Issue 5 
Providing information and fielding questions for wireless manufacturers are some of the many activities that we perform at ACB. Packets provides an overview of just a small portion of the communiqués that run in and out of our office.
FCC Part 15.407 DFS and TPC Requirements:
The FCC has issued final ruling on Dynamic Frequency Selection (DFS) and Transmitter Power Control (TPC). This issue has officially been postponed... Hearing Aid Compatibility Update:
ANSI standard C63.19, Version 2001 is still in effect until... Part 80 EPIRBs and Part 87 ELTs:
TCBs can now approve Part 80 121.5/406 MHz Class C... Vehicle Directive 2004/104/EC:
When the new Vehicle Directive 2004/104/EC is compared to the current Vehicle Directive... Questions and Answers:
Q: We would like to approve our Access Point (AP) and Booster device as a system... FCC News COMMISSION PROPOSES FLEXIBLE USE OF KU-BAND FREQUENCIES... IC News Industry Canada has issued a Temporary Moratorium of Phase 2 Radio Equipment Certification and Licensing Requirements... Standard updates: Read more...
FCC Winter Workshop Information: FCC Part 15.407 DFS and TPC Requirements:
The FCC has issued final ruling on Dynamic Frequency Selection (DFS) and Transmitter Power Control (TPC). This issue has officially been postponed until January 20, 2006. The announcement was made February 23th, 2005 at the TCB workshop in Turf Valley, Ellicott, MD. Back to Top
Hearing Aid Compatibility Update:
ANSI standard C63.19, Version 2001 is still in effect until the FCC approves use of the revision, which was to be voted upon in February of 2005 during the re-balloting phase. No Hearing Aid Compatibility (HAC) applications have been submitted to date. Additionally, the following are in development:
(a) Test capability for all C63.19 testing
(b) Appropriate TCB procedures to be developed, but no timeframe is yet in mind Back to Top
Part 80 EPIRBs and Part 87 ELTs:
TCBs can now approve Part 80 121.5/406 MHz Class C (Emergency Position Indicating Radio Beacons) EPIRBs, Part 80 Ship Security Alert Systems (SSAS) and Part 87 Emergency Location Transmitters (ELTs). The EPIRBs and SSAS approvals will require approval letters from the US Coast Guard, while the ELTs will require approval letters from the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA). Also, according to a presenter at the FCC Workshop, beginning in 2009, only 406 MHz beacons will be detected by the Cospas-Sarsat satellite system. Back to Top
Vehicle Directive 2004/104/EC:
When the new Vehicle Directive 2004/104/EC is compared to the current Vehicle Directive 95/54/EC, the following are found:
(a) Emissions are the same as before;
(b) There is more stringent Immunity testing in the new Directive;
(c) The new Directive covers equipment related to safety functions. Products unrelated to safety functions should meet either the EMC or R&TTE Directive, as appropriate.
(d) As of July 1, 2006 “Electrical Sub Assemblies (ESAs) that do not meet Annexes I to X of the Directive, shall no longer be granted EC type approval and may be refused national type approval. (This information was presented in February 2005 at the FCC’s TCB Workshop). Back to Top
Test Report: All Test reports submitted to the FCC to support compliance of a device should incorporate the requirements of ISO/IEC17025, ANSI C63.4-2003, and the FCC Rules and Regulations. Back to Top
Questions and Answers: Approval of 15C Booster/Antenna Port:
Q: We would like to approve our Access Point (AP) and Booster device as a system with one FCC ID. Is this possible?
A: An AP and Booster device can be approved as a booster or as a system. When approved as a system, the label should be located on the host (AP). The label may state that it is for use with a specific system (the Commission prefers that labeling not be placed on booster). If on the other hand the Booster is approved separately (but is still for use with your specific system), the Booster should be labeled with an FCC ID.
Permissive Changes & Antennas:
Q: We have a new antenna that is the same type as the original; furthermore, there are no changes to our device. When is a Class II, Class I Permissive Change or new FCC ID required?
A1: Class II Permissive Change: The following are scenarios that require a Class II permissive change filing when a new antenna is added:
(a) When the antenna gain of the new antenna of the same type as the originally approved antenna is greater than the antenna gain of the originally tested antenna
(b) When the emission levels or reported RF safety levels of the same antenna type increases
(c) If the antenna is a different type, has a lower gain than the originally approved antenna and tests show that the spurious emission levels or reported RF safety levels have increased
A2: Class I Permissive Change: A Class I Permissive Change filing may be done for the following scenarios:
(d) When the new antenna is of the same type, same specifications, and has the same or lower gain than the antenna(s) originally approved, and new tests show that the emission levels or reported RF safety levels are not increased
(e) When the antenna is a different type, has a lower gain than an originally approved antenna and tests show that the spurious emission levels or reported RF safety levels are not increased, then a Class I Permissive change is permitted. Although a Class II Permissive Change filing is not required in this case, it is recommended that a Class II Permissive change be filed in order to keep a complete list of approved antenna(s) in the filing
(f) When the specifications and gain are the same as an antenna originally approved but is made by a different manufacturer
A3: New FCC ID: Depending on your specific hardware or software change(s), a new filing may be required.
