This is a recall about the revised rules for U-NII devices (FCC 14-30) operating under Part 15 (new rules). These rules became effective on June 2, 2014. The following KDB publications have been prepared to provide guidance for demonstrating compliance with the new U-NII rules. Here is the transition period, during which devices may be approved under different rules subject to the following conditions:
- New devices will be permitted to be approved until June 1, 2015 under the old rules (rules prior to June 2, 2014, see KDB Publication 789033 D03) using the test procedures described in Section A below.
- Starting June 2, 2016, permissive changes will not be permitted for devices approved under the old rules, unless they meet the requirements of the new rules and test procedures described in Section B below.
- All devices approved partially or completely under the old rules cannot be marketed starting June 2, 2016 unless they meet the requirements of the new rules in all the bands of operation.
- Applications for devices for approval under the new rules must apply all of the appropriate test procedures for such devices as described in Section B below.
- For further information on transition rules and requirements for permissive changes of already approved devices refer to KDB Publication 926956.
- All applications for certification (new or permissive changes) must clearly state whether the filing is for approval under the old rules or new rules. This must be done for each of the applicable UNII bands (U-NII-1 band, U-NII-2 band, and/or the U-NII-3 band) as appropriate. Grants for certification for devices under the new rules must clearly include Note Codes 38 or 39 as appropriate.
Overview of related KDB publications
A. Grants for a new device or permissive change applications based on the old rules must use the following specific KDB guidance as well as all the applicable general guidance documents:
KDB 905462 D01 UNII DFS Compliance Procedures Old Rules is to be used for all master devices including devices operating in bridge modes, mesh configurations, hotspot modes, etc. under the old rules. This document is a re-designation of currently published in KDB 905462 as attachment: 5 GHz UNII DFS Compliance Procedures. This procedure is taken from the Memorandum Opinion and Order (FCC 06-96).
KDB 789033 D01 General UNII Test Procedures Old Rules is to be used to demonstrate compliance with overall EMC standards.
KDB 848637 Old guidance for U-NII client devices without radar detection capabilities.
KDB 594340 Old guidance for test modes for DFS master devices.
KDB 443999 D01 Approval of DFS UNII Devices with radar detection capabilities and operating in the 5470 MHz to 5725 MHz band.
KDB 594280 D01 Software Configuration Control for non-SDR devices.
KDB 905462 D05 802.11 Channel Plans Old Rules is the channel plan under the old rules. It is based on KDB 905462 802 11 Channel Plan in relation to FCC rules.
B.Applications for new devices and permissive change applications for devices based on the new U-NII rules must use the following specific procedures:
- KDB 905462 D02 UNII DFS Compliance Procedures New Rules is used for all master devices including devices operating in bridge modes, mesh configurations, hotspot modes, etc. under the new rules.
- KDB 905462 D02 UNII DFS Compliance Procedures New Rules v01r02 was modified to clarify the frequency selection procedures for Bin 5 test radar waveforms. All test reports for devices subject to new rules and submitted after July 1, 2015 must show compliance with the clarified procedures. Prior to that date, any test frequencies within the occupied bandwidth may be chosen for tests. The Test reports prepared prior to July 1, 2015 should record the frequencies used for testing.
- KDB 789033 D02 General UNII Test Procedure New Rules is used to demonstrate compliance with overall EMC standards.
- KDB 905462 D03 UNII Clients Without Radar Detection New Rules is used to demonstrate compliance with overall EMC standards. It is a re-designation of the KDB 848637.
- KDB 905462 D04 Operational Modes for DFS Testing New Rules is used for test modes for DFS master devices. It is a re-designation of KDB 594340.
- KDB 594280 D01 Software Configuration Control for non-SDR devices.
- KDB 594280 D02 U-NII Device Security Guidance is used for submitting software security information subject to the new rules.
- KDB 905462 D06 802.11 Channel Plans New Rules is the channel plan under the new rules.
The KDB guidance described in sections A. and B., above, must be applied as a group. It is not permissible to mix and match these guidance documents.