FCC Certification Scenarios for Atmel ZigBits on Customers' products Features • Covers FCC certification scenarios for Atmel ZigBits’ usage • Analyzes the custom products possibilities and likely-hoods for successful certification 1 Introduction Atmel’s Wireless applications play vital role in providing IEEE 802.15.4 – compliant, ZigBee, and 6LoWPAN wireless solutions using family of RF devices such as ZigBits, AT86RFxxx,and MegaRF single chip solutions.
Overview This application note describes an overview of the Certification Scenarios possible when a designer uses the Atmel ZigBits portfolio. It also covers the changes that affect Atmel’s existing certification due to minor or major changes on designer’s hardware. 3 Atmel’s Range of ZigBit Modules and usage scenarios in customer products 3.1 ATZB-24-A2 It is a ZigBit Module with Dual Chip Antenna, a low-power, 802.15.
AVR[appnote nr] 3.1.3 Scenario # 2 When designers use the ATZB-24-A2 module on their base board and if there are additional circuits on the base board, with the additionally added circuits comprising of another radio or switching circuits, the radiations caused by the new circuits may or may not affect the performance of the ATZB-24-A2.
If there are additional circuits on the base board, with the additionally added circuits comprising of another radio or switching circuits, the radiations caused by the new circuits may or may not affect the performance of the ATZB-A24-UFL. If the ATZBA24-UFL does not get affected by the additional circuits, still there are possibilities that there could be emissions from these circuits that are out of limits specified by part 15.247.
AVR[appnote nr] Figure 3-3. ATZB-24-B0 3.3.1 Certification scenarios The following scenarios explain the usage of the ATZB-24-B0 module on customer’s base board. 3.3.2 Scenario # 1 The ATZB-24-B0 module is bought by designers and used on a base board. Atmel’s ATZB-24-B0 Module has been certified under Limited Modular category of FCC part 15 subpart C. Limited modular certification applies to modules that do not fully meet the requirements for a single modular certification.
3.4 ATZB-900-B0 ATZB-900-B0 is an ultra-compact, low-power, high-sensitivity 868MHz / 915MHz 802.15.4/ZigBee OEM module from Atmel. ATZB-900-B0 modules eliminate the need for costly and time-consuming RF development, minimizes bill of materials (BOM), and shortens time to market for a wide range of wireless applications, while embedded 802.15.4 / ZigBee software ensures standards-based wireless connectivity. Figure 3-4. ATZB-900-B0 3.4.
AVR[appnote nr] 3.4.3 Scenario # 2 In cases were usage explained in Scenario #1 applies and additionally, application dependent circuits as explained in Appendix A is used on the Base board, this scenario applies. If the circuits on the customer’s base board are either Intentional or Unintentional Radiators or both, then the customer has to certify the entire product carrying the ATZB-900-B0 Module.
Designers are required to re-certify their products carrying this module as this module brings out the UnBalanced RF Output without ending up in any antenna structure on the module. Since there is RF signal flowing on the designer’s base board in such case, the entire product has to be re-tested and certified. The new FCC ID obtained by the designer has to be used to meet regulatory requirements.
AVR[appnote nr] 4.3 Taiwan In Taiwan, NCC (National Communications Commission) approval is required for the end product using ZigBits. In-country testing is required since FCC / CE certifications are not accepted. ETSI / FCC will be the reference standard for certification regulations. The probability of getting certified is high in case if the products already hold FCC / CE certification. 4.
3. Secondary or another radio part When the above mentioned blocks are bought out items and are already pre-certified individually, the designer is expected to verify the entire product with FCC accredited Lab. The ZigBit’s FCC ID is still valid but cannot be used as a final product’s FCC ID because there are additional circuits in the product.
AVR[appnote nr] 6.
certification depends on Additional circuits on baseboard.
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