Apple's secret testing facilities revealed, view the article by Macworld posted today.
http://www.macworld.com/article/152771/2010/07/wireless_lab.htmlq
Friday, July 16, 2010
Monday, July 12, 2010
EN 55013, QP vs RMS
Image via WikipediaPublication in the official journal is a required step for any standard to be considered a harmonized standard, for the purpose of conformity assessment, under new approach directives, in this case, the European EMC directive.
The published harmonized version, as of March 1, 2009, is EN 55013: 2001 +A2 2006.
The point of contention with EN 55013: 2009, is the introduction of an RMS average limit.
Traditionally, measurements are based on a Quasi Peak limit, and made using a “Quasi Peak” detector. Legitimate debates continue regarding the suitability of the specified Quasi Peak detector based system for high frequency measurements, or for gauging interference caused to modern digital systems. See Practical Paper “The Quasi-Peak Detector” By Edwin L. Bronaugh for more about the QP detector.
The consultant points out that the proposed RMS average limit offers a “major relaxation of the limits, up to 20dB”, and contends that protection of analog services will be significantly reduced.
The question that the commission is looking to answer now is what effect this limit change will have on equipment using analog technology, as it is assumed that newer digital equipment has a higher tolerance for increased interference levels.
The commission is seeking the EMC working group delegate’s input by August 23, 2010 on whether or not the new standard adequately protects the essential requirements of the EMC directive.
Thursday, July 8, 2010
Radio module integration and R&TTE compliance
Image by jepoirrier via FlickrCompliance with the EU Radio and Telephone Terminal Equipment directive (R&TTE) is compulsory for radio devices. The responsibility for compliance is placed clearly on the manufacturer of the device. When integrating a radio module into a completed product, the integrator then becomes the “manufacturer” of the radio device. The underlying basis for this is that the integration of the two products can affect final compliance with the directive.
Technical reports from ETSI, ETSI TR102 070 parts 1 and part 2, give guidance related to the integration of radio modules into final product, already assessed for EMC, and the application of harmonized standards. These documents, together with the directive, form the basis of guidance notes developed by R&TTE notified bodies for the assessment of product to the directive.
In all cases, assessments must be made for compliance with R&TTE directive article 3.1(a), and 3.1(b). These articles cover Safety and EMC, respectively.
According to a quote in the guidance document;
“Assessed radio modules installed in equipment in conformance with the manufacturer's installation instructions require no further evaluation under Article 3.2 of the R&TTE Directive and do not require further involvement of an R&TTE Directive Notified Body for the final product. In all other cases, or if the manufacturer of the final product is in doubt then the equipment integrating the radio module must be assessed against Article 3.2 of the R&TTE Directive.”
ETSI Technical Report ETSI TR102 070-2, describes several applications of the above with different product configurations.
When the integration of a particular module does require assessment by a notified body, the technical documentation for the radio module will need to be reviewed by the NB, if not available, the NB may request this information from the radio module manufacturer. The NB may be unable to issue an opinion without this information. The integrator should ensure that the module manufacturer is willing to provide this information to the NB; however, the final Technical Construction File is not required to include the radio module manufacturer’s proprietary information. Furthermore, the final product integrator is cautioned to ensure that they know the build status of the integrated module.
The R&TTE guidance document also covers technical documentation, notification to national authorities, and marking requirements.
The full guidance document can be downloaded here http://www.rtteca.com/TGN01Rev4.pdf
Be sure to visit http://www.celectronics.com/europe.htm for more information related to EU regulatory compliance.
UPDATE: part II available covering EMC considerations -
Radio module integration and R&TTE compliance, EMC evaluation
Friday, June 4, 2010
Corrigendum issued to the March list of EMC Harmonised Standards
Image by Horia Varlan via FlickrPlease visit the Compatible Electronics European Conformity Assessment page to get a copy; http://www.celectronics.com/europe.htm
Wednesday, March 24, 2010
Harmonized Standards List Updated 3/2010 – EMCD & LVD
New lists of harmonized standards for the EMC Directive and the Low Voltage Directive have been published in the Official Journal of the European Union.
