I have purchased Sparkfun GE865 EVK in past which hosts Telit GSM/GPRS module. Now that I try to integrate this Telit Cell module into my product I am informed by distributor that full FCC/PTCRB and Carrier Certification Testing (many months and many $$$) is necessary. What does “certified module” actually mean if re-testing is required? How does Sparkfun get to sell this EVK (and others) (I assume they don’t spend tens of thousands of dollars to sell the eval kits)? Thanks for any input on this.
The modules are certified to be FCC but on their own. When you add them to product the product itself must comply with regulation. Sparkfun gets away without FCC because its not selling these in large enough numbers and not as finished products.
For example, the “Raspberry Pi” computer recently had to go through FCC testing. Although it was being sold as unfinished dev board, the numbers it was selling in meant it count be sold without full product qualification
So , if you are making a dev board and not selling millions of them then you don’t need FCC. But if you are selling finished product OR selling millions of dev kits that will make their way into domestic use you need to get FCC .
Still curious about the cost/time for PTCRB and carrier testing. All I add is LDO for voltage regulation, the 50 Ohm antenna trace and approved antenna connector and antenna. Module is already PTCRB certified, but end user certification must be applied for. Any information you can offer?
chuber001:
Still curious about the cost/time for PTCRB and carrier testing. All I add is LDO for voltage regulation, the 50 Ohm antenna trace and approved antenna connector and antenna. Module is already PTCRB certified, but end user certification must be applied for. Any information you can offer?
PTCRB testing can cost anywhere from $8,000 - $20,000, depending on the equipment. For example, a device with a quad band chip will have to be tested on all four bands, even though it is only intended for use on one (e.g., GSM 1900) band.