Radiometrics Midwest Corporation provides FCC and Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada (ISED) electromagnetic compatibility and radio-frequency testing for electronic and wireless products at our A2LA-accredited EMC laboratory in Illinois.
Whether a product is an unintentional radiator, contains a wireless transmitter, or incorporates multiple electronic and radio functions, Radiometrics can help manufacturers identify the applicable FCC and Canadian requirements and develop an appropriate compliance test program.
Decades of FCC Testing Experience
Radiometrics was among the early independent laboratories accepted to perform FCC compliance testing and has provided FCC EMC and radio-frequency testing services for decades.
Today, Radiometrics provides accredited testing for electronic and wireless products requiring FCC equipment authorization, including products evaluated under the Supplier’s Declaration of Conformity (SDoC) and Certification procedures.
FCC Part 15 Testing
FCC Part 15 establishes requirements applicable to many electronic and radio-frequency devices marketed in the United States.
Radiometrics provides testing for both unintentional and intentional radiators, including radiated and conducted emissions measurements and applicable transmitter measurements.
The specific requirements depend on the product’s circuitry, operating frequencies, radio technology, interfaces and intended use.
FCC Part 15B Unintentional Radiator Testing
Digital electronic products can generate radio-frequency energy even when they are not intentionally designed to transmit.
FCC Part 15 Subpart B requirements apply to many unintentional radiators such as digital devices, industrial controls, computing equipment, power electronics and products containing digital circuitry.
Radiometrics provides FCC Part 15B testing including applicable radiated and conducted emissions measurements for Class A and Class B equipment.
A dedicated FCC Part 15B testing page will provide additional information about these requirements.
FCC Part 15C Intentional Radiator Testing
Products that intentionally transmit radio-frequency energy may be subject to FCC Part 15 Subpart C requirements.
Examples can include wireless controls, short-range transmitters, remote-control devices, wireless sensors and products incorporating radio transmitters.
Depending on the radio technology and applicable rule section, testing may include transmitter output characteristics, occupied bandwidth, band-edge measurements, spurious and harmonic emissions, restricted-band emissions and other applicable measurements.
Radiometrics can review the transmitter characteristics and intended operating frequencies to help determine the applicable FCC requirements.
Radiated Emissions Testing
Radiated emissions testing measures unwanted radio-frequency energy emitted by the equipment and its associated cables.
Radiometrics performs radiated emissions measurements for FCC compliance, ISED requirements, pre-compliance evaluation and engineering troubleshooting.
Products can be evaluated in representative operating modes and configurations to identify conditions producing the highest emissions.
Conducted Emissions Testing
Applicable FCC and ISED requirements may include measurements of radio-frequency disturbances conducted onto AC power lines or other applicable connections.
Radiometrics performs conducted emissions testing using the measurement networks, receivers and configurations required by the applicable standard or regulation.
FCC Part 18 ISM Equipment
FCC Part 18 applies to certain industrial, scientific and medical equipment that intentionally generates and uses radio-frequency energy for purposes other than telecommunications.
Radiometrics can evaluate products to applicable FCC Part 18 emissions requirements and assist manufacturers in determining the measurements appropriate for the equipment.
ISED Canada EMC and Radio Testing
Radiometrics provides testing to applicable Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada requirements for electronic and radio equipment.
Depending on the product, Canadian requirements may include ICES standards for interference-causing equipment and Radio Standards Specifications (RSS) for radio apparatus.
Common requirements may include ICES-003, RSS-Gen and applicable product- or technology-specific RSS standards.
Radiometrics can coordinate FCC and ISED testing when a product is intended for both the United States and Canadian markets, reducing unnecessary duplication in the compliance program.
FCC and ISED Pre-Compliance Testing
Formal certification or compliance testing does not always need to be the first step.
Pre-compliance testing can identify emissions or transmitter problems while a product is still under development and corrective changes can be made efficiently.
Radiometrics can perform focused measurements before formal testing to evaluate likely compliance margins and identify areas requiring additional engineering attention.
EMC and RF Troubleshooting
A failed compliance test does not necessarily need to end the test program.
Radiometrics engineers can work with the manufacturer’s engineering team to characterize excessive emissions, transmitter spurious emissions, cable-related problems and other EMC or RF compliance issues.
Where practical, design or configuration changes can be evaluated during testing to determine whether they improve measured performance.
FCC and ISED Testing for Products with Wireless Modules
Using a previously certified radio module can simplify some regulatory requirements, but it does not necessarily eliminate testing of the final host product.
The required evaluation depends on the module approval, installation, antennas, host configuration, simultaneous transmitters and applicable FCC or ISED requirements.
Radiometrics can review the final product configuration and existing module documentation to help identify the testing required for the host product.
Information Needed for an FCC / ISED Testing Quote
To help Radiometrics develop an accurate test program and quotation, please provide the following information when available:
- Product description and model number
- Whether the product intentionally transmits RF energy
- Transmitter frequencies and radio technology, if applicable
- FCC ID or certification information for incorporated radio modules
- AC or DC power requirements
- Product dimensions
- Number and type of external cables and ports
- Antenna type and connection, when applicable
- Required peripherals and support equipment
- Normal and worst-case operating modes
- Intended U.S. and Canadian markets
- Previous test reports or regulatory documentation, when available
If you are uncertain whether the product is an intentional or unintentional radiator, or which FCC/ISED requirements apply, Radiometrics can review the product information before developing the test program.
FCC and ISED Requirements Supported
Radiometrics performs testing to applicable FCC and ISED requirements within our laboratory capabilities and accredited scope.
FCC requirements commonly evaluated include:
- FCC Part 15 — Radio Frequency Devices
- FCC Part 18 — Industrial, Scientific and Medical Equipment
- FCC 15.107 — Conducted emissions
- FCC 15.109 — Radiated emissions
- FCC 15.209 — General radiated emissions requirements
- FCC 15.217
- FCC 15.219
- FCC 15.223
- FCC 15.225
- FCC 15.227
- FCC 15.229
- FCC 15.231
- FCC 15.245
- FCC 15.247
- FCC 15.249
- FCC 15.407
Radiometrics is also recognized by Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada (ISED) as a wireless device testing laboratory. Current recognized capabilities include:
- RSS-Gen — General Requirements for Compliance of Radio Apparatus
- RSS-119 — Land Mobile and Fixed Equipment
- RSS-210 — Licence-Exempt Radio Apparatus
- RSS-247 — Digital Transmission Systems, Frequency Hopping Systems and Licence-Exempt Local Area Network Devices
The specific FCC or ISED requirements applicable to a product depend on its operating frequencies, radio technology, equipment classification and intended use. Radiometrics can review the product configuration to help identify the appropriate test program.
Why Test at Radiometrics?
Radiometrics has provided EMC and RF testing and engineering services since 1983. Our laboratory supports manufacturers from early pre-compliance evaluation through formal compliance testing and troubleshooting.
Our combination of accredited testing capabilities, experienced EMC engineers, multiple test environments and large-product testing capability allows Radiometrics to support products ranging from small electronic devices to substantial equipment and systems.
Schedule FCC & ISED Testing
Contact Radiometrics to discuss FCC or ISED compliance testing, pre-compliance evaluation, troubleshooting, scheduling or quotation requirements.
Request an FCC or ISED Testing Quote
If you have a product ready for FCC, ISED or intentional-radiator testing, provide the product, radio, power, cable and operating information needed for Radiometrics to prepare a quotation.