RF Design: Medical Body Area Network (MBAN): Regulatory & Technical Requirements

Continuing with our MBAN series this week, Robert Buczkiewicz provides us with a Regulatory & Techincal Requirement overview. Robert will wrap up his series next week with an important blog on frequently asked questions regarding MBAN systems. 

 

What are the FCC requirements for MBAN devices? 
The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) regulatory requirements are generally present in Subpart E of Part 95, which sets forth technical requirements that apply across all Personal Radio Services.  Although the rules have not yet been formally revised, the FCC has indicated that they will apply the existing MedRadio provisions in Part 95 to MBAN operations, modified as necessary to refer to MBAN devices and their associated frequency bands. Now that the regulatory requirements have been defined it is anticipated that significant development in RF design, and custom body worn antennas will lead to low cost commercial solutions.

What are the technical requirements? 
MBAN devices must comply with the relevant FCC technical requirements related to permissible bandwidth, radiated power, transmitter operation, unwanted emissions, frequency stability and RF safety.

Maximum Transmitter Power: For transmitters operating in the 2360-2390 MHz band, the maximum EIRP shall not exceed the lesser of 1 mW or 10*log (B) dBm, where B is the 20 dB emission bandwidth in MHz.  For transmitters operating in the 2390-2400 MHz band, the maximum EIRP shall not exceed the lesser of 20 mW or 16+10*log (B) dBm, where B is the 20 dB emission bandwidth in MHz.

Antenna Requirement: The antenna associated with any MedRadio transmitter must be supplied with the transmitter and shall be considered part of the transmitter subject to equipment authorization. Except for the 2390-2400 MHz band, no antenna for a MedRadio transmitter shall be configured for permanent outdoor use. In addition, any MedRadio antenna used outdoors shall not be affixed to any structure for which the height to the tip of the antenna will exceed three (3) meters (9.8 feet) above ground.

Transmitter Operation: The transmitter must cease operating in the 2360-2390 MHz band if it does not receive a control message permitting such operation such as when the device is out of range or operated outdoors. The shutdown process shall commence within 45 mS after loss of the communication link or receipt of the shutdown command form the MedRadio programmer transmitter. Transmissions may be redirected from the 2360-2390 MHz band to the 2390-2400 MHz band by use of a control message.

Authorized Bandwidth: An aggregate channel bandwidth of up to 5 MHz – consistent with existing MedRadio rules.

To read more about frequency stability & monitoring, duty cycle requirements, and permissible communications, download the full report.

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