The “keep out area" in a module, particularly when it comes to electronics and antennas, serves several critical purposes:
Electromagnetic Isolation: One of the primary functions of the keep out area is to maintain electromagnetic isolation. It ensures that other components, conductive traces, or structures are not placed too close to the antenna. This is vital to prevent interference and maintain the antenna’s radiation pattern and performance.
Preventing Mutual Interference: Electronic components, especially those generating electromagnetic radiation, can interfere with the antenna’s operation if placed too closely. The keep out area enforces a minimum distance to prevent such interference and maintain the antenna’s signal quality.
Optimizing Radiation pattern: Antennas have specific radiation patterns that dictate how they transmit and received signals. The keep out area helps ensure that the antenna’s radiation pattern remains unobstructed. Placing components within this area can alter the pattern and reduce antenna efficiency.
Safety and Compliance: Compliance with safety and regulatory standards is crucial in electronic devices. The keep out area may be mandated by these standards to minimize the risk of electromagnetic exposure for users and to ensure the device operates within allowable limits.
Thermal Considerations: Some components generate heat during operation. The keep out area can also account for thermal considerations, ensuring that heat-producing components do not adversely affect the antenna’s performance due to temperature-induced changes in materials or interference.
Mechanical Clearance: Besides electromagnetic concerns, the keep out area can also provide mechanical clearance, ensuring that the antenna is not physically obstructed by other components or structures.
In summary, the keep out area in a module is a critical design aspect that aims to maintain the integrity, performance, and safety of the antenna system within an electronic device by managing electromagnetic, thermal, mechanical, and regulatory considerations.
Use following module as our example, you are recommend referring to our specification link on page 12-13forRF layout suggestions (Keep out area.)
Footprint (compatible for Protel, Eagle, Altium Design)
2D/3D drawing
Reflow/Solder Profile
Spec for external 32.768KHz
Instruction to find out selected module’s specific/design guide etc:
Following below steps after link to Raytac Corporation official webpage, click on yellow highlighted texts to find and download selected module’s specific/design guide etc … accordingly.
AT commands play a crucial role in wireless communication, IoT, and embedded systems.
This guide aims to assist developers in creating an appropriate environment for efficient AT command usage, ensuring smooth communication and application operation.
SRRC, or the State Radio Regulation Committee, is a mandatory certification required by the National Radio Management Committee of the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology of China. All wireless products sold within China must obtain certification, commonly referred to as SRRC certification, which involves approval of the wireless transmission equipment model.
SRRC Document No. 129:
Document No. 129 introduces various interference avoidance technical requirements for wireless transmission equipment, including “pre-transmission scanning," “monitoring and avoidance," and “Medium Utilization (MU)" for equivalent occupancy rate.
a. “Pre-transmission scanning" and “monitoring and avoidance" mechanisms involve monitoring and listening to the wireless channel before or during signal transmission. By setting appropriate detection threshold levels, the channel’s occupancy status is determined to select an idle channel for access.
b. The “equivalent occupancy rate" mechanism requires wireless transmission equipment to self-adjust based on parameters such as “Duty Cycle" and “transmission power," ensuring the “equivalent occupancy rate" remains at a lower level (not exceeding 10%).
1. Certificate Validity Period: Enforced from October 15, 2023. During this period, both old and new policies can be applied. Certificates obtained under the old regulation (Document No. 353) are valid until December 31, 2025. However, certificates obtained by complying with the requirements of Document No. 129 will be valid for 5 years.
2. Sample Requirements: 2.1 The quantity of conducted samples prepared according to the old regulation remains unchanged: 5 samples. 2.2 The major change introduced by Document No. 129 is the addition of interference avoidance technical requirements. The interference avoidance test items include: 1. Maximum channel occupancy time 2. Minimum channel idle time 3. Minimum silence period duration 4. Detection of unused signals 5. Detection threshold 6. Short control signal duty cycle 7. Equivalent occupancy rate.
