CC3100 & CC3200 Radio Certifications

RED Update: See here for updates on the Radio Equipment Directive (RED)

• CC3100MOD - EN300328 v2.1.1
• CC3200MOD - EN300328 v2.1.1

Note: Consult with your Telecommunication Certification Body (TCB) regarding any regulatory certifications. The TCB's recommendations take precedence. TI provides this information only as recommended guidelines for your certification process.

Introduction

This page provides information relating to all radio certifications obtained by the CC3100 and CC3200 modules, and how those certifications may be used in end products.

Using TI's Certifications

Texas Instruments has obtained FCC, IC, CE, and TELEC modular transmitter certifications for the CC3100MOD and CC3200MOD devices. These certifications can be used to the advantage of any manufacturer developing a product using these devices. In order to take full advantage of the certifications, developers must follow the antenna design/layout guidelines exactly as shown in the datasheet. For FCC compliance, products will still need to go through verification testing or have a declaration of conformance according to 47 CFR Chapter 1, part 15, subpart B. The testing required for both verification and declaration of conformance is specified in sections 15.107 and 15.109. The official documents can be obtained from the U.S Government Printing Office online. U.S. Government Printing Office CFR 47. There are some changes allowed to the reference design which do not require any testing beyond the verification or declaration of conformance.

If it is desired to add a Murata connector or U.FL connector in the RF path, or change the antenna to one of the same type (chip) with equal or less gain, they can do so without refiling. Other changes such as a different antenna, or adding an antenna diversity switch will require filing for a class 2 permissive change. This costs about half as much as the full certification. In order to enable those who wish to get a class 2 permissive change for the SimpleLink WiFi modules to do so, TI can provide a letter authorizing an FCC Transfer of ID, and IC Multiple Listing. This will enable class 2 permissive changes to be performed on new identification numbers owned by the customer for the Simplelink Wifi modules. TI reserves the right to refuse authorization due to legal concerns and risk analysis.

Please refer to the CC3100/CC3200 WLAN RF Transmit Power Peak and Average Measurements document for things to consider when performing tests for certifications.

Note: Consult with your Telecommunication Certification Body (TCB) regarding any regulatory certifications. TI provides this information only as recommended guidelines to ease your certification process, while leveraging TI's certified devices.

Certifications & Compliance

• WiFi operates in the unlicensed 2.4GHz and 5GHz bands. Licenses are not required to communicate between two devices
• WiFi is an intentional transmitter. Requires certification of the device with industry regulation
• When getting certifications from a test house, usually a questionnaire must be filled out with information about the product being certified. Here is some useful information for filling out forms such as these: Information for test house questionnaires

Federal Communications Commission	independent agency of the U.S. governmnet in charge of regulating interstate and international communications Certified for United States Tests reports recognized by other countries for filing Costs ~$25k for compliance testing/certification
Industry Canada	Canadian agency regulating the electronics industry Certified for Canada Accepts FCC test reports for filing certifications Test reports recognized by other countries for filing Costs ~$25k for compliance testing/certification
European Telecommunications Standards Institute Conformité Européenne (European Conformity)	The CE marking is a mandatory conformance mark on many products in the European Economic Area ETSI produces globally applicable standards for information and communications CE Radio Approval ETSI testing is recognized by 40+ countries for filing Costs ~$25k for compliance testing
Telecom Engineering Center	Runs the the Japanese equipment authorization program Certified for Japan TELEC Test reports are available Costs ~$25k for compliance testing/certification
SRRC	Certified for People's Republic of China

FCC Certification

Website: FCC.gov

Website: FCC's electronic Code of Federal Regulation (e-CFR) on GPO

Wikipedia Article: FCC Declaration of Conformity

Wikipedia Article: FCC Title 47 CFR Part 15

The FCC Declaration of Conformity or the FCC label or the FCC mark is a certification mark employed on electronic products manufactured or sold in the United States which certifies that the electromagnetic interference from the device is under limits approved by the Federal Communications Commission.

