WL1835MOD: FCC Certification multiple radio devices

Matthias Wagner1

Part Number: WL1835MOD

Hello everyone,

I am using several radio technologies in my endproduct. In addition to the WLAN and BT (WL1835MOD)  module, a RFID module (from a different company) is also installed.
The RFID module itself also has an FCC ID. We have carried out the FCC's EMC tests for the end device, but no additional radio tests. This is where the next difficult point arises for me.

Can I still use both FCC IDs for approval in the US (as long as I adhere to certain installation criteria in the FCC grants), or do I have to test again and apply for my own FCC for the end product?
Is it even possible to use more than one modular FCC ID and put "device contains FCC ID xy and yz" on my product or do I need an own FCC ID for my end product.

In the wiki (processors.wiki.ti.com/.../WL18xxMOD_Regulatory_Product_Certification) I found the following passage:
Q: How do you do two FCC-certified modules on one host?
A: A module or modules can only be used without additional authorizations if they have been tested and approved under the same intended use conditions, including simultaneous transmission processes. If not tested and approved in this way, additional testing and / or registration with the FCC may be required. The simplest approach to meet additional test requirements is to have the person responsible for the certification of at least one of the modules submit an application for an allowable change

Do I understand that correctly that it is not possible for this module to install another radio module in the end device without applying for its own FCC ID?
Would it be possible to deactivate one of the modules and only use the FCC ID of the other?

Thanks in advace

over 5 years ago

0 Rizwan Murji over 5 years ago

TI__Genius 12730 points

Hi Matthias,

I hope all is well. The TI module is only certified as a singular module certification. That is it cannot be co-located with another module. That does not mean that you cannot leverage some part of the certification however. The Radio aspect of the certification can most likely be leveraged. The best advise I can give is to contact your local regulatory test house as they can provide you with what additional testing would be needed and guide you as to the use of existing or creating a new FCC ID.

We have hand may customer use our module co-located with other modules with some additional testing.

I hope this helps.

Thanks,

Riz

0 Matthias Wagner1 over 5 years ago in reply to Rizwan Murji

Prodigy 40 points

Hi Riz,

thanks for the quick reply.

I do have another question regarding the the reulations for the US market.

For WiFi there are some differences in the allowed bands and also regarding the output power. Do I (or our supplier) have to change some settings in the Software before shipping a product to the US or will the Module set itself correctly automaticly?

If yes how does this work? This is quite important, because we would not want 2 different products (EU and US).

For me to get a better understanding of the topic would you be so kind to give me further informations:

I read that the module is "adaptive" is this regarding the topic I'm asking about or is this something else? Can you give me a link or further informations on the terms from fallowing question (from another user):

Adaptive equipment or Non- Adaptive Equipment?
For adaptive equipment: whether LBT based DAA or non-LBT based DAA?
for LBT based adaptive equipment whether FBE or LBE/

Thanks and greetings

Matthias

0 Rizwan Murji over 5 years ago in reply to Matthias Wagner1

TI__Genius 12730 points

Hi Matthias,

There are a few items of interest here and I will do my best to explain.

- In terms of the regions the way our product works is the output power limits are defined by an .INI file. Here we take the superset of the requirements. For example if EU has a power limit of 20dBm and US has a power limit of 30dBm. Our .INI file will limit both regions to 20dBm. Thus there is no need to change the power configuration file as this is how our module is certified. If you do change these, then the certification is negated.

- When you configure your produce you need to ensure that the correct country code is set. Thus when you set the country code it will also provide our FW the list of channels and the maximum allowable power for that region. For example, the .INI file has power limits for CH 12 and CH13, but these are only active for EU. Thus if you have the region code set to US, it will not allow transmission on CH 12 and CH 13, as this is defined by the region you set. Note that the region code may define the max output power for 30dBm here, but the .INI file has limited it since is a common file for EU and US!

- In terms of adaptive mode, this is referring to the Europe requirement. Basically the rules is that before you transmit on a channel you need to do a CCA (clear channel assessment). This is what is know as adaptivity mode. So in our case

1. We are adaptive

2. We are LBT (listen before talk)

3. We are LBE (load based equipment)

I hope this helps.

Thanks,

Riz

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WL1835MOD: FCC Certification multiple radio devices