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LEGAL CONSIDERATIONS
When working with RF, a clear distinction must be made between what is technically
possible and what is legally acceptable in the country where operation is intended. Many
manufacturers have avoided incorporating RF into their products as a result of
uncertainty and even fear of the approval and certification process. Here at Linx, our
desire is not only to expedite the design process, but also to assist you in achieving a
clear idea of what is involved in obtaining the necessary approvals to legally market your
completed product.
In the United States, the approval process is actually quite straightforward. The
regulations governing RF devices and the enforcement of them are the responsibility of
the Federal Communications Commission (FCC). The regulations are contained in Title
47 of the Code of Federal Regulations (CFR). Title 47 is made up of numerous volumes;
however, all regulations applicable to this module are contained in Volume 0-19. It is
strongly recommended that a copy be obtained from the Government Printing Office in
Washington or from your local government bookstore. Excerpts of applicable sections are
included with Linx evaluation kits or may be obtained from the Linx Technologies website,
www.linxtechnologies.com. In brief, these rules require that any device that intentionally
radiates RF energy be approved, that is, tested for compliance and issued a unique
identification number. This is a relatively painless process. Linx offers full EMC pre-
compliance testing in our HP / Emco-equipped test center. Final compliance testing is
then performed by one of the many independent testing laboratories across the country.
Many labs can also provide other certifications that the product may require at the same
time, such as UL, CLASS A / B, etc. Once your completed product has passed, you will
be issued an ID number that is to be clearly placed on each product manufactured.
Questions regarding interpretations of the Part 2 and Part 15 rules or measurement
procedures used to test intentional radiators, such as Linx RF modules, for compliance
with the technical standards of Part 15, should be addressed to:
Federal Communications Commission
Equipment Authorization Division
Customer Service Branch, MS 1300F2
7435 Oakland Mills Road
Columbia, MD 21046
Phone: (301) 725-1585 Fax: (301) 344-2050 E-Mail: labinfo@fcc.gov
International approvals are slightly more complex, although Linx modules are designed
to allow all international standards to be met. If you are considering the export of your
product abroad, you should contact Linx Technologies to determine the specific suitability
of the module to your application.
All Linx modules are designed with the approval process in mind and thus much of the
frustration that is typically experienced with a discrete design is eliminated. Approval is
still dependent on many factors, such as the choice of antennas, correct use of the
frequency selected, and physical packaging. While some extra cost and design effort are
required to address these issues, the additional usefulness and profitability added to a
product by RF makes the effort more than worthwhile.
NOTE: Linx RF modules are designed as component devices that require
external components to function. The modules are intended to allow for full Part
15 compliance; however, they are not approved by the FCC or any other agency
worldwide. The purchaser understands that approvals may be required prior to
the sale or operation of the device, and agrees to utilize the component in keeping
with all laws governing its use in the country of operation.
ACHIEVING A SUCCESSFUL RF IMPLEMENTATION
Adding an RF stage brings an exciting new
dimension to any product. It also means that
additional effort and commitment will be needed to
bring the product successfully to market. By utilizing
premade RF modules, such as the LR Series, the
design and approval process is greatly simplified. It
is still important, however, to have an objective view
of the steps necessary to ensure a successful RF
integration. Since the capabilities of each customer
vary widely, it is difficult to recommend one
particular design path, but most projects follow steps
similar to those shown at the right.
In reviewing this sample design path, you may
notice that Linx offers a variety of services (such as
antenna design and FCC prequalification) that are
unusual for a high-volume component manufacturer.
These services, along with an exceptional level of
technical support, are offered because we recognize
that RF is a complex science requiring the highest
caliber of products and support. “Wireless Made
Simple” is more than just a motto, it’s our
commitment. By choosing Linx as your RF partner
and taking advantage of the resources we offer, you
will not only survive implementing RF, you may even find the process enjoyable.
HELPFUL APPLICATION NOTES FROM LINX
It is not the intention of this manual to address in depth many of the issues that
should be considered to ensure that the modules function correctly and deliver
the maximum possible performance. As you proceed with your design, you may
wish to obtain one or more of the following application notes, which address in
depth key areas of RF design and application of Linx products. These
applications notes are available online at www.linxtechnologies.com or by
contacting the Linx literature department.
DECIDE TO UTILIZE RF
RESEARCH RF OPTIONS
CHOOSE LINX MODULE
ORDER EVALUATION KIT(S)
TEST MODULE(S) WITH
BASIC HOOKUP
INTERFACE TO CHOSEN
CIRCUIT AND DEBUG
CONSULT LINX REGARDING
ANTENNA OPTIONS AND DESIGN
LAY OUT BOARD
SEND PRODUCTION-READY
PROTOTYPE TO LINX
FOR EMC PRESCREENING
OPTIMIZE USING RF SUMMARY
GENERATED BY LINX
SEND TO PART 15
TEST FACILITY
RECEIVE FCC ID #
COMMENCE SELLING PRODUCT
Typical Steps For
Implementing RF
AN-00100 RF 101: Information for the RF Challenged
AN-00125 Considerations For Operation Within The 260-470MHz Band
AN-00130 Modulation Techniques For Low-Cost RF Data Links
AN-00140 The FCC Road: Part 15 From Concept To Approval
AN-00150 Use and Design of T-Attenuation Pads
AN-00160 Considerations For Sending Data Over a Wireless Link
AN-00300 Addressing Linx OEM Products
AN-00500 Antennas: Design, Application, Performance
NOTE APPLICATION NOTE TITLE