bluetoothfccradioregulationswifi
The manufacturer of this radio module I bought claims that it's FCC certified, but there's no FCC ID on it (though there is the FCC logo). If the final product is to be FCC tested, would it then be tested as an intentional radiator since there's no FCC ID on the radio module (rendering the certification invalid)? AFAIK, that costs a lot more than an unintentional radiator test.
Their website has the FCC ID – could I just print it on a sticker and stick it on the module?
Thanks
I am going through this too, and likely late for the original question, but thought I'd share. FCC requirements are for anything marketed or sold that emits electromagnetic radiation. If it's a computer or gear that isn't supposed to transmit then it is, as mentioned, an "unintentional radiator"--so it's now in that ballpark of rules. If the device is for commercial use, not in homes, then it falls under the Class A rules (less stringent). If it is for residential use you have to follow the rules for Class B. If you are encasing the whole product inside something else then you don't have to go through FCC validation and can use the existing approval. If it is a Class B device with an FCC statement on its label then you can put that same info on the outside of your box. If you don't want to use the full product and put parts in your own resin case then you have to go through the FCC processes. If you market and sell and then get caught you could end up with severe penalties, along with being stopped from marketing your product.
Start at: http://transition.fcc.gov/oet/ea Note the "Application Information" and "Equipment Authorization Procedures," including:
Verification
Declaration of Conformity (DOC)
Certification
To get an idea of testing go to this page: http://transition.fcc.gov/oet/ea/fccid/ and plug in the FCC ID from any product you have handy that has an FCC ID (or you search the Web for one) and then you can see the report that was generated--including a description of the lab setup, the tests, and the report data.
We will work with a lab for the testing but also work on our own testing ability so that we can do at least part of it on our own (so that we don't go to a lab with something that won't pass).
Good luck.
From my experience with this (several products, using various combinations of wireless devices), then if the wireless module you use (be it cellular, Bluetooth, BLE, Wi-Fi or ZigBee or ISM) includes an antenna, and the entire module (radio + antenna) has been tested per FCC requirements (and therefore has an FCC ID stamped on it), then you do not have to do any further testing.
Here is an exmple of the type of module I am referring to. Note the chip antenna on the upper left corner.
Note the one pictured above is pretty much blank. The real one I have on my workbench is covered with text and logos, including an FCC ID and CE mark.
As long as you have only one wireless device on your board, (and there are no other wireless devices on other boards) the person using it in their product should be able to use the FCC ID that is stamped on the module.
But, if you have a module that attaches to a separate antenna, and only the module was certified (or not), then you must test the combination together. Furthermore, if you have more than one radio in the final product, then they must be tested together, even if they have been certified separately.
This is my understanding. You should have it verified by someone else before proceeding.
Best Answer
Here's my understanding.
Since it is a radio module, then it is definitely an intentional radiator and if they claim it has been FCC-certified it should have an FCC ID on each module. You should contact the manufacturer and ask why it's not there.
If you incorporate the module into your own product, and the module already has an antenna (e.g. a "chip" antenna like the one in the picture) then you don't have to do anything more except provide the same FCC ID on the outside of your product, or (as part of a recent rule change) in an accessible menu if your product has a screen. In any case, the FCC ID must also be included in a label on the outside of the package.
However, if the module has no antenna, and you connect it to one you made (e.g. PCB trace antenna) or bought, then guess what, you have to do the FCC testing all over again(!) which can many thousands of dollars.
It's been a few years since I was directly involved in a product like that (cell phone modem + PCB antenna), so I can't remember if you are supposed to include both the FCC ID for the modem and your own FCC ID, or just the latter. I suspect it's both.