US Regulatory Process FCC Equipment Authorization Program Karen Rackley Chief, Technical Rules Branch Federal Communications Commission Office of Engineering.

US Regulatory ProcessUS Regulatory ProcessFCC Equipment Authorization FCC Equipment Authorization

ProgramProgram

Karen RackleyKaren RackleyChief, Technical Rules BranchChief, Technical Rules Branch

Federal Communications CommissionOffice of Engineering and Technology

Policy and Rules Division

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About the FCCAbout the FCC

The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) is an independent United States government agency, directly responsible to Congress.

The FCC was established by the Communications Act of 1934 and is charged with regulating interstate and international communications by radio, television, wire, satellite and cable.

The FCC's jurisdiction covers the 50 states, the District of Columbia, and U.S. possessions.

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Organization Organization

The FCC is directed by five Commissioners appointed by the President and confirmed by the Senate for 5-year terms, except when filling an unexpired term.

The President designates one of the Commissioners to serve as Chairperson.

None of the Commissioners can have a financial interest in any Commission-related business.

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Office of Engineering and Office of Engineering and TechnologyTechnology

OET’s Mission

Manage the spectrum and provide technical leadership to create new opportunities for innovative, competitive technologies and services for the American public FCC Laboratory FCC Laboratory

Columbia, MDColumbia, MD(40 km NE of DC)(40 km NE of DC)

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OET’s Principal FunctionsOET’s Principal Functions

Spectrum Management

Technical Research and Analysis

Network Reliability and Technology

Authorization of ServiceEquipment Authorization

Experimental Licensing

Technical Education

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Federal Communications Federal Communications CommissionCommission

Federal Communications Commission (FCC) regulates the private sector telecommunications industry, in the public interest

Establishes technical regulations for transmitters and other equipment to minimize their potential for causing interference to radio services.

Administers an authorization program to ensure that equipment reaching the market complies with the technical requirements.

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FCC RegulationsFCC Regulations

Title 47 of the Code of Title 47 of the Code of Federal Regulations Federal Regulations Transmitter

specifications Radio Services EMC specifications Telephone Terminal

Equipment Test Methods Equipment

Authorization Requirement

Marketing and Importation Rules

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How are regulations How are regulations made?made?

Administrative Procedures Act (APA- 5 USC 553)

Requires all US government agencies to give the public the opportunity to comment on any regulations that will affect them.

ProposalProposalCommentsand ReplyComments

Commentsand ReplyComments

Final Rule(Report & Order)

Final Rule(Report & Order)

FCC Rule Making ProcessFCC Rule Making Process

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Standards for RF Standards for RF EquipmentEquipment

Incidental Radiator

Unintentional Radiator

Intentional Radiator

Licensed Transmitters

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Incidental RadiatorsIncidental Radiators

Generate radio frequency energy during the course of its operation although the device is not intentionally designed to generate or emit radio frequency energy. (§15.13)

Manufacturers of these devices must employ good engineering practices to minimize the risk of harmful interference.

Examples: DC motors

mechanical light switches

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Unintentional RadiatorsUnintentional Radiators

Part 15, Subpart B – Any device that intentionally generates RF energy, but does not intentionally radiate that energy

Examples:

Digital devices (computers, data processing equipment, etc.),

Radio receivers that tune between 30-890 MHz,

TV interface devices (VCRs, cable terminal devices, etc.)

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Intentional RadiatorsIntentional Radiators

Part 15, Subpart C – Lists frequency bands and types of operation permitted.

Examples: Cordless

Telephones

Remote Switches, door controls, alarms

Wireless Local Area Network (WLAN)

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Licensed Radio ServicesLicensed Radio Services

Transmitters that require either an individual license or a blanket authorization are subject to requirements of a specific radio service. General Mobile Radio

Services (non-cellular) Personal Mobile Services Broadcast Radio Services Microwave Radio Services Maritime and Aviation

Radio Services

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Telephone Terminal Telephone Terminal RegulationsRegulations

47 CFR Part 68 – Telephone Terminal Equipment (TTE)

Public Switched Telephone Network (PSTN)

Private Line Interfaces

Analog Interfaces

Digital Interfaces

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Example – Spread Example – Spread SpectrumSpectrum

A number of telecom products, such as cordless telephones, have taken advantage of Spread Spectrum

Spread spectrum technology was originally developed for military applications

FCC first established provisions for Part 15 unlicensed spread spectrum devices in 1985

Little activity in first few years

Then it started to grow!

