Ready to bring new wireless products to market? Not without testing. Here, EMC tester Northwest EMC helps you prepare your products for successful wireless device testing. Get more information about wireless EMC testing at www.nwemc.com

1. Prepare Your Products for Successful
Wireless Device Testing

2. Problem:
A growing number of new radio applications
(RFID, WiFi, Bluetooth, etc.) available in the
market today makes obtaining regulatory
approvals more confusing than ever.

3. Scenario 1:
Radio That’s Ubiquitous, Yet Unique
When it comes to product design, every radio application is unique. That means testing
strategy will almost never be one-size-fits-all.

4. A radio (previously certified as a module) is integrated into a host device.
What do you need to do for testing?
Question:

5. A. Nothing
Since this radio was certified as a module, it does not require any
additional testing.
B. Re-assess
The regulatory requirements for each unique implementation of a radio
module should be assessed by experts.

6. Answer:
B. Re-assess
The regulatory requirements for each unique
implementation of a radio module
should be assessed by experts.

7. Why?
• EU recommends re-assessing new combinations of
modular radios & host devices for EMC compliance.
• Some modules may have been tested but not
certified.
• No FCC ID number on module = certification is NOT
complete.

8. The Bottom Line
When you choose to adapt a previously certified radio module it will most likely
require additional testing and certification for use within your new product.

9. Scenario 2:
The Modern-Day Multi-Radio Product
A product with more than one radio will almost always require additional testing, so
plan ahead to ensure you’ll have plenty of time to get through testing and certification.

10. For radios that already have FCC ID number
Get your testing agent involved!
They can help you…
• Look up radio FCC ID number
• Review grant notes
• Explain what notes mean for costs/timelines of project

11. FCC ID grant notes
• Usage conditions
• How will the product be used?
• How close will it be from the user’s head or torso?
• Does current FCC ID number cover that usage?
• What kind of additional testing will be needed?

12. What if… Should you….
Continue to work on this radio?
-OR-
Is it time to begin a search for a new
module?
Previous testing
and certification is
not adequate for
the radio as it’s
used in your
product?

13. “How can we make this work?”

14. If it’s an approved module…
Change of ID followed by a Class II Permissive Change
• FCC authorization: Copy existing grant from original grant holder (radio manufacturer) to a new
FCC ID for new grant holder (system manufacturer)
Download public exhibits from manufacturer’s application
• Public-domain exhibits may be downloaded from FCC. Contact original module manufacturer for
any confidential exhibits sent directly to the TCB.
Agent authorization
• Obtain a signed document from grant holder to make a Class II Permissive change to the
application.

15. Benefits
• Significant savings for product developers (compared to starting
testing over from scratch).
• Testing agency can provide coaching + sample letters for agent
authorization.

16. What You Can Do Today
Your test lab can assist you with many facets of your testing strategy,
but you can take steps now to ensure your business has the best results
for wireless device testing.

17. 1. Choose the correct radio for your
application.
• The ‘next big thing’ isn’t always the best choice.
• Often, lower per unit cost results in lower testing costs.
• Research to understand tradeoffs of different technologies
• This can really pay off when it comes time to test.

18. Interoperability
• If your device requires interoperability with other devices on the
market (e.g. Bluetooth or Wi-Fi), you may need the high-tech
solution.
• If not, a simpler radio design may be perfectly suitable.

19. 2. Start shopping for approved modules.
• This is the least expensive way to add wireless capability to products.
• Leave extra time for mechanical design for the radio enclosure.
• Define the type of antenna you’ll be required to use.

20. 3. Test early,
test often.
• Ensure your product is compliant.
• Test components and prototypes
early, make modifications early in
product design if needed.
• Some tests are worth doing very
early, some will be better to wait.
• Your testing lab can help you
understand the ins and outs of each.

21. 4. Create a target list of countries you want to
sell into.
Identify target markets early in design process and plan your testing strategy to meet the
requirements of each country.

22. 5. Talk to your testing agency.
By partnering with a consultative testing agency and following these
steps early in your product design, you can make sure you have all the
tools needed to launch your products successfully.

23. Wireless testing doesn’t have to
be confusing.
(888) 364-2378 | www.NWEMC.com
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