Atheros Modular
Certification
Instructions to OEM
Integrators
March 2009
Page 1 of 1
© 2000–2009 by Atheros Communications, Inc. All rights reserved.
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Notice
The information in this document has been carefully reviewed and is believed to be accurate. Nonetheless,
this document is subject to change without notice, and Atheros Communications, Inc. (Atheros) assumes
no responsibility for any inaccuracies that may be contained in this document, and makes no commitment
to update or to keep current the contained information, or to notify a person or organization of any
updates. Atheros reserves the right to make changes, at any time, in order to improve reliability, function
or design and to attempt to supply the best product possible. Atheros does not represent that products
described herein are free from patent infringement or from any other third party right.
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INFORMATION EXPRESSED HEREIN.
Revision History
Revision Description of Changes
Aug 2009 Initial Release
Introduction
This document describes mandatory steps required by the OEM integrator when
designing and manufacturing any host PC system utilizing an Atheros radio module.
Also refer to the Atheros Regulatory Compliance Guide available on the Atheros customer
support site and from the Atheros customer support contact person.
This document lists the mandatory responsibilities and actions of the OEM integrator.
Failure to comply with all requirements and conditions in this document, may result
in non-compliance of the host PC with FCC rules and invalidate the Atheros FCC
certification for the module.
This guide applies to Client modules that act under control of an Access Point. This
document does not apply to a Client module or Access Point with radar detection
feature.
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Allowed Antennas to be Used with the Radio Module
The Integrator must request from Atheros sales or regulatory contact person the current
list of allowable antennas for use with the specific radio module. This information is not
available on the public FCC database but will be provided by Atheros. Atheros will
provide a table of antenna type(s) models, cable lengths, and peak gain in each band.
Generally, the list will include omnidirectional Inverted-F (PIFA) and stamped
metal/film antennas for use inside laptops. In some cases, dipole antenna types may be
included in the available list. Peak gain including cable losses are quoted in the table
provided by Atheros.
Use of any of the antennas in the list (identical or equivalent antenna with same gain,
dimensions and cable lengths) is acceptable in the host device, without any further FCC
testing or submission.
However, use of an antenna that is Higher gain than those on the list or is a Different
Type, requires additional testing and submission to the FCC. Also, if the host PC is
certified as an FCC Portable device subject to RF Exposure (SAR) evaluation, then
additional SAR testing per FCC rules may be required. Therefore, antennas with higher
gain or different type than specified by Atheros, may not be used with the Atheros
module until new testing and reporting is completed.
You must contact the Atheros Regulatory Group to report any higher gain or new antenna
type to be used with the module.
Antenna Placement and RF Hazard (SAR) Compliance
For host PCs certified as FCC Mobile Category devices, the FCC Grant of approval for
the Atheros module is only valid when the Integrator ensures antenna placement in the
host system that maintains at least 20 cm separation between any part of the antenna
element(s) and any part of the end user’s body (considering their likely or usual
operation position and grip). This spacing is naturally met by non-Mobile systems such
as Access Points or Desktop PCs. Laptop PCs typically have integrated antennas placed
high in the LCD display assembly.
However, additional certification testing including RF Exposure (SAR) testing and an
FCC certification submission are required to gain permission to place antennas closer
than 20 cm to the end-user (e.g. a WLAN radio in a handheld personal organizer,
Netbook or Tablet PC where the antennas will be close to the users hands or lap. Such
host PCs will require certification per FCC rules for a Portable Category host.
This restriction is specified on the FCC modular grant of approval:
“The antenna used for this transmitter must be installed to provide a separation distance
of at least 20 cm from all persons
You must contact the Atheros Regulatory Group to evaluate need for RF Exposure
evaluation and additional FCC testing and submission for host PCs where antenna element
will not maintain at least 20cm separation from end user per above description.
Colocation of Radio Module with Other Integrated or Plug-In Radios
The FCC Grant of approval for the radio module includes a restriction that no other
radio be operated inside the same host system. If other radio devices are to be integrated
with the Atheros module, then additional evaluation and FCC submission may be
required - outside of the scope of the existing Atheros modular approval.
Also, the end-user instructions must warn end users to turn off the Atheros radio while
any other plug-in radio is being operated in the same host system.
This restriction is specified on the FCC modular grant of approval:
“The antenna used for this transmitter must not be co-located or operating in conjunction
with any other antenna or transmitter.”
You must contact the Atheros Regulatory Group to evaluate need for additional FCC
evaluation for cases where any colocated radio exists in the same host PC as the Atheros
module.
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Required Host System Labeling
FCCID and Industry Canada ID
The Integrator must affix the Atheros module’s FCCID on the module. Also, when the
module is not visible when installed in the host system, an additional label must appear on
the outside of the host system visible to the user. Industry Canada (IC) labeling is only
required on the module.
