AN4126 Application note Using the SPIRIT1 transceiver under FCC title 47 part 15 in the 902 - 928 MHz band By Placido De Vita Introduction The SPIRIT1 is a very low power RF transceiver, intended for RF wireless applications in the sub-1 GHz band. It is designed to operate in both the license-free ISM and SRD frequency bands at 169, 315, 433, 868 and 915 MHz. This application note outlines the expected performance when using the SPIRIT1 under FCC title 47 part 15 [2] in the 902 to 928 MHz band. There are no specific requirements in this band, no specific use and no channel spacing are defined. For details on the regulatory limits in the 902 - 928 MHz frequency band, please, refer to the FCC title 47 part 15 regulations [2]. These can be downloaded from www.scc-ares-races.org/FCCpartstitles.html. August 2012 Doc ID 023299 Rev 1 1/28 www.st.com Contents AN4126 Contents 1 An overview of FCC regulations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4 1.1 Part 15.247 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4 1.2 Part 15.249 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5 1.3 Parts 15.205 and 15.209 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5 2 Application circuit . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8 3 Transmitter parameter . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11 3.1 Part 15.247 measurement for frequency hopping systems . . . . . . . . . . . 11 3.1.1 20 dB channel bandwidth . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11 3.1.2 Carrier frequency separation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12 3.1.3 Number of hopping channels . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12 3.1.4 Frequency hopping systems peak output power . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13 3.1.5 Frequency hopping systems 100 kHz bandwidth of band edges conducted emission . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14 3.1.6 3.2 Spurious RF conducted emission . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16 Part 15.247 measurement for digital modulation schemes . . . . . . . . . . . 17 3.2.1 Signal bandwidth . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17 3.2.2 Digital modulation schemes peak output power . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18 3.2.3 Power spectral density . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19 3.2.4 Digital modulation schemes 100 kHz bandwidth of band edges conducted emission . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20 3.2.5 3.3 Spurious RF conducted emission . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 22 Part 15.249 measurements . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 23 3.3.1 Peak output power . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 23 3.3.2 Conducted harmonics and other harmonics emissions . . . . . . . . . . . . . 24 4 Receiver parameter . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 26 5 Reference . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 26 6 Revision history . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 27 2/28 Doc ID 023299 Rev 1 AN4126 List of figures List of figures Figure 1. Figure 2. Figure 3. Figure 4. Figure 5. Figure 6. Figure 7. Figure 8. Figure 9. Figure 10. Figure 11. Figure 12. Figure 13. Figure 14. Figure 15. Figure 16. Figure 17. Figure 18. Figure 19. Figure 20. Figure 21. SPIRIT1 application daughterboard . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8 SPIRIT1 application daughterboard plugged on the motherboard . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9 Daughterboard schematic. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10 20 dB channel bandwidth measurement . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11 Minimum carrier frequency separation measurement. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12 Full band hopping channels measurement . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13 Peak output power measurement . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14 902 MHz band edge conducted emission measurement . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15 928 MHz band edge conducted emission measurement . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15 Spurious conducted emission below 1 GHz measurement . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16 Spurious conducted emission above 1 GHz measurement . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17 6 dB bandwidth measurement . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18 Peak output power measurement . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19 Power spectral density measurement. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20 902 MHz band edge conducted emission measurement . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 21 928 MHz band edge conducted emission measurement . