FCC reminds the public that radio jammers are illegal to operate in the United States, and warns would-be violators of the consequences of selling or using them

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In a News Release titled “FCC ENFORCEMENT BUREAU STEPS UP EDUCATION AND ENFORCEMENT EFFORTS AGAINST CELLPHONE AND GPS JAMMING.”  The FCC warns and reminds consumers that it is a violation of federal law to use a cell jammer or similar device that would intentionally block, jam, or interfere with authorized radio communications.

In a kind of public outreach, the news release by the FCC Enforcement Bureau explains what can happen if you use a cell jammer, why jammers are prohibited, and information on how to file a complaint alerting the FCC to illegal jamming device usage. A copy can be downloaded at http://www.fcc.gov/Daily_Releases/Daily_Business/2011/db0209/DOC-304575A2.pdf.

Additionally, the FCC Enforcement Bureau released a public notice in the form  of an FCC Enforcement advisory. The public notice warns of the strict penalties for marketing or selling jamming devices. Among the penalties, a fine of up to $112,500 can be issued for a single violation. A complete list of jammer enforcement activity can be found at http://www.fcc.gov/eb/jammerenforcement/ A copy of the FCC Public Notice can be downloaded at http://www.fcc.gov/Daily_Releases/Daily_Business/2011/db0209/DA-11-249A1.pdf

Compatible Electronics, Inc. operates a fully certified telecommunication certification body for radio device approvals in accordance with FCC rules, please visit our site at http://www.celectronics.com/us.htm or contact us with your questions about the wireless device approvals process and regulations.

By: J Klinger

IEEE EMC Society Standards Development Committee Withdraws as Cosponsor of IEEE BPL EMC Standard

http://www.arrl.org/news/ieee-emc-society-standards-development-committee-withdraws-as-cosponsor-of-ieee-bpl-emc-standard

An update on PLT, Power Line Telecommunications, in Europe.

Image by Manu_H via Flickr

Sometimes referred to as PLN (Power Line Networking), PLA (Power Line Adaptor), PLC(Power Line Carrier), or here in the US, BPL (Broadband over Power Line), the technology enables the distribution of digital communications through conventional power lines, making it easy to setup communications networks without the need to rewire, or use radio transmitters. As data rates of these devices increase, so does the potential for interference, thus much work is being done by stakeholders to develop uniform methods by which to assess products with this technology for compliance with the EMC directive, and prevent unwanted interference of incumbent services.

The CLC/ Technical Committee 210 on electromagnetic compatibility (or TC210) established a working group (WG11) to produce a two-part standard for emission requirements for PLT apparatus of all types, as follows:

EN 50XXX-1 Power line telecommunications modems - Radio disturbance characteristics – Limits and methods of measurement - Part 1: Modems for in-house networks

EN 50XXX-2 Power line telecommunications modems - Radio disturbance characteristics – Limits and methods of measurement - Part 2: Modems for access networks

A draft document for Part 1 has been prepared by TC210/WG11,

The document is being set for a 3 month enquiry under what is called the Unique Acceptance Procedure, or UAP, and then given over to WG 11 for update if necessary. After this, it will be issued for a 2 month vote.

Following is some background on the controversy over PLT.

Currently, no separate harmonized standard exists for testing PLT product specifically. Certain classes of PLT are incapable of complying with current emissions limits as is, thus; some manufacturers have been looking to EU Notified Bodies, some of which have been prescribing the use of alternative draft standards for testing purposes. Manufacturers have a couple of options for EMC compliance, one is a self certification, test and comply with harmonized standards and issue a declaration of such. A second method, when harmonized standards don’t exist or are not able to be applied, is to perform an EMC assessment and prepare a Technical Construction File, usually in consultation with a Notified Body, seeking the opinion of the Notified Body, to support claims of compliance with the essential requirements of the EMC directive. The bottom line however is that in the end, the product must comply with the essential requirements of the EMC directive, which is that, “the electromagnetic disturbance generated does not exceed the level above which radio and telecommunications equipment or other equipment cannot operate as intended”

An independent study, commissioned and published by Ofcom, the UK communications regulator responsible for enforcing aspects of the EMC regulations within the UK, was designed to examine the likelihood and extent of interference from PLT devices. This study was formed mainly due to claims that the use of PLC technology is disruptive to incumbent services, and, as a result, has attracted the attention of stakeholders, most notably, the amateur radio community and shortwave listeners.

As a result of this study, Ofcom advises that the conclusions indicate that the incorporation of mitigation techniques is important for the future of PLT technology. Ofcom expressed its concern that manufacturers should incorporate these features, to provide long term protection to the radio spectrum, and minimize potential for interference. The study can be found via Ofcom’s stakeholder web page

Controversy exists on whether mitigation techniques, such as smart notching or automatic level control go far enough to protect incumbent services. Real concern exists in the amateur radio community that many products on the market now do not implement mitigation techniques at all, and therefore are currently posing a problem for the amateur radio and shortwave listeners. The amateur radio community has been lobbying Ofcom, as the responsible authority for EMC enforcement within the UK, to remove such products from the marketplace. The Radio Society of Great Britain, or RSGB, has established a “Spectrum Defense Fund” to, as indicated in a Feb 2010 statement, “combat the threat of PLT/PLA”, as well as for the general protection of the spectrum for the amateur radio community.

For more information on harmonized standards for the EU, please visit http://www.celectronics.com/europe.htm

To subscribe to updates via email, visit our main page at http://www.celectronics.com

By: J Klinger

EMC List of Harmonized standards published

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An updated list of harmonized standards under 2004/108/EC, the EMC directive, has been published in the Official Journal of The European Union.