Modules

CC31xx Module FCC ID: Z64-CC3100MODR1, Date: Oct 09, 2014

CC32xx Module FCC ID: Z64-CC3200MODR1, Date: Oct 09, 2014

The TI SimpleLink™ CC31xx & CC32xx modules are certified for FCC as a single-modular transmitter that carries a Modular grant. Modular certified radio modules are allowed for integration into multiple host end products by the FCC. Certified radio modules complies to the “Intentional Radiator” portion (Part 15c) for FCC certification: Part 15.247 Transmitter tests. Part 15.247 transmitter tests consists of:

• AC Power Conducted Emissions
• Radiated Emissions
• Band Edge Measurements
• 6dB bandwidth
• Conducted Power
• Power Spectral Density
• Meeting Antenna Requirements

The FCC certifications for TI devices can be found at https://www.fcc.gov/general/fcc-id-search-page. Search using TI's grantee code: Z64

QFNs

The TI SimpleLink™ CC31xx & CC32xx QFN are not certified by FCC.

Host End Products

Any end product incorporating CC31xx & CC32xx modules does not require additional testing or authorization for the WiFi transmitter as long as:

• An antenna of the same type and equal or less gain to the antenna used in the CC31000MOD / CC3200MOD EM Board is used on the product
• Any restrictions found in the grants are followed in the OEM’s end product integrating the TI module.

Addition notes:

• Host end products can use the FCC ID of the certified module as the FCC ID of the host end product
• A label displaying the module’s FCC ID must be affixed and visible on the host end product for approval
• FCC IDs are required for host end products with radio transmitters

Customer's Responsibilities

• The manufacturer of the host end products are still responsible for any additional testing covered by the Class of the product. Device Class A and B.
• Customers still need to take their products through other FCC/IC testing such as unintentional radiators (FCC sub part 15B) including any other required regionally driven end product certifications including but not limited to EU directives.

FCC Part 15 Cert. Process/Flow

Step 1	Step 2	Step 3	Step 4
Sub Part A General Provisions & Definitions	Sub Part B Unintentional Radiators Devices, whose purpose is not to produce radio waves, but which do anyway, such as computers.	Sub Part C Intentional Radiators Devices designed to produce coherent radio waves, such as small transmitters Customers can reuse TI's Certifications	Device Class A and B Additional testing for intended use

Additional testing maybe required for Host end product type.

• Class A: Digital Device for use in a commercial, industrial or business environment.
• Class B: Digital Device for use in a residential environment not withstanding use in commercial, business and industrial environments.

• The FCC allows for self-declaration for Part B so the process should be relatively painless

The customer can refer to the Electronic Code of Federal Regulation for Telecommunications, Part 15: Radio Frequencies Devices for more details on each sub part.

IC Certification

Website: Industry Canada / Industrie Canada

Wikipedia article: Industry Canada

The TI SimpleLink™ CC31xx & CC32xx module are certified for Industry Canada (IC) as a single-modular transmitter.

Modules

CC31xx Module IC ID: 451I-CC3100MODR1, Date: Oct 09, 2014

CC32xx Module IC ID: 451I-CC3200MODR1, Date: Oct 09, 2014

The TI SimpleLink™ CC31xx & CC32xx modules meet modular approval and labeling requirements for Industry Canada. Industry Canada follows the same testing and rules as the FCC in regards to certified modules in authorized equipment. These devices can be found under the Texas Instruments company name using the Industry Canada Radio Equipment search here: https://sms-sgs.ic.gc.ca/equipmentSearch/searchRadioEquipments They can also be found under the company number: 451I

QFNs

The TI SimpleLink™ CC31xx & CC32xx QFNs are not certified by IC.

Host Product

• The IC ID of CC31xx & CC32xx modules can be used on the Host End Product with a label that is visible, and displays the IC ID of the CC31xx & CC32xx modules.

ETSI/CE Certification

Website: ETSI, CE marking - European Commission

Wikipedia article: ETSI, CE Marking

The TI SimpleLink™ CC31xx & CC32xx modules is certified for appropriate EU radio and EMC directives, and evidenced by the CE Mark.