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 21 Spurious conducted emission below 1 GHz measurement . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 22 Spurious conducted emission above 1 GHz measurement . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 23 Peak output power at -1 dBm measurement . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 24 Spurious conducted emission below 1 GHz measurement . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 25 Spurious conducted emission above 1 GHz measurement . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 25 Doc ID 023299 Rev 1 3/28 An overview of FCC regulations 1 AN4126 An overview of FCC regulations Low power, non-licensed devices operating in the 902 - 928 MHz band can be found everywhere, in toys, wireless security systems, wireless telemetry or wireless automatic meter reading, and so on. The FCC is the USA body responsible for implementation rules to limit the potential for interference to licensed operations by low power, non-licensed transmitters. These rules are documented in part 15 of title 47 of the FCC. For operation in the 902 - 928 MHz band, a low power, non-licensed device must meet one of the following sub-parts of the regulation: ● Part 15.243: operation is restricted for devices to use radio frequency energy to measure the characteristic of a material. Voice communication or other data transmission is not permitted. ● Part 15.245: operation is limited to devices operating as field disturbance sensors, excluding perimeter protection systems. ● Part 15.247: devices that operate to this part are limited to frequency hopping and digitally modulated schemes. ● Part 15.249: this sub-part does not enforce restrictions on either modulation scheme or the end application. The SPIRIT1 is designed to meet the 15.247 and 15.249 sub-parts, so this document continues with a description and measurement results of these two parts. 1.1 Part 15.247 Devices that operate to FCC part 15.247 are limited to frequency hopping and digitally modulated schemes. To be compliant with the frequency hopping system, the device or system must meet the following requirements: 4/28 ● Frequency hopping systems must have hopping channel carrier frequencies separated by a minimum of 25 kHz or 20 dB bandwidth of the hopping channel, whichever is greater. ● The system must hop to channel frequencies that are selected at the system hopping rate from a pseudo randomly ordered list of hopping frequencies. Each frequency must be used equally on the average by each transmitter. ● If the 20 dB bandwidth of the hopping channel is less than 250 kHz, the system must use at least 50 hopping frequencies and the average time of occupancy on any frequency must not be greater than 0.4 seconds within a 20 second period; if the 20 dB bandwidth of the channel is 250 kHz or greater, the system must use at least 25 hopping frequencies and the average time of occupancy on any frequency must not be Doc ID 023299 Rev 1 AN4126 An overview of FCC regulations greater than 0.4 seconds within a 10 second period. The maximum allowed 20 dB bandwidth of the hopping channel is 500 kHz. 1.2 ● For systems employing at least 50 channels, the maximum peak conducted output power output is +30 dBm (1 W). For systems that employ less than 50 channels, but at least 25 channels, the maximum output power is +24 dBm (0.25 W). ● In any 100 kHz bandwidth outside the frequency band of operation, the power must be at least 20 dB below that in the 100 kHz bandwidth within the band that contains the highest level of the desired power. ● Radiated harmonic and spurious emissions which fall within the restricted bands, as defined in FCC part 15.205, must comply with the radiated emission limits specified in FCC part 15.209. ● To be compliant with the digital modulation scheme the devices or systems must meet the following requirement: the minimum 6 dB bandwidth of the signal must be at least 500 kHz. ● The maximum permitted peak conducted output power is + 30 dBm (1 W). However, the power spectral density conducted from the intentional radiator to the antenna must not be greater than 8 dBm in any 3 kHz band during any time interval of continuous transmission. ● In any 100 kHz bandwidth outside the frequency band of operation, the power must be at least 20 dB below that in the 100 kHz bandwidth within the band that contains the highest level of the desired power. ● Radiated harmonic and spurious emissions which fall within the restricted bands, as defined in FCC part 15.205, must comply with the radiated emission limits specified in FCC part 15.209. Part 15.249 As opposed to part 15.247, FCC part 15.249 in the 902 - 928 MHz bandwidth does not enforce restrictions on either the modulation scheme or the end application. To be compliant with part 15.249, the device or system must meet