fcc regulation of new technologies – the role of fcc laboratory

2013 MIC MRA International Workshop -Tokyo, Japan

FCC Update

Federal Communications Commission

Office of Engineering and Technology

George Tannahill [email protected]

February 27, 2013 MIC MRA International Workshop

Tokyo Japan 2 2

Overview

FCC Function

FCC Website changes

FCC Rulemakings and Publications

Certification and MRA Status

Market Surveillance

Information Sources


Tokyo Japan 3 3

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


Tokyo Japan 4 4

OET Lab Principal Functions

Equipment Authorization including monitoring Telecommunication Certification Bodies (TCBs)

Ensure compliance through market surveillance and enforcement

Technical Studies supporting regulatory policies and rulemaking

Providing web-based comprehensive and timely clarification of technical standards and procedures


Tokyo Japan 5

FCC Electronic Filing System

Grantee Code – Planning for 5 character Grantee Code

– Maximum FCCID now 17 will go to 19

– Initial Software in released January 30, 2013

– Public will be notified prior to implementation

Security Enhancements January 30, 2013 – Former link: http://apps.fcc.gov/EAS

– Current link: httpS://apps.fcc.gov/EAS

– Web form field validations to limit improper characters from being entered.

– Older servers removed from service


Tokyo Japan 6

FCC Equipment Authorization Process

Notice of Proposed Rulemaking FCC13-19 – Released February 15, 2013

• 45 Day Comment period after publication in federal register

– Modify FCC Administrative Part 2 Equipment Authorization Processes to ensure continued efficient and effective operation of the program

• Codify current process developed over last 10 years

• Opportunity to suggest process improvements

– Addresses conformity assessment issues including requirements on accreditation and certification

NPRM FCC 13-19 Summary

Equipment Authorization NPRM Highlights/proposals – TCBs Certify all equipment

• Formally establish a pre-approval guidance procedure (Permit but ask) and remove the current TCB exclusion list.

• TCB’s permitted to Dismiss applications not compliant with standards and upload relevant information

– Additional critera for assessing TCB Performance

– Codify TCB Post Market Surveillance

– Update rules to reference current ISO/IEC Standards.

– Update requirements for test labs

• Require all labs performing tests for compliance to be accredited

• Removal of section 2.948 Listed Test Firms

• Test site validation

– Measurement procedures update and delegated authority.


Tokyo Japan 7

NPRM FCC 13-19 Standards Related Issues

ANSI C63.4-2009 – Testing Unintentional Radiators – Replace C63.4-2003 version

– Test site validation above 1 GHz

– At the present time you can use either 2003 or 2009 version

• Per public notice DA-09-2478

– Mandated use proposed in rulemaking

ANSI C63.10-2009 - Testing Unlicensed Wireless Devices – At the present time you can use either 2003 or 2009 version

• Per public notice DA-09-2478

– Mandated use proposed in rulemaking

ANSI C63.5-2006 – RF Measurement Antenna Calibration – Required by C63.4-2009

ISO/IEC Guide 65 to 17025 adoption and transition


Tokyo Japan 8


Tokyo Japan 9

Second Equipment Authorization NPRM

2nd FCC Equipment Authorization NPRM under draft/discussion internally

– Proposed topics

• Merge different self approval procedures

– Declaration of Conformity

– Verification

• Modify Permissive Change rules

• Modify Software Defined Radio rules

• Modular transmitters requirements for licensed services


Tokyo Japan 10

FCC Experimental License R&O

Report and Order FCC 13-15 – General Compliance Testing Experimental Radio

License • For US Labs testing products outside of anechoic

chamber.

• Eliminates need for experimental license for each individual device tested

– Applies only to testing for FCC rules

– Importation limits for product development and market trials

• FCC Rules 47 CFR 2.803

• Importation limit for trials and development changed from 200 units to 4000 units.


Tokyo Japan 11 11

KDB Publications www.fcc.gov/labhelp

Recent KDB Publications

– 447498 – RF exposure requirements for portable and mobile devices

– 941225 – SAR test procedures for 3G devices

– 865664 – SAR measurement guidance for 3-6GHz devices

– 616217 – SAR evaluation considerations for laptops with antennas built in display screen

– 648474 – SAR test procedures for handsets with multiple transmitters and antennas or wireless charging battery covers


Tokyo Japan 12

FCC Commission Meeting February 20, 2013

Report and Order addressing new technical, operational, and registration requirements for signal boosters.

NPRM to increase unlicensed spectrum available in 5 GHz band (UNII/WiFi)


Tokyo Japan 13 13

FCC Equipment Authorization KDB Webpage

Draft Publications – Review and comment on proposed policies before adoption – https://apps.fcc.gov/oetcf/kdb/reports/PublishedDocumentList.cfm

Review Expired Draft Publications – Review Comments

– See final disposition of publication

Major Guidance Publication – https://apps.fcc.gov/oetcf/kdb/reports/GuidedPublicationList.cfm

• Application Administrative Guidance

• Application Technical Guidance

• Labeling/Importation

• RF Exposure

• TCB/Test Organizations

• Test Methods


Tokyo Japan 14 14

Equipment Authorization Certification Process Trends

0

2000

4000

6000

8000

10000

12000

14000

16000

18000

2001

2003

2005

2007

2009

2011

2013

Authorized by

FCC

Authorized by

TCBs

Total New

Authorizations


Tokyo Japan 15 15

Phase I/EMC Arrangement MRA Status

The US has an operational MRA for acceptance of test data with the following countries:

• Australia

• Canada

• Chinese Taipei

• European Union

• Hong Kong, China

• Japan

– ~62 recognized

• Korea

• Singapore

• Vietnam

Region Number of Labs FCC

Recognized

North America

121

Europe 42

Asia 140

Middle East

2

Total 305


Tokyo Japan 16 16

MRA Status

MRA’s for mutual acceptance of approvals are operational with the following countries:

• Canada

• European Union

• Hong Kong, China

• Singapore

• Japan

A total of 33 Telecommunication Certification Bodies (TCBs) have been recognized by the FCC.

