Regulatory backgrounder

Meeting FCC requirements

Electrical and electronic equipment sold in the USA must comply with the EMC emissions requirement defined in the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) Regulations.

For the vast majority of general electronic equipment (i.e. equipment which does not contain a radio transmitter), the relevant requirements are defined in Part 15 of the FCC rules. (There are some specific exceptions to this, e.g. medical equipment and electric vehicles - these requirements are generally defined elsewhere in the FCC rules.)

Although the tests we use are similar to those required by other EMC standards (e.g. the standards used for “CE marking”) there are some subtle differences which can affect compliance. Our technical employees will be able to explain these differences to you.

One key difference between the FCC Rules and the requirements of the European EMC Directive is that the EMC Directive contains both immunity and emissions requirements, whereas the FCC Rules focus on emissions.

RFI have been performing EMC testing to FCC requirements for nearly 20 years and, over this period, we have amassed a wealth of experience – not only in how the tests are performed but also in helping our customers to solve their EMC problems.

RFI also perform tests to other parts of the FCC Rules (e.g. the requirements for intentional radio transmitters) and has been appointed a Telecommunications Certification Body (TCB) for approvals in this area.

Meeting European Union RTTE and EMC requirements

Radio communications and telecommunications equipment sold in the EU must comply with the requirements of the Radiocommunications and Telecommunications Terminal Equipment (RTTE) Directive.

The requirements of the RTTE Directive include EMC, and these EMC requirements override those in the EMC Directive. To demonstrate compliance with the RTTE Directive, products must comply with the appropriate standards (which will have been listed in the Official Journal Of The European Communities).

We have particular experience in the EMC testing of radio (wireless) equipment. By its very nature, this type of equipment poses special challenges during EMC testing - as it is necessary to separate the intentional transmission and reception from the unintentional.

In addition to developing a testing capability for radio products, we also have extensive experience in helping our customers to solve their EMC problems.

RFI also performs testing to many of the other requirements of the RTTE Directive (including the functional testing of radio equipment) and is a notified body under this Directive together with the EMC Directive. This means that we are able to offer a “one stop shop” service to you as a manufacturer of wireless communications equipment.

Meeting automotive requirements

As vehicles become increasingly complex, so the importance of EMC standards for vehicles continues to grow. We have a wealth of experience in vehicle EMC testing, to both regulatory and manufacturers’ standards. We use this expertise to help manufacturers of vehicle components, ESAs (electronic sub-assemblies) and accessories to get their products to market.
 
One of the factors behind the increasing complexity of the electronics in vehicles is the increased use of radio or technology. Our experience in wireless communications approvals means that we can test everything we need to for the approval of these devices in one place, thereby helping to simplify and speed up the overall approvals process.

Examples of wireless technology in vehicles include:

• Bluetooth
• Cellular mobiles
• Distance sensing radar (for adaptive cruise controls)
• Key replacement (using RFID or similar technology)
• Telematics (vehicle to vehicle and vehicle to fixed station)
• Tyre pressure monitoring

At RFI, we have been appointed as a Technical Service by the Vehicle Certification Authority (VCA), so our automotive experts can provide consultancy and approval solutions to both the existing and the revised editions of 2004/104/EC. Our technical knowledge and expertise mean that we can help you to gain the "e" mark for your products in a timely and cost-effective manner (the “e” mark is a legal mark required for all electronic products to be sold in Europe ).

If you have a question about meeting any of these requirements, ask our experts.