September 27, 2022
The U.S. Federal Communications Commission (FCC) recently advised the Telecommunication Certification Body (TCB) Council that any certifications issued after August 25, 2022 without proper antenna information will be dismissed.
What are the FCC antenna requirements?
- Part 15 applications must identify the antenna gain and show how the value was derived. The antenna manufacturer’s data sheet or a measurement of maximum antenna gain for the band of operation is acceptable.
- Where the gain is inherently accounted for through measurements, such as field strength on a device under FCC Rules 15.249 or 15.231, gain does not necessarily need to be separately verified. However, information regarding antenna construction shall be provided, i.e., photographs, length of wire antenna, etc.
What does this mean for manufacturers?
If the FCC issues a grant of certification referencing “conducted” power, then the maximum antenna gain is required for the band of operation, and it shall be documented in the antenna manufacturers data sheet or substantiated by measurements. Listing conducted power on the grant is typical for transmitters that are configured with an antenna port. Gain values are required for each antenna type included with the grant.
If a grant does not reference conducted power, then the antenna gain is inherently included in the transmitter radiated measurements. In this case information regarding antenna construction shall be provided, i.e., photographs, length of wire antenna, etc.
Elite’s John Peters setting up an antenna test
How can Elite help?
- As a TCB, Elite can provide transmitter testing and certification services. We can also offer guidance on how to address the antenna gain requirements.
- When antenna gain measurements are required, Elite has the chamber and equipment as well as the expertise to provide the necessary information. Contact Elite today to review your Antenna Performance Testing needs and how we can perform measurements of antenna gain, efficiency, and provide the 2D and 3D antenna radiation plots covering 600 MHz to 6000 MHz.
Antenna measurement example from Elite’s lab
Contact the experts at Elite with your questions on the information required for your device’s FCC application.
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