Find a copy of this list, along with updated lists for the R&TTE Directive 1999/5/EC, Low Voltage Directive 2006/95/EC, Medical Device Directive 93/42/EEC, and ERC Recommendation 70-03 relating to the use of Short Range Devices, at http://www.celectronics.com/europe.htm

Deadline for >1GHz + Telecom line emissions testing passes for Taiwan

Image via WikipediaAs of October 1st, 2010, Information Technology Equipment (ITE), multimedia equipment (which is tested as ITE) and similar products (HS: Chapter 84& 85) are subject to mandatory inspection and shall comply with the requirements for radiated disturbance above 1 GHz and conducted disturbance at telecommunication ports of CNS 13438.

Following is a re-post of the BSMI bulletin regarding these new requirements. 

Products (HS/CCCN codes) covered and their applicable inspection standards:
Information technology equipment, multimedia equipment and similar products (HS: Chapter 84& 85)
that are already announced to be subject to mandatory inspection.

Related requirements:
1. Starting from October 1, 2010, the above-mentioned regulated products that are also required to comply with the requirements concerning radiated disturbance above 1GHz and conducted disturbance at telecommunication ports of CNS 13438 (hereinafter as the legal inspection items).

2. The above-mentioned testing items are applicable to products that have internal emission sources utilizing frequencies more than and including 108MHz and / or telecommunication ports such as Information Technology Equipment (ITE), multimedia equipment and similar equipment that are tested to comply with CNS 13438.

3. Starting from the implementation date, products covered in this notice shall comply with the requirements of radiated disturbance above 1GHz, and conducted disturbance at telecommunication ports in CNS 13438 when the application for the Registration of Product Certification (RPC) or Type Approval (TA) certificate is submitted to the BSMI. The BSMI will accept such applications complying with the above-mentioned testing items starting from the date of adoption of the notice. When the BSMI completes the review procedure and approves the application, a certificate will be issued and the applicable inspection standard column will be additionally stated “complete 2006 version.”

4. For those products that have been certified before the date of implementation, the certificates that are issued without implementation of the above-mentioned testing items will remain valid until the date of expiration, provided that the products, including the main model, are not modified. For products that the additional testing above 1GHz and/or conducted disturbance at telecommunication ports are required to be performed, the certificates may be used until the expiry date and the certificate holders may not apply for extension of validity of that certificate. For products to which the additional testing above 1GHz and conducted disturbance at telecommunication ports are not applicable, the certificate holders may apply for extension of validity of the certificate.

5. For product certificates that are issued without implementation of the above-mentioned testing items, application for adding series models are acceptable before the date of implementation. Such certificates may be used until the expiry date and the certificate holders may not apply for extension of validity of that certificate. If the main model and series models of a certificate are tested and comply with the above-mentioned testing items, the certificate holder may apply for a new certificate. The term of validity of the new certificate will be 3 years and the applicable inspection standard column will be additionally stated “complete 2006 version.”

6. When applying for adding series models that intend to comply with the above-mentioned testing items, all the existing main model and series models of the certificate shall be tested and comply with the same requirements. A new certificate will be issued at the same time for such applications. 

7. Starting from the date of implementation, for products to which the above-mentioned testing items are applicable and the applicable inspection scheme is Declaration of Conformity, the obligatory inspection applicant shall have their products tested to comply with the complete test requirements, and re-declare the conformity (re-issue the declaration of conformity) according to the relevant regulations before putting the product onto the market.

If you require testing to these new requirements, please contact Compatible Electronics, Inc.

First significant release of unlicensed spectrum in 25 years!

Image via WikipediaFCC frees spectrum for "Super Wi-Fi", wireless microphones, and other innovations.
On Thursday Sept.23rd, the FCC took steps to free up the so called "white spaces", vacant spectrum between television channels.

Chairman Julius Genachowski sighted that the focus was on unlicensed spectrum, commenting on the opportunities to innovators and entrepreneurs. In a statement released by the commission, Chairman Genachowski continues by commenting on the importance of the unlicensed spectrum to the future of our National Broadband Plan.

“The new unlicensed spectrum will be a powerful platform for innovation”, said Chairman Genachowski. The Chairman gave an example of the results of the release of the so-called “Junk band” years ago, and the wave of new technology that followed, utilizing the newly released spectrum, particularly the evolution of the multi-billion (dollar) Wi-Fi industry.
 
The first major application for the newly released spectrum, says the Chairman, is "Super Wi-Fi". The new Wi-Fi boasts longer range, faster speeds, and more reliable connections.

In a related release, Commissioner Michael J. Copps commended Julie Knapp and his team at the Office of Engineering and Technology for “confronting the hard questions head on”, and bringing the commission “an item that provides a technologically-sound way forward”.

Commissioner Copps continues, in the statement, by recognizing the importance of licensed wireless microphones, particularly to news gathering, as well as the recognition of the dependencies upon wireless microphones of other venues such as Broadway Theaters, sports arena, and churches. Commisioner Copps indicated that two reserved channels will be set aside nationwide, for the use of wireless microphones.

The adopted order eliminates the requirement that TV band devices that incorporate geo-location and database access must also include sensing technology to detect the signals of TV stations and low-power auxiliary service stations (wireless microphones). Furthermore, it requires wireless microphone users who seek to register in the TV bands databases to certify that they will use all available channels from 7 through 51 prior to requesting registration. Requests to register in the database will be public, thus allowing interested parties to weigh in on any given request.

Read the FCC Press Release.

Apple's secret test labs

Apple's secret testing facilities revealed, view the article by Macworld posted today.

http://www.macworld.com/article/152771/2010/07/wireless_lab.htmlq