Qualcomm Atheros WCN3660 User Manual
WCN3660 Split Modular Certification
System Integrator Instructions
PPD-WCN3660 Ver. 1.3
September 19, 2012
Confidential and Proprietary - Qualcomm Atheros, Inc.
Not to be used, copied, reproduced in whole or in part, nor its contents revealed in any manner to others without the
express written permission of Qualcomm Atheros, Inc.
QUALCOMM is registered trademark of Qualcomm Incorporated. ATHEROS is a registered trademark of
Qualcomm Atheros, Inc. Any other registered and unregistered trademarks are the property of Qualcomm
Incorporated, Qualcomm Atheros, Inc. or their respective owners and used with permission. Registered marks
owned by Qualcomm Incorporated and Qualcomm Atheros, Inc. are registered in the United States of America and
may be registered in other countries.
This technical data may be subject to U.S. and international export, re-export, or transfer (“export”) laws . Diversion
contrary to U.S. and international law is strictly prohibited.
Qualcomm Atheros, Inc.
1700 Technology Drive
San Jose, CA 95110-1383
U.S.A.
Copyright © 2011 Qualcomm Atheros, Inc.
All rights reserved.
Revision history
Revision Date Description
Ver. 1.0 October 2011 Initial release
Ver 1.1 Nov 30, 2011
Ver 1.2 June 12, 2012 Final Updates
Ver 1.3 Sept 19, 2012 Added APQ8064 via Permissive Change
FCC Feedback: Add section on alternate radio chips/critical
components
NOTE: The Qualcomm Atheros (QCA) reference design split radio module (the “Split Module”) is
designed for use only in the specific countries in which QCA has obtained certificates of
compliance with applicable laws and regulations. Therefore, the Split Module may not be sold,
operated or incorporated into products for use in countries other than those for which it is so
designated by QCA. See Section 5 herein. In addition, any deviation from the settings, methods,
conditions and restrictions for integration of the Split Module into a host system, as detailed in
this document, could be a violation of applicable national law and may be punishable as such,
and in such event the products into which the Split Module is incorporated may not be lawfully
distributed or sold in such countries. QCA assumes no responsibility for any liability or loss
related to installation, integration or operation of the module.
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WCN3660 Split Modular Certification System Integrator Instructions
Contents
1 Introduction ...................................................................................................... 4
2 Applicable Module ........................................................................................... 4
3 Mandatory Design Review of Each End System ........................................... 4
4 Antenna Placement inside the Host System and RF Safety ........................ 5
5 Available Global Modular Approvals from Qualcomm Atheros (QCA) ....... 6
6 Additional Regulatory Conformance Testing and/or Submissions
Required by the Integrator ........................................................................... 6
7 Compliant/Allowable Tx Power Settings Programmed into EEPROM ........ 8
8 Allowable Antennas For Use with the Radio Module ................................... 8
9 Simultaneous Transmission with Other Integrated or Plug-In Radios ....... 9
10 Required Labeling on the Outside of the Host ............................................ 9
10.1 FCC ............................................................................................................................. 9
10.2 Taiwan NCC ............................................................................................................. 10
10.3 European Community R&TTE ................................................................................. 11
11 Required Labeling on the Split Module ..................................................... 12
11.1 FCC labeling on the Split Module ............................................................................ 12
11.2 Rest of world labeling on the Split Module .............................................................. 12
11.3 Instructions to download the sample global label with certification IDs .................. 12
12 Required Regulatory Wording for User Manual/Installation Manual ....... 13
12.1 FCC compliance information .................................................................................... 13
12.2 Industry Canada notice ............................................................................................. 14
12.3 European Community (R&TTE) user manual wording and declaration .................. 15
12.4 European Community (R&TTE) Declaration of Conformity for System................. 16
12.5 Taiwan user manual wording .................................................................................... 17
12.6 Korea user manual wording ...................................................................................... 17
13 System Integrator Checklist ....................................................................... 18
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WCN3660 Split Modular Certification System Integrator Instructions
1 Introduction
This document describes the steps that the System Integrator must follow when designing and
manufacturing a system utilizing Split Modular certifications provided by Qualcomm Atheros
(QCA). The term “Split Modular Approval” is defined in FCC Rule Section 15.212. See 47
C.F.R. § 15.212. This document details limitations on use and the responsibilities of the System
Integrator beyond the conditions set out in FCC Rule Section 15.212.
Failure to follow the instructions in this document may invalidate the FCC certification and
authorization of the Split Module for use in the U.S. and in other countries.
The QCA Split Module certifications described in this document apply only to radio conformance
for the Module. The System Integrator is responsible for all system-level EMI/EMC and Product
Safety testing and certification that apply to the host system in the U.S. and other countries where
the system will be marketed or sold.
2 Applicable Module
Radio Front End: WCN3660
Host Processor: APQ8060A or APQ8064
FCCID: PPD-WCN3660 IC ID: 4104A-WCN3660
NOTE: The System Integrator may not use any versions of the host processor other than those stated
above. The split modular approval offered by QCA is valid only when using the above
combination of radio front end and host processors. Other combinations of radio front end and
processor will require additional conformance testing and thus cannot be used without QCA’s
authorization.
