Navigating the FCC Online Resrouces

1. Navigating the FCC Online Resrouces Presented by: Chris Harvey Tim Dwyer Anne Liang TCB Council

2. Agenda • FCC KDB (Knowledge Database) search - Chris • Submitting FCC KDB inquiries, TCB web site - Tim • FCC grants/applications search - Anne TCB Council

3. 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 TCB Council

4. 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 TCB Council

5. 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. TCB Council

6. 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) TCB Council

7. 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 TCB Council

8. 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 TCB Council

9. KDB – Advanced Searches • There are 274 possible first categories • Many do not have any interpretations TCBCouncil

10. KDB Searches – Basic Search TCB Council

11. 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? TCB Council

12. 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 TCB Council

13. 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? TCB Council

14. 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 TCB Council

15. 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 TCB Council

16. 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? TCB Council

17. 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? TCB Council

18. KDB Updates • TCB Council Members receive monthly email (sometimes more often) listing and linking KDB Updates TCB Council

19. 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 TCB Council

20. 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 TCB Council

21. FCC grants/applications search • Web Link: https://apps.fcc.gov/oetcf/eas/ • Live searches TCB Council

22. 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. TCB Council

23. FCC Approved DFS APs in 2014 TCB Council

24. 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. TCB Council

25. SDR Approvals issued by a TCB TCB Council

26. 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 TCB Council

27. Dismissed Grants in March 2014 TCB Council

28. Thank You TCB Council