Of note, this revision now includes inline explanatory comments. Brief explanations have been added to certain line items, line items that could prove to be confusing without them, an example of one is for EN 55022, which reads;
By the way, for those of you reading this on the West side of the "Pond", the date in the above quote is October 1st, 2011 and not January 10th, 2011.
Copies of the new lists can be found in the European Conformity Assessment section of the Compatible Electronics, Inc. conformity assessment web page.
Of note, this revision now includes inline explanatory comments. Brief explanations have been added to certain line items, line items that could prove to be confusing without them, an example of one is for EN 55022, which reads;
" Each of the four following standards provide presumption of conformity until 1.10.2011: EN 55022:1998, EN 55022:1998 + A1:2000, EN 55022:1998 + A2:2003, EN 55022:1998 + A1:2000 + A2:2003"It's refreshing to see that these clarifications are being added. This will hopefully make interpreting which harmonized standards are applicable much easier, for the average compliance engineer. Although, nothing is ever perfect and one should contact an expert if in doubt.
By the way, for those of you reading this on the West side of the "Pond", the date in the above quote is October 1st, 2011 and not January 10th, 2011.
Copies of the new lists can be found in the European Conformity Assessment section of the Compatible Electronics, Inc. conformity assessment web page.
Wednesday, March 10, 2010
List of ETSI 301 489 EMC standards applicable under article III 1.(b) of 1999/5/EC ( R&TTE Directive ).
This is a flat list of the ETSI 301 489 series test standards. For more information on any of these, visit http://pda.etsi.org/pda/queryform.asp for a direct search on the ETSI site. This list and other R&TTE related material is available on the Compatible Electronics European Conformity Assessment page.
| ETSI EN 301 489-1 | Common Technical requirements |
| ETSI EN 301 489-2 | Specific conditions for radio paging equipment |
| ETSI EN 301 489-3 | Specific conditions for Short-Range Devices (SRD) operating on frequencies between 9 kHz and 40 GHz |
| ETSI EN 301 489-4 | Specific conditions for fixed radio links, Broadband Data Transmission System Base stations, ancillary equipment and services |
| ETSI EN 301 489-5 | Specific conditions for Private land Mobile Radio (PMR) and ancillary equipment (speech and non-speech) |
| ETSI EN 301 489-6 | Specific conditions for Digital Enhanced Cordless Telecommunications (DECT) equipment |
| ETSI EN 301 489-7 | Specific conditions for mobile and portable radio and ancillary equipment of digital cellular radio telecommunications systems (GSM and DCS) |
| ETSI EN 301 489-8 | Specific conditions for GSM base stations |
| ETSI EN 301 489-9 | Specific conditions for wireless microphones, similar Radio Frequency (RF) audio link equipment, cordless audio and in-ear monitoring devices |
| ETSI EN 301 489-10 | Specific conditions for First (CT1 and CT1+) and Second Generation Cordless Telephone (CT2) equipment |
| ETSI EN 301 489-11 | Specific conditions for terrestrial sound broadcasting service transmitters |
| ETSI EN 301 489-12 | Specific conditions for Very Small Aperture Terminal, Satellite Interactive Earth Stations operated in the frequency ranges between 4 GHz and 30 GHz in the Fixed Satellite Service (FSS) |
| ETSI EN 301 489-13 | Specific conditions for Citizens' Band (CB) radio and ancillary equipment (speech and non-speech) |
| ETSI EN 301 489-14 | Specific conditions for analogue and digital terrestrial TV broadcasting service transmitters |
| ETSI EN 301 489-15 | Specific conditions for commercially available amateur radio equipment |
| ETSI EN 301 489-16 | Specific conditions for analogue cellular radio communications equipment, mobile and portable |
| ETSI EN 301 489-17 | Specific conditions for Broadband Data Transmission Systems |
| ETSI EN 301 489-18 | Specific conditions for Terrestrial Trunked Radio (TETRA) equipment |
| ETSI EN 301 489-19 | Specific conditions for Receive Only Mobile Earth Stations (ROMES) operating in the 1,5 GHz band providing data communications |
