The U.S. Federal Communications Commission (FCC) has issued a formal waiver of its Part 15 rules, permitting the certification of an innovative ground penetrating radar (GPR) device.
The FCC’s action was taken in response to a request for a waiver from Proceq USA Inc., a manufacturer of a device that enables the non-destructive testing of certain materials to assess their safety and stability. According to an Order issued in mid-March, Proceq’s GPR device uses an algorithm to suppress radiofrequency (RF) interference using stepped frequency continuous-wave (CW) modulation. However, because individual transmissions may be less than 500 megahertz at any given time, the device does not conform with the technical definition of a ultrawideband (UWB) device under FCC rules.
In its Order, the FCC determined that the device’s modulation scheme is “functionally equivalent” to other UWB-based GPR devices, and that the potential risk of interference from the Proceq devices is “no greater than that from other such UWB GPR devices.” The Commission’s action clears the way for the Proceq GPR to be certified by the FCC.
Read the complete text of the FCC’s Order regarding Part 15 rules.
