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radiators) which can interference with other devices. Devices containing a wireless transmitter should
make sure their RF behavior is within specification and meets safe limits for people.
The most common regulatory approvals are described now.
Federal Communications Commission (FCC)
When selling/operating you own expansion card in the USA, it shall comply with the rules of the Federal
Communications Commission. When the expansion card contains a wireless transmitter, more testing
will be need than when the expansion card doesn't have a wireless transmitter.
Expansion card without wireless transmitter
Even when a digital device contains no wireless transmitter, it can still emit RF noise and cause
interference to other digital devices. To tackle this, the FCC has imposed rules for these "unintentional
radiators". The FCC requirements can be found in FCC Part 15,
Depending on the type of Part 15B device, a different equipment authorization procedure is required.
Most expansion cards will fall in the category "Class A digital devices, peripherals & external switching
power supplies" and will be subject to the "Verification" method. This means testing the conducted and
radiated emissions and keeping the test results on record, while no FCC logo or FCC ID is needed.
These FCC Part15, subpart B tests can be executed in authorized test labs.
Expansion card with wireless transmitters
Expansion cards with wireless transmitters shall still comply with the requirements for the non-
transmitting parts explained above. In addition one should check the requirements for the specific
frequency of the transmitter. Typically tests are required for RF output power, modulation
characteristics, occupied bandwidth, frequency stability and radiated spurious emissions. In addition the
expansion card will mostly be required to carry its own FCC ID.
When the expansion card makes use of an already certified radio module, the test results might be fully
or partially re-used and there's no need for a new FCC ID.
The FCC differentiates between licensed and unlicensed transmitters.
licensed transmitters: devices operating in a frequency that is licensed by the FCC (e.g. PCS
1900MHz or cellular 850MHz). The FCC strictly controls interference in these bands!
unlicensed transmitters: devices operating in unlicensed frequency bands. Different technologies
can be used in these frequency bands and interference restrictions are less severe (e.g. 2.4GHz
WLAN, Bluetooth, ZigBee...).
Technical standards for licensed and unlicensed equipment are found in the various radio service rule
parts. Depending on the specifications of your expansion card, testing is needed for the applicable rule
part(s). Some common rule parts include:
FCC Part 15C for Intentional Radiators (2.4GHz band);
FCC Part 15E for UNII devices (5GHz band);
FCC Part 24 Personal communications services (1900MHz band);
...
Please visit the FCC website for more detailed info on the
different
FCC rule
parts.
Revision: 1.00
Copyright 2015 U.S. Robotics Corporation
subpart B
"unintentional radiators".
equipment authorization procedures
and the
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