Issue 9

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.

Questions and Answers:

FCC:

Q: I have a BT headset - obviously a small device. Because BT headsets are so small, are they required to have at least the FCC ID on the device?

A: The device must have the FCC ID on it regardless of size.

Q: We desire to certify a cellular repeater (Part 22). It has two separate amplifiers for uplink and downlink, and amplifies on air signals in the cellular band. The device does not demodulate or re-modulate an incoming signal. It is fundamentally a bi-directional amplifier (signal booster) although it is constructed around the heterodyne principal. The unit comprises of saw filters and cavity filters for the 824-849 and 869-894 bands only. The incoming signals are only down converted to an IF level frequency of 70 MHz and band width limited to 25 MHz by a SAW filter. Note, no alteration to the signal occurs anywhere in the system. This product is intended to be sold and marketed to only CDMA licensees only. However there is nothing at the input to limit other technologies from being amplified and it is a multi-channel amp. For this device, is it necessary to test or list with other signals which it may be subjected to (GSM/TDMA, etc)?

A: If the device is intended and marketed only for the CDMA providers, then only the CDMA modulation needs to be tested back to top...

IC:

Q: If the model number is also the UPN portion of the Certification Number, does IC consider this to be sufficient to cover the model name/number requirement?

A: The label must contain the following information:

(a) the certification number, prefixed by the term “IC:”;
(b) the manufacturer's name, trade name or brand name, and
(c) a model name or number.

You can have many different models under the same UPN. It becomes difficult to identify a particular model when families of models are approved under the same UPN if the model name is not on the label. It is acceptable to have a label without the model name on it, if the model name is printed somewhere else (e.g. on top or front of the product) and is visible. back to top...
 

Designating Accrediting Authority Daily Updates; Federal Communications
Commission (FCC), Industry Canada (IC), and Compliance Europe (CE)

FCC:

The Telecommunications Certification Body Council (TCBC) announced the 2006 Fall Workshop on October 2nd through 4th at the Sheraton Inner Harbor Hotel in Baltimore, Maryland. Topics will include: FCC/IC/IDA updates; TCB Code of Practice; How to audit a non-accredited test lab; DFS: The differences between FCC and DRAFT EN 301 893; RF Exposure for 802.11 & 3G technologies; FCC Roundtable discussions; plus an industry update on an emerging technology. Visit www.tcbcouncil.org for more information.

The FCC recently issued a Memorandum Opinion and Order (MO&O), August 7, 2006 in the matter of ET Docket No. 04-37 - Amendment of Part 15 regarding new requirements and measurement guidelines for Access Broadband over Power Line Systems and ET Docket No. 03-104 Carrier Current Systems, including Broadband over Power Line Systems in response to various petitions for reconsideration of the Report and Order. The FCC is further amending Part 15 of the rules regarding the unlicensed operation of Access broadband over power line (BPL) systems.1 Specifically, they are amending the rules to eliminate the exclusion zone requirement for the ten listed radio astronomy facilities and to add a new exclusion zone for one Very Large Array (VLA) radio astronomy observatory site at 73.0-74.6 MHz. In addition, the FCC is amending the rules to add prospective protection for relocated aeronautical facilities and to correct the coordinates and email contact for the aeronautical facilities subject to BPL consultation. back to top...



FCC Makes DFS Requirements Official

The FCC recently issued a Memorandum Opinion and Order (MO&O), responding to requests for clarification or reconsideration of the new rules for Unlicensed National Information Infrastructure (U-NII) devices in the 5.25-5.35 GHz and 5.47-5.725 GHz bands, including Wireless Local Area Networks (WLAN’s). Specifically, the FCC is granting a request by the Wi-Fi Alliance to clarify the Transmit Power Control (TPC) requirements in section 15.407(h)(1), but dismissing a request by the Wi-Fi Alliance to clarify the channel availability check time requirement in section 15.407(h)(2)(ii). Read more...
back to top...

New Interpretation for Part 90.210 L and M masks for 90Y

With regard to the L and M masks in Part 90.210, the rule indicates using a minimum RBW of 1% of the fundamental emission to determine the reference level and a minimum RBW of 1% of the fundamental to determine the mask skirts. The mask should be developed using the same resolution bandwidth throughout, for the reference level and the mask skirts. This interpretation was coordinated with the Wireless Bureau and the inquirer was asked whether the same RBW should be used or could different RBW be used so long as each was greater than 1% of the fundamental.

