The Worldwide Approval Status for 900 MHz and 2.4 GHz Spread
Spectrum Radio Products
Kursat Erogiu
Intermec TechnologiesCorporation
900 MHz DEVICES
ABSTRACT
The use of Spread Spectrumradios utilizing the ISM bands
(902-928 MHz, 2.400-2.4835GHz and 57255850 GHz) is
increasing dramatically. All sorts of ITE equipment and
now even telecom equipment are using these reliable, high
throughput radios. The rules governing these devices have
beendeveloping quite rapidly too. Most countriesin Europe
are going towards a single certification process in addition
to the CE certification. The rules are being relaxed in the
US as well, but there are always exemptions. This paper
gives an overview of the regulations and technical
requirementsin different countries.
INTRODUCTION
900 MHz ISM band is not.allowed in Europe, but the early
availability of the technology and the larger coveragerange
made this technology widely used in North America and
Pacific Rim countries. Besides industrial applications such
as warehousedata collection networks, 900 MHz modems
are becoming increasingly popular and replacing telephone
line connectionsfor computer networks. Many cities in the
US have Internet service providers with 900 MHz networks
established.
USA
These devices are regulated by the FCC in the US under
Part 15 rules (paragraph247). These rules allow up to 4 W
(EIRP) transmit power giving the products a fairly large
range. A summary of the details of these rules is given in
table 2. FCC rules, especially the ones pertaining to the
certification of these products have been relaxed over the
last 3 years. To certify a product a report demonstrating
compliance with 15.247 by a certified lab must be
submitted to the FCC Authorization and Evaluation Lab.
After a nominally 2 month review period, the product is
certified and does not require site approval.
FCC allows modular approval of certain types of
transceivers; however, there are special requirements for
those forcing most transceiversto be approvedas individual
transceiver-hostcombinations.
FCC has recently enactednew RF exposurerules as a result
of the 1996 TelecommunicationsAct, which are intended to
protect consumersfrom potential health hazardscausedby
RF radiation. Although spread spectrum transceivers are
categorically excluded from being subjected to SAR or
MPE tests, there are restrictions on output power depending
on the application. For example, although Part 15.247
allows up to 4 W transmit power, a handheldproduct where
the antennawould be within 10 inches of the body, would
not be allowed to transmit the full 4 W. Since the
restrictions are very much application dependent, the
decision is currently being made by the
Authorization and Evaluation Lab on a caseby casebasis.
Recent years have seenan explosion in the use of all kinds
of electronic equipmentusing radios of various types. From
radio controlled security systemsto wireless networks low
power RF devices are entering all marketsen mass.Like in
many other areas the regulations for these products have
followed the explosion in use and increasedin number and
content dramatically over the last years. It has not
necessarilygone in the worse direction however. After the
initial trial phases we are seeing more and more
harmonization and relaxation of the rules. Low power RF
devices cover a wide range of frequenciesand equipment
categories.In this paper we will concentrateon a particular
category that is of more interest to ITE manufacturers.
Spread spectrum transceivers utilizing ISM bands are
replacing wired connectionsin all product categories.Low
cost, high efficiency and generic product approvals make
these attractive solution for many manufacturers.Three
frequency bands are allowed worldwide for these devices
with exceptions.902 - 928 MHz (433 MHz in Europe), 2.4
- 2.5 GHz (worldwide with certain country limitations) and
5.8 GHz bands are the main ones at this time. 5.8 GHz
band is not much used currently due to technological
restrictions, but the 900 MHz and 2.4 GHz bands are
widely utilized.
We will concentrateon the regulationsof these 2 bands by
region. One general rule is, these devices are approved in
most countries on a non-interferencebasis. This means if
Canada
the transceiverinterfereswith anotherRF device, the spread
In Canadathe standardfor 900 MHz products is RSS 210
spectrumdevice is the one to be turned off.
published and enforcedby Industry Canada.Canadian
O-7X03-5015-4/98/$10.00
0 1998IEEE
1131
requirements for these products are almost identical to the
US requirements. In fact as a result of the harmonization
efforts, Industry Canada accepts FCC style test reports
without any additional test data. The certification process in
Canada lasts usually less than FCC’s (4 - 6 weeks). One
major difference of the Canadian approval is the more
relaxed approach to modular certification allowing the
transceiver modules to be approved as opposed to
individual host-transceiver combinations making the lives
of manufacturers easier. Canada also has RF exposure
requirements, but we have not seen enforcement of those
yet.
Pacific Rim Countries
Most pacific rim countries have either their own regulations
identical to FCC’s rules or they accept FCC certification on
the face value. One of the major pacific rim markets
Australia currently requires manufacturers to maintain a
documentation folder containing FCC Part 15.247 based
report by a recognized lab. They do not require
certification, The Australian authority ACA (formerly
SMA) is, however, revising the rules. Some countries such
as Japan do not allow 900 MHz transceivers. RF exposure
rules have so far not been an issue in nacific rim countries.
This too could changewithout much notice.