Example FCC & Canada IDs to appear on module:
[These are example ID’s. Atheros Regulatory Group will provide the applicable IDs for
each module.]
FCCID: PPD-AR5BXB6
IC: 4105A-AR5BXB6
Example wording also to appear somewhere on the outside of the host system visible to the
end user:
Contains FCCID: PPD-AR5BXB6
FCC Logo
The FCC logo shown below must appear on the host system signifying declared compliance
of the system with FCC digital emissions rules.
Required User Manual Wording for Host PC System
The FCC requires the following text (or equivalent) included in the user documentation
provided to the end user:
Example text
which can be used by the Integrator in the end user instructions are:
Satisfying RF exposure compliance and Radio compliance.
FCCID: [provided by Atheros regulatory group]
This device generates and radiates radio-frequency energy in compliance with FCC radio
frequency radiation exposure guidelines for an uncontrolled environment. This equipment
must be installed and operated while maintaining a minimum body-to-antenna distance of
20 cm.
This device complies with Part 15 of the FCC Rules. Operation is subject to the following two
conditions: (1) this device may not cause harmful interference, and (2) this device must accept any
interference received, including interference that may cause undesired operation.
This product does not contain any user serviceable components. Any unauthorized product changes
or modifications will invalidate warranty and all applicable regulatory certifications and approvals.
For 5 GHz Devices Only, Include the following additional Note: “In the 5150 MHz to 5250 MHz
frequency range this transmitter is restricted to indoor use only.”
Include the following co-location statement (unless special permission was granted
allowing co-location of additional radios with the Atheros module:
“This radio module may not be operated with any other radio or transmitting antenna, unless the
Atheros module is disabled”
FCC Part 15 Digital Emissions Compliance
We [System Manufacturer Name, Address, Telephone], declare under our sole responsibility that the
product [System Name] complies with Part 15 of the FCC Rules. Operation is subject to the
following two conditions: (1) this device may not cause harmful interference, and (2) this device
must accept any interference received, including interference that may cause undesired operation.
WARNING: This equipment has been tested and found to comply with the limits for a Class B
digital device, pursuant to Part 15 of the FCC Rules. These limits are designed to provide reasonable
protection against harmful interference in a residential installation. This equipment generates, uses
and can radiate radio frequency energy and, if not installed and used in accordance with the
instructions, may cause harmful interference to radio communications.
However, there is no guarantee that interference will not occur in a particular installation. If this
equipment does cause harmful interference to radio or television reception, which can be determined
by turning the equipment off and on, the user is encouraged to try to correct the interference by one
or more of the following measures:
Reorient or relocate the receiving antenna.
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Increase the separation between the equipment and receiver.
Connect the equipment into an outlet on a circuit different from the one the receiver is connected to.
Consult the dealer or an experienced radio/TV technician for help.
The user may find the following booklet prepared by the Federal Communications Commission
helpful:
The Interference Handbook
This booklet is available from the U.S. Government Printing Office, Washington, D.C. 20402. Stock
No. 004-000-00345-4.
Industry Canada Requires the following wording to the end user in French and English:
Industry Canada Notice:
This device complies with Canadian RSS-210.
To prevent radio interference to the licensed service, this device is intended to be operated indoors
and away from windows to provide maximum shielding. Equipment (or its transmitting antenna)
that is installed outdoors is subject to licensing. The installer of this radio equipment must ensure
that the antenna is located or pointed such that it does not emit RF field in excess of Health Canada
limits for the general population; consult Safety Code 6, obtainable from Health Canada's web site
www.hc-sc.gc.ca/rpb.
"This Class B digital apparatus complies with Canadian ICES-003"
Cet appareil numérique de la classe B est conforme à la norme NMB-003 du Canada
Avis de Conformité à la Réglementation d'Industrie Canada:
Pour empêcher toute interférence aux services faisant l'objet d'une licence, cet appareil doit être
utilisé à l'intérieur seulement et devrait être placé loin des fenêtres afin de fournir un écran de
blindage maximal. L'installateur du présent matériel radio doit s'assurer que l'antenne est située ou
pointée de manière à ce que cette dernière n'émette pas de champs radioélectriques supérieurs aux
limites specifées par Santé Canada pour le grand public; consulter le Code de sécurité 6, disponible
sur le site Web de Santé Canada, à l'adresse suivante: www.hc-sc.gc.ca/rpb.
End of Required User Manual Wording to end user provided by radio/system integrator
Atheros Communications, Incorporated
5480 Great America Parkway
Santa Clara, CA 95054
t: 408/773-5200
f: 408/773-9940
www.atheros.com
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