This certification eliminates EU RTTE based retesting efforts, resulting in savings of more than $25K per product model family including test cycling and support resource benefits.

For the conformity implications of attaching the antenna to a module that already has a conformance document - From section 1.3.1 of the Guide to the R&TTE Directive 1999/5/EC

“Manufacturers who place on the market products without an antenna or with an antenna that is intended to allow replacement have a responsibility to provide information on the general types and/or characteristics of antennas that may be used with their equipment in order that the overall radio equipment remains compliant. The guidance of the transmitter manufacturer has to be followed when they are installed.”

It is important to note that

• ETSI reports meet CE Radio Approval requirements of the R&TTE (Europe) directive
• ETSI is not a certification or regulatory body but a set of standards.

Module DoC's

CC3100MOD EC Declaration of Conformity, Date: Oct 31, 2016

CC3200MOD EC Declaration of Conformity, Date: Oct 31, 2016

Module Test Reports

CC31xx/CC32xx Test Report for EN 301 489-17 V2.2.1, Date: Nov 20, 2014

CC31xx/CC32xx Test Report for ETSI EN 300 328 V1.8.1, Date: Nov 20, 2014

• TI SimpleLink™ CC31xx & CC32xx modules are tested with ETSI EN300-328 radio tests which can be accepted by a number of countries for radio compliance.

Host Products

• If a product has minimal risk, it can be self-certified where manufacturers complete a Declaration of Conformity and affixes the CE marking to their own product.

Warning: EMC testing obligations may still be required as determined by the specific end product requirements.

• The end product will need to be filed in each country for certification using the FCC/ETSI reports.
• 40+ countries recognize and accept radio test reports compliant to ETSI standards as part of the filing process. Note that some countries do not recognize modular approval.
• ETSI reports help with End product testing with the module integrated, thus the tests do not need to be repeated.

TELEC Certification

Website: Telecom Engineering Center (TELEC)

Ministry of Internal Affairs and communications

Test and Certification Services for Wireless Devices under Japanese Radio Law

The TI SimpleLink™ CC31xx & CC32xx modules is certified for TELEC to be used in Japan.

• TELEC Certification number for the TI CC3100 Module is available upon request.
• TI passed the certification with max power value for several antennas: TaiyoYuden and Walsim.
• Customer does not need to take additional test for Japan radio law for CC3100MOD, when they use the recommended antenna with CC3100MOD

Modules

CC31xx Module TELEC ID: 001-A04798, Date: Nov 13, 2014 (平成26年11月13日)

CC32xx Module TELEC ID: 001-A04799, Date: Nov 13, 2014 (平成26年11月13日)

CC31xx Module TELEC ID: 001-A08147, Date: Aug 15, 2016 (平成28年8月15日)

CC32xx Module TELEC ID: 001-A08148, Date: Aug 15, 2016 (平成28年8月15日)

CC31xx Module TELEC ID: 001-A08147 Test Report, Date: Aug 15, 2016 (平成28年8月15日)

CC32xx Module TELEC ID: 001-A08148 Test Report, Date: Aug 15, 2016 (平成28年8月15日)

FAQ

Q: In terms of using CC3200 as a discrete solution, if we were to use it and follow TI’s gerbers and BOM used to approve the MOD3200, could we still use the approvals for MOD3101 or do we have to start compliance testing from scratch?

A: You must start compliance testing from scratch. However, there is less risk of failing compliance tests when using TI's reference design.

Q: What does ‘similar’ antenna mean?

A: A 'similiar' antenna is of the same or less directional gain, and of same type(chip, printed, etc)

Q: If we add an antenna switch to the design for diversity, can any of the certification data still be used?

A: It would be a Class 2 permissive change which requires radiated tests if using the TI module. This costs about half as much as full certification.

Q: How can customers reuse the test data? – Do they ‘reference’ TI’s testing somehow?

A: The testing results cannot be reused directly.

