Radiometrics Midwest Corporation provides FCC Part 15 Subpart C testing for intentional radiators and wireless products at our A2LA-accredited EMC laboratory in Illinois.
FCC Part 15 Subpart C contains technical requirements for many types of low-power, licence-exempt radio-frequency transmitters. Radiometrics can help manufacturers identify the applicable FCC rule section and develop an appropriate compliance test program for their wireless product.
What Is an FCC Part 15C Intentional Radiator?
An intentional radiator is a device that intentionally generates and emits radio-frequency energy by radiation or induction.
Products evaluated under FCC Part 15 Subpart C can include:
- Wireless sensors
- Remote controls
- Short-range transmitters
- Wireless monitoring equipment
- Industrial wireless devices
- Frequency-hopping transmitters
- Digital transmission systems
- Products incorporating radio transmitters
The specific requirements depend on the operating frequency, modulation, bandwidth, transmitter power, antenna configuration and radio technology.
FCC Part 15C Testing Capabilities
Depending on the applicable FCC rule section and transmitter technology, testing may include:
- Transmitter output power or field strength
- Occupied bandwidth
- 20 dB or 6 dB bandwidth measurements, as applicable
- Band-edge measurements
- Restricted-band emissions
- Spurious emissions
- Harmonic emissions
- Power spectral density, when applicable
- Frequency stability, when applicable
- Duty-cycle measurements, when applicable
- Antenna and equipment configuration evaluation
The exact measurements are determined by the FCC rule section applicable to the transmitter.
FCC Part 15.247 Testing
FCC §15.247 applies to certain frequency-hopping and digital modulation systems operating in designated frequency bands.
Testing requirements depend on the radio technology and can include transmitter power, bandwidth, power spectral density, band-edge compliance and unwanted emissions measurements.
Radiometrics can review the transmitter characteristics and operating frequencies to determine the applicable §15.247 measurements.
FCC Part 15.249 Testing
FCC §15.249 establishes field-strength limits for certain intentional radiators operating in specified frequency bands.
Testing can include fundamental field strength, harmonic emissions, spurious emissions and band-edge requirements as applicable to the transmitter.
Other FCC Part 15C Rule Sections
Radiometrics’ FCC testing capabilities include evaluation to a range of Part 15 Subpart C rule sections.
Depending on the transmitter frequency and application, applicable requirements may include:
- FCC 15.209
- 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
Radiometrics can review the product’s operating frequencies and transmitter characteristics to help identify the appropriate rule section before testing begins.
Restricted-Band and Spurious Emissions Testing
Intentional radiators must control unwanted emissions outside their authorized operating bands.
Testing may include measurements of harmonics, spurious emissions, band-edge emissions and emissions falling within FCC restricted frequency bands.
The applicable limits and measurement methods depend on the transmitter’s rule section, operating frequency and radio technology.
Products Using Certified Wireless Modules
A previously certified wireless module can simplify the FCC authorization process, but integrating a certified module does not automatically eliminate all regulatory evaluation of the finished product.
The final host configuration, antenna, installation conditions, simultaneous transmitters and digital circuitry can affect the compliance requirements.
Radiometrics can review the module’s FCC authorization documentation and final host configuration to help identify additional testing that may be required.
FCC Certification Testing
Many intentional radiators subject to Part 15 Subpart C require FCC Certification.
Radiometrics performs applicable accredited RF measurements and prepares test documentation to support the equipment authorization process.
The certification application is reviewed by an FCC-recognized Telecommunications Certification Body (TCB), which evaluates the application and grants the equipment authorization when the applicable requirements are satisfied.
FCC Part 15C Pre-Compliance Testing
Pre-compliance testing can identify transmitter compliance problems before formal certification testing.
Early measurements can be particularly useful when evaluating transmitter power, bandwidth, band-edge performance, harmonics, spurious emissions and antenna configurations.
Radiometrics can perform focused measurements during product development so engineering changes can be evaluated before the formal certification program.
FCC Part 15C Troubleshooting
When a wireless product fails an FCC measurement, Radiometrics can work with the manufacturer’s engineering team to characterize the failure and evaluate potential corrective changes.
Troubleshooting may involve:
- Transmitter output level
- Harmonic and spurious emissions
- Band-edge performance
- Antenna configuration
- Filtering
- Shielding and grounding
- Power supply effects
- Operating modes and duty cycle
Where practical, corrective changes can be evaluated during testing to determine whether they improve compliance performance.
Information Needed for an FCC Part 15C Quote
Please provide the following information when available:
- Product description and model number
- Transmitter operating frequencies
- Radio technology and modulation
- Maximum transmitter output power
- Channel bandwidth
- Number of channels
- Antenna type and gain
- Whether the antenna is integral or externally connected
- AC or DC power requirements
- Product dimensions
- Normal and worst-case transmit modes
- Information about incorporated radio modules, if applicable
- Existing FCC ID or certification documentation, when applicable
- Previous RF test reports, when available
If you are uncertain which Part 15 Subpart C rule section applies, Radiometrics can review the transmitter information before developing the test program.
Schedule FCC Part 15C Testing
Radiometrics Midwest Corporation has provided EMC and RF testing and engineering services since 1983. Contact us to discuss FCC Part 15C testing, certification measurements, pre-compliance evaluation, troubleshooting, scheduling or quotation requirements.