear understanding of which frequencies are legally

available

• Choose a specific frequency based on technical issues (ex: range,

propagation, antenna length, power consumption and potential

interference)

1. Choose the Optimum Operating Frequency

• The RF section and antenna must be carefully designed and

optimized to comply with the allowed power and harmonic limitations

imposed by Part 15

• If you are using a Linx module this is much easier to do

• Important to recognize that antenna and layout play key roles in your

product’s legal operation

2. Component Selection

• Once you’ve selected a frequency of operation and a suitable RF

stage you will want to move from concept breadboard prototypes to a

production-ready model as soon as you can

3. Build Production-Ready Prototypes

• When your wireless product is finished, output power and harmonics

should be checked to ensure that the RF stage is both optimized and

Part 15 compliant.

• Do this with a spectrum analyzer and calibrated antennas

• Consider prescreening if you don’t have access to the above

instruments

• Linx partners with a test lab that offers these services at a

discount to Linx customers

• The process can result in a cost savings over formal testing and

provides an opportunity to maximize product performance

4. Prescreen and Optimize

• The FCC requires that final product testing be conducted by a

registered testing facility

• A list of registered, independent testing facilities is on the FCC

website

• Quality and competence of labs varies widely

• Linx is happy to recommend competent facilities

• Once you pick a lab, determine the extent of services they’ll provide

• Our advice? Have them do as much as possible.

• Taking time to understand the subtleties of the filing process in

the middle of trying to get a product to market is a bad idea.

Saving a few bucks to do things yourself may end up costing

more in the end, and could jeopardize the approval.

5. Lab Selection

• A Federal Registration Number (FRN) must be obtained when your

product is complete and ready for testing

• This is free and can be obtained in a few minutes on the FCC

website

• Request a grantee code from the FCC (also can be done online)

• $60 and must be paid within 30 days of the application

6. Registering

• Once product is in finished form testing should be performed by an

accredited laboratory (not necessary to be present)

• Testing usually takes less than two weeks depending on lab’s

schedule

7. Send the Production-Ready Prototype to an FCC Authorized

Testing Facility

• A letter appointing the test lab as your technical agent for certification

• The FCC ID Number of the unit.

• The first 3 or 5 numbers are the grantee code. The rest is up to

the applicant, up to 14 characters

• A sketch of the FCC label and the location on the unit

• A block diagram of the unit showing all clock oscillators and their

frequencies of operation

• Full schematic diagram

• The user’s manual

• A brief, non-technical description of the product and its operation

• A product sample for testing and photos

Items Needed to Complete Filing

• Independent testing laboratories are now allowed to issue

certifications through the Telecommunication Certification Body

(TCB) program

• Filing process usually done through test lab

• The TCB will review all application materials and if the device

conforms to the requirements, they will upload this info to the FCC

• The FCC will add the product and the ID number to their database

and website, and issue a Grant of Equipment Authorization

• At this point, the product can be legally marketed and sold

8. The Filing Process

International Considerations

• The process and cost varies widely

• Ex: The requirements for Industry Canada (IC) are close to the

U.S., so adding a Canadian certification is generally not much

more expensive than the U.S. alone

• Ex: The European Union has harmonized requirements across

all European countries but the test requirements are much more

involved than for the U.S. which means more money

• Most countries follow the same rules as either Europe or the U.S.

• Many countries require testing to be done in their country and all

require a representative within the country as a point of contact

• Become aware of the requirements of each country before you

market your product

International Certification Info

Modular Certification

• The FCC has made an allowance for modular certification

• A radio module can be tested for compliance with the rules, then

included in multiple end products without having to undergo the

full amount of testing

• This can save time and money but comes with a number of

requirements from the module

• The designer integrating the module into an end product also

has requirements (ex: using the same antenna that was tested

with the module)

• There is no modular certification for the receiver

• The transmitter needs to be certified and the receiver needs

to be tested in the end product

Modular Certification

In Conclusion

• As the number of wireless products has grown the process for

certification ahs become much more streamlined

• In you have any concerns or questions…

• You can contact Linx Technologies and speak with an

applications engineer

• You can contact a test lab

In Conclusion

Enjoy the show?

Follow our blog for

more RF info!

CLICK TO SUBSCRIBE! http://www.linxtechnologies.com/blog