Data Sheet

171
IEEE 802.11 International Agreement and
Frequency Assignments
The IEEE 802 LAN committee has forged an international
agreement providing for wireless data communication
standards for the frequency range of 2.4GHz to
2.4835GHz, as allocated by the FCC in the USA, and in the
2.471GHz to 2.497GHz frequency range, as specified by
the regulatory authority in Japan. These standards are
designed to focus the industry to develop highly integrated,
low cost, interoperable WLAN equipment, of which the
HWB3163-EVAL is a prime example.
In the U.S., there are 11 channels specified by the FCC in
the 2.412GHz to 2.462GHz range. In Japan, one channel at
2.484GHz is authorized. The ETSl (European) regulatory
body conforms to the USA (FCC) channel assignments with
the exception that channels 12 and 13 are also allowed.
Some countries in Europe, notably France and Spain have
unique channel restrictions.
Although information contained in Table 2 is deemed to be
accurate, local regulatory authorities should be consulted
before using such equipment.
The available channels of operation in the 2.4GHz to
2.4835GHz and 2.471GHz to 2.497GHz ranges are as follows:
The HWB3163 is shipped with USA-compliant firmware. In
order to ensure regulatory-compliant channel usage in a
particular country, special geographic-specific firmware is
available for customer production assemblies which restricts
channel usage. Examples include ETSI-compliant firmware,
etc. Since the end user does not have the ability to alter this
firmware, regulatory compliance is ensured.
Agency and Regulatory Body Approvals
The WLAN PC Card will comply to the following standards:
3V PCMCIA Interface Standard
CAUTION: This assembly is designed to operate with a
supply voltage of 3.3V in laptop computers supporting the
dual 3V/5V PCMCIA standard. As such, it is mechanically
keyed with a wide tab to prevent insertion in older laptops
only capable of supplying 5V power. Do not therefore force
engagement of the card in the PCMCIA slot of the laptop as
the computer might not be supporting the newer standard.
Permanent damage may occur if operated on 5V.
TABLE 2. IEEE 802.11 CHANNELS
CHANNEL
NUMBER
CHANNEL
FREQUENCY
GEOGRAPHIC
USAGE
1 2412MHz US, CA, ETSI
2 2417MHz US, CA, ETSI
3 2422MHz US, CA, ETSI
4 2427MHz US, CA, ETSI
5 2432MHz US, CA, ETSI
6 2437MHz US, CA, ETSI
7 2442MHz US, CA, ETSI
8 2447MHz US, CA, ETSI
9 2452MHz US, CA, ETSI
10 2457MHz US, CA, ETSI, FR, SP
11 2462MHz US, CA, ETSI, FR, SP
12 2467MHz ETSI, FR
13 2472MHz ETSI, FR
14 2484MHz Japan†
KEY: US = United States, CA = Canada, ETSI = ETSI countries
(except France and Spain), FR = France, SP = Spain.
†In Japan, authorization for Channels 1 through 11 is pending.
TABLE 3.
COUNTRY APPROVAL NOTES
USA FCC part 15,
Sec. 15.247,
Sec. 15.107 and 15.109
Approval pending for
Intentional Radiators
Computer Peripheral
Canada ICAN RSS-210 Designed for compliance
Europe ETSI 300.328 Nov 96
EMC prETS 300.826
Designed for compliance
Japan MKK Designed for compliance
HWB3163-EVAL