ESP8266 Community Forum

- Mon Nov 16, 2020 7:37 am #89473 Hello all,

My question is Law oriented, Our product need FCC Certification. I read a couple of Espressif documentations, but still not understand the memory schema
If I download the official ESP8266_RTOS_SDK for example, and I build a app example, then I flash the ESP8266 by using make all --> flashing Boot at 0x000, App at 0x10000, it's will work fine. but.
Did this operation mean I build and Flash a ESP Firmware + App example or I build and Flash App without changing the ESP Firmware
Thank you for help

Router Help Reo Morton https://100001.dev/ https://192168101.win/ https://1921681254.dev/

- Tue Nov 17, 2020 8:53 pm #89491 The legality's of this is troublesome for myself as well. I'm out of California so who knows ho much this will apply to you if your in Canada or whereever else.

If you know of anything more on this topic please post here. I'd be interested in knowing as well.
This is a chat I had with a Lawyer on a similar topic of FCC certification (Still confusing and could use some clearing up if anyone knows?)

I am currently in progress of building an 802.11A/B/G/N Wifi Device @ 2.4/5.8MHZ Freq.
What legal certifications are required to market this device without any issues with FCC violations. It seems there may be a certificate requirement to recertify chips that have already been through the process.An example is taking that chip and adding it as a component to an existing project, This requires to be recertified. Can you offer guidance on Cost (FCC / Licensing only) and Legal requirements to bring such a product to market?

Here is an example of a chip that has been recertified and requires a different path in order to get recerfitied vs. never have had the device component certified at all, I think the cost of that is $100,000.

I plan to use an already certified device, this example can be seen here.
https://www.alibaba.com/product-detail/ ... ksnsCQ&s=p
07 August 2020 08:34

GlennMGlennM Business Lawyer
The entire device must comply with Part 15 of the FCC’s rules and qualify, either with testing or self-certification, under Part 2. That’s called “equipment authorization” and costs about $1,000 from many independent FCC-approved testing labs.

12 August 2020 08:37

What test is required to determine if the equipment falls under “equipment authorization” vs. the other option that I believe is $100,000 for a full FCC Lab test.
13 August 2020 05:54

GlennMGlennM Business Lawyer
Every device is required to have equipment authorization under the FCC's Rules. Only a subset require testing; others use a process known as Supplier’s Declaration of Conformity (SDoC). https://www.fcc.gov/engineering-technol ... horization A WiFi device is an "intentional radiator" that falls under the testing and certification requirement per 47 CFR § 15.201. And whoever told you it costs $100K is just wrong. The companies that handle official testing are known as Telecommunication Certification Bodies (TCBs) and a full list can be found at https://catalog.data.gov/dataset/eas-te ... bodies-tcb.

19 August 2020 05:21

Got it, So to confirm the chip I am using is a CC3235 from Texas Instrument. If I use their chip, they handle the TCB Offical testing. But what I am used to is seeing an FCC ID on the metal shielding of the chip itself. The Chip I have does not have that shield on it.

An example of the chip I will use labeled cc3235SF
https://sc02.alicdn.com/kf/Hd7…

Vs. a Module with an FCC logo
https://ae01.alicdn.com/kf/HTB…

It seems I may need to find one for a cc3235, this one is a CC3200
https://www.radiocontrolli.com…

Can you clarify if all three of these are post certified the same way as described above or is there a different process for one without the FCC shield (I would assume so, as a number needs to be allocated)
19 August 2020 07:30

Here is what my board currently looks like (As you can see the chip does not have an FCC labeled shield), I ultimately am also trying to prepare for what is to come to bring my product to market.
2020-08-19 18_22_26-EasyEDA - A Simple and Powerful Electronic Circuit Design Tool.png
19 August 2020 07:30

The VF Chip in the middle is the CC3235 itself.
20 August 2020 03:38

GlennMGlennM Business Lawyer
As I said up front, the entire WiFi device needs to be authorized, not just the chips you purchase. The fact that the chips have an FCC ID, whether with a shield or otherwise, does not mean that your board and the WiFi modem do not need to be tested by a TCB and have their own FCC ID issued.

- Wed Nov 18, 2020 6:48 pm #89500 What I've found is that using an already certified module greatly simplifies everything - you supply the modules certification, and your testing results that demonstrate you are using the module as per its certified parameters, and also supply a sample of your device.

They will then certify the device class as compliant and it's a lot faster and cheaper than if you have to certify the entire device.

Wherever possible I try to find certified modules and use those - the AIThinker ones are FCC and CE certified but the Espressif ones have about 20 certifications

- Thu Nov 19, 2020 6:09 pm #89513

What I've found is that using an already certified module greatly simplifies everything - you supply the modules certification, and your testing results that demonstrate you are using the module as per its certified parameters, and also supply a sample of your device.

They will then certify the device class as compliant and it's a lot faster and cheaper than if you have to certify the entire device.

Wherever possible I try to find certified modules and use those - the AIThinker ones are FCC and CE certified but the Espressif ones have about 20 certifications

Davy, Cost wise what do you say it runs you to complete the certifications for one of your devices once all said and done?