the following requirements: ● The maximum permitted field strength is 50 mV/m. Since the field strength limits are specified at a distance of 3m from the radiating source, this equates to a conducted power of about -1 dBm measured at the antenna port. ● The maximum permitted field strength of harmonic components is 500 µV/m. This equates, at a 3 m distance, to a conducted power level of about -41 dBm measured at the antenna port. ● Radiated emission other than harmonics must be attenuated by at least 50 dB below the level of the fundamental or to the general radiated emission limits in the 15.209 section, whichever has the lesser attenuation. Sub-part 15.31 duty cycle correction applies to pulse modulated transmitters and where an average limit for carrier or spurious field strength is specified. 1.3 Parts 15.205 and 15.209 As already described in the previous paragraphs, radiated harmonics and spurious emissions of devices that comply with part 15.247 which fall within the restricted bands, as Doc ID 023299 Rev 1 5/28 An overview of FCC regulations AN4126 defined in FCC part 15.205, must comply with the radiated emission limits specified in FCC part 15.209. For any 100 kHz bandwidths outside the frequency band of operation and outside the restricted bands, the power must be at least 20 dB below that of the 100 kHz bandwidth within the band that contains the highest level of the desired power. Devices operating under part 15.249 are restricted to field strength emissions of the fundamental of 50 mV/m and harmonic emissions of 500 µV/m measured at a distance of 3 m. This means approximately -1 dBm and -41 dBm respectively, when measured conducted into a 50 Ω load. Radiated emission other than harmonics must be attenuated by at least 50 dB below the level of the fundamental or to the general radiated emission limits in the 15.209 section, whichever has the lesser attenuation. Part 15.205 shows the bands where only spurious emissions are permitted. The field strength of emissions appearing within these frequency bands must not exceed the limits shown in part 15.209. The following tables show the restricted bands, as defined in part 15.205, and the radiated and conducted emission limits are defined in part 15.209. Table 1. Restricted bands defined in part 15.205 MHz MHz MHz GHz 0.090 – 0.110 16.42 – 16.423 399.9 – 410 4.5 – 5.15 0.495 – 0.505 16.69475 – 16.69525 608 – 614 5.35 – 5.46 2.1735 – 2.1905 16.80425 – 16.80475 960 – 1240 7.25 – 7.75 4.125 – 4.128 25.5 – 25.67 1300 – 1427 8.025 – 8.5 4.17725 – 4.17775 37.5 – 38.25 1435 – 1626.5 9.0 – 9.2 4.20725 – 4.20775 73 – 74.6 1645.5 – 1646.5 9.3 – 9.5 6.215 – 6.218 74.8 – 75.2 1660 – 1710 10.6 – 12.7 6.26775 – 6.26825 108 – 121.94 1718.8 – 1722.2 13.25 – 13.4 6.31175 – 6.31225 123 – 138 2200 – 2300 14.47 – 14.5 8.291 – 8.294 149.9 – 150.05 2310 – 2390 15.35 – 16.2 8.362 – 8.366 156.52475 – 156.52525 2483.5 – 2500 17.7 – 21.4 8.37625 – 8.38675 156.7 – 156.9 2690 – 2900 22.01 – 23.12 8.41425 – 8.41475 162.0125 – 167.17 3260 – 3267 23.6 – 24.0 12.29 – 12.293 167.72 – 173.2 3332 – 3339 31.2 – 31.8 12.51975 – 12.52025 240 – 285 3345.8 – 3358 36.43 – 36.5 12.57675 – 12.57725 322 – 335.4 3600 – 4400 Above 38.6 13.36 – 13.41 6/28 Doc ID 023299 Rev 1 AN4126 Table 2. An overview of FCC regulations Radiated and conducted emission limits defined in part 15.209 Frequency [MHz] Field strength [µV/m] Measurement distance [m] Conducted [dBm] 0.009 – 0.490 2400/f [kHz] 300 12.4-20*log(f)kHz 0.490 – 1.705 24000/f [kHz] 30 12.4-20*log(f)kHz 1.705 – 30.0 30 30 -46 30 – 88 100 3 -56 88 – 216 150 3 -52 216 – 960 200 3 -49 960 500 3 -41 Doc ID 023299 Rev 1 7/28 Application circuit 2 AN4126 Application circuit Figure 1 shows an image of the SPIRIT1 application board. The application is made up of 2 boards: a daughterboard and a motherboard. The daughterboard contains the SPIRIT1 with the circuits necessary for it to work. For correct functionality, the daughterboard must be plugged on a motherboard (see Figure 2) by two header 5x2 connectors (J6 and J7). The motherboard is provided with an STM32L152VBT6 micro to correctly program the transceiver. The micro is programmed with a firmware developed for the SPIRIT1 application. A graphical user interface (GUI) has been developed to correctly program the SPIRIT1. The daughterboard is provided with a 52 MHz XTAL to provide the correct oscillator. The SPIRIT1 has an internal SMPS that drastically reduces power consumption, making it the best in class for application on this bandwidth. The SMPS is fed from the battery (1.8 V to 3.6 V) and provides the device with a programmable voltage (1.4 V typical). An SMA connector is present to connect the board at antenna or at instrumentation to verify the correct functionality and verify the ETSI standard request. A few passive inductors and capacitors are used as matching/filtering for the power amplifier (PA) and balun network for the receiver. To reduce application costs, the SPIRIT1 is designed to work without an external antenna switch. This daughterboard is designed to show the SPIRIT1 functionality in this condition. Clearly, an application with antenna switch can be realized, but this is not described in this document. Figure 1. SPIRIT1 application daughterboard AM13146v1 8/28 Doc ID 023299 Rev 1 AN4126 Application circuit Figure 2. SPIRIT1 application daughterboard plugged on the motherboard AM13147v1 Doc ID 023299 Rev 1 9/28 3V3 10/28 10 8 6 4 2 9 7 5 3 1 10 8 6 4 2 9 7 5 3 1 Doc ID 023299 Rev 1 R_0R0_0402 B2=433MHz 6 B3=868MHz B3=920MHz R_0R0_0402 R11 R_0R0_0402 B3=915MHz R_0R0_0402 R10 8 R9 7 R8 XOUT R_0R0_0402 GPIO_1 9 B1=315MHz XIN R7 GPIO_2 Mount resistor relative to used band C_12P_0402_C0G_J_50 RXP B0=169MHz VBAT2 11 12 13 14 15 C_TBD_0402_C0G C19 L7 L_10U_0805 C_10P_0402_C0G_J_50 C10 REXT TX SMPS2 21 R_0R0_0402 GPIO_3 10 C9 RXN XTAL SDn SMPS1 GND NX3225GA-xxMHz (XTAL) Y1 VREG SPIRIT1_2 4 SCLK 5 CSn VBAT1 R6 SDO SDI SCLK CSn 20 3 SDI 19 J7 HEADER 5X2 C21 C_100p_0402_C0G C_100n_0402_X7R C0 17 2 SDO 18 1 GPIO_0 U1 C_330p_0402_C0G C22 SDn C20 C_1U_0603_X7R_K_6V3 16 GPIO0 GPIO3 GPIO2 GPIO1 SPIRIT_DUMMY1 VCC_RF L8 C4 C1 L_TBD_0402 L2 C_TBD_0402_C0G L_TBD_0402 L4 C_TBD_0402_C0G C5 C_TBD_0402_C0G C_TBD_0402_C0G C8 C13 C_TBD_0402_X7R C_TBD_0402_C0G C_TBD_0402_C0G C2 C3 C_TBD_0402_C0G L3 L_TBD_0402 C_TBD_0402_C0G C7 C_TBD_0402_C0G L_TBD_0402 L_TBD_0402 L6 C6 L5 C_TBD_0402_C0G C15 L1 C14 C12 C_100n_0402_X7R L_TBD_0402 L9 C11 C_1U_0603_X7R_K_6V3 R13 R_TBD_0402 R12 R_TBD_0402 L0 L_TBD_0402_50M L_TBD_0402 L_TBD_0402 DUMMY3 3V3 J1 RF_IN/OUT Figure 3. DUMMY3 J6 HEADER 5X2 SPIRIT_DUMMY2 Application circuit AN4126 Daughterboard schematic AM13166v1 AN4126 3 Transmitter parameter Transmitter parameter All the measurements here reported are measured with the following parameters: Tc = 25 ° C, Vdd = 3.0 V, f = 915 MHz (middle frequency of the useful bandwidth), unless otherwise specified. Unless specified, the spectrum analyzer detector should be set to peak; the video bandwidth (VBW) should be equal or greater than the resolution bandwidth (RBW) of the instrument, and the display set to peak hold. 3.1 Part 15.247 measurement for frequency hopping systems 3.1.1 20 dB channel bandwidth The 20 dB channel bandwidth is defined as the difference between the upper and lower frequencies that are -20 dB relative to the peak. The measurement is performed in conducted mode connecting the SPIRIT1 application board to a spectrum analyzer. The RBW (resolution bandwidth) of the spectrum must be set to about 1% of the measured 20 dB bandwidth, the VBW (video bandwidth) must be equal to or greater than the RBW. The span must be set two or three times higher than the 20 dB measured bandwidth. Some limits are established from the FCC for frequency hopping systems operating in the 902 - 928 MHz bandwidth: for systems with at least 50 hopping frequency channels the 20 dB bandwidth must be less than 250 kHz, for systems with at least 25 hopping frequency channels the 20 dB bandwidth must be less than 500 kHz. The SPIRIT1 supports the two cases with different data rates and deviations. For example, the cases with 250 kbps data rate, 127 kHz frequency deviation and 2-FSK, GFSK with BT = 1 and GFSK with BT = 0.5 as modulation are shown in Figure 4. The three different cases have a 20 dB bandwidth lower than 500 kHz, so it is possible to work in a frequency hopping system with a data rate of 250 kbps or lower. Figure 4. 20 dB channel bandwidth measurement 10 2-FSK, 250 kbps 127 kHz 0 GFSK1, 250 kbps 127 kHz GFSK0.5, 250 kbps 127 kHz -20 dB bandwidth Output power [dBm] -10 -20 -30 -40 -50 -20 dB bandwidth -60 9.141E+08 9.143E+08 9.146E+08 9.148E+08 9.151E+08 9.153E+08 9.156E+08 9.158E+08 9.161E+08 Frequency [Hz] AM13148v1 Doc ID 023299 Rev 1 11/28 Transmitter parameter 3.1.2 AN4126 Carrier frequency separation Frequency hopping systems must have hopping channel carrier frequencies separated by a minimum of 25 kHz or the 20 dB bandwidth of the hopping channel, whichever is greater. The measurement is performed in conducted mode connecting the SPIRIT1 application board to a spectrum analyzer. The RBW (resolution bandwidth) of the spectrum is set to 100 kHz, the VBW (video bandwidth) is set equal to the RBW. The center frequency of the spectrum analyzer is set to the middle of the hopping channel, the span is adjusted wide sufficient to see the hopping channels. Since the FCC refers to the carrier frequency separation, this parameter can be measured on either an unmodulated or modulated signal. The measurement on the SPIRIT1 is done with an unmodulated carrier. The measured channel separation is the minimum possible, 25 kHz, and the hop is shown in Figure 5. If numerous data rates and deviation settings are applied for different modes of