2
Allowed Band
(GHz)
Countries
US, Canada, Argentina, Brazil, Chile,
Colombia, Domin. Rep., Equador, Panama,
Paraguay, Peru, Uruguay, Venezuela, Hong 2 400 _ 2 4835
’
’
Kong, Indonesia, Malaysia, New Zealand,
Philippines, Singapore, Taiwan, Thailand,
Vietnam
Austria, Belgium, Czech Rep., Denmark,
Finland, Germany, Greece, Hungary,
Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Luxembourg,
2.400 - 2.4835
Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal,
3
4
Slovenia, S. Africa, Sweden, Switzerland,
Turkey, UK
France
Spain
2.446 - 2.4835
2.445 - 2.475
5
Israel
2.418
6
7
8
Mexico
Korea
Japan
2.450 2.4835
2.400 - 2.4835
2.471 - 2.497
;;s;;;;:n;t
special restrictions
special restrictions
2.400 - 2.4835
1 W allowed only
between 2.400 2.445 GHz; above
2.445 GHz only 200
mW allowed
Groups
1
9
10
Australia
Saudi Arabia
-
2.457
Remarks
Standard
1 W maximum ouput
power
(4W maximum EIRP
with high gain
FCC 15.247
antennas)
RSS 210
100 mW maximum
output power (EIRP) ETS
ETS
ETS
stricter emission
limits below 1 GHz
ETS
2.413 - 2.439
300 328
300 328
300 328
300 328
NOM 121
FCC 15.247
ETS 300 328
Table 1. Known frequency allocations for 2.4 GHz spread spectrum products
2.4 GHz DEVICES
With the advance of technology 2.4 GHz devices are
becoming even more popular than 900 MHz ones. One
factor for this is the availability of the band worldwide
another factor in the increaseof use. Coverageof 2.4 GHz
including Europe. Another factor is wider bandwidth
allowing higher data throughput. With the recent adaptation
of IEEE standard802.11, interoperability between products
of different manufacturersis becoming
another factor in the increaseof use. Coverage of 2.4 GHz
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transceivers is less compared to 900 MHz, but the other
factors usually weigh more for most applications.
The most widely allocated band for this category is 2.400 2.4835 GHz as in US, Canada, most of Europe, South
America and Pacific Rim countries. There are however
smaller bands allowed within this band in some countries.
The output power and some other characteristics of the
transceivers are also subject to varying requirements in
different countries.Table 1 gives a summary of the known
allowed bandsand some of the restrictions.
Canada
RSS 210 is also the standard in Canada for the 2.4 GHz
band. Although receiver out-of-band emissions are part of
the technical requirements, Industry Canada accepts FCC
style reports with just transmitter out-of-band emissions.
The approval processis the samefor 2.4 GHz products as
for 900 MHz products.
Europe
In Europe European Telecommunication StandardsInstitute
(ETSI) is tasked with generating european standards for
telecommunications equipment such as the products
In the US 2.4 GHz devices are also regulated by Part
mentioned here. These standardsbecome harmonized after
15.247. The requirements (shown on table 2) are similar to
the approval of all member countries and local ones are
900 MHz devices.The RF exposurerules are also the same
withdrawn. Following EMC Directive
with a little more relaxation due to higher frequency.
USA
FHI
Characteristic
Maximum Transmit
Band
Minimum Number of
,Channels
I
Maximum Channel
1
Bandwidth (20dB)
1
Dwell Time
Minimum Channel
Bandwidth (6dB)
Maximum Output
Power
Maximum Spectral
Power Densitv
Processing Gain
Channel Separation
Conducted Out-ofBand Emissions
Radiated Out-ofBand Emissions
Antenna
Requirement
s
DSSS
900 MHz
2.4 GHz
900 MHz
902 - 928 MHz
2.400 - 2.4835 GHz
902 - 928 MHz
50
75
500 kHz
0.4 set over 30 set
oeriod
1 MHz
0.4 set over 30 set
period
2.4 GHz
I
I
Transmitter:
Tx+Antenna:
1W Transmitter:
4W Tx+Antenna:
-
I
2.400 - 2.4835 GHz
-
500 kHz
500 kHz
1W Transmitter:
1W
1W Transmitter:
4W Tx+Antenna:
4W
4W Tx+Ant&na:
8dBm/3kHz
8dBm/3kHz
(over 1 sec.)
(over 1 sec.)
>lOdB
210dB
25 kHz or 20 dB
BW (greater one)
Powerline: 250 PV
Antenna Port: 20 dB below the carrier
1) 20 dB below the fundamental for modulation products
2) FCC Part 15 Class B for transmitter related peaks
3) FCC Part 15 Class A non-transmitter related spurious emissions
If the antenna is removable, the connector between the antenna and the unit must
be a unique one and not available off-the-shelf to the customers.
25 kHz or 20 dB
BW (greater one)
Table 2. Summary of FCC Part 15.247 Requirements
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guidelines ETSI generatestwo sets of standards. One for
the RF characteristicsof the products in a certain category,
the secondone for the EMC characteristicsof the products.
The first standard for the 2.4 GHz Spread Spectrum
products (wideband transmission systems)is ETS 300 328.