EMC and SAR for Class II Permissive Change:
Q: We are doing a Class II permissive change for our device, which was originally tested for SAR compliance. Should EMC and SAR testing for the Class II permissive change be done at the originally rated and granted power?
A: Yes.
Q: Can Specific Absorption Rate (SAR) testing be done at a higher power than the EMC test (at nominal power)?
A: No. In this scenario, a new FCC ID with EMC and SAR both at higher power may need to be considered. Or, a filing with the FCC directly, with limited SAR testing (after conferring with FCC) to prove linearity may be an option.
Confidentiality Request:
Q: When I submit my documentation for approval, is it necessary to cite the specific FCC rule section in the confidentiality request letter?
A: Yes, it should be apparent in the letter that the request for confidential treatment is being made under the provision of 47 CFR 0.459.
Satellite System Frequency Translator – 15.247 vs. 15.249:
Q: We are beginning the testing process for our frequency translator. I am aware that there was a recent FCC interpretation on frequency translators (does not demodulate). Does this interpretation apply only to 15.249?
A: Yes, this recent interpretation specifically prohibits 15.247 operation for frequency translators due to the higher power limits and the increased potential for harmful interference. This interpretation specifically covers operation under 15.249, only. Back to Top
Designating Accrediting Authority Daily Updates; Federal Communications Commission (FCC), Industry Canada (IC), and Compliance Europe (CE)In an effort to begin addressing the growing demand for two-way broadband data and communications capabilities onboard aircraft, the Federal Communications Commission has issued a Proposed Rulemaking addressing a regulatory framework for licensing the operation of Aeronautical Mobile Satellite Service (AMSS) systems to communicate with fixed-satellite service (FSS) networks in the Ku-band frequencies was presented. NOTICE OF PROPOSED RULEMAKING RELEASED FEBRUARY 16, 2005 – PROPOSED AMENDMENTS TO PART 90 ARE GEARED TO MORE FLEXIBLE USE OF CHANNELS IN B/ILT POOLS (896-901/935-940MHZ). (See FCC No. 05-31) UNLICENSED NATIONAL INFORMATION INFRASTRUCTURE (U-NII) DEVICES IN THE 5 GHZ BAND (See FCC No. 05-43) On February 23, 2005, the transition periods adopted in the 5 GHz U-NII Report and Order have been extended for one year. This action will allow unlicensed National Information Infrastructure (U-NII) equipment operating in the 5.250 – 5.350 GHz band to continue to obtain equipment authorizations. Until measurement procedures for evaluating such devices for compliance with the new rules are developed, the devices will be marketed under the rules in effect prior to the adoption of the 5GHz U-II Report and Order. Back to Top IC: Industry Canada has issued a Temporary Moratorium of Phase 2 Radio Equipment Certification and Licensing Requirements - Redeployment Plan (100-500 MHz)
See Notice No. SMSE-001-05 - A temporary moratorium has been issued for the January 1, 2005 proposed implementation date of Phase 2 radio equipment certification and licensing requirements currently required under the Redeployment Plan for Spectrum Efficient Land Mobile Equipment in the Frequency Range 100-500 MHz. The Department will be taking into consideration the emerging narrow band radio equipment market and any required near term consequential decisions before discontinuing this moratorium and directing a new implementation date. See the Notice for further information regarding new systems licensed after January 1, 2005 and transition information. Back to Top Standard updates:ETSI EN 301 908-7 V2.2.2 Base Stations (BS), Repeaters and User Equipment (UE) for IMT-2000 Third-Generation cellular networks; Part 7: Harmonized EN for IMT-2000, CDMA TDD (UTRA TDD) (BS) covering essential requirements of article 3.2 of the R&TTE Directive ETSI EN 302 245-2 V1.1.1 Transmitting equipment for the Digital Radio Mondiale (DRM) broadcasting service Part 2: Harmonized EN under article 3.2 of the R&TTE Directive ETSI EN 302 077-2 V1.1.1 Transmitting equipment for the Terrestrial - Digital Audio Broadcasting (T-DAB) service; Part 2: Harmonized EN under article 3.2 of the R&TTE Directive ETSI EN 302 288-2 V1.1.1 Short Range Devices; Road Transport and Traffic Telematics (RTTT); Short range radar equipment operating in the 24 GHz range; Part 2: Harmonized EN covering essential requirements of article 3.2 of the R&TTE Directive ETSI EN 302 296 V1.1.1 Transmitting equipment for the digital television broadcast service, Terrestrial (DVB-T); Harmonized EN under article 3.2 of the R&TTE Directive ETSI EN 302 297 V1.1.1 Transmitting equipment for the analogue television broadcasting service; Harmonized EN under article 3.2 of the R&TTE Directive Back to Top |