Who is the FCC?

The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) regulates interstate and international communications by radio, television, wire, satellite and cable. Understanding these rules and regulations is vital to making both safe and legal choices regarding any networking project. Consequently failure to follow these rules can lead to some serious legal ramifications and pose safety and performance concerns. Luckily here at Networking News AIR802 has compiled a thorough list of these rules and regulations.

FCC 2.4 GHz BAND RULES (POINT-TO-MULTIPOINT)

Maximum = +36dBm (4watts)

Maximum Power from Intentional Radiator *1	Maximum Antenna Gain (dBi)	EIRP (dBm)	EIRP (watts)
30dBm or 1 watt	6	36	4
27dBm or 500mW	9	36	4
24dBm or 250mW	12	36	4
21dBm or 125mW	15	36	4
18dBm or 63mW	18	36	4
15dBm or 32mW	21	36	4
12dBm or 16mW	24	36	4

1. The FCC terminology of Intentional Radiator is the transmitter power of the wireless equipment, such as a wireless access point, router or bridge.

FCC 2.4 GHz BAND RULES (POINT-TO-POINT)

Maximum = See FCC Special Rule *2

Maximum Power from Intentional Radiator *1	Maximum Antenna Gain (dBi)	EIRP (dBm) *3	EIRP (watts) *3
30dBm or 1 watt	6	36	4
29dBm or 800mW	9	38	6.3
28dBm or 630mW	12	40	10
27dBm or 500mW	15	42	16
26dBm or 400mW	18	44	25
25dBm or 316mW	21	46	39.8
24dBm or 250mW	24	48	63
23dBm or 200mW	27	50	100
22dBm or 160mW	30	52	158

1. The FCC terminology of Intentional Radiator is the transmitter power of the wireless equipment, such as a wireless access point, router or bridge.
2. The FCC ruling states that for every 1dBi the Intentional Radiator is reduced below the initial 30dBm that the antenna gain may be increased from the initial 6dBi by 3dB.
3. Equivalent Isotropically Radiated Power (EIRP) is terminology for the total RF power radiated by the antenna.

FCC 5 GHz BANDS AND RULES

BAND	Frequency (GHz)	Permitted Use Location	Maximum Output Power	Maximum EIRP *2
UNII (Low)	5.15-5.25	Outdoor Access Point	1 Watt 30 dBm *1	125mw 21dBm
UNII (Low)	5.15-5.25	Indoor Access Point	1 Watt     30dBm *1
UNII (Low)	5.15-5.25	Fixed Point to Point Access Points	1 Watt   30dBm *3
UNII (Low)	5.15-5.25	Client Devices	250mW   24dBM  *4
UNII-2 (Middle)	5.25-5.35	Indoor or Outdoor	200mW 23dBm or 11 dBm + 10 log B, where B is the 26 dB emission bandwidth in megahertz  *5
UNII-2 Extended	5.47-5.725	Indoor or Outdoor	200mW 23dBm or 11 dBm + 10 log B, where B is the 26 dB emission bandwidth in megahertz  *5
UNII-3 (Upper)	5.725-5.825	Typical Outdoor	1 watt 30dBm *6

1. Provided  the maximum antenna gain does not exceed 6 dBi. In addition, the maximum power spectral density shall not exceed 17 dBm in any 1 megahertz band. If transmitting antennas of directional gain greater than 6 dBi are used, both the maximum conducted output power and the maximum power spectral density shall be reduced by the amount of dB that the directional gain of the antenna exceeds 6 dBi.
2. Equivalent Isotropically Radiated Power (EIRP) is terminology for the total RF power radiated by the antenna.
3. The maximum power spectral density shall not exceed 17 dBm in any 1 megahertz band. Fixed point-to-point U-NII devices may employ antennas with directional gain up to 23 dBi without any corresponding reduction in the maximum conducted output power or maximum power spectral density. For fixed point-to-point transmitters that employ a diretional antenna gain greater than 23 dBi, a 1 dB reduction in maximum conducted output power spectral density is required for each 1 dB of antenna gain in excess of 23 dBi. Fixed, point-to-point operations exclude the use of point-to-multipoint systems, omnidirectional applications, and multiple collocated transmitters transmitting the same information. The operator of the U-NII device, or if the equipment is professionally installed, the installer, is responsible for ensuring that systems employing high gain directional antennas are used exclusively for fixed, point-to-point operations.
4. Provided the maximum antenna gain does not exceed 6 dBi. In addition, the maximum power spectral density shall not exceed 11 dBm in any 1 megahertz band. If transmitting antennas of directional gain greater than 6 dBi are used, both the maximum conducted output power and the maximum power spectral density shall be reduced by the amount in dB that the directional gain of the antenna exceeds 6 dBi.
5. In addition, the maximum power spectral density shall not exceed 11 dBm in any 1 megahertz band. If transmitting antennas of directional gain greater than 6 dBi are used, both the maximum conducted output power and the maximum power spectral density shall be reduced by the amount in dB that the directional gain of the antenna exceeds 6 dBi.
6. In addition, the maximum power spectral density shall not exceed 30 dBm in any 500-kHz band. If transmitting antennas of directional gain greater than 6 dBi are used, both the maximum conducted output power and the maximum power spectral density shall be reduced by the amount in dB that the directional gain of the antenna exceeds 6 dBi. However, fixed point-to-point U-NII devices operating in this band may employ transmitting antennas with directional gain greater than 6 dBi without any use of corresponding reduction in transmitter conducted power. Fixed point-to-point operations exclude the use of point-to-multipoint sytems, omnidirectional applicaitons, and multiple collocated transmitters transmitting the same information. The operator of the U-NII device, or if the equipment is professionally installed, the installer, is responsible for ensuring that systems employing high gain directional antennas are used exclusively for fixed point-to-point operations.