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FCC Rule Changes to Help RFID and Homeland Security:
A recent FCC Order has modified Part 15 to allow RFID systems used for commercial shipping container identification to operate at higher power and for longer transmission durations than before. Two way transmission is specifically authorized. The motivation for the rule change is to increase security and lower costs at ports rail yards, and warehouses by enabling rapid inventorying of their contents.
The key regulatory change occurs in Section 15.240 of the FCC’s rules. Operation in the frequency range of 433.5 to 434.5 MHz is now authorized up to peak levels of 55,000 uV/m and average levels of 11,000 uV/m, measured at 3 meters. There are additional restrictions on geographic location to prevent interference with a number of Federal radar stations, including the creation of a registration database for equipment operating under this section. Interestingly, presumably because of security concerns, the database records of these locations will not be made available for routine public inspection, although they will be available to other Government agencies, as noted in a change to FCC Section 0.457.
This action is the Third Report and Order in this proceeding (FCC Docket 04-98). The full text can be found at the following url: http://hraunfoss.fcc.gov/edocs_public/attachmatch/FCC-04-98A1.pdf.
EU Updates LVD Standards:
On April 29th, the European Commission updated its list of designated standards used to assess compliance with the electrical safety requirements of the Low Voltage Directive, 73/23/EEC. The 74 page list was published on April 29, 2004 as Commission Communication C 103/12, and is located at http://europa.eu.int/eurlex/pri/en/oj/dat/2004/c_103/c_10320040429en00020075.pdf.
We note here entries for some common safety standards.
EU Updates Standards for EMC Directive:
The European Commission has recently published an updated list of standards to be used for assessing compliance with the essential requirements of the EMC Directive, 2004/108/EC (formerly 89/336/EEC). The list was published in the Official Journal of the European Communities on April 23, 2004 as Commission Communication 2004/C 98/03. It may be viewed at: http://europa.eu.int/eur-lex/en/archive/2004/c_09820040423en.html.
While the length of the list (14 pages) and the number of standards mentioned (approximately 150) precludes its publication here, there are a couple of changes worthy of note. For those working with electronic equipment drawing less than 16 Amperes per phase, harmonic emissions are a concern. Performance in this area is assessed using EN 61000-3-2. The current version that must be used is EN 61000-3-2:2000. The presumption of conformity given to equipment tested according to the 1995 version and its amendments, A1:1998, A2:1998, and A14:2000 ended as of January 1, 2004.
The second standard change we would like to call attention to affects makers of telecommunications equipment affected by the European Telecommunications Standards Institute (ETSI) generated EMC standard, EN 300 386. At the present time, there are three versions of this standard extant, V1.2.1, V1.3.1, and V1.3.2. After August 31, 2005, the most recent version, V1.3.2, must be used. This date has been pushed back 8 months (from 1/1/2005) from that previously published.
FCC Cites Importer for Part 15 Violations:
The FCC issued a Forfeiture Order (i.e., “fine”) to Johannus Orgebouw b.v. (“Johannus”), for repeated violations of the FCC’s Part 15 marketing and importation requirements for digital devices. The fine was issued because Johannus had imported a number of digital electronic organs that emitted radiated signals in excess of the allowed limits. The FCC’s action was triggered by a complaint, presumably from a competitor, who stated that “other digital electronic organ companies suffered competitive harm because Johannus, through its failure to comply…. was able to produce digital electronic organs less expensively.
Upon inquiry from the FCC, Johannus tested some of the organs it was importing, and found that some were emitting signals exceeding the Class A as well as the Class B limits. Electronic organs intended for use in the home are Class B digital devices, but these met neither limit. Johannus claimed the problem was due to a design change in the CPU board that only affected a relatively small number of units.
Reviewing the situation, the FCC noted that although Johannus had violated the Part 15 requirements, it had no record of previous compliance problems. The FCC reduced its initial fine by 20%, resulting in a $5600 levy.
The US Consumer Product Safety Commission (CSPC) and Mattel jointly announced a voluntary recall of 314,000 BatmanTM BatmobileTM toy cars. The 20 inch cars are fitted with sharp plastic tail fins—just like Batman’s—which are pointed and rigid, causing a potential hazard to young children. The recall was motivated by 14 reports of injuries consisting of scrapes, scratches, lacerations and punctures. The problem is easily fixed by the installation of a free kit of non-pointed replacement clip-on wings.
Holy smokes, Batman!
Before Atkins… There was Banting:
Diet fads come and go. Here’s an interesting story about a big one. In the 19th century, long before Dr. Atkins was born, an Atkins-like diet became so popular in England that its very name became synonymous with dieting.
In 1862, an unfortunate gentlemen named William Banting had grown so fat he couldn’t tie his own shoes and had to go down the stairs backwards to relieve stress on his joints. At that time, obesity was relatively rare, because the cost of food was high; only the wealthiest people could afford enough food so that their caloric intake exceeded their needs. In fact, leanness was associated with the lower class, and merchants were expected to look, ummm, robust. Since little was known about the body’s metabolism, doctors didn’t know much about the causes or treatment of obesity.
Mr. Banting followed his doctors’ recommendations—spas, Turkish baths, diuretics—to no avail. Finally, he met Dr. William Harvey, who surmised there might be a connection between diabetes and obesity. He suggested that Mr. Banting try a diet that had been developed for diabetics—effectively one high in protein and low in carbohydrates. Gone were potatoes, butter, milk, sugar, and beer. In their place were four meals (breakfast, lunch, tea, and supper) of fish, fruit, and vegetables. Banting was allowed a couple of glasses of claret or sherry, but no port or champagne.
The diet worked—he lost 46 pounds within a year. So taken was he with the success of his diet that he privately authored, printed and distributed 1000 copies of his “Letter on Corpulence.” The letter was instantly popular, and another 50,000 were soon printed. Mr. Banting’s name and diet became synonymous with any form of dieting—as a verb, “to bant.” You can read the original yourself at: http://www.lowcarbing.com/downloads/banting.pdf.
Interestingly, the medical establishment gave “banting” (and Banting) little respect, citing the lack of a scientific explanation for how it worked. It was also labeled a rich man’s diet—only the wealthy could afford to eat so much meat and so little bread. Have we heard any of this before?
Apparently, “banting” continued to work for Banting. He lived another 15 years, to the age of 81.
[Source: Wall Street Journal article, May 5, 2004]
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