Transcript Practical Workshop for Regulatory Requirements

Navigating the FCC Online Resrouces
Presented by:
Chris Harvey
Tim Dwyer
Anne Liang
7/17/2015
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Agenda
FCC KDB (Knowledge Database) search
- Chris
Submitting FCC KDB inquiries, TCB web
site - Tim
FCC grants/applications search - Anne
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FCC Website Navigation & Links:
Main site: (can always navigate from here): www.fcc.gov
EAS site: https://apps.fcc.gov/oetcf/eas/
Knowledge Database (KDB):
https://apps.fcc.gov/oetcf/kdb/index.cfm
TCB site: https://apps.fcc.gov/tcb/index.html
Measurement Procedures:
http://transition.fcc.gov/oet/ea/eameasurements.html
FRN Search: https://apps.fcc.gov/coresWeb/publicHome.do
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Knowledge Data Base (KDB)
The FCC Rules are very complex and
yet cannot provide all the detail needed
to ensure compliance of devices
The FCC created the KDB system to
provide additional guidance
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Purpose of KDBs (and disclaimer)
The staff guidance provided in the KDB is
intended to assist the public in following
Commission requirements and does not
constitute rules.
The guidance is not binding on the
Commission and will not prevent the
Commission from making a different decision
in any matter that comes to its attention for
resolution.
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FCC KDB System
Knowledge DataBase (KDB):
https://apps.fcc.gov/oetcf/kdb/index.cfm
Today there are approximately 175
‘active’ KDBs (may be more)
Most are numbered using 6 digits +
no rhyme or reason to numbering
There are groups of KDB’s under single number with Document
numbers (D01, etc.)
Versions/revisions change regularly (i.e. D02 v02r05)
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FCC KDB System
Historically… (before KDB’s)
searching for FCC ‘policy’ was very difficult
many interpretations from FCC were not
public
Today…
Searching is much better
Most interpretations are public
Could still use some improvement
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KDB Major Guidance List
https://apps.fcc.gov/oetcf/kdb/reports/GuidedPublicationList.cfm
Groupings:
Application Administrative Guidance
Application Technical Guidance
Labeling Information
RF Exposure
TCB/Test organizations
Test Methods
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KDB – Advanced Searches
There are 274 possible first categories
Many do not have any interpretations
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KDB Searches – Basic Search
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KDB Search efficiency
My preference is using the Basic Search:
Basic Search on UNII produced 20 items
Advanced Search on UNII category
produced 6 items
Is it better to have more hits?
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KDB Searches – Keyword Selection
How do you find the right words to use
in a search?
comes from experience and knowing the
Rules
Example:
You want to find requirements for WiFi
device, but WiFi is not an FCC term.
Try synonyms: 802.11, DTS, NII, WLAN
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How to find information
Example Basic search on similar terms
WiFi – 2 hits
WLAN – 3 hits
DTS – 11 hits
NII – 13 hits
802.11 – 22 hits!
So how do you find the information you want?
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How to find information
Using FCC terms from Rules
i.e. UNII, DTS, FHSS
Start General then to specifics
If you get too many hits, narrow your
search
If you don’t get enough or the right hits,
adjust your search terms
Persistence pays-off
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How to find information (2)
You are likely to need to review/search
more than one KDB to get the complete
picture:
i.e DTS test guidance in 558074 D01
RF Exposure in 447498, 248227 + others
MIMO in 662911 D01
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KDB Example Searches – lets try
Cell Phone Composite Tx issues
WiFi Channel 12&13 issues
SAR requirements for Notebook
Computer
Simultaneous Transmission SAR
Push-to-Talk (PTT) Radios
Garage door openers
Others?
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Draft KDB’s
New Drafts open for Public comments:
https://apps.fcc.gov/oetcf/kdb/reports/PublishedDocumentList.cfm
Archives of Draft KDB’s:
https://apps.fcc.gov/oetcf/kdb/reports/ExpiredDocumentList.cfm
There are no archives of final KDB’s…
Possible project for TCB Council?
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KDB Updates
TCB Council Members receive monthly
email (sometimes more often) listing
and linking KDB Updates
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KDB Inquiry
If additional guidance is needed beyond
what is publically available in the KDB
Search you can submit a private KDB
Inquiry and receive a private response
from FCC
Sometimes the FCC will see benefit in
scrubbing the private KDB to provide
general guidance to the public
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KDB Inquiry – sharing
Currently FCC does not want private
KDB’s shared
Private KDB replies are for specific
situations/configuration/devices
Information may not apply to another
device/situation
TCB Council Working with FCC to find a
way to generalize private KDB’s for sharing
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FCC grants/applications search
Web Link: https://apps.fcc.gov/oetcf/eas/
Live searches
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FCC DFS Master Approvals
FCC DFS requirement
FCC-06-96A1 went into effect on July 20, 2006.
KDB443999 D01 interim policy published on Oct 14, 2010.
DFS master applications must go
through the FCC for approval.
DFS testing at the FCC OET lab is
required.
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FCC Approved DFS APs in 2014
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SDR Approvals
KDB442812 D01 SDR Apps Guide v02r02
(10/31/2013)
TCBs are permitted to approve SDR(s) subject to a
Permit-But-Ask (PBA) procedure prior to an initial or
a Class III permissive change application.
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SDR Approvals issued by a TCB
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Dismissed Grants
Reasons for dismissals
Voluntary withdrawals (product never been sold or marketed)
• Product name or FCC ID wrong
• To protect confidentiality (grant was issued before the deferred grant
date)
• To improve performance; Product end of life
Dismissed by the FCC
• Measurement issues (applicable modes not tested; inconsistency in
device configuration and output power; SAR not properly addressed).
• Grant issued without filing a PBA inquiry
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Dismissed Grants in March 2014
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Thank You
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