Thread Group（https://www.threadgroup.org/）Founded on July 15, 2014 by Apple, Amazon, Google and six companies member. As a non-profit organization, Thread Group focuses on promoting the application of Thread in the field of Internet of Things, training developers and consumers, introducing thread technology and its advantages, and providing strict product certification tests to ensure the optimized user experience.
What is Thread?
Thread is a secure wireless mesh networking protocol. Thread solving new needs that in building a network of smart home products. Thread is based on 6LoWPAN of structure, making full use of open standards and IPv6 technology. Compared with other wireless standards, Thread has many technical advantages: safe and reliable, no single point connection failure in network, more simple connection, and low power consumption. Product developers and consumers can easily and securely form more than 250 devices into a low-power wireless Mesh network through Thread, and each device in the network can connect to the Internet and access cloud services. The Thread protocol stack is an open standard built on a series of existing standards of the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) and the Internet Engineering Task Force (IETF), rather than a new standard (see the figure below).
Figure 1. Overview of the Thread protocol stack
General characteristics of Thread
The Thread protocol stack supports IPv6 addresses, and it can realize low-cost bridging with other IP networks. It is the best choice for low-power/battery-powered operation and communication between wireless devices. The Thread protocol stack is designed for smart home and business applications based on IP networks and can be matched with various application layers on the protocol stack.
The general characteristics of the Thread protocol stack are as follows:
• Simple and convenient network installation, start-up, and operation: Thread protocol stack supports various network topologies. It can be installed via smartphone, tablet or computer, and the installation is simple and convenient. Product installation codes ensure that only authorized devices can join the network. When arise out of routing problems, simple protocols for building and joining networks enable the system to configure itself and fix those problems.
• Security: Devices cannot join the network unless authorized, and all communications are encrypted and protected. Security protection can be used at the network layer as well as at the application layer. All Thread networks are encrypted with an authentication scheme and Advanced Encryption Standard (AES). The Thread network is more secure than any other wireless network the Thread Group has evaluated.
• Can accommodate the needs of home networks of various sizes: The number of devices in different home networks varies greatly, ranging from a few to hundreds. Network layer design aims to optimize network operation for its intended use.
• Applicable to large commercial networks: For large commercial networks, a single Thread network is not enough to meet the requirements of all applications, systems and networks. The Thread domain model allows scaling up to 10,000 Thread devices in a single deployment, achieved through the combined use of different connectivity technologies (Thread, Ethernet, Wi-Fi, etc.).
• Two-way communication for service discovery and connection: Multicast and broadcast are inefficient for wireless mesh networks. For communication with the outside world of the Mesh network, Thread provides a communication registration service, and the device can register whether it is available and whether it can provide communication services, and the client can use unicast queries to find registered services.
• Wide coverage: The coverage of a typical Thread device is usually sufficient for the average household. A design with a power amplifier can greatly improve coverage. In the physical layer (PHY), the distributed spread spectrum technology can better improve the anti-interference ability. For commercial networks, the Thread domain model allows multiple Thread networks to communicate with each other through the backbone network, so it can be expanded to cover multiple Mesh subnets.
•Designed with no single point of failure: The Thread protocol stack is designed to operate safely and reliably, even in the event of a single device failure or absence. Thread devices can also incorporate IPv6-based links (such as Wi-Fi and Ethernet) into the topology to reduce the possibility of multiple Thread partitions. This allows Thread devices to take advantage of the higher throughput, greater channel capacity and wider coverage of these infrastructure links, while still supporting low-power devices.
• Low Power Consumption: Devices communicate efficiently and have an expected lifetime of several years under normal battery usage, resulting in an improved user experience. With the right duty cycle, the device can typically run for years on AA-size batteries.
• Cost-effective: Compatible chipsets and software stacks from multiple vendors are priced for mass deployment and designed for ultra-low power consumption.
