That sounds obvious, and it is. But less obvious is exactly how device OEMs, systems integrators, and mobile operators can ensure that a network connection is always available. That need highlights the importance of cellular pre-certification, which is the process of confirming that the device will meet regulatory requirements such as those of the Federal Communications Commission (FCC), as well as the specific network criteria for each carrier. Pre-certification covers aspects such as signal strength, data throughput, voice quality, antenna performance, RF safety, and network interoperability. It is usually mandatory before a device is allowed to operate on a mobile network. The pre-certification process covers a series of individual certifications for the FCC and each operator network that the device will use. Pre-certification helps ensure that the module, antenna system or module-antenna combination will subsequently pass those certifications. Pre-certification can apply to individual device components, such as just the antenna system or just the module, which consists of the radio frequency (RF) transceiver and modem. Pre-certification can also be done for the whole device to confirm that the module and antenna work flawlessly together to maintain a reliable, high-performance connection.
Although pre-certification focuses on technological and regulatory aspects, it has an enormous business impact, too. It helps ensure the device's market success because customers can be confident that it will connect right out of the box and every day after. That's particularly valuable for customers buying hundreds or tens of thousands of devices at a time, such as a utility company deploying smart meters or a police department upgrading its fleet to give officers remote access to stolen vehicle databases and live HD surveillance video feeds. Certification also can expand the addressable market for an Internet of Things (IoT) service. One example is an IoT module in a heat pump that automatically reports diagnostic information for preventative maintenance. By certifying that module for use with every major U.S. operator, the heat pump manufacturer can ensure that it will always be able to establish a network connection at every customer home. This also eliminates the need for HVAC contractors to manually configure the connection when installing a new heat pump. Finally, the company providing the devices and services, such as an OEM or systems integrator, also saves money because it’s not constantly fielding network-related questions and trouble tickets from customers. Those savings help maximize the device’s profit margin.
Certification is a complex process that requires extensive knowledge of cellular technologies from both the device and network perspective, individual operator requirements, and a host of regulatory minutiae. So, it’s no surprise that even companies with extensive cellular experience still call in the experts to streamline and expedite certification so their new products can begin generating revenue and growing market share. Taoglas can help you understand what needs to be considered to certify your Cellular solution. We've created a helpful workflow covering our wide range of antenna design and testing services, which you can access at the button below.
Certification provides device manufacturers with three major benefits:
Certification benefits mobile operators by helping ensure that their networks can reliably support as many customers as possible, thus maximizing their investments in spectrum and infrastructure:
Finally, certification provides a variety of benefits for end users such as public safety agencies, enterprises, consumers, and utility companies:
Certification involves multiple stages, including lab testing and field trials. Testing typically is conducted by each operator, the FCC, and by authorized third parties.
The PTCRB program was established in 1997 by major mobile operators to define test specifications and processes to ensure device interoperability. Figure 1 summarizes the steps in the PTCRB certification process.
Pre-certification identifies potential issues so they can be addressed before the product is submitted to PTCRB and to the FCC. This increases the likelihood of passing all of those certifications quickly and thus avoiding the time and expense of redesigns and resubmission. By avoiding certification delays, pre-certification helps OEMs, systems integrators, and other companies get their product to market faster — or even first to market, ahead of competitors.
Figure 2 illustrates the complexity of operator certifications and thus the value of partnering with an RF engineering specialist that has extensive experience with each operator’s unique requirements.
AT&T, T-Mobile, Verizon, and other U.S. operators set strict radio performance standards, with much of that performance relying heavily on the antenna, so its role cannot be underestimated. The performance targets for mobile operators are outlined below:
Frequency bands. For example, AT&T requires all 4G IoT devices to support LTE bands 2, 4, and 12 at a minimum, with bands 5, 14, 29, and 30 being highly desired. If it’s a 5G device, AT&T requires support for n2, n5, and n66, with n77 highly desired.
Number of antennas, which depends on the bands that the device uses and on the antenna system’s multiple-input and multiple-output (MIMO) order. For example, AT&T requires 5G devices to support 4x4 MIMO by default and won’t allow single-antenna implementations for NR FR1.
Impedance match and return loss, which measure how well RF energy is transferred between the module and antenna.
Total radiated power (TRP), which is a measure of all power that radiates from an antenna over a given band. Because cellular modules have a standardized maximum transmit power, antenna efficiency effectively determines TRP. Operators require a minimum TRP level for any device being approved for use on their networks.
Total isotropic sensitivity (TIS), which assesses the ability to maintain a connection when the signal is weak. Although TIS measures the receiver’s ability, the antenna plays a key role by maximizing the amount of signal that the module has to work with.
For a deeper dive into certification and pre-certification, check out “How to Pass Cellular Certification the First Time.” This free, on-demand webinar is geared toward engineers who are involved in developing cellular or other wireless products. In addition to covering the key metrics for cellular certification – such as TRP and TIS – this webinar provides tips for successful antenna integration, avoiding self-interference within the device and mitigating radiated spurious emissions.
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