I am planning to build a product using your nRF24L01+ chip. To make it comercially available in the USA, do I need an FCC license if I use this chip? What kind of licenses do I need?
Thank you for your time,
Robert
The legal answer is: You need to test, and submit a test report, to the FCC under part 15. Then they will give you a FCC ID number that you can use to sell the devices.
You may be able to use someone elses printed wiring board design, with the nordic chip on it, who has already submitted their design for a FCC ID number.
Techinically, it is not a license…you can use it anywhere in the USA. You are just verifying that it meets the limits for “unlicensed” operation.
The test report makes sure you are in the right frequency band, the transmit power and harmonic power is low enough, and you are using the correct modulation spectrum.
$10-30K in the US for the filing for Type Certification. No license needed.PIC-User:
I am planning to build a product using your nRF24L01+ chip. To make it comercially available in the USA, do I need an FCC license if I use this chip? What kind of licenses do I need?Thank you for your time,
Robert
Save money by using a Digi XBee series 1 that is already type certified in many countries as a module, not a chip.
Hmm, that’s a lot of money for an FCC certification. Now, I’m looking at the MRF24J40MA microchip modules. They have an FCC id number and they are fairly cheap.
You will still need to demonstrate FCC conformity for the MCU controlling the module. It will be a lot cheaper than for a transceiver module, of course.
using a naked radio versus an OEM module like the XBee with it's application firmware that may meet some or all of your requirements. Don't overlook the value of a full MAC layer protocol embedded in the module too- being 802.15.4, and it being interoperable with other vendors.PIC-User:
Hmm, that’s a lot of money for an FCC certification. Now, I’m looking at the MRF24J40MA microchip modules. They have an FCC id number and they are fairly cheap.
leon_heller:
You will still need to demonstrate FCC conformity for the MCU controlling the module. It will be a lot cheaper than for a transceiver module, of course.
Part 15 does define a label for computers. It’s set up so manufacturers can include wireless cards in their computers. The label essentially states that the product is assembled from tested components but not tested as a whole.
IANAL, so I can’t say with any legal certainty if the computer exception applies to an MCU, but it may be worth putting a call into the drones at the FCC about.
Of course anything more than small scale (100+ units/year) should get tested anyway for liability’s sake. Certification is cheaper than a fine.
In the US, I understand that the FCC requires a type certification report for all electronics devices, at least for consumer devices under Class B (or is it A?, the consumer/home class is more stringent than the industrial class). As I recall, it matters not that the device’s purpose is to be a transmitter. Hence TVs and whatnot have to have a type cert.
Part 15 transmitters have lots of regulations depending on the frequency band and modulation methods, e.g., sub-GHz rules are far more strict about duty cycle and freq. hopping. The onerous specs are the emissions mask (channel power/bandwidth) regulations. And Japan, France and others are far more stringent that the US.
The regulations are available online, if you care. You’re looking for title 47 part 15, and you can start here: [Title 47 part 15.
A couple of clues to help you with this mess:
Class A and Class B are defined in 15.3 (Definitions, how logical is that?). If it’s “marketed for use by the general public” it’s Class B, and standards are stricter.
Intentional Radiators: it is supposed to radiate RF energy. It’s a Radio!
Unintentional Radiators: it radiates, but not in order to communicate. It’s a TV receiver or a computer or something of that ilk. It’s Not A Radio (but it radiates)!
Have fun! The Real Answer ™ to any question you might have is in there. As you can see if you look at the regulations, it’s not really easy to summarize.](http://ecfr.gpoaccess.gov/cgi/t/text/text-idx?c=ecfr&sid=2a611d3b89795659895a0caf303c2f01&rgn=div5&view=text&node=47:1.0.1.1.14&idno=47)
Guys,
Thank you all for your comments. All this FCC regulations are really confusing 
. However, in the datasheet for the MRF24J40MA module you can read the following
So, this module seems to be like the appropiate part for a commercial wireless communication. Comments? Ideas?The MRF24J40MA module operates
in the non-licensed 2.4 GHz frequency band and
is FCC, IC and ETSI compliant. The integrated module
design frees the integrator from extensive RF and
antenna design, and regulatory compliance testing,
allowing quicker time to market.
The FCC type acceptance of the wireless module eliminates cost and risk in achieving the end item, but the end item, I believe, must still have an FCC filing for class A or B depending on the market target.