Atheros Communications, Inc. Company Confidential Atheros AR6103 SiP Modular Certification Instructions to OEM Integrators Jan-11 1 - DRAFT Atheros Communications, Inc. Company Confidential 20002010 by Atheros Communications, Inc. All rights reserved. Atheros, Atheros Driven, Atheros XR, Driving the Wireless Future, ROCm, Super AG, Super G, Total 802.11n, and Wake on Wireless are registered by Atheros Communications, Inc. Atheros SST, Signal-
Sustain Technology, the Air is Cleaner at 5-GHz, XSPAN, Wireless Future. Unleashed Now., and 5-
UP are trademarks of Atheros Communications, Inc. The Atheros logo is a registered trademark of Atheros Communications, Inc. All other trademarks are the property of their respective holders. Notice The information in this document has been carefully reviewed and is believed to be accurate. Nonetheless, this document is subject to change without notice, and Atheros Communications, Inc. (Atheros) assumes no responsibility for any inaccuracies that may be contained in this document, and makes no commitment to update or to keep current the contained information, or to notify a person or organization of any updates. Atheros reserves the right to make changes, at any time, in order to improve reliability, function or design and to attempt to supply the best product possible. Atheros does not represent that products described herein are free from patent infringement or from any other third party right. No part of this document may be reproduced, adapted or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, for any purpose, except as expressly set forth in a written agreement signed by Atheros. Atheros or its affiliates may have patents or pending patent applications, trademarks, copyrights, maskwork rights or other intellectual property rights that apply to the ideas, material and information expressed herein. No license to such rights is provided except as expressly set forth in a written agreement signed by Atheros. ATHEROS MAKES NO WARRANTIES OF ANY KIND WITH REGARD TO THE CONTENT OF THIS DOCUMENT. IN NO EVENT SHALL ATHEROS BE LIABLE FOR DIRECT, INDIRECT, SPECIAL, INCIDENTAL SPECULATORY OR CONSEQUENTIAL DAMAGES ARISING FROM THE USE OR INABILITY TO USE THIS PRODUCT OR DOCUMENTATION, EVEN IF ADVISED OF THE POSSIBLITY OF SUCH DAMAGES. IN PARTICULAR, ATHEROS SHALL NOT HAVE LIABILITY FOR ANY HARDWARE, SOFTWARE, OR DATA TRANSMITTED OR OTHERWISE USED WITH THE PRODUCT, INCLUDING THE COSTS OF REPAIRING, REPLACING, INTEGRATING, INSTALLING OR RECOVERING SUCH HARDWARE, SOFTWARE OR DATA. ATHEROS SPECIFICALLY DISCLAIMS THE IMPLIED WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTIBILITY AND FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE AS THEY MIGHT OTHERWISE APPLY TO THIS DOCUMENT AND TO THE IDEAS, MATERIAL AND INFORMATION EXPRESSED HEREIN. 2 - DRAFT Atheros Communications, Inc. Company Confidential Revision History Revision Description of Changes July 2010 Jan 2011 Initial Release Updated SAR Details Read in Conjunction with This Document This document must be read in conjunction with the document AR6103 SiP Module Certified Antennas. This document describes the required conditions/limitations and actions by end integrator. Failure to follow the requirements in this document will invalidate the FCC Certification. Regulatory Warning regarding allowed Antennas and SiP module implementation by End Integrators The Atheros AR6103 SiP module (FCCID: PPD-AR6103) may only be used with the antenna options specified in the separate document referenced above. You must contact your Atheros representative to discuss any proposed deviations from the specifications below. No deviation may be made without prior written agreement with Atheros. Any such deviation may require retesting and additional FCC certification submissions before being accepted. 3 - DRAFT Atheros Communications, Inc. Company Confidential Introduction This document describes mandatory steps required by the OEM integrator when designing and manufacturing any host PC, netbook or handheld system utilizing an Atheros SiP