• 18 domestic TCBs

• 15 foreign TCBs

• 1 Japan


Tokyo Japan 17 17

Market Surveillance

FCC – Reviews TCB Grants – Requests Samples from Grantees and TCB’s – Purchases Samples – Focused sampling projects

TCB – FCC requires each TCB to audit 5 % of products they

authorized annually • 1 % RF Exposure if applicable • www.fcc.gov/labhelp KDB 610077

– https://apps.fcc.gov/oetcf/kdb/forms/FTSSearchResultPage.cfm?switch=P&id=20540

Other – General public complaints/testing – Competitors complaints/testing


Tokyo Japan 18 18

Market Surveillance Audit Issues

FCC Actions – Non compliance issues:

– Require explanation

– Monetary fines

– Confiscate equipment

– Fix equipment

TCB Responsibilities – Required to report issues to FCC & Grantee

Applicant Issues – Non response

• Grantee code deferral


Tokyo Japan 19

2012 TCB Market Surveillance Summary

34 TCBs reports required Reports

– Reports due January 31, 2013

– All TCB’s submitted information

– Summary reports under review

• Of results reviewed to date

– 54 blocked grantee codes

– 11 investigations

– Non compliances investigated as soon as FCC is notified

– 779 TCB sample tests required to meet 5%


Tokyo Japan 20

FCC Market Surveillance

The FCC is currently working with TCBs to investigate multiple testing laboratories for allegedly producing fraudulent test reports or allowing third parties to use their facilities which may have resulted in fraudulent reports.

The FCC is also working with TCBs investigating reports of multiple fake grants of equipment authorization being issued.


Tokyo Japan 21 21

Training Opportunities

Monthly conference calls with TCB Council – Typically first Tuesday of every month at 10:30 AM

Washington DC time.

TCB Meetings – TCB/FCC workshop twice annually to discuss issues and

for training.

Other training opportunities – Scheduled as necessary

FCC Knowledge Database – www.fcc.gov/labhelp

Beta Test/Practice Website – http://appsdemo.fcc.gov/oetcf/eas/index.cfm


Tokyo Japan 22 22

Thanks!


Tokyo Japan 23 23

Information On Line

Equipment Authorization Webpage

– Measurement techniques, explanation of EA programs, filing information, MRAs, TCBs, EA announcements, etc.: http://www.fcc.gov/oet/ea/

Procedures for information sharing and distribution

– Updated Interpretation Database & new contact desk for web based inquiries: http://www.fcc.gov/labhelp

OET Info on line (Orders, Public Notices, etc.)

– http://www.fcc.gov/oet/info/

FCC Rules and Regulations:

– http://www.fcc.gov/oet/info/rules

General FCC Information:

– http://www.fcc.gov

FCC MRA Webpage

– www.fcc.gov/oet/ea/mra


Tokyo Japan 24 24

US – Japan Telecom MRA

Scope: Telecommunications terminal equipment and radio equipment

– Limited to radio and telecommunications equipment subject to certification

• Doesn’t include ISM and unintentional radiators.

– United States – FCC Rules (47 CFR)

– Japan – Telecom Business Law, Radio Law, related ordinances

– Regardless of location of the supplier or country of origin of the equipment


Tokyo Japan 25 25

US – Japan Telecom MRA

Entry into force

– Signed February 16, 2007 in Washington, D.C. by officials of the U.S. and Japan

– Japan’s Parliament (Diet) approved the MRA; June 19, 2007

– Arrangement on Electro-Magnetic Compatibility (EMC): through Exchange of letters Exchange of diplomatic notes – December 2007

• Official implementation date January 1, 2008

Information on US-Japan MRA: – http://gsi.nist.gov/global/index.cfm/L1-4/L2-16/L3-92

– http://transition.fcc.gov/oet/ea/mra/Japan.html


Tokyo Japan 26 26

MRA Webpage

Organizes all FCC related MRA information in one location:

– www.fcc.gov/oet/ea/mra

• Links to agreements

• Implementation information

– Accredited CAB requirements

– Certification Body requirements

» TCB Guide 65 Checklist

» TCB Roles and Responsibilities

» Measure procedures

• Contact information for stakeholders


Tokyo Japan 27 27

FCC MRA Participation

US-EU Mutual Recognition Agreement – Bi-lateral, multi-sector

US-EFTA Mutual Recognition Agreement – Bi-lateral, multi-sector

US-Japan Telecom MRA – Bi-lateral, single sector

Asia Pacific Economic Co-operation (APEC) Mutual Recognition Arrangement – Multi-lateral, single sector

Inter-American Telecommunication Commission (CITEL) Mutual Recognition Agreement

Multi-lateral, single sector

US – Mexico (signed but not operational yet) Bilateral, Single sector

US – Israel (signed October 15 , 2012 but not operational yet) Bilateral, Single sector

fcc regulation of new technologies – the role of fcc laboratory

Documents