operation, a separate measurement must be made for each mode. Figure 5. Minimum carrier frequency separation measurement 20 25 kHz hopping 10 Output power [dBm] 0 -10 -20 -30 -40 -50 -60 9.151E+08 9.151E+08 9.151E+08 9.151E+08 Frequency [Hz] 3.1.3 9.151E+08 9.151E+08 AM13150v1 Number of hopping channels Frequency hopping systems operating in the 902 - 928 MHz band use at least 25 or 50 hopping frequencies. To perform this measurement, set the spectrum with the start frequency to 902 MHz and stop frequency to 928 MHz. The RBW (resolution bandwidth) of the spectrum is set to 100 kHz, the VBW (video bandwidth) is set equal to the RBW. In the SPIRIT1, the full bandwidth coverage is measured with 53 jumps from 902 MHz to 928 MHz with a step of 500 kHz. So it is possible to show that more than 50 hopping channels are covered by SPIRIT1, making it useful in applications that want to work on FCC part 15.247 frequency hopping systems. 12/28 Doc ID 023299 Rev 1 AN4126 Transmitter parameter Figure 6. Full band hopping channels measurement 20 500 kHz hopping 10 0 Output power [dBm] -10 -20 -30 -40 -50 -60 9.00E+08 9.05E+08 9.10E+08 9.15E+08 9.20E+08 9.25E+08 9.30E+08 Frequency [Hz] AM13149v1 3.1.4 Frequency hopping systems peak output power To measure the peak output power, center the spectrum analyzer on a hopping channel and put the SPIRIT1 into modulated mode. Set the span about 5 times the 20 dB bandwidth measured, the RBW greater than the 20 dB bandwidth and the VBW equal or greater than the RBW. The maximum permitted output power is 30 dBm (1 W) for the 50 hopping channels and 24 dBm (0.25 W) for the 25 hopping channels. To perform this measurement on the SPIRIT1, the cases with 2-FSK modulation, 250 kbps data rate and 127 kHz frequency deviation are chosen. The span is set to 2 MHz (4 times the 20 dB measured bandwidth), the RBW is set to 1 MHz (greater than the 20 dB bandwidth), and the VBW equal to the RBW. The measured SPIRIT1 output power is 10 dBm. This output power is lower than the maximum permitted output power. An external PA must be used to reach the maximum output power. Doc ID 023299 Rev 1 13/28 Transmitter parameter Figure 7. AN4126 Peak output power measurement 20 2-FSK, 250 kbps, 127 kHz 15 Output power [dBm] 10 5 0 -5 -10 9.140E+08 9.145E+08 9.150E+08 9.155E+08 9.160E+08 Frequency [Hz] AM13151v1 3.1.5 Frequency hopping systems 100 kHz bandwidth of band edges conducted emission According to part 15.247, in any 100 kHz bandwidth outside the frequency bands in which the spread spectrum intentional radiator is operating, the radio frequency power that is produced by the intentional radiator must be at least 20 dB below that in the 100 kHz bandwidth within the band that contains the highest level of the desired power. In addition, radiated emissions which fall in the restricted bands, as defined in part 15.205, must also comply with the radiated emission limits specified in part 15.209. To perform these measurements, select the channels closest to the frequency band edges at 902 MHz and 928 MHz. Set the span to be wide enough to observe the peak level of the emission on the channel closest to the band edge as well as any modulation products that fall outside the authorized band of operation. The RBW (resolution bandwidth) is set to 100 kHz, and the VBW is set to 100 kHz or greater. The measurements are performed at 902 and 928 MHz with a data rate of 250 kbps, a frequency deviation of 127 kHz and a 2-FSK modulation. In Figure 8 and 9 the measured spectrums are shown. The conducted emissions in the band edges are lower than 20 dB integrated in 100 kHz bandwidth, making the SPIRIT1 usable for FCC part 15.247. 14/28 Doc ID 023299 Rev 1 AN4126 Transmitter parameter Figure 8. 902 MHz band edge conducted emission measurement 20 2-FSK, 250 kbps, 127 kHz 10 20 dB 0 Output power [dBm] -10 -20 -30 -40 902 MHz band edge -50 -60 8.995E+08 9.000E+08 9.005E+08 9.010E+08 9.015E+08 9.020E+08 9.025E+08 9.030E+08 9.035E+08 9.040E+08 Frequency [Hz] AM13152v1 Figure 9. 928 MHz band edge conducted emission measurement 20 2-FSK, 250 kbps, 127 kHz 10 20 dB 0 Output power [dBm] -10 -20 -30 -40 -50 928 MHz band edge -60 9.255E+08 9.260E+08 9.265E+08 9.270E+08 9.275E+08 9.280E+08 9.285E+08 9.290E+08 9.295E+08 9.300E+08 9.305E+08 Frequency [Hz] AM13153v1 Doc ID 023299 Rev 1 15/28 Transmitter parameter 3.1.6 AN4126 Spurious RF conducted emission According to FCC part 15.247, all the other emissions outside these bands must not exceed the general radiated emission limits specified in part 15.209. According to part 15.33, for an intentional radiator operating below 10 GHz, the frequency range of measurements must be until the tenth harmonic of the highest fundamental or to 40 GHz, whichever is lower. The SPIRIT1’s highest fundamental frequency is 928 MHz, so the tenth harmonic is 9.28 GHz which is the frequency range of measurement. In