SURVIVING AN RF IMPLEMENTATION
LEGAL CONSIDERATIONS
DECIDE TO UTILIZE RF
Adding an RF stage brings an exciting new dimension
to any product. It also means that additional effort and
commitment will be needed to bring the product
successfully to market. By utilizing premade RF
modules, such as the KH series, the design and
approval process will be greatly simplified. It is still
important, however, to have an objective view of the
RESEARCH RF OPTIONS
NOTE: KH Series Modules are designed as component devices which require
external components to function. The modules are intended to allow for full Part
15 compliance; however, they are not approved by the FCC or any other agency
worldwide. The purchaser understands that approvals may be required prior to
the sale or operation of the device, and agrees to utilize the component in keeping
with all laws governing its operation in the country of operation.
ORDER EVALUATION KIT(S)
TEST MODULE(S) WITH
BASIC HOOKUP
CHOOSE LINX MODULE
steps necessary to ensure
a successful RF
INTERFACE TO CHOSEN
CIRCUIT AND DEBUG
integration. Since the capabilities of each customer
vary widely it is difficult to recommend one particular
design path, but most projects follow steps similar to
those shown at the right.
When working with RF, a clear distinction must be made between what is technically
possible and what is legally acceptable in the country where operation is intended.
Many manufacturers have avoided incorporating RF into their products as a result of
uncertainty and even fear of the approval and certification process. Here at Linx our
desire is not only to expedite the design process, but also to assist you in achieving
a clear idea of what is involved in obtaining the necessary approvals to market your
completed product legally.
CONSULT LINX REGARDING
ANTENNA OPTIONS AND DESIGN
LAY OUT BOARD
SEND PRODUCTION-READY
PROTOTYPE TO LINX
In reviewing this sample design path you may notice
that Linx offers a variety of services, such as antenna
design, and FCC prequalification, that are unusual for
a high-volume component manufacturer. These
services, along with an exceptional level of technical
support, are offered because we recognize that RF is
a complex science requiring the highest caliber of
products and support. “Wireless Made Simple” is
more than just a motto, it’s our commitment. By
choosing Linx as your RF partner and taking
advantage of the resources we offer, you will not only
survive implementing RF, you may even find the
process enjoyable.
FOR EMC PRESCREENING
OPTIMIZE USING RF SUMMARY
GENERATED BY LINX
In the United States the approval process is actually quite straightforward. The
regulations governing RF devices and the enforcement of them are the responsibility
of the Federal Communications Commission. The regulations are contained in the
Code of Federal Regulations (CFR), Title 47. Title 47 is made up of numerous
volumes; however, all regulations applicable to this module are contained in volume
0-19. It is strongly recommended that a copy be obtained from the Government
Printing Office in Washington, or from your local government book store. Excerpts of
applicable sections are included with Linx evaluation kits or may be obtained from the
Linx Technologies web site (www.linxtechnologies.com). In brief, these rules require
that any device which intentionally radiates RF energy be approved, that is, tested,
for compliance and issued a unique identification number. This is a relatively painless
process. Linx offers full EMC pre-compliance testing in our HP/Emco-equipped test
center. Final compliance testing is then performed by one of the many independent
testing laboratories across the country. Many labs can also provide other
certifications the product may require at the same time, such as UL, CLASS A/B, etc.
Once your completed product has passed, you will be issued an ID number which is
then clearly placed on each product manufactured.
SEND TO PART 15
TEST FACILITY
RECEIVE FCC ID #
COMMENCE SELLING PRODUCT
TYPICAL STEPS FOR
IMPLEMENTING RF
HELPFUL APPLICATION NOTES FROM LINX
It is not the intention of this manual to address in depth many of the issues that
should be considered to ensure that the modules function correctly and deliver
the maximum possible performance. As you proceed with your design you may
wish to obtain one or more of the following application notes, which address in
depth key areas of RF design and application of Linx products.
Questions regarding interpretations of the Part 2 and Part 15 rules or measurement
procedures used to test intentional radiators, such as the KH modules, for compliance
with the Part 15 technical standards, should be addressed to:
Federal Communications Commission
Equipment Authorization Division
Customer Service Branch, MS 1300F2
7435 Oakland Mills Road
Columbia, MD 21046
Tel: (301) 725-1585 / Fax: (301) 344-2050 E-Mail: labinfo@fcc.gov
NOTE #
LINX APPLICATION NOTE TITLE
00100
RF 101: Information for the RF challenged
International approvals are slightly more complex, although many modules are
designed to allow all international standards to be met. If you are considering the
export of your product abroad, you should contact Linx Technologies to determine the
specific suitability of the module to your application.
00125
00130
00140
00150
00500
Considerations for operation in the 260 Mhz to 470 Mhz band
Modulation techniques for low-cost RF data links
The FCC Road: Part 15 from concept to approval
Use and design of T-Attenuation Pads
All Linx modules are designed with the approval process in mind and thus much of
the frustration that is typically experienced with a discrete design is eliminated.
Approval is still dependent on many factors such as the choice of antennas, correct
use of the frequency selected, and physical packaging. While some extra cost and
design effort are required to address these issues, the additional usefulness and
profitability added to a product by RF makes the effort more than worthwhile.
Antennas: Design, Application, Performance
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