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Equipment Authorization Equipment Authorization ProgramProgram

The FCC currently has four equipment approval programs Verification

Supplier Declaration of Conformity (SDoC) (Part 68)

Declaration of Conformity (DoC)

Certification

The product approval requirement is specified in the rule part under which equipment operates

All four programs involve the use of the private sector to varying degrees

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Verification

(Self-approval)

Verification

(Self-approval)

Certification (Approved by FCC

or TCB)

Certification (Approved by FCC

or TCB)

DoC(Self-approval using

an accredited lab)

DoC(Self-approval using

an accredited lab)

Equipment Authorization Equipment Authorization ProgramProgram

The type of approval is specified in the

rulesfor the particular

type of device SDoC (Part 68)(Self-approval

Database by ACTA)

SDoC (Part 68)(Self-approval

Database by ACTA)

Minimum

Maximum

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Why Use the Private Why Use the Private Sector? Sector?

Speed at which technology is changing and shorter product life cycles require faster product approvals

The private sector has the technical expertise and ability to certify equipment.

Increase the resources performing conformity assessment

Efficiencies in designing and approving product in the same geographic location

Reduce uncertainty and delay in obtaining certification

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What is a TCB?What is a TCB?

A Telecommunication Certification Body is a Certification Body that has been accredited to ISO/IEC Guide 65 by a recognized Accrediting Organization and designated by the FCC to approve equipment subject to certification.

A TCB has certain rights and responsibilities (equitable treatment of applicants, audit through sampling of equipment on market)

Foreign entities may become a TCB in accordance with the terms of a government-to-government Mutual Recognition Agreement/Arrangement.

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Certification OptionsCertification Options

Prepare Test Report and Application

Prepare Test Report and Application

FCC GRANT

FCC GRANT

Label Product and Instructions

in User Manual

Label Product and Instructions

in User Manual

Market ProductMarket Product

Test and Evaluate Product

to Determine Compliance

Test and Evaluate Product

to Determine Compliance

Submit Application

to FCC

Submit Application

to FCC

Submit Application

to TCB

Submit Application

to TCB

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0

200

400

600

800

1000

1200

Q3 2000 Q4 2000 Q1 2001 Q2 2001 Q3 2001 Q4 2001 Q1 2002 Q2 2002 Q3 2002 Q4 2002

Private Certification Bodies

FCC

Equipment Authorization Application Equipment Authorization Application TrendTrend

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What is an MRA?What is an MRA?

Mutual Recognition Agreement/Arrangement (MRA)

Mutually agree to accept test results and

product approvals

Use of harmonized technical standards is not part of an MRA

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United States and MRAsUnited States and MRAs

The US Government has agreed to participate in three separate MRAs:

European Union MRA

Asian Pacific Economic Co-operation Tel MRA (APEC)

Inter-American Commission for Telecommunications (CITEL MRA)

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Identification of PlayersIdentification of Players

Regulatory Authority (RA)

Federal Communications Commission (FCC)

www.fcc.gov

Designating Authority (DA)

National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST)

www.nist.gov

Accreditation Body (Phase 1)

National Voluntary Lab Accreditation Program (NVLAP) & American Association of Lab Accreditation (A2LA)

www.nist.govwww.a2la.org

AB (Phase 2) American National Standards Institute (ANSI)

www.ansi.org

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SummarySummary

Rulemaking process is open to all interested parties

Opportunity to appeal decisions made by the regulatory authority

Decisions are made by a five member independent Commission

Rules provide for flexibility and innovation

Use of the private sector: Development of technical standards

Development of measurement procedures

Conformity Assessment

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Information On LineInformation On Line

OET Info on line (Orders, Public Notices, etc.)

http://www.fcc.gov/oet/info/http://www.fcc.gov/oet/info/documents/

FCC Rules and Regulations

http://www.fcc.gov/oet/info/rules/

General FCC Information

http://www.fcc.gov

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ThanksThanks!!ThanksThanks!!