How one company is putting ‘Super Wi-Fi’ on the fast track

[Corey]

Wi-Fi has been one of the most useful technologies developed over the past couple of decades and it’s about to get even better now that manufacturers will be allowed to create devices that run on the former television “white space” spectrum that lets signals travel farther and penetrate more deeply into buildings. And to help speed up the adoption of this so-called “Super Wi-Fi,” wireless technology company Spectrum Bridge has announced a certification program for wireless OEMs that want to zip through the Federal Communications Commission’s rigorous certification process that the commission put in place to make sure that “Super Wi-Fi” devices don’t interfere with television broadcasts being run over adjacent spectrum. Spectrum Bridge’s full press release follows below.

Spectrum Bridge Launches TV White Space Certification Program to Help Radio Manufacturers Navigate FCC Approval Process

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LAKE MARY, FL— Aug 29, 2012— Spectrum Bridge, Inc. today announced a new service to help wireless device manufacturers (OEMs) through the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) rigorous compliance process for TV White Space (TVWS) radios. These radios, along with TVWS database technologies will enable next generation high-speed wireless networks.

The Partner Certification Program grew out of the company’s success in working with radio manufacturers pursuing certification, its expertise in designing and developing radio technology, and its unique position as a recognized market leader.

FCC requirements for TVWS are much more involved than prior Part 15 rules about how radios are allowed to access spectrum, complicating the certification process. This is because a TVWS radio typically operates over a wide frequency range and must avoid interference with incumbent users of the spectrum, e.g. TV broadcasts or churches and schools that use wireless microphones. OEMs must also comply with TVWS database rules, and can avoid potential delays and cost overages by preparing for certification.

“Spectrum Bridge believes that the better prepared an OEM is to understand the rules, the less time they will spend in the certification process,” said Rod Dir, president and CEO. “This program is designed to provide the shortest path to certification. We have developed a comprehensive process based on our experience with partners and as a result of our own journey through FCC certification.”

The Spectrum Bridge Partner Certification Program provides the following FCC radio certification support services:

- TVWS compliance API

: A complete reference design (SDK) to enable rapid development and compliance with FCC rules defining TV Band Device (TVBD) behavior. The reference design includes an embedded agent and a suite of web pages that can be used for device configuration and status.

- Test methods and certification procedures

: Provides step-by-step procedures and test methods that can be used for testing and certification.

- FCC Part 15 certification support

: Spectrum Bridge will facilitate and oversee testing of TVBDs by the Telecommunication Certification Body and subsequently by the FCC Office of Engineering and Technology (OET) to ensure an efficient and timely certification process.

- Pre-certification audit to ensure compliance with 47 CFR Part 15

: Spectrum Bridge will identify and help TVBD OEMs resolve potential problems before the certification process even begins.

“The Partner Certification Program was invaluable to my team,” said Jordan Duval, CEO at MELD Technologies. “Working with Spectrum Bridge and leveraging their guidance in this process is bringing our radio technology to market faster.”

The database-driven approach allows TVWS devices to select an available channel.  However, not all available channels will provide the same quality of service for the user. In order to avoid potential interference and select the best channel, the Spectrum Bridge TV White Space solution considers the interference from TV transmissions, in order to provide preferred channel rankings. Custom features can also be offered by enabling these value added services to provide product differentiation for the radio vendor.

“We appreciate the opportunity to work with the knowledgeable and experienced team at Spectrum Bridge,” said Jim Carlson, CEO at Carlson Wireless. “Their assistance and guidance has been a tremendous help through the certification process.”

 

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