Radio Technologies

The Federal Communications Commission (USA).

As an agency of the US Government overseen by congress, they regulate radio, television, wire, satellite, and cable communications, and enforce America’s communications law and regulations.

Radio Frequency (RF) devices contained in electronic-electrical products that are capable of emitting radio frequency energy by radiation, conduction, or other means. These products have the potential to cause interference to radio services operating in the radio frequency range of 9 kHz to 3000 GHz.

Almost all electronic-electrical products (devices) are capable of emitting radio frequency energy. Most, but not all, of these products must be tested to demonstrate compliance to the FCC rules for each type of electrical function that is contained in the product.

If a device is subject to the FCC rules, then the type of equipment authorisation procedure required must be determined. Either Supplier’s Declaration of Conformity (SDoC) or Certification, or both may apply.

A procedure that requires the party responsible for compliance to ensure that the equipment complies with the appropriate technical standards, the responsible party must be located in the US but does not need to file an equipment authorisation with the FCC and is therefore not listed in the FCC’s database. A test report and other information demonstrating compliance to the rules must be available on request by the FCC.

Certification is a rigorous approval process for RF Devices that have the greatest potential to cause harmful interference to radio services. It is an equipment authorization issued by a recognized Telecommunication Certification Body (TCB). Testing must be performed by an FCC recognized testing laboratory, Information including technical parameters, test reports etc. are posted on the FCC’s public website database.

Regulatory compliance requirements for FCC and indeed any Country, should be considered as early in the product concept/design stage as possible. The actual FCC authorization process should begin and be completed prior to any product being mass-produced and marketed (offered for sale or lease) in the United States.

FCC authorization process whether Certification or SDoC route is mandatory, however, some exceptions do exist for certain devices with respect to technical standards, for Part 15 devices see 15.103 for the list, however it is recommended by the FCC that even an exempted device should meet the specific technical standards requirements.

CE EMC requirements include emissions and immunity testing for products to be sold in Europe. The CE Mark also includes product safety testing. FCC Testing focuses specifically on EMC testing of electronic goods sold in the United States.

All wireless communications and radio equipment sold or used in the UK.

The Radio Equipment Regulations were originally created to transpose the European Radio Equipment Directive (RED) into UK Law. The RER specifies the safety and performance requirements for all wireless communications and radio equipment sold or used in the UK.