3 Mandatory Design Review of Each End System
Due to the regulatory requirements applicable to split-module designs, QCA only offers modular
approval for this product to certain customers and imposes conditions and limitations on the end
integrators. To ensure end-system compliance with the applicable regulations, integrators must
submit each end system design to QCA for a design review before finalizing the design and
before marketing or selling the end product. This design review includes:
Review of system schematic and layout for adherence to QCA provided layout, keepout
areas, antenna matching and trace layout. This design guidance is provided in the separately
supplied document: WCN3660 MoB Design Guidelines 80-WL300-11.
Review of antenna spec sheets including placement
Determination of need for RF testing using the applicable Part 15 test procedures to evaluate
the presence of in-band and out-of-band noise introduced by end system into the radio
transmit path
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WCN3660 Split Modular Certification System Integrator Instructions
Depending on the results of above evaluations, QCA may determine that Part 15 radiated
conformance testing is required for the end system per FCC permissive change procedures.
RF Safety Review (per next section)
NOTE: Design review by QCA is required for every variant (SKU) of the end-system.
NOTE: Integrators must inform QCA if changes to other (non-QCA) radios in the system are planned
after original certification is completed. In particular, switching to alternate pin-compatible
radio chips or alternate radio front end critical components may impact compliance of the QCA
WLAN device and end-system with FCC rules. QCA must be notified of such changes so that
impact to FCC compliance can be evaluated for the system.
NOTE: WCN3660/APQ hardware supports FM transmit/receive features which are not included in the
scope of the modular approval. Enabling the FM feature requires additional testing and
certification submissions.
QCA will use the following criteria during the design review and determine the appropriate level
of end-system RF compliance testing before the design is formally accepted for production:
New end-system designs (i.e., designs not previously launched) require FCC 15.247 &
15.407 radiated conformance testing and a permissive change report prepared by an
experienced and competent FCC test lab. Emissions levels (compared to the original QCA
split modular certification) will determine if Class 1 or Class 2 procedures applies. Class 2
emissions reports would be submitted at the same time as the SAR permissive change filing.
End system variants using identical radio, antenna placement, host board design and
enclosure as the originally certified end system, will need QCA design review. QCA may
determine that partial/limited radiated conformance testing is needed.
However, if the design review determines the differences between the previous and new
system cannot impact conformance, then QCA may determine new radiated conformance
testing is not necessary. Examples are change in memory capacity or camera features.
However, the System Integrator is always responsible for ensuring compliance of each end
system variant with FCC and global regulatory requirements.
QCA will provide a written response to the System Integrator stating the conclusion of the design
review and actions that the System Integrator must take before launching the end system. This
may be in the form of an RFP document created by QCA to be provided to a test lab detailing the
required permissive change testing and submissions for the new system.
4 Antenna Placement inside the Host System and RF Safety
The FCC and other countries’ communications regulatory bodies impose strict conditions and
limitations on the RF exposure levels of end products. Acceptable RF exposure levels depend on
transmit power, the location of the transmitting antenna(s) inside the host system and the
expected separation of the transmitting antennas to the end user. System Integrators must take
great care to ensure each host system complies with the applicable RF exposure requirements.
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WCN3660 Split Modular Certification System Integrator Instructions
NOTE: QCA requires System Integrators to complete an RF Safety design review of each end system, as
noted in Section 3 above.
The RF Safety design review will determine what FCC and international RF Safety
regulations apply to each end system.
Portable category systems (per FCC rules) must undergo FCC Part 15 RF Safety evaluation
and Class 2 permissive change filings. This includes WLAN SAR testing and, if applicable,
colocation SAR testing of WLAN and WWAN or other applicable transmitters collocated or
plugged into the system.
QCA will discuss with the System Integrator ownership of the FCC SAR testing and
permissive change filings. QCA must review the final SAR test reports prior to their
submission to regulatory agencies.
QCA also requires design review of any new or modified host systems launched by the
System Integrator after original certifications are completed. Additional RF Safety
evaluation, testing and/or regulatory filings may be required before such systems may be
launched.
Contact your Qualcomm Atheros account representative with any questions regarding compliance
of the host system(s) with these instructions.
5 Available Global Modular Approvals from Qualcomm
Atheros (QCA)
Split Modular certification is limited to those countries for which QCA has obtained radio
modular approvals. Integrators can access the current list of certified countries in one of two
ways:
1. Log on to the QCA secure customer support site. Follow the links to regulatory certifications.
Search for the folder WCN3660 on the support site.
Or, if you do not have access to the customer support site:
2. Contact your QCA account representative to request access to the country list and modular
certificates.
System Integrators must receive their own radio certification for any country in which the system
will be sold if a modular certification for that country is not available from QCA.
6 Additional Regulatory Conformance Testing and/or
Submissions Required by the Integrator
The global modular certifications apply to radio conformance for the Split Module only.
The System Integrator is responsible for additional system-level EMI/EMC and Product
Safety testing and certification that applies in the U.S. and other countries to the host system
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