Regulatory Information; Fcc Module Acceptance Criteria; Fcc Classification Of Mobile Vs. Portable Devices - Sierra Wireless MC5720 Hardware Integration Manual

R F I n t e g r a t i o n

Regulatory information

Refer to the EM Reference Guides for Regulatory Information. Regulatory
compliance information is dependent upon both the individual module
certification as well as the intended market.

FCC module acceptance criteria

FCC classification of mobile vs. portable devices

For operation in the United States, your module integration is required to meet
certain regulatory requirements for stand-alone operation, including 47 CFR
Parts 2, 15, 22, and 24.
Part 15 testing must be performed on the "complete device" that has incorporated
the EM and is therefore your responsibility.
The Office of Engineering and Technology has published a document entitled
"Evaluating Compliance with FCC Guidelines for Human Exposure to
Radiofrequency Electromagnetic Fields", OET Bulletin 65. This provides a
detailed description of the difference between mobile and portable devices.
The FCC Guidelines differentiate between these devices according to the
antenna's proximity to people, either the user or others nearby.
Mobile: The FCC defines a mobile device as being designed for use "in other
than fixed locations and to generally be used in such a way that a separation
distance of at least 20 centimeters is maintained between radiating structures and
the body of the user or nearby persons".
Mobile devices including vehicle-mounted systems are designed to be used by
people that are typically well separated from the antenna. This also includes
wireless devices associated with a personal computer, provided the antenna is
kept 20 centimeters away from the body.
These devices are normally evaluated for exposure potential with relation to
MPE (Maximum Permissible Exposure) limits. The FCC rules for evaluating
mobile devices for RF compliance are found in 47 CFR Part 2.1091 (b).
Portable: A portable device has a transmitter "designed to be used with any part
of its radiating structure in direct contact with the user's body or within 20
centimeters of the user or bystander under normal operating conditions."
This category includes hand held cellular telephones with antennas built into the
device.
Portable devices are evaluated with respect to SAR (Specific Absorption Rate)
rules. These can be found in 47 CFR Part 2.1093 (b).
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