The Federal Code Of Regulation (CFR) FCC Part 15 is a common testing
standard for most electronic equipment. FCC Part 15 covers the regulations
under which an intentional, unintentional, or incidental radiator that can be
operated without an individual license. FCC Part 15 covers as well the
technical specifications, administrative requirements and other conditions
relating to the marketing of FCC Part 15 devices. Depending on the type of the
equipment, verification, declaration of conformity, or certification is the
process for FCC Part 15 compliance.
Verification is a procedure where the manufacturer makes measurements or
takes the necessary steps to insure that the equipment complies with the
appropriate technical standards. Submittal of a sample unit or representative
data to the Commission demonstrating compliance is not required unless
specifically requested the Commission. Verification attached to the equipment a
label showing that compliance is met.
Declaration of Conformity is a procedure where the responsible party makes
measurements or takes other necessary steps to ensure that the equipment
complies with the appropriate technical standards. Submittal of a sample unit
or representative data to the Commissions demonstrating compliance is not
required unless specifically requested. The Declaration of Conformity attaches
to the equipment a label showing that the sample has been tested and found
acceptable by the responsible party.
Certification is an equipment authorization issued by the Commission, based
on representations and test data submitted by eh applicant. Certification
attaches to the units subsequently marketed by the grantee which are identical
to the sample tested an FCC ID number to show compliance.
FCC Part 15 Subpart A contains specific information regarding testing and
certification. Information like, scope of the rules and legal implications,
definitions, prohibition against eavesdropping, labeling, and other sections.
Some more interesting descriptions used in the FCC Part 15 as listed in
Subpart A.
Digital Device. “An unintentional radiator (device or system) that
generates and uses timing signals or pulses at a rate in excess of 9,000 pulses
(cycles) per second and uses digital techniques; inclusive of telephone
equipment that uses digital techniques or any device or system that generates
and uses radio frequency energy for the purpose of performing data processing
functions such as electronics computations, operations, transformations,
recording, filing, sorting, storage, retrieval, or transfer. A radio frequency
device that is specifically subject to an emanation requirement in any other
FCC Rule part or an intentional radiator subject to Subpart C of this part that
contains a digital device is not subject to the standards for digital devices,
provided the digital device is used only the enable operation of the radio
frequency device and the digital device does not control additional functions
or capabilities.”
Intentional radiator. “A device that intentionally generates and
emits radio frequency energy by radiation or induction.”
Class A Digital Device. “A digital device that is marketed for use
in a commercial, industrial or business environment, exclusive of a device
which is marketed for use by the general public or is intended to be used in
the home.”
Class B Digital Device. “A digital device that is marketed for use
in a residential environment notwithstanding use in commercial, business and
industrial environments. Examples of such devices included, but are not limited
to, personal computers, calculators, and similar electronics devices that are
marketed for use by the general public.
FCC Part 15 Subpart B is for unintentional radiators. The category of
unintentional radiators includes a wide variety of devices that contain clocks
or oscillators and logic circuitry but that do not deliberately generate radio
frequencies emissions. Among the common unintentional radiators are personal
computers, peripherals, receivers, radios, TV sets, and cable TV home
terminals. FCC Part 15 Section 15.101 has a very informative table for
unintentional radiators. Two levels of radiation and conducted emissions limits
for unintentional radiators are specified in FCC Part 15 Subpart B. The two
levels are Class A digital devices, the higher less strict limits, and Class B
digital devices, the lower more strict limits. Manufacturers are encouraged to
meet the Class B digital device limits.
FCC Part 15 Subpart C is for intentional radiators. The carious types of
intentional radiators covered by Subpart C include cable-locating equipment,
cordless telephones, remote control and alarm transmitters, field-disturbance
sensors for opening doors, and spread-spectrum systems for wideband data
transmission. Intentional radiators governed by FCC Part 15 Subpart C must
either have a permanently attached antenna or provide a unique coupler to
prevent the use of unauthorized antennas. The FCC Part 15 Subpart C rules for
operation of radio transmitters for the most part are very detailed regarding
fundamental field strength, power and/or power density, frequency accuracy, and
permitted harmonic and spurious emissions.
FCC Part 15 Subpart D outlines the regulations for unlicensed personal
communication service (UPCS) devices operating in the 1910 – 1930 MHz frequencies
bands.
FCC Part 15 Subpart E sets out the regulations for unlicensed National
Information Infrastructure (U-NII) devices operating in the 5.15 – 5.35 GHz,
5.47 – 5.725 GHz, and 5.725 – 5.825 GHz bands.
FCC Part 15 Subpart G sets out the regulations for Access Broadband over
Power Line (Access BPL) devices operating in the 1.705-80 MHz band over medium
or low voltage lines. This section outlines the geographical area within which
Access BPS operations are not permitted in certain frequencies bands.