Notice 2021-DRS0005

July 20, 2021

Introduction of an interim exemption limit for routine localized power density evaluations of transmitters operating in the 6 – 30 GHz frequency range


Radio Standards Specification (RSS)-102, entitled Radio Frequency (RF) Exposure Compliance of Radiocommunication Apparatus (All Frequency Bands), outlines exemption limits for routine SAR evaluations. Following the publication of Health Canada’s Notice: Localized human exposure limits for radiofrequency fields in the range of 6 GHz to 300 GHz, Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada (ISED) is in the process of developing exemption limits for routine localized power density (LPD) evaluations, which are to be included in the upcoming Issue 6 of RSS-102. However, the need for an interim exemption limit in the 6 – 30 GHz frequency range has been identified due to the emission characteristics of certain transmitter implementations, e.g. ultra-wideband (UWB) devices. As a result, ISED has established the following interim exemption limit:

A transmitter producing emissions in the 6 – 30 GHz frequency range, i.e. where the occupied bandwidth (99% emission bandwidth) is fully contained within this range, is exempt from routine LPD evaluation if the higher of the maximum six-minute time-averaged conducted power or equivalent isotropic radiated power (EIRP), adjusted for tune-up tolerance, is 1 mW (0 dBm) or lower.

When evaluating the total exposure ratio (TER) under simultaneous transmission scenarios, the contribution from a transmitter satisfying the above condition shall be accounted for as follows:

ER = 0.1 ( max [Pcond, Peirp] /1 mW )

where:
  • ER is the exposure ratio associated with the exempted transmitter (-)
  • Pcond is the maximum source based, time-averaged conducted power produced by the transmitter (mW), i.e. delivered to a perfectly matched load/antenna, adjusted for tune-up tolerance
  • Peirp is the maximum source based, time-averaged EIRP produced by the transmitter (mW), adjusted for tune-up tolerance

Please refer to section 8.5.3 of SPR-003 for further information regarding TER analysis for devices with multiple antennas or multiple transmitters. The exposure ratio contribution from the exempted transmitter (ER) shall be included in the TER evaluation for all device surfaces and edges that are within 25 mm of the associated antenna.

It must be emphasized that the above exemption from routine LPD evaluation is not an exemption from compliance with Health Canada’s localized power density limits adopted in RSS-102.

Additional Information:
Notice 2021-DRS0005 stems from an Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada consultation which closed on July 14, 2021.