(System in Package) radio module. Also refer to the Atheros Regulatory Compliance Guide available on the Atheros customer support site and from your Atheros customer support contact person. This document lists the mandatory responsibilities and actions of the OEM integrator. Failure to comply with all requirements and conditions in this document, may result in non-compliance of the host PC with FCC rules and invalidate the Atheros FCC certification for the module. This guide applies to WLAN Client modules that act under control of an Access Point. This document does not apply to a Client module or Access Point with radar detection feature. Allowed Antennas to be Used with the Radio Module The Integrator must request from Atheros sales or regulatory contact person the current version of the document the document AR6103 SiP Module Certified Antennas which specifies the allowable antennas and connection method for use with the certified SiP Module. You must contact the Atheros Regulatory Group to discuss necessary actions where alternate antenna models or connection schemes are desired by the end integrator. Any such deviations from the Certified Antenna specification provided by Atheros must not be implemented without prior written acceptance. Unauthorized deviations may invalidate the FCC certification of the SiP Module. Antenna Placement and RF Hazard (SAR) Compliance For host PCs or systems certified as FCC Mobile Category devices, the FCC Grant of approval for the Atheros module is only valid when the Integrator ensures antenna placement in the host system maintains at least 20 cm separation between any part of the antenna element(s) and any part of the end users body (considering their likely or usual operation position and grip). This spacing is naturally met by non-Mobile systems such as Access Points or Desktop PCs. Laptop PCs typically have integrated antennas placed high in the LCD display assembly. However, many of the host devices that use an Atheros SiP module, will fall under FCC Portable Category. Additional certification testing including RF Exposure (SAR) testing and an FCC certification submission are required to gain permission to place antennas closer than 20 cm to the end-
user (e.g. a WLAN radio in a handheld personal organizer, Netbook or Tablet PC where the 4 - DRAFT Atheros Communications, Inc. Company Confidential antennas will be close to the users hands or lap. Such host PCs will require certification per FCC rules for a Portable Category host. This restriction is specified on the FCC modular grant of approval:
The antenna used for this transmitter must be installed to provide a separation distance of at least 20 cm from all persons You must contact the Atheros Regulatory Group to evaluate need for RF Exposure evaluation and additional FCC testing and submission for host PCs where antenna element will not maintain at least 20cm separation from end user per above description. Colocation of Radio Module with Other Integrated or Plug-In Radios The FCC Grant of approval for the radio module includes a restriction that no other radio be operated inside the same host system. If other radio devices are to be integrated with the Atheros module, then additional evaluation and FCC submission may be required - outside of the scope of the existing Atheros modular approval. Also, the end-user instructions (provided by the integrator of the Atheros module) must warn end users to turn off the radio while any other plug-in radio is being operated in the same host system. This restriction is specified on the FCC modular grant of approval:
The antenna used for this transmitter must not be co-located or operating in conjunction with any other antenna or transmitter. You must contact the Atheros Regulatory Group to evaluate need for additional FCC evaluation for cases where any colocated radio exists in the same host PC as the Atheros module. 5 - DRAFT Atheros Communications, Inc. Company Confidential Required Host System Labeling FCCID and Industry Canada ID on Host System The Integrator must affix the Atheros modules FCCID on the product. Since the Atheros SiP module is too small to be labeled with the FCCID and it is not visible when installed in the host system, the FCCID label must appear on the outside of the host system visible to the user. Example wording to appear somewhere on the outside of the host system visible to the end user:
Contains FCCID: PPD-AR6103 FCC Logo on the Host System The FCC logo shown below must appear on the host system signifying declared compliance of the system with FCC digital emissions rules. 6 - DRAFT Atheros Communications, Inc. Company Confidential Required User Manual Wording for Host System The FCC requires the following text (or equivalent) included in the user documentation provided to the end user:
Example text which can be used by the Integrator in the end user instructions are:
Satisfying RF exposure compliance and Radio compliance. FCCID: PPD-AR6103 This device generates and radiates radio-frequency energy in compliance with FCC radio frequency radiation exposure guidelines for an uncontrolled environment. This equipment must be installed and operated while maintaining a minimum body-to-antenna distance of 20 cm. This device complies with Part 15 of the FCC Rules. Operation is subject to the following two conditions:
(1) this device may not cause harmful interference, and (2) this device must accept any interference received, including interference that may cause undesired operation. This product does not contain any user serviceable components. Any unauthorized product changes or modifications will invalidate warranty and all applicable regulatory certifications and approvals. For 5 GHz Devices Only, Include the following additional Note: In the 5150 MHz to 5250 MHz frequency range this transmitter is restricted to indoor use only. Include the following co-location statement (unless special permission was granted allowing co-
location of additional radios with the Atheros module:
This radio module may not be operated with any other radio or transmitting antenna, unless the Atheros module is disabled FCC Part 15 Digital Emissions Compliance We [System Manufacturer Name, Address, Telephone], declare under our sole responsibility that the product [System Name] complies with Part 15 of the FCC Rules. Operation is subject to the following two conditions: (1) this device may not cause harmful interference, and (2) this device must accept any interference received, including interference that may cause undesired operation. WARNING: This equipment has been tested and found to comply with the limits for a Class B digital device, pursuant to Part 15 of the FCC Rules. These limits are designed to provide reasonable protection against harmful interference in a residential installation. This equipment generates, uses and can radiate radio frequency energy and, if not installed and used in accordance with the instructions, may cause harmful interference to radio communications. However, there is no guarantee that interference will not occur in a particular installation. If this equipment does cause harmful interference to radio or television reception, which can be determined by turning the equipment off and on, the user is encouraged to try to correct the interference by one or more of the following measures:
7 - DRAFT Atheros Communications, Inc. Company Confidential Reorient or relocate the receiving antenna. Increase the separation between the equipment and receiver. Connect the equipment into an outlet on a circuit different from the one the receiver is connected to. Consult the dealer or an experienced radio/TV technician for help. The user may find the following booklet prepared by the Federal Communications Commission helpful:
The Interference Handbook This booklet is available from the U.S. Government Printing Office, Washington, D.C. 20402. Stock No. 004-000-00345-4. Industry Canada Requires the following wording to the end user in French and English:
Industry Canada Notice:
This device complies with Canadian RSS-210. To prevent radio interference to the licensed service, this device is intended to be operated indoors and away from windows to provide maximum shielding. Equipment (or its transmitting antenna) that is installed outdoors is subject to licensing. The installer of this radio equipment must ensure that the antenna is located or pointed such that it does not emit RF field in excess of Health Canada limits for the general population; consult Safety Code 6, obtainable from Health Canada's web site www.hc-
sc.gc.ca/rpb.
"This Class B digital apparatus complies with Canadian ICES-003"
Cet appareil numrique de la classe B est conforme la norme NMB-003 du Canada Avis de Conformit la Rglementation d'Industrie Canada:
Pour empcher toute interfrence aux services faisant l'objet d'une licence, cet appareil doit tre utilis l'intrieur seulement et devrait tre plac loin des fentres afin de fournir un cran de blindage maximal. L'installateur du prsent matriel radio doit s'assurer que l'antenne est situe ou pointe de manire ce que cette dernire n'mette pas de champs radiolectriques suprieurs aux limites specifes par Sant Canada pour le grand public; consulter le Code de scurit 6, disponible sur le site Web de Sant Canada, l'adresse suivante: www.hc-sc.gc.ca/rpb. End of Required User Manual Wording to end user 8 - DRAFT Atheros Communications, Inc. Company Confidential Atheros Communications, Incorporated 1700 Technology Drive San Jose, CA 95110 t: 408/773-5200 f: 408/773-9940 www.atheros.com 9 - DRAFT