I have brought several pic products through FCC Class A and B testing.  We
have our own FCC listed test facility, so I wear two hats - design engineer
and emi test engineer.  We also run a limited test service for outside
customers, so we do get quite a lot of exposure to outside products as well.

I haven't seen any problems with the PIC itself.  Be careful about your
oscillator circuit.  Just don't use a canned oscillator, crystalls are
generally ok.  The last PIC product I designed & tested was a very simple
board.  Single sided, through hole construction w/4MHz RC oscillator and no
problems.  In most cases with simple products, the supporting system (if
there is one) gives more trouble than the product itself.


>I used Intellistor OATS in Rollinsville CO  303-682-6600 (Patrick
>Richardson)
>and would not hesitate to recommend them.  Patrick sent me a nice
>overview of the company
>with some helpful recommedations on getting the part to pass.
>They charge $160/hour with a 4 hour minimum - test report INCLUDED in
>that fee.
>Average test takes at least 3.5 hours, mine tool 4.2 hours.
>I emphasize the report being included as most places that quoted me
>said report was an extra $2-300.
>The report shows all equipment used, results of all tests, and includes
>pictures of the device under test
>both apart and assembled.

This sounds like a good outfit (and cheap! - takes me about 4 hours just to
do the report!).  When selecting a test house I would shop for one in your
area first.  Although you don't have to be present for the test, if its your
first product through FCC it can be a good learning experience.

>What I learned from the process:
>- If you can keep the oscillator below 1.706MHz, then you don't have to
>test for radiated emmissions.

Careful here - fcc definition of digital device (requires testing) is "Any
unintentional radiator that generates and uses timing signals at a rate in
excess of 9000 pulses per second..." Its virtually impossible to get out of
the radiated portion of testing in the consumer or industrial market.  I
believe if the device uses less then 7 or 9 nano-watts of power you are
exempt, but that's about it.

>- If the product plugs into AC power, then you have to test for
>conducted emmissions if the clock is above 9 KHz
>(yes I said K Hz)  I don't know if you are exempt if you use a
>certified wall wart (?)

If you plug in to AC power, you are required to test for conducted as well.
If you plug into a host device (a mouse into a computer for example) then
the host device is tested for conducted with your device attached.
Conducted is an easy test (ie cheap) to perform.

>- Look at the FCC rule book and see if your product is exempt, lots are!

Good luck :).  If its a consumer or industrial market product, chances are
slim your exempt.  Automotive products generally are though.
Also remember that FCC gets you nothing outside the US...

>- get several bids, there will be a wide spread in cost

Definately.  Just for reference, we charge around $850 for a standard test
w/report. This can run higher if your product fails any portion of testing
and the time$ starts building.  I think $700-1200 would be a good target
price (not including the FCC app fee).  And as Gary mentions, the level of
service can vary.  Be sure the price at least includes the test report.
Some outfits may even do the FCC application for you (required for part B,
that and another check for ~$735 to the FCC)

>- try to find a local site.  It is good if you can be there to answer
>questions.

Good learning experience too!

>Gary Skinner,  Electronic Solutions Inc

This is all good advice from Gary - feel free to contact me also, I enjoy
giving advice on how to get through testing much more than the testing
itself!

Two more bits of advice
- purchase the Code of Federal Regulations Title 47, parts 0-19.  This book
contains all the FCC rules - and while its hard to read, its not that
expensive and is required background education, in my opinion.  The test
house you select will love having an educated customer!
- be aware that the Compliance Design journal is published by a testhouse
(now Inchscape) and if you believe everything you read, you would think that
getting a product to market isn't possible without every test under the sun.
 They are probably a good testhouse and it is a useful journal, but just be
aware that there is a connection there....


-mike fahrion