Figure 10 and 11 the spurious conducted emissions and the FCC emission mask are shown. The carrier is modulated with a 2-FSK modulation with a data rate of 250 kbps and a frequency deviation of 127 kHz. The SPIRIT1 fully complies with the conducted spurious emission requirements. Figure 10. Spurious conducted emission below 1 GHz measurement 20 2-FSK, 250 kbps, 127 kHz 10 0 Output power [dBm] -10 -20 -30 -40 -50 -60 -70 1.000E+07 1.100E+08 2.100E+08 3.100E+08 4.100E+08 5.100E+08 6.100E+08 7.100E+08 8.100E+08 9.100E+08 Frequency [Hz] AM13154v1 16/28 Doc ID 023299 Rev 1 AN4126 Transmitter parameter Figure 11. Spurious conducted emission above 1 GHz measurement 0 2-FSK, 250 kbps, 127 kHz -10 Output power [dBm] -20 -30 -40 -50 -60 -70 1.000E+09 2.000E+09 3.000E+09 4.000E+09 5.000E+09 6.000E+09 7.000E+09 8.000E+09 9.000E+09 1.000E+10 Frequency [Hz] AM13155v1 3.2 Part 15.247 measurement for digital modulation schemes 3.2.1 Signal bandwidth The 6 dB channel bandwidth is defined as the difference between the upper and lower frequencies that are -6 dB relative to the peak. The measurement is performed in conducted mode connecting the SPIRIT1 application board to a spectrum analyzer. The RBW (resolution bandwidth) of the spectrum must be set to about 1% of the measured 6 dB bandwidth, the VBW (video bandwidth) must be equal or greater than the RBW. The span must be set wide enough to capture the entire modulation envelope. In Figure 12 the case with 2-FSK modulation, 500 kbps data rate and 250 kHz frequency deviation is shown. The 6 dB bandwidth is more than 500 kHz, so the SPIRIT1 is usable for the digital modulation schemes as defined in FCC part 15.247. Doc ID 023299 Rev 1 17/28 Transmitter parameter AN4126 Figure 12. 6 dB bandwidth measurement 20 10 0 Output power [dBm] 2-FSK, 500 kbps 250 kHz 6 dB bandwidth -10 -20 -30 -40 6 dB bandwidth -50 9.131E+08 9.136E+08 9.141E+08 9.146E+08 9.151E+08 9.156E+08 9.161E+08 9.166E+08 9.171E+08 Frequency [Hz] AM13156v1 3.2.2 Digital modulation schemes peak output power To measure the peak output power, center the spectrum analyzer on the required channel and put the SPIRIT1 into modulated mode. Set the span about 5 times the 6 dB bandwidth measurement, the RBW greater than the 6 dB bandwidth and the VBW equal to or greater than the RBW. The maximum permitted peak conducted output power is 30 dBm (1 W). The SPIRIT1 output power is lower than the maximum permitted output power. An external PA can be used to reach the maximum output power. To perform this measurement on the SPIRIT1, the cases with 2-FSK modulation, 500 kbps data rate and 250 kHz frequency deviation are chosen. The span is set to 2 MHz (3 times the 6 dB measured bandwidth), the RBW is set to 1 MHz (greater than the 6 dB bandwidth), and the VBW equal to the RBW. The measured SPIRIT1 output power is 10 dBm. This output power is lower than the maximum permitted output power. An external PA must be used to reach the maximum output power. 18/28 Doc ID 023299 Rev 1 AN4126 Transmitter parameter Figure 13. Peak output power measurement 20 2-FSK, 500 kbps, 250 kHz 15 Output power [dBm] 10 5 0 -5 -10 9.140E+08 9.145E+08 9.150E+08 9.155E+08 9.160E+08 Frequency [Hz] AM13157v1 3.2.3 Power spectral density The power spectral density conducted from the intentional radiator to the antenna must not be greater than 8 dBm in any 3 kHz band during any time interval of continuous transmission. The method to measure the power spectral density is similar to that used for the conducted output power. The spectrum analyzer must be centered on the emission peak within the signal passband. Set the RBW (resolution bandwidth) to 3 kHz and the VBW (video bandwidth) greater than the RBW. Set the span to obtain a measured spectral line spacing greater than 3 kHz: in this case no correction factor is required. If it is not possible to set a measured spectral line spacing greater than 3 kHz, measure directly the noise power density normalized to 1 Hz, then add 35 dB for correction to 3 kHz. The peak measured signal level should not exceed +8 dBm. To perform this measurement, the SPIRIT1 is programmed with a 2-FSK modulation with 500 kbps data rate and 250 kHz frequency deviation. The measurement result is shown in Figure 14. The SPIRIT1 meets the power spectral density requirement with large margin. Doc ID 023299 Rev 1 19/28 Transmitter parameter AN4126 Figure 14. Power spectral density measurement 20 2-FSK, 500 kbps 250 kHz Max power spectral density 10 Output power [dBm] 0 -10 -20 -30 -40 -50 9.150E+08 9.150E+08 9.150E+08 9.151E+08 9.151E+08 9.151E+08 9.151E+08 9.151E+08 9.151E+08 9.151E+08 Frequency [Hz] AM13158v1 3.2.4 Digital modulation schemes 100 kHz bandwidth of band edges conducted emission According to part 15.247, in any 100 kHz bandwidth outside the frequency bands in which the spread spectrum intentional radiator is operating, the