It has been harmonized in late 1995 and revised in
November 1996. This standard is similar to FCC’s Part
15.247 with some differences. The main one is the
maximum output power. ETSI only allows up to 100 mW
EIRP. A summary of the technical requirementsof ETS 300
328 is shown in table 3.
The second standard, the EMC standard, is usually a
parallel one to the generic standardEN 50081 / EN 50082.
Until late 1997, the only EMC standard available for these
products was the generic draft standard pr ETS 300 339.
There were several problems associated with it. The
standard was poorly written, unclear in some places, and
referring to older revisions of IEC standards.Becauseit was
just a draft standard,some notified bodies did not accept it
requiring the generic harmonized standardsEN 50081 and
EN 50082. In late 1997 a product specific draft standardpr
ETS 300 826 was released.Much clearer and
Characteristic
Maximum Transmit Band
Minimum Number of
Channels
Dwell lime
Maximum Output Power
Maximum Spectral Power
Density
Channel Separation
Extreme Temperature
synchronized with the latest CENELEC standards (EN
6 1000-4 series) this standard is accepted more widely.
Depending on application the requirements are almost
identical to EN 50082-l (light industrial specification).
The certification process in Europe, however, has not yet
reached the goals of the harmonized standard.The goal was
to certify the products through one agencyfor all countries.
Currently, only UK and Austria accept other ETSI
countries’certifications (RF Type Approvals) on their face
value and do not require additional certification. In
addition, France, Spain and Israel impose special frequency
bands more restricted than the generic ETSI band (see table
1). Some eastern european and middle eastern countries
also accept ETSI reports or certifications. For EU countries
(and some candidate countries) CE-Type Certification by
one notified body is adequate.No recertification is required
in individual countries. Most ETSI countries have also
adopted individual labeling requirements making the lives
of small product manufacturersmore difficult. One piece of
good news is the recent elimination (late 1997) additional
testing requirementsby Italy, France and Czech Republic.
FHSS
DSSS
2.400 - 2.4835 GHz
2.400 - 2.4835 GHz
20
0.4 set over 30 set period
-
100 mW (EIRP)
100 mW (EIRP)
IO mW (per 100 kHz)
IO mW per (1 MHz)
20 dB BW
0 to 35 deg C (indoor use)
. 0 to 35 deg C (indoor use)
20 to 55 deg C (outdoor use)
20 to 55 deg C (outdoor use)
+/- 10% for AC mains source
+/- 10% for AC mains source
0.9 to 1.3 for battery source
0.9 to 1.3 for battery source
Extreme Power Source
(exceptions for Li and NiCd batteries)
(exceptions for Li and NiCd batteries)
Spurious Emissions
see standard for limits
depending on operation mode
and type of emission
see standard for limits
depending on operation mode
and type of emission
Table 3. Summary of ETS 300 328 Requirements
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CONCLUSION
Pacific Rim Countries
Regulations in Pacific Rim countries follow the two major
standards (FCC Part 15.247 and ETS 300 328). Some
technical differences and major approval process
differences exist however. Australia, as for the 900 MHz
products, only requires a test report by a recognized lab
ready to be audited. The major technical difference in
Australia’s case is the limitation of output power to 200
mW in the 2.445 - 2.4835 GHz band. The rest of the
requirements are identical to FCC Part 15.247, although
ACA acceptsETS 300 328 reports as well. Another country
with similar dual acceptanceis Singapore, where the local
agency TAS certifies products based on FCC or ETSI
reports. Hong Kong abolished certification on 2.4 GHz
spread spectrum products as long as they comply with FCC
or ETSI rules. Taiwan and Thailand are examples of
countries where the agencies certify the products based on
FCC test reports and visual inspection. New Zealand and
Philippines are examples of pacific rim countries certifying
products solely based on FCC test reports. Korea and Japan
have special frequency bands (see table 1) as well as other
restrictions on output power and spurious emissions. Japan
also requires a caller ID byte to be transmitted with every
transmission.The approval processin both countries is time
consuming and expensive. Although China officially does
not allow 2.4 GHz .products, special permissions
dependingon regions are granted.
Spread spectrum products are gaining popularity in ITE
markets. After the initial surge of new regulations for these
products, the trend is towards harmonization and relaxation.
There is still a long road to be covered. True harmonization
of testing and documentationrequirementsand reduction of
certification times will help manufacturers cover the
consumer demand.
South America
Most south American countries are in the process of
developing their own rules for certification of 2.4 GHz
products. Almost exclusively, all accept FCC based
reports.
Mexico
The approval process in Mexico has gone through major
changes in the last couple years. A government agency
(formerly SCT) certifies products to NOM 121 based on
recommendationsof certified’engineering companies,which
review product documentation such as schematics,
specifications etc. No testing is required (except for the
safety testing to NOM 019, which is required for most
electronic equipment). Technical requirements are similar
to FCC’s except for the band restriction and environmental
restrictions basedon power levels:
b c 30 mW Local Area (within samebuilding)
b c 1w
Restricted Area (within same compound)
0 c 4w
Wide Area (point to point, > 500 m
distancesetc.)
The usual approval time in Mexico ranges between 1 year
and 18 months.
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