Response:
1. Modular transmitters or limited modular transmitters are not defined or
described in the FCC rules, by TCBs, or by test laboratories.
Manufacturers or their agents must contact the Commission to
determine if a device can be classified and approved under the
Commission’s modular or limited modular policy.
2. Modular and limited modular transmitters have been authorized under
the following FCC policy that has evolved and continues to evolve as
technology and the FCC rules change. Limited modular approved
devices have the same restrictions as modular approved devices
except that limited modular approved devices are host dependent.
This means the Commission allows the limited modular transmitter to
be used in a typical limited host configuration. The limitation is usually
placed on the grant with respect to the type of host that the modular
transmitter can use. A typical example is a limited modular compact
PCI card in a laptop computer; such modular transmitters can be used
in similar configurations, as long as no other changes (such as
antenna type) are made:
A. Authorization under FCC rule part 15.231 is not permitted:
1. Strict operational and timing requirements are necessary.
2. Data transmission is prohibited except for operation under Section 15.231(e)
field strength levels and timing requirements.
3. If a modular transmitter is granted for operation under section (a) through (d)
of Part 15.231 rules, there is no assurance that this module will not be used
for data transmission in violation of Section 15.231(e) field strength levels
and timing requirements in some usage.
B. There are no other restrictions on modular approval of a transmitter
at this time. However, as technology changes and the FCC becomes
aware of some other unforeseen problem with modular approvals,
they may extend this restriction to other sections of Part 15.
C. No official FCC Rules permit authorization of a transmitter as a
module but the following standards have been uniformly applied as a
Commission policy in support of industry needs. For a module to be
approved, the modular transmitter must:
1. Have its own RF shielding, buffered modulation/data inputs (if such inputs are
provided), contain its own power supply regulation, meet the antenna
requirements of Section 15.203, be tested in a stand-alone configuration, i.e.,
the antenna, AC or DC power and data input/output lines must be connected to
the module but, the module must not be inside another case during testing.
2. Be labeled with its own FCC ID number, and if the FCC ID is not visible when
the module is installed inside another device, then the outside of the device
into which the module is installed must also display a label referring to the
enclosed module. This exterior label can use wording such as the following:
"Contains Transmitter Module FCC ID: XYZMODEL1" or "Contains FCC ID:
XYZMODEL1." The exact wording is not specified in the FCC’s Rules (since
modules are not specifically addressed), but similar wording that expresses the
same meaning may be used.
3. Address compliance with the Commission's RF exposure limits in Sections
1.1310 and 2.1093. Unlicensed PCS devices operating under Subpart D of
Part 15, UNII devices operating under Subpart E of Part 15, and millimeter
wave devices operating under Sections 15.253 and 15.255 require routine
environmental evaluation for RF exposure prior to equipment authorization in
accordance with Sections 15.319(i), 15.407(f), 15.253(f) and 15.255(g),
respectively. Therefore, routine RF evaluation is required for these tramitters.
In addition, spread spectrum transmitters operating under Section 15.247 are
required to address RF exposure compliance in accordance with Section
15.247(b)(4). If it cannot be demonstrated that a spread spectrum transmitter
will meet these requirements with proper installation, operating/ warning
statements or labels, routine RF evaluation must be used to demonstrate
compliance. In short, demonstrating compliance with the RF exposure limits
for a modular transmitter will be handled on a case-by-case basis, with the
knowledge of final usage ultimately determining the possibility of approval for
the module.
4. Have on the grant either the word "module" or "modular" in the description of
the device. This is so the FCC can identify that the transmitter was approved
as a module.