New U-NII requirements postponed

The FCC has waived, until December 2, 2015, the implementation of the new U-NII requirements, Specifically 15.37(h).

This allows 5.8 GHz deices to continue using the DTS rules in 15.247 for approval and certification.

(h) Effective June 2, 2015* devices using digital modulation techniques in the 5725-5850 MHz bands will no longer be certified under the provisions of §15.247. The technical requirements for obtaining certification after this date for digitally modulated devices and the digitally modulated portion of hybrid devices are found in subpart E of this part. The provisions for the frequency hopping spread spectrum portion of hybrid devices will remain in §15.247. Effective June 2, 2016 systems using digital modulation techniques in the 5725-5850 MHz band certified under the provisions of §15.247 may no longer be imported or marketed within the United States.

By this order *June 2, 2015 in the above rule part is in essence replaced with December 2, 2015

REF:

https://www.fcc.gov/document/u-nii-devices-extension-order

Title 47, Part 15.37

"update" FCC Proposing significant changes

This is an update to a previous posting regarding an FCC NPRM proposing several changes to the rules governing authorization of radio frequency equipment.
See previous post  FCC Proposing significant changes

"the deadlines for filing comments and reply comments in the above captioned proceedings ARE EXTENDED to October 9, 2015 and November 9, 2015."

Ref:
http://transition.fcc.gov/Daily_Releases/Daily_Business/2015/db0825/DA-15-956A1.pdf

FCC to be "off-line" early September through Labor Day

The FCC has scheduled an IT infrastructure upgrade starting 6 pm EDT September 2nd, 2015 and running through 8 AM EDT September 8th, 2015.

The result of this upgrade will take most of the Commission's resources off-line. Among the resources that will be unavailable are all electronic filing systems; including the Certification Body (TCB) site used for issuing grants and the Knowledge Database (KDB) system used to provide testing and certification guidance to labs and TCBs.

The FCC web site will be available but with limited content and search capabilities. FCC telephones will work but voicemail systems will not, and most FCC staff will not have access to email.

Ref:
Public Notice DA 15-940

Valuable opportunity for Project managers and Compliance Engineers

Whenever I come across something that could benefit my community i'm compelled to share it.

A new Grassroots Movement has begun on the U.S. west coast to quote "Empower Project Managers and Compliance Engineers with knowledge and tools to guide your company and your team to achieve EMC product compliance, and fix EMC problems minimizing project cost and schedule impact!"

Beginning in September, 2015, EMCmini launches with a series of informative events. This "traveling road show" brings together industry experts and equipment manufacturers to give you the tools and information you need to stay ahead of the competition.

And now for a little "Name-dropping" ;) , some of the prominent speakers involved include;

• Ghery S. Pettit, NCE
• Mark Montrose
• Edward Nakauchi
• Shirish Shah
• Darryl Ray

Make sure to register for this event at least a week ahead! 

REF:

EMCmini.us

FCC Proposing significant changes

The Federal Communications Commission has release a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking that proposes several broad changes to the Commission’s rules governing the authorization of radiofrequency equipment.

The common theme throughout the recent proposed changes is an effort to update the current rules in light of the state-of-the art surrounding current trends in the development and use of radiofrequency equipment today, and, going forward into the future.

The 89 page proposal outlines several changes as follows;

•  Combine two separate product approval programs – Declaration of Conformity and verification into one product self-approval program
• Codify and clarify the provisions for certification of modular transmitters – including those in products used for our licensed radio services – and for radios where the RF parameters are controlled by software;
• Clarify responsibilities for compliance when a final product may be comprised of one or more certified modular transmitters;
• Codify existing practices that protect the confidentiality of market-sensitive information;
•  Codify and expand existing guidance for electronic labeling;
•  Eliminate unnecessary or duplicative rules and consolidate rules from various specific rule parts into the equipment authorization rules in Part 2; and
• Discontinue the requirement that importers file FCC Form 740 with Customs and Border Protection for RF devices that are imported into the United States.

As of this posting date the proposal is open to comment. For more information or to submit your comments, visit http://apps.fcc.gov/ecfs/comment/view?id=60001094487

Ref:

https://www.fcc.gov/document/equipment-authorization-e-labeling

8 Significant FCC certification changes with dates you need to know

Mark your calendar, starting July 13th this year a number of changes are taking effect with respect to the FCC certification and approvals process for intentional and unintentional radiators. Below is a quick synopsis of the major changes along with the specified transition dates.

These changes will have a major impact on your certification planning going forward. If you have questions or need assistance with your wireless device certifications don't hesitate to contact Compatible Electronics, Inc.

1. Rules discontinuing FCC acceptance of certification applications (all certification via TCB)
2. Codified pre-grant approval procedure that TCBs will follow
3. Additional clarification on TCB’s post-market surveillance responsibilities
4. Specified steps to address TCB performance deficiencies
5. Rules referencing TCB accreditation updated to newest versions.
6. Require accreditation of all laboratories that test equipment for certification as well as DoC
7. Rules referencing measurement standards updated to newest versions.
8. OET gains greater flexibility and authority to address “minor technical issues” and ability to change approved standards to newer versions under § 0.241 Authority delegated. 