radio frequency power that is produced by the intentional radiator must be at least 20 dB below that in the 100 kHz bandwidth within the band that contains the highest level of the desired power. In addition, radiated emissions which fall in the restricted bands, as defined in part 15.205, must also comply with the radiated emission limits specified in part 15.209. To perform these measurements, select the channels closest to the frequency band edges at 902 MHz and 928 MHz. Set the span to be wide enough to observe the peak level of the emission on the channel closest to the band edge as well as any modulation products that fall outside the authorized band of operation. The RBW (resolution bandwidth) is set to 100 kHz, the RBW is set to 100 kHz or greater. The measurements are performed at 902 and 928 MHz with a data rate of 500 kbps, a frequency deviation of 250 kHz and a 2-FSK modulation. In Figure 15 and 16 the measured spectrums are shown. The conducted emissions in the band edges are lower than 20 dB integrated in 100 kHz bandwidth, making the SPIRIT1 usable for the FCC part 15.247 digital modulation scheme. 20/28 Doc ID 023299 Rev 1 AN4126 Transmitter parameter Figure 15. 902 MHz band edge conducted emission measurement 20 2-FSK, 500 kbps, 250 kHz 10 20 dB 0 Output power [dBm] -10 -20 -30 -40 902 MHz band edge -50 -60 8.995E+08 9.000E+08 9.005E+08 9.010E+08 9.015E+08 9.020E+08 9.025E+08 9.030E+08 9.035E+08 9.040E+08 Frequency [Hz] AM13159v1 Figure 16. 928 MHz band edge conducted emission measurement 20 2-FSK, 500 kbps, 250 kHz 10 20 dB 0 Output power [dBm] -10 -20 -30 -40 -50 928 MHz band edge -60 9.255E+08 9.260E+08 9.265E+08 9.270E+08 9.275E+08 9.280E+08 9.285E+08 9.290E+08 9.295E+08 9.300E+08 9.305E+08 Frequency [Hz] AM13160v1 Doc ID 023299 Rev 1 21/28 Transmitter parameter 3.2.5 AN4126 Spurious RF conducted emission According to FCC part 15.247, all the other emissions outside these bands must not exceed the general radiated emission limits specified in part 15.209. According to part 15.33, for an intentional radiator operating below 10 GHz, the frequency range of measurements must be until the tenth harmonic of the highest fundamental or to 40 GHz, whichever is lower. The SPIRIT1’s highest fundamental frequency is 928 MHz, so the tenth harmonic is 9.28 GHz which is the frequency range of measurement. In Figure 17 and 18 the spurious conducted emissions and the FCC emission mask are shown. The carrier is modulated with a 2-FSK modulation with a data rate of 500 kbps and a frequency deviation of 250 kHz. The SPIRIT1 fully complies with the conducted spurious emission requirements. Figure 17. Spurious conducted emission below 1 GHz measurement 20 2-FSK, 500 kbps, 250 kHz 10 0 Output power [dBm] -10 -20 -30 -40 -50 -60 -70 1.000E+07 1.100E+08 2.100E+08 3.100E+08 4.100E+08 5.100E+08 6.100E+08 7.100E+08 8.100E+08 9.100E+08 Frequency [Hz] AM13161v1 22/28 Doc ID 023299 Rev 1 AN4126 Transmitter parameter Figure 18. Spurious conducted emission above 1 GHz measurement 0 2-FSK, 500 kbps, 250 kHz -10 Output power [dBm] -20 -30 -40 -50 -60 -70 1.000E+09 2.000E+09 3.000E+09 4.000E+09 5.000E+09 6.000E+09 7.000E+09 8.000E+09 9.000E+09 1.000E+10 Frequency [Hz] AM13162v1 3.3 Part 15.249 measurements 3.3.1 Peak output power There are no particular requirements regarding the maximum permitted peak output power. The max. output power must be about -1 dBm and no restrictions are defined for the modulation scheme or the end application. To perform this measurement on the SPIRIT1, the cases with 2-FSK modulation, 500 kbps data rate and 250 kHz frequency deviation are chosen. The span is set to 2 MHz, the RBW is set to 1 MHz, and the VBW equal to the RBW. The measured SPIRIT1 output power is -1 dBm. This output power is the maximum permitted output power in accordance with FCC part 15.249 requirements. Doc ID 023299 Rev 1 23/28 Transmitter parameter AN4126 Figure 19. Peak output power at -1 dBm measurement 6 2-FSK, 500 kbps, 250 kHz 4 2 0 Output power [dBm] -2 -4 -6 -8 -10 -12 -14 -16 9.140E+08 9.145E+08 9.150E+08 9.155E+08 9.160E+08 Frequency [Hz] AM13163v1 3.3.2 Conducted harmonics and other harmonics emissions The maximum permitted field strength of harmonic components for the device working on the 902 - 928 MHz band is 500 µV/m at 3 m distance: this equates to a conducted power level of about -41 dBm. Emissions radiated outside the specified frequency band, except for harmonics, must be attenuated by at least 50 dB below the level of the fundamental or to the general radiated emission limits in part 15.209, whichever has the lesser attenuation. According to part 15.33, for an intentional radiator operating below 10 GHz, the frequency range of measurements must be until the tenth harmonic of the highest fundamental or to 40 GHz, whichever is lower. The SPIRIT1’s highest fundamental frequency is 928 MHz, so the tenth