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

About 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. April 23, 2003 US Regulatory Process

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. April 23, 2003 US Regulatory Process

Office of Engineering and Technology 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 Columbia, MD (40 km NE of DC) April 23, 2003 US Regulatory Process

OET’s Principal Functions Spectrum Management Technical Research and Analysis Network Reliability and Technology Authorization of Service Equipment Authorization Experimental Licensing Technical Education April 23, 2003 US Regulatory Process

Federal Communications Commission 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. Section 302 of the Communications Act of 1934, as amended, authorizes the Commission to make reasonable regulations, consistent with the public interest, governing the interference potential of equipment that emits radio frequency energy. The purpose of this provision is to ensure that radio transmitters and other electronic devices meet certain standards before they reach the market to control interference to radio services. The Commission carries out its responsibilities under Section 302 in two ways. First, the Commission establishes technical regulations for transmitters and other equipment to minimize their potential for causing interference to radio services. Second, the Commission administers and authorization program to ensure that equipment reaching the market complies with the technical requirements. April 23, 2003 US Regulatory Process

FCC Regulations Title 47 of the Code of Federal Regulations Transmitter specifications Radio Services EMC specifications Telephone Terminal Equipment Test Methods Equipment Authorization Requirement Marketing and Importation Rules April 23, 2003 US Regulatory Process

How are regulations 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. FCC Rule Making Process Proposal Comments and Reply Final Rule (Report & Order) April 23, 2003 US Regulatory Process

Standards for RF Equipment Incidental Radiator Unintentional Radiator Intentional Radiator Licensed Transmitters April 23, 2003 US Regulatory Process

Incidental 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 April 23, 2003 US Regulatory Process

Unintentional 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.) April 23, 2003 US Regulatory Process

Intentional 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) April 23, 2003 US Regulatory Process

Licensed 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 April 23, 2003 US Regulatory Process

Telephone Terminal Regulations 47 CFR Part 68 – Telephone Terminal Equipment (TTE) Public Switched Telephone Network (PSTN) Private Line Interfaces Analog Interfaces Digital Interfaces April 23, 2003 US Regulatory Process

Example – Spread Spectrum 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! Spread spectrum technology was originally developed for military applications because it resists jamming and is difficult to detect. We first established provisions for unlicensed spread spectrum devices in 1985. There was little activity for the first few years, but then it started to grow! April 23, 2003 US Regulatory Process

Equipment Authorization Program 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 April 23, 2003 US Regulatory Process

Equipment Authorization Program Maximum Certification (Approved by FCC or TCB) The type of approval is specified in the rules for the particular type of device DoC (Self-approval using an accredited lab) SDoC (Part 68) (Self-approval Database by ACTA) Verification (Self-approval) Minimum April 23, 2003 US Regulatory Process

Why Use the Private 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 April 23, 2003 US Regulatory Process

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. April 23, 2003 US Regulatory Process

Certification Options Test and Evaluate Product to Determine Compliance F C G R A N T Submit Application to TCB Label Product and Instructions in User Manual Prepare Test Report and Application Submit Application to FCC Market Product April 23, 2003 US Regulatory Process

Equipment Authorization Application Trend Private Certification Bodies FCC April 23, 2003 US Regulatory Process

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 April 23, 2003 US Regulatory Process

United 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) April 23, 2003 US Regulatory Process

Identification 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.a2la.org AB (Phase 2) American National Standards Institute (ANSI) www.ansi.org April 23, 2003 US Regulatory Process

Summary 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 April 23, 2003 US Regulatory Process

Information 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 April 23, 2003 US Regulatory Process

Questions and Answers Thanks! April 23, 2003 US Regulatory Process