Tracking the new and exciting networked world
The Federal Communications Commission acronym OET stands for Office of Engineering and Technology. TCB stands for Telecommunications Certification Bodies. TCBs are Test Firms authorized to test and apply for certification of wireless equipment.
As of July 13, 2015, the OET (FCC’s Certification Lab) is no longer accepting applications for Certification of RF equipment and all FCC certifications must be directed through TCB (external testing bodies)
If you need to use your mobile phone in Colombia, you may be looking for the FCC ID certification for homologation. Try these methods to find it.
Get the TCB Certification Form from the FCC ID
Once you locate the FCC ID for your device, you will need the TCB authorization file. Obtain the TCB authorization by searching your FCC ID using the FCC Homologation Search Tool.
The TCB certification for homologation can be located by clicking the “Grant” icon for the 800 MHz row. 
The “Lower Frequency In MHz” and “Upper Frequency In MHz” must be between 800 and 900 MHz for the grant to be valid in Colombia. Example:
Why is FCC ID certification needed? The CRC requires devices to be certified. Uncertified devices may be texted and disable from using the network.
“Tu celular no ha sido homologado ante la CRC y podria ser bloqueado”
To learn more about the requirements of the CRC and FCC ID certification, please see this video.
When a device is labeled “Contains” FCC ID XXX-XXXX, typically, this means the wireless component of the device has been tested to follow FCC ID certification. In many cases, this implies the entire device is not FCC certified and the manufacturer/distributor is claiming the enclosure modifies the performance of the chip in a negligible way. The rules on getting a device FCC certified vs just using a certified chip depend on the wireless frequency, power, and enclosure.
Be sure to read all FCC regulations or consult an FCC expert before simply putting a “contains FCC ID” label on your device as it may not be legal.
| What rules regulate short distance wireless inductive coupled charging pads or charging devices?
Answer: Wireless power transfer (WPT) devices operating at frequencies above 9 kHz are intentional radiators and are subject to either Part 15 and/or Part 18 of the FCC rules. The specific applicable rule part depends on how the device operates, and if there is communication between the charger and device being charged. Devices specifically intended for use for wireless power transfer, or inductive charging, require FCC guidance for frequency exposure review. This includes Part 18 devices. It may be necessary for the responsible party (manufacturer) to seek guidance from the FCC on specific WPT devices by submitting a KDB inquiry, http://www.fcc.gov/labhelp. The inquiry should include the following:
Intentional radiators transmitting information must be certified under the appropriate Part 15 Rules and will generally require an equipment certification. A WPT device may operate in two different modes: charging and communications. It is possible for the device to be approved under Part 18 for the charging mode and Part 15 for the communications mode, if it can be shown that (1) the device complies with the relevant rule parts; and (2) the functions are independent. Part 18 consumer devices can be authorized using either certification or SDoC, once the appropriate RF exposure evaluation has been completed. Finally, it is possible that the power charging function could be approved under Part 15 rather than Part 18 if the device meets all of the requirements of the appropriate Part 15 rule. Attachment 680106 D01 RF Exposure Wireless Charging Apps v03 provides general guidance on the information necessary to determine RF exposure evaluation and compliance requirements when submitting a wireless charging application inquiry. Download the full set of rules here: FCC-Wireless-Charging-Rules
|
What are the guidelines for providing a Contention Based Protocol (CBP) operational description, as required by Part 90Z?
Guidelines are provided in the attachment below 552295 CBP Guidance for 3650-3700 Band v03.
Guidance for Class B computers and their components is specified in the attached guidelines, 657217 D01 Personal Computer v02 below.
The attached documents provide guidance on the Pre-Approval Guidance (PAG) procedures (Section 2.964) formerly known as the Permit But Ask (PBA) procedure. Attachment “388624 D02 Pre-Approval Guidance List v16r03” provides a list of the RF devices that are subject to the Pre-Approval Guidance procedure and attachment “388624 D01 Pre-Approval Guidance Procedure v11r01” provides the Pre-Approval Guidance procedures.
Industrial, scientific, and Medical (ISM) equipment is defined as equipment or appliances designed to generate and use locally RF energy for industrial, scientific, medical, domestic or similar purposes, excluding applications in the field of telecommunication.1 Typical ISM applications are the production of physical, biological, or chemical effects such as heating ionization of gases, mechanical vibrations, and acceleration of charged particles.
The Commission has historically treated RF devices that transmit a radio signal for purposes such as measuring the level of a fluid in a container or for measuring some quantifiable property of a material as Part 15 devices.2 Due to the modulated transmission of information, the Commission determined that Part 15 intentional transmitters were best treated as low power transmission communication devices as opposed to Part 18 equipment where RF energy is generated for the primary purpose of performing work energy, such as in an industrial heater or microwave oven. [3]
With some other applications, however, the applicability of Part 15 or 18 rules requires a caseby-case analysis. For example, in the case of magnetic resonance imaging systems used to stimulate molecules to produce a detectable RF field to form body images, the Commission determined that the use was so unique that it was appropriate to apply Part 18 rules. 4 Similarly devices that use Nuclear Quadrupole Resonance (NQR) techniques for detecting metal properties, have been authorized under Part 18. In this case, we have focused on the fact that the RF energy is used to excite the molecules to create nuclear resonance of the material to determine its property. For certain wireless charging devices that use load modulation to adjust the instantaneous power levels, it was determined that this function should be appropriately authorized under the Part 18 rules.