harmonic is 9.28 GHz which is the frequency range of measurement. In Figure 20 and 21 the harmonics and other harmonics conducted emissions are shown. The FCC emission mask in accordance with part 15.249 and 15.209 requirements is also reported. The carrier is modulated with a 2-FSK modulation with a data rate of 500 kbps and a frequency deviation of 250 kHz. The SPIRIT1 fully complies with the conducted spurious emission requirements. Pay attention to Figure 21 as it may seem that the 2nd harmonics doesn't meet the specification. The requirement for this spurious level is -41 dBm as the maximum level, the spurious level is -43 dBm, so the specification is met. 24/28 Doc ID 023299 Rev 1 AN4126 Transmitter parameter Figure 20. Spurious conducted emission below 1 GHz measurement 10 2-FSK, 500 kbps, 250 kHz 0 -10 Output power [dBm] -20 -30 -40 -50 -60 -70 1.000E+07 1.100E+08 2.100E+08 3.100E+08 4.100E+08 5.100E+08 6.100E+08 7.100E+08 8.100E+08 9.100E+08 Frequency [Hz] AM13164v1 Figure 21. Spurious conducted emission above 1 GHz measurement -20 2-FSK, 500 kbps, 250 kHz -25 -30 2nd harmonic Output power [dBm] -35 -40 -45 -50 -55 -60 -65 -70 1.000E+09 2.000E+09 3.000E+09 4.000E+09 5.000E+09 6.000E+09 7.000E+09 8.000E+09 9.000E+09 1.000E+10 Frequency [Hz] AM13165v1 Doc ID 023299 Rev 1 25/28 Receiver parameter 4 AN4126 Receiver parameter No specific requirements are defined for FCC compliance of the receiver in the US FCC title 47 part 15 [2] in the 902 to 928 MHz band. No measurements were done for the receiver. 5 26/28 Reference 1. SPIRIT1 datasheet 2. FCC title 47 part 15: “Radio frequency devices” Doc ID 023299 Rev 1 AN4126 6 Revision history Revision history Table 3. Document revision history Date Revision 02-Aug-2012 1 Changes Initial release. Doc ID 023299 Rev 1 27/28 AN4126 Please Read Carefully: Information in this document is provided solely in connection with ST products. STMicroelectronics NV and its subsidiaries (“ST”) reserve the right to make changes, corrections, modifications or improvements, to this document, and the products and services described herein at any time, without notice. All ST products are sold pursuant to ST’s terms and conditions of sale. Purchasers are solely responsible for the choice, selection and use of the ST products and services described herein, and ST assumes no liability whatsoever relating to the choice, selection or use of the ST products and services described herein. No license, express or implied, by estoppel or otherwise, to any intellectual property rights is granted under this document. If any part of this document refers to any third party products or services it shall not be deemed a license grant by ST for the use of such third party products or services, or any intellectual property contained therein or considered as a warranty covering the use in any manner whatsoever of such third party products or services or any intellectual property contained therein. UNLESS OTHERWISE SET FORTH IN ST’S TERMS AND CONDITIONS OF SALE ST DISCLAIMS ANY EXPRESS OR IMPLIED WARRANTY WITH RESPECT TO THE USE AND/OR SALE OF ST PRODUCTS INCLUDING WITHOUT LIMITATION IMPLIED WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY, FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE (AND THEIR EQUIVALENTS UNDER THE LAWS OF ANY JURISDICTION), OR INFRINGEMENT OF ANY PATENT, COPYRIGHT OR OTHER INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY RIGHT. UNLESS EXPRESSLY APPROVED IN WRITING BY TWO AUTHORIZED ST REPRESENTATIVES, ST PRODUCTS ARE NOT RECOMMENDED, AUTHORIZED OR WARRANTED FOR USE IN MILITARY, AIR CRAFT, SPACE, LIFE SAVING, OR LIFE SUSTAINING APPLICATIONS, NOR IN PRODUCTS OR SYSTEMS WHERE FAILURE OR MALFUNCTION MAY RESULT IN PERSONAL INJURY, DEATH, OR SEVERE PROPERTY OR ENVIRONMENTAL DAMAGE. ST PRODUCTS WHICH ARE NOT SPECIFIED AS "AUTOMOTIVE GRADE" MAY ONLY BE USED IN AUTOMOTIVE APPLICATIONS AT USER’S OWN RISK. Resale of ST products with provisions different from the statements and/or technical features set forth in this document shall immediately void any warranty granted by ST for the ST product or service described herein and shall not create or extend in any manner whatsoever, any liability of ST. ST and the ST logo are trademarks or registered trademarks of ST in various countries. Information in this document supersedes and replaces all information previously supplied. The ST logo is a registered trademark of STMicroelectronics. All other names are the property of their respective owners. © 2012 STMicroelectronics - All rights reserved STMicroelectronics group of companies Australia - Belgium - Brazil - Canada - China - Czech Republic - Finland - France - Germany - Hong Kong - India - Israel - Italy - Japan Malaysia - Malta - Morocco - Philippines - Singapore - Spain - Sweden - Switzerland - United Kingdom - United States of America www.st.com 28/28 Doc ID 023299 Rev 1