SGS has an
unparalleled range of services to help manufacturers of hidden technology
understand and access markets in North America.
Hidden
technology encompasses everything from wireless chargers to watches that
measure exercise, mirrors that aid work outs, smart utility meters, cellphone
payment systems, and automobiles that unlock by proximity to the key. The
linking characteristic is that the true functionality of the technology remains
hidden.
This is a
growing global market. Wireless charging, for example, is expected to grow
annually by 60.22% between 2017 and 2025 – estimated
at USD 3,346.91 million in 2017, it is expected to reach USD 145,337.92 million
by 2025. This trend is predicted across the
whole hidden technology market.
Part
of the appeal of hidden technology is its utility. For example, modern
automobiles are full of driving aids that use vehicle to everything (V2X)
devices. This includes forward collision warning, blind spot warning,
intersection movement assist, and roadworks warning. The technology employed to
create these features is either wireless local area network (WLAN) based or cellular
based.
The technology incorporated into hidden
tech is not without weak spots. For example, radio-frequency identification (RFID) used
in credit card chips can be used by criminals to steal money. There are also
plenty of examples of technology failing to synchronize with other devices and,
this is most worrying, children becoming trapped in vehicles when keys fail.
To
ensure hidden technology conforms to relevant standards for the North American
market, manufacturers are advised to work with a service provider that covers
multiple sectors. For example, a table with wireless charging capabilities
would need to conform to both furniture and electrical and electronic (E&E)
standards. The manufacturer should also be aware regulations will differ
between markets and so plotting a way to regulatory compliance requires a robust
understanding of the requirements being demanded in each target market.
For many hidden tech products, a good starting point is IEC 62368-1:2018
Audio/video, information and communication technology equipment – Part 1:
Safety requirements. This safety standard for devices is recognized in many
markets.
Since many hidden tech articles will rely on wireless systems, the manufacturer
also needs to consider the requirements governing the radio-frequency spectrum.
In the US, this is regulated by the Federal Communications Commission (FCC). Title
47 of the Code of Federal Regulations, Part 15, is the primary regulatory
requirement covering most products. It covers ‘unlicensed’ devices, meaning
products that don’t require the end user to hold a license.
V2X technology is different. It comes under ‘licensed’ devices, although the
license is often held by the carrier, as in the case of cell phones. These
products are also regulated under Title 47, but certification is performed using
different parts. Typically, cell phones come under Parts 22, 24, and 27, and
V2X devices operate under Part 90 for on-board units and Part 95 for
road-side units.
Stakeholders should be aware, some parts of a cell phones, for example
Bluetooth and WLAN, remain ‘unlicensed’.
In Canada, ‘license exempt’ operates in roughly the same way as the FCC’s
‘unlicensed’. The radio standards specifications (RSS) that apply to this kind
of device range from RSS-210 to RSS-288. The primary standard covering products
such as Bluetooth and WLAN is RSS-247. One difference between Canada
and the US is that V2X are ‘license exempt’ in Canada and are covered by RSS-252.
Other licensed products are covered by RSS-111 to RSS-199. Specifically,
cellular devices (2G, 3G, 4G, 5G) are typically covered by RSS-130, RSS-132, RSS-137 and RSS-139.
Bluetooth and WLAN are not the only IoT technologies available to
manufacturers. Around the globe they may also utilize ANT+, LoRa, and Z-Wave.
SGS Electrical and Electronic Services
SGS has considerable experience in helping
manufacturers successfully access E&E markets around the world. With a
worldwide network of E&E laboratories, they can assist with EMC and RF testing, alongside comprehensive quality, safety and
performance testing solutions for E&E and other consumer products. Learn
more about SGS E&E Services.
For more information, please contact:
Jason Wei
Senior Technical Manager
Electrical and Electronics
David Schramm
Operations Manager
Electrical and Electronics
Email: crs.media@sgs.com
Website: www.sgs.com/ee
About SGS
SGS is the world’s
leading inspection, verification, testing and certification company. SGS is
recognized as the global benchmark for quality and integrity. With more than
94,000 employees, SGS operates a network of over 2,600 offices and laboratories
around the world.