More recently, there is the heightened interest with using RF spectrum in the frequency ranges above 95 GHz for devices, including devices designed for terahertz spectroscopy, to analyze material molecular properties and for imaging applications.5 Such applications are also appropriate for a case-by-case analysis. Under this approach, the Office of Engineering and Technology has authorized some equipment operating above 95 GHz designed to detect the presence of powders, solids and liquids inside sealed parcels and envelopes under Part 18 rules. Under the Part 18 rules, such devices have been subject to our Supplier’s Declaration of Compliance (SDoC) procedures.6 Those rules require product to be tested and that compliance information be supplied with the product at the time of marketing.[7] The Commission will continue to review devices using similar techniques or frequency bands on a case-by-case basis to determine if it is appropriate to authorize them under Part 18 rules or some other rules, if applicable.
References:
See FCC Document 227764 D01 ISM Equipment v01
Q: What technical characteristics must be measured to demonstrate ultra-wideband (UWB) device compliance to the applicable requirements specified in Part 15 Subpart F?
A: The general technical parameters to be measured and provided in an application for certification are listed in Sections 15.31, 15.33, 15.35(a), 15.35(b), 15.204, 15.207, and 15.521; Sections 15.509 through 15.519 apply for different types of UWB devices. The specific UWB technical characteristics that must be measured include the emission bandwidth, the average and peak power spectral density associated with the fundamental emission, and the average power spectral density associated with unwanted emissions (out-of-band and spurious domain).
Q: Are standardized measurement procedures available for performing the requisite compliance measurements?
A: Standardized procedures for measuring the technical parameters necessary to demonstrate compliance to the UWB rule requirements can be found in clause 10.1 of ANSI C63.10-2013.
Q: What portion of the emission spectrum from a UWB device is required to be contained within the authorized frequency bands? Is it adequate for just the center frequency to be within the authorized band?
A: For a UWB device emission spectrum, the entire fundamental bandwidth (that portion of the spectrum between the outermost −10 dB points) must be fully contained within the authorized frequency band. Consequently, it is not adequate that just the UWB center frequency be within the authorized
frequency band. For example, the emissions spectrum from a ground penetrating radar (GPR) applying for authorization under Section 15.509 must have its fundamental bandwidth located below 960 MHz.
Q: What portion of the emission spectrum from a UWB device is required to be contained within the authorized frequency bands? Is it adequate for just the center frequency to be within the authorized band?
A: For a UWB device emission spectrum, the entire fundamental bandwidth (that portion of the spectrum between the outermost −10 dB points) must be fully contained within the authorized frequency band. Consequently, it is not adequate that just the UWB center frequency be within the authorized
frequency band. For example, the emissions spectrum from a ground penetrating radar (GPR) applying for authorization under Section 15.509 must have its fundamental bandwidth located below 960 MHz.
Q: How is the requirement for a UWB device to cease transmission after 10 seconds of inactivity (i.e., Section 15.519(a)(1)) interpreted?
A: An acknowledgement of reception must continue to be received by the UWB device at least once every 10 seconds, or else the device shall cease transmission of any information other than periodic signals for use in the establishment or re-establishment of a communications link with an associated receiver.
Q: What types of devices are considered to be “hand held” under Section 15.519?
A: The Commission has authorized a variety of devices under this rule part on a case-by-case basis on the following general principle:
A small size UWB device that is intended to operate outdoors on a frequent basis and is capable
of operating without the need for fixed infrastructure installation (e.g., antennas mounted on poles
or towers). Where it is not practical for the device to actually be held in a person’s hand during
operation, it is sufficient to show that the operator can exercise control over the device, or the
object to which the device is affixed, while the device is operating.
It will still be necessary to evaluate applications for outdoor UWB operations under Section 15.519 on a case-by-case basis to ensure fidelity to the rule intent.
Q: What compliance information should be included with an application for certification?
A: In addition to the requirements specified in Sections 2.947, 2.911, 2.1033(b), 15.31, 15.203, and 15.521, the following information is required for the processing of a UWB application for certification:
Q: Are there any special considerations for UWB devices applying for modular approval?
A: Modular approval will only be considered for UWB applications under Section 15.519 requirements, regardless of whether the device is intended for indoor or outdoor operation.
Q: Are there any other options for certifying UWB devices under FCC rules?
Whenever possible (i.e., if the UWB fundamental emission can be fully contained within the 5925−7250 MHz frequency band), Section 15.250 should be considered as an alternative to either Section 15.517 or Section 15.519.
Q: Is there a provision for operating wireless tank level gauges (e.g., level-probing radar) under the UWB rules?
A: Section 15.517(a)(4) authorizes the use of tank level gauges as indoor UWB devices only if they are used within metal or underground storage tanks, and the emissions are directed downward, into
the tank.
Last Updated 2018-05-05 from the FCC Document dated January 29, 2018:
FCC-ID-Approval-UWB
What guidance is available for labeling and user information for RF devices?
Attached are two documents for labeling with both or either electronic and on-device labeling.