Section 90.210(l) states that "...the power spectral density of the emissions must be attenuated..." This is different than other masks since it is the power spectral density measured, instead of the maximum average power for the emissions measurements. Therefore, the zero dB reference must be compatible with power spectral density in order to directly compare to the emission level. For this reason the zero dB reference level is measured with a >1 percent RBW, but not integrated to full bandwidth power in order to give the power spectral density level of the carrier. The emissions are measured with the same RBW to yield power spectral density levels and then compare with the zero dB reference which is the carrier power spectral density level. back to top...

IC:

Notice No: SMSE-007-06 — Release of New Radio Standards Specification — RSS-111; Issue 1, July 2006

Industry Canada has introduced a new Radio Standards Specification, RSS-111, which sets out standards for the certification of radio transmitters and receivers in the band 4940-4990 MHz for public safety applications. Radio Standards Specifications 111, Issue 1, Broadband Public Safety Equipment Operating in the Band 4940-4990 MHz.

Notice No. DGTP-006-06 — Proposed Spectrum Utilization Policy, Technical and Licensing Requirements for Wireless Broadband Services (WBS) in the Band 3650-3700 MHz

This notice announces the release of the above-mentioned document which proposes to establish the spectrum policy, technical and licensing provisions to accommodate new Wireless Broadband Services (WBS) in the band 3650-3700 MHz. Read more...
back to top...

ETSI Standards Published

ETSI EN 302 217-4-2 V1.2.1 (2006-06) Characteristics and requirements for point-to-point equipment and antennas; Part 4-2: Harmonized EN covering essential requirements of Article 3.2 of R&TTE Directive for antennas.

ETSI EN 301 449 V1.1.1 (2006-07) Harmonized EN for CDMA spread spectrum base stations operating in the 450 MHz cellular band (CDMA 450) and 410, 450 and 870 MHz PAMR bands (CDMA-PAMR) covering essential requirements of article 3.2 of the R&TTE Directive.

ETSI EN 301 526 V1.1.1 (2006-07) Harmonized EN for CDMA spread spectrum mobile stations operating in the 450 MHz cellular band (CDMA 450) and 410, 450 and 870 MHz PAMR bands (CDMA-PAMR) covering essential requirements of article 3.2 of the R&TTE Directive.

ETSI TR 102 475 V1.1.1 (2006-07) Wideband Transmission Systems; Data transmission equipment operating in the 2,4 GHz ISM band and using wide band modulation techniques; Test Report form for testing to EN 300 328 (V1.6.1) covering essential requirements of article 3.2 of the R&TTE Directive.

ETSI EN 301 357-2 V1.3.1 (2006-07) Cordless audio devices in the range 25 MHz to 2 000 MHz; Part 2: Harmonized EN covering essential requirements of article 3.2 of the R&TTE Directive.

NOT a harmonized standard but relevant to R&TTE:

ETSI EG 201 730-3 V2.1.1 (2006-07) Application of the Directive 1999/5/EC (R&TTE), article 4.2; Guidelines for the publication of interface specifications; Part 3: Digital wire line interfaces.

Draft ETSI standards on Public Enquiry

ETSI EN 301 166-2 V1.2.1 (2006-07) Land Mobile Service; Radio equipment for analogue and/or digital communication (speech and/or data) and operating on narrow band channels and having an antenna connector; Part 2: Harmonized EN covering essential requirements of article 3.2 of the R&TTE Directive.

ETSI EN 301 842-6 V1.1.1 (2006-07) VHF air-ground Digital Link (VDL) Mode 4 radio equipment; Technical characteristics and methods of measurement for ground-based equipment; Part 6: Harmonized EN covering essential requirements of article 3.2 of the R&TTE Directive.

NOT a harmonised standard but referenced from other parts which are HS:

ETSI EN 301 489-1 V1.7.1 (2006-07) Electromagnetic Compatibility (EMC) standard for radio equipment and services; Part 1: Common technical requirements.


ETSI Standards on One-step Approval

ETSI EN 300 162-2 V1.2.1 (2006-07) Radiotelephone transmitters and receivers for the maritime mobile service operating in VHF bands with the use of 12,5 kHz channels; Part 2: Harmonized EN covering essential requirements of article 3.2 of the R&TTE Directive.

ETSI EN 300 162-3 V1.2.1 (2006-07) Radiotelephone transmitters and receivers for the maritime mobile service operating in VHF bands with the use of 12,5 kHz channels; Part 3: Harmonized EN covering essential requirements of article 3.3 (e) of the R&TTE Directive.

 

back to top...

Please note that the above represents, in most cases, technical opinions with justification in regulatory agency requirements, the particulars of the product must be considered. Thus, we welcome a call or email if you have any special needs or questions.