Transition Dates:

July 13th, 2015

• FCC will no longer accept applications for equipment certification (Done through TCB)
• FCC Will no longer accept applications for § 2.948 test site listings

Sept 15, 2015

• A TCB shall be accredited to ISO/IEC 17065, guide 65 is deprecated. Accrediting bodies shall meet requirements of ISO/IEC 17011

July 13th, 2016

• All § 2.948 listings remaining valid will expire. Labs may still submit test reports up to Oct. 13, 2016
• Intentional radiator measurements subject to part 15 shall be made using ANSI 63.10-2013

October 13th, 2016 (the big one to remember!)

• All Laboratories submitting test data for support of a certification application must be accredited. 

July 13th, 2018

• Radiated measurement labs for 1 – 40 GHz shall comply with C63.4-2014 (CISPR 16-1-4:2010-04) site validation in accordance with clause 5.5.1a)1)

-----------------

For questions, testing or certification needs under the new rules, please contact Compatible Electronics, Inc.


Ref;
CFR Title 47 § 2.950 Transition periods
Federal Register Vol. 80 No. 113 June 12, 2015 

4 Quick Tips on the Transition to Canada's new RSS-247 Radio Standard

Industry Canada published a new radio standard, RSS-247 (May 2015). For devices under the scope of this new standard, RSS-210 is no longer applicable for certification.

What devices fall within the scope of RSS-247? If you’re familiar with the FCC rules, then RSS-247 is comparable in scope to FCC Part 15.247. In general, devices operating at 902-928 MHz, 2400-2483.5 MHz or 5725-5850 MHz utilizing frequency hopping, digital modulation and/or a hybrid of both techniques. The new standard also covers licences exempt local area network devices operating in the U-NII bands, specifically, 5150-5250 MHz, 5250-5350 MHz, 5470-5725 MHz and 5725-5850 MHz.

Some things to know about the transition.

1. If you have received certification to RSS-210 before publication of RSS-247, nothing changes and the device would be covered by RSS-210
2. If your test report was issued to RSS-210 and you are submitting for certification before August 28th 2015, your certification body will certify to RSS-247. Canada has a three month transition window
3. After August 28, 2015, your test report must be to RSS-247
4. Canada will accept test reports up to one year old, so after the August deadline if submitting test results covered by RSS-210, it will need to be supplemented with a partial test report to cover any missing requirements in RSS-247

Ref:

http://www.ic.gc.ca/eic/site/smt-gst.nsf/eng/sf10971.html#s1

http://www.ic.gc.ca/eic/site/smt-gst.nsf/eng/sf10975.html

Mobile Broadband Spectrum Increase

Announced via a press release posted on the Federal Communications Commission web site, the FCC is making available, 150 MHz of contiguous spectrum for mobile broadband and other uses. This will be achieved through an innovative three-tiered sharing scheme that incorporates new sensing technology.

The new service resides in the 3550 to 3700 MHz spectrum. Todays announcement will add 100 MHz to the 50 MHz previously allocated creating the contiguous band of 150 MHz.

The three tiered system is comprised of incumbent military systems, and two commercial tiers, General Authorized Access and Priority Access, within the Citizens Broadband Radio service. One or more privately operated commercial Spectrum Access Systems will facilitate coexistence among tiers.

Ref.

Press release

FCC rules update for Part 15 UPCS devices

Just published in the federal register, the Federal Communications Commission has updated part 15, specifically 15.31 on the measurement standards to be used for Unlicensed Personal Communications Service (UPCS) under part 15, subpart D.

ANSI C63.17 2013 replaces the 2006 version of the standard.

REF;

Federal Register Post for January 21, 2015

FCC will no longer accept applications for equipment certification

The FCC introduced a Report and order just before the new year that among other things, effectively puts them out of the RF device certification business and permits this activity to be performed solely by private Telecommunication Certification Bodies, also known as TCBs,

The big take away is that the FCC will no longer be certifying products, however also included in this report is a new requirement that all testing be done at an “accredited” lab.

A quote from the report and order; 

41. Proposal. In the Notice, the Commission proposed to require that all laboratories that test
equipment subject to Certification or to DoC under any rule part be accredited to ISO/IEC 17025, ending
the “2.948-listing” program for unaccredited labs to test equipment to be certified under Parts 15 and 18
of the rules.

Prior to this order devices subject to certification; such as radio transmitters, could be tested at any listed lab. This listing program is less rigorous and less expensive than full certification. The listing program simply requires that the lab file information with the FCC. In contrast, the accreditation requirement ensures that the the testing laboratory is competent to perform the required work, but it also requires that the laboratory be in a country that is recognized by the FCC, such as one with an established Mutual Recognition Agreement (MRA) with the United States.

Currently, many companies rely on test data suppled by third party test labs that are not accredited or are in countries which do not have an established MRA with the United States. As an example, there are no laboratories in China that are qualified to perform testing for FCC certification or DoC, due to the fact that there is no MRA between China and the United States.

Along with this change the FCC lays out the process for a pre-grant approval procedure to be followed when a TCB is faced with certification of a device based on new technology.

The FCC also makes clear in the report the TCB’s responsibility in performing “post-market” surveillance of products it has certified.

Reference;

http://transition.fcc.gov/Daily_Releases/Daily_Business/2014/db1230/FCC-14-208A1.pdf