Q: What is the likely cost ‘range’ for certification? (for direct PCB/design copy through to modified antenna design?)

A: When certifying as an end product, about $30K for FCC, CE,ETSI

Q: The delta between the CE and FCC re-approval process would be great to know – we know there are differences with FCC being more modular.

A: Testing is the same. It is much more cost effective to do FCC and CE simultaneously.

Q: How much of the firmware can be changed before re-approval of the HW is needed. ? Since we are dealing with programmable PHY devices these days …

A: Any increases in power levels, frequency channels, etc would require recertification.

Q: Some customers will operate at a lower TX power output – can they be tested specifically at this power level or would they need to be at max power? How then is the delta approval worked with TI cert since we test at max?

A:They can operate at a lower power and still use our modular certification.

Q: Can a customer get a time advantage if they use the same lab as TI (i.e. Nemko) for certification?

A: Using our module will save time as opposed to doing a new certification. You would have to contact Nemko for this.

Q: What’s the time scale for the EN300328 V1.8.1 cert for the CC31xx & CC32xx family?

A: The CC3100 BoosterPack and CC3200 LaunchPad are certified for EN300328 V1.8.1

Q: What antenna choices have been used for module certification?

A: See the module datasheet

Q: What are the antenna design recommendations that somebody needs to follow if they want to leverage the modular certification?

A: See the module datasheet

Q: What happens if a customer is not able to follow the above mentioned recommendations? Can they still value from TI’s certification?

A: Yes they can get a class 2 permissive change. This costs about half as much as full certification.

Q: When using the TI’s QFN device, what certification pieces can be leveraged by the customer?

A: If using the QFN and not the module, certification pieces cannot be reused.

Q: Outline the process, approximate cost, testing required for changing the antenna from the Taiyo Yuden one that we certify with for the module

• To different gain in same type (e.g. another chip antenna that’s higher gain)
• To a different antenna type, moving to a PCB or dipole antenna

A: Both of these will fall under class 2 permissive change. The change must be done under TI’s name, so the customer must work with TI. Since it is under TI’s name, the permissive change should become part of the certification record.

Q: Confirm what exactly must be copied and pasted to leverage modular certification. I heard that new rules state that you must also copy and paste the trace length, width, etc. If a customer wants to use the same antenna as us but change the trace length/width what is required to get certification?

A: The layout must be identical and the antenna type must be the same, otherwise it’s a class 2 permissive change. Changing antenna to similar antenna (equal or less gain) is a class 1 change. Adding a Murata connector in path should be a Class 1 change.

Q: Is using same antenna type (that we certified with) with equal to or lesser gain a permissive change by FCC?

A: Yes, this is a Class I permissive change.

Q: Can Nemko tell us what makes it a Class 1 vs. Class 2 change, and what the ramifications of either are?

A: Class 1 changes are those which will not cause degradations in RF performance characteristics. Class 1 changes do not require a filing with the FCC. Class 2 changes require the grantee to supply the commission with test results proving the characteristics are still within the acceptable ranges.

Q: For the CE/ETSI approval – this is the excerpt from the RTTT&E spec – “Manufacturers who place on the market products without an antenna or with an antenna that is intended to allow replacement have a responsibility to provide information on the general types and/or characteristics of antennas that may be used with their equipment in order that the overall radio equipment remains compliant. The guidance of the transmitter manufacturer has to be followed when they are installed.” In this case if TI is the manufacturer … then TI has the responsibility to provide a certain level of detail about different antenna configurations. True or False?

A: True. The antenna design guidelines are provided in the datasheet.

Q: For CE/ETSI approval: Can the customer change the Antenna Gain?

A: Customers can modify the antenna design as long as the EIRP Power is kept equal or lower.

Q: For CE/ETSI approval: Does ETSI compliance require RSE and SAR testing?

A: RSE (radiated spurious emissions) and SAR are required for re-certification. if a conducted spurious emissions (CSE) certification is already in place than a radiated cabinet test will suffice to complete certification.

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