CWS Regulatory Compliance & Legal Framework 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: Which FCC rule part specifically governs unlicensed wireless devices operating in the ISM bands, including Wi-Fi?
- Part 15 (Correct answer)
- Part 22
- Part 90
- Part 97
Correct answer: Part 15
FCC Part 15 governs unlicensed RF devices, including Wi-Fi equipment operating in ISM bands like 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz.
Question 2: A wireless device operating in the 5 GHz U-NII-2 band must implement Dynamic Frequency Selection (DFS) primarily to avoid interference with which systems?
- Military radar and weather radar (Correct answer)
- AM broadcast stations
- Cellular base stations
- Satellite uplink stations
Correct answer: Military radar and weather radar
DFS in the U-NII-2 band is required to detect and avoid interference with radar systems, including military and weather radar that share those frequencies.
Question 3: Under FCC regulations, what is the maximum EIRP allowed for a point-to-point bridge operating in the 2.4 GHz band with a directional antenna?
- Up to 36 dBm EIRP with antenna gain reductions above 6 dBi (Correct answer)
- 30 dBm EIRP regardless of antenna type
- 53.3 dBm EIRP without restriction
- 20 dBm EIRP with no exceptions
Correct answer: Up to 36 dBm EIRP with antenna gain reductions above 6 dBi
For 2.4 GHz point-to-point bridges, the FCC allows up to 36 dBm EIRP, but requires 1 dB reduction in transmit power for every 3 dB of antenna gain above 6 dBi.
Question 4: Which international body coordinates radio frequency spectrum allocation globally and publishes the Radio Regulations that member nations use as a basis for their national rules?
- International Telecommunication Union (ITU) (Correct answer)
- IEEE Standards Association
- ETSI (European Telecommunications Standards Institute)
- ICAO (International Civil Aviation Organization)
Correct answer: International Telecommunication Union (ITU)
The ITU is the UN specialized agency responsible for global radio frequency allocation through its Radio Regulations, which all member nations must follow.
Question 5: In the US, an enterprise deploying a Wi-Fi network on a vessel navigating international waters must comply with regulations from which authority?
- Both FCC and ITU Radio Regulations (Correct answer)
- Only the FCC since the vessel is US-flagged
- Only ITU since the vessel leaves US territory
- ICAO aviation regulations only
Correct answer: Both FCC and ITU Radio Regulations
US-flagged vessels on international waters must comply with both FCC regulations and ITU Radio Regulations, as the vessel is subject to US law while also operating in internationally regulated spectrum.
Question 6: What does the FCC's Equipment Authorization database (previously called the FCC ID search) allow wireless engineers to verify?
- That a specific device has been tested and approved for legal sale and operation in the US (Correct answer)
- The encryption strength of a wireless device's security protocols
- Whether a device is compatible with a specific carrier's network
- The device's maximum theoretical throughput speed
Correct answer: That a specific device has been tested and approved for legal sale and operation in the US
The FCC Equipment Authorization database allows verification that a device has passed required RF testing and received approval for lawful sale and operation in the United States.
Question 7: Which FCC enforcement action can result if a wireless installer modifies a certified device's antenna in a way not covered by its FCC authorization?
- The device is considered uncertified and its operation becomes illegal, potentially resulting in fines (Correct answer)
- The device automatically receives a new FCC ID upon modification
- Only the antenna manufacturer faces liability, not the installer
- No enforcement action applies as long as the device stays under 1 watt
Correct answer: The device is considered uncertified and its operation becomes illegal, potentially resulting in fines
Modifying an FCC-certified device beyond its authorization voids its certification, making operation illegal and exposing the installer and operator to FCC fines and enforcement.
CWS Regulatory Compliance & Legal Framework 2
Which FCC rule part specifically governs unlicensed wireless devices operating in the ISM bands, including Wi-Fi?