| ETSI EN 301 489-20 | Specific conditions for Mobile Earth Stations (MES) used in the Mobile Satellite Services (MSS) |
| ETSI EN 301 489-22 | Specific conditions for ground based VHF aeronautical mobile and fixed radio equipment |
| ETSI EN 301 489-23 | Specific conditions for IMT-2000 CDMA Direct Spread (UTRA) Base Station (BS) radio, repeater and ancillary equipment |
| ETSI EN 301 489-24 | Specific conditions for IMT-2000 CDMA Direct Spread (UTRA) for Mobile and portable (UE) radio and ancillary equipment |
| ETSI EN 301 489-25 | Specific conditions for CDMA 1x spread spectrum Mobile Stations and ancillary equipment |
| ETSI EN 301 489-26 | Specific conditions for CDMA 1x spread spectrum Base Stations, repeaters and ancillary equipment |
| ETSI EN 301 489-27 | Specific conditions for Ultra Low Power Active Medical Implants (ULP-AMI) and related peripheral devices (ULP-AMI-P) |
| ETSI EN 301 489-28 | Specific conditions for wireless digital video links |
| ETSI EN 301 489-29 | Specific conditions for Medical Data Service Devices (MEDS) operating in the 401 MHz to 402 MHz and 405 MHz to 406 MHz bands |
| ETSI EN 301 489-31 | Specific conditions for equipment in the 9 kHz to 315 kHz band for Ultra Low Power Active Medical Implants (ULP-AMI) and related peripheral devices (ULP-AMI-P) |
| ETSI EN 301 489-32 | Specific conditions for Ground and Wall Probing Radar applications |
| ETSI EN 301 489-33 | Specific conditions for Ultra Wide Band (UWB) communications devices |
Thursday, March 4, 2010
IECEE Battery Ruling
An issue was brought to the attention of the IECEE regarding CB Certificates for products containing secondary cells (Lithium Ion Battery cells) that are certified to UL 1642 as well as Secondary Battery Packs certified to UL 2054.
These UL standards are not harmonized with the IEC 62133 – “Secondary Cells And Batteries Containing Alkaline Or Other Non- Acid Electrolytes - Safety Requirements For Portable Sealed Secondary Cells, And For Batteries Made From Them, For Use In Portable Applications.”
After deliberation the IECEE issued a ruling indication that a CB Certificate could not be issued for products containing secondary cells that were not in compliance with IEC 62133. However as most secondary cells are currently certified only to UL standards, a phase in period was established.
At the time of this writing, the phase in time table is as follows;
Currently
UL has indicated that they will start the process to harmonize there requirements with IEC 62133.
These UL standards are not harmonized with the IEC 62133 – “Secondary Cells And Batteries Containing Alkaline Or Other Non- Acid Electrolytes - Safety Requirements For Portable Sealed Secondary Cells, And For Batteries Made From Them, For Use In Portable Applications.”
After deliberation the IECEE issued a ruling indication that a CB Certificate could not be issued for products containing secondary cells that were not in compliance with IEC 62133. However as most secondary cells are currently certified only to UL standards, a phase in period was established.
At the time of this writing, the phase in time table is as follows;
Currently
- CB Certificates can stand as issued. Note that CB Certificates need to be renewed every 3 years.
- CB Certificates can continue to be issued using the UL standards for secondary cell certification.
- CB Certificates can be issued using the UL standards for secondary cell certification, if additional testing is conducted on the secondary cells to show compliance to IEC 62133.
- Secondary cells must have a CB Certificate showing compliance with IEC 62133 to be accepted in an end product evaluation for CB Certification.
UL has indicated that they will start the process to harmonize there requirements with IEC 62133.
What does this mean to you and me?Article by Ercell Bryant, please visit Compatible Electronics on the web.
The real effect on most of us is that we will need to move to have our battery suppliers get third party certification on the secondary cells we are using. Otherwise we cannot self certify to the Harmonized EN Standard (EN60950-1, EN61010-1, EN60335-1, EN60065, EN60204-1, etc.) and it will become increasingly difficult to get our products NRTL Listed.
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