Thread home network architecture
Users communicate with the home Thread network via Wi-Fi on their home area network (HAN) or from their own device (smartphone, tablets or computer) using a cloud-based application. The figure below illustrates the main device types in the Thread network architecture.
Figure 2. Thread home network architecture
• Border Router: supports the network connection between the 802.15.4 network and other adjacent physical layers (Wi-Fi, Ethernet, etc.). The border router provides services for devices in the 802.15.4 network, including routing services and service search in the case of offline operation. There can be one or more border routers in a Thread network.
• Leader: located in the Thread network, responsible for managing the allocation and registration of router IDs, and accepting requests from terminal devices (REEDs) that meet the requirements of routers to become routers. The Leader decides which devices should be routers, and, like all routers in the Thread network, the Leader can also have sub-devices. Leader also assigns and manages router addresses through CoAP (Constrained Application Protocol). However, all information contained in the Leader is also stored in other Thread routers. Therefore, if the Leader fails or loses connection to the Thread network, another Thread router can be elected as the Leader without user intervention.
• Thread Router: Provides routing services for network devices. Thread routers also provide joining and security services for devices attempting to join the network. Thread routers cannot sleep and can also be REED by downgrading their functionality.
• REED: It can be a Thread router or a Leader, but not necessarily a border router with special attributes (such as multiple interfaces). Depending on the network topology or other specific circumstances, REED cannot be a router. REED does not relay messages, nor does it provide joining or security services to other devices on the network. If necessary, the network manages router-eligible devices and upgrades them to routers without user intervention.
• End Device: The end device that does not meet the router conditions can be FED (full end device) or MED (minimum end device). The MED does not need to be synchronized with the parent device to communicate.
• Sleepy End Device (SED): communicates only through the Thread router parent device and cannot relay messages for other devices.
• Synchronous Sleeping End Device (SSED): A type of Sleeping End Device that uses CSL in IEEE 802.15.4-2015 to keep synchronized with a parent device without using regular data requests.
Thread business network architecture
The Thread business networking model takes the same major device types as home networking and introduces new concepts. Users communicate with the business network through devices (smartphones, tablets, or computers) via Wi-Fi or the corporate network. The following figure illustrates the business network topology.
Figure 3. Thread business network architecture
Concept of business network architecture:
• The Thread domain model supports seamless integration of multiple Thread networks, and also supports seamless connection with non-Thread IPv6 networks. The main advantage of the Thread domain is that the device can flexibly join the available Thread network configured with the public Thread domain to a certain extent, and when the network scale expands or the data volume expands, this will reduce the manual planning of the network or reduce the cost of High costs for manual reconfiguration.
• Backbone Border Router (BBR) is a kind of border router used in commercial networks, it can promote the synchronization of Thread domains in multiple network sagments, and allow large-scale multicast transmission in and out of each individual network in the Thread domain. Thread networks that are part of a larger domain must have at least one “primary" BBR, and can have multiple “secondary" BBRs for failsafe redundancy. Each BBR communicates with each other through the backbone network connecting all Thread networks.
Figure 4. Thread domain model
no single point of failure
The Thread protocol stack is designed to avoid single points of failure. Although there are many devices in the system that perform special functions, the Thread network enables these devices to be replaced without affecting the network or the continued operation of the devices. For example, if a dormant end device needs a parent device to communicate, then that parent device becomes a single point of failure for communication. However, in a Thread network, a dormant end-device can choose another parent when its parent is unavailable. And this conversion process is invisible to the user.
Although the Thread system adopts a no-single-point-of-failure design, in some topologies, individual devices do not have backup functions. For example, in a system configured with a single border router, if the border router loses power, there is no way to fail over to the backup border router. In this case, the border router must be reconfigured.
With Thread Specification 1.3.0, border routers that share infrastructure links can facilitate designs with no single point of failure across media such as Wi-Fi or Ethernet by leveraging Thread Radio Encapsulation Links (TREL). With this function, the possibility of forming Thread partitions across links is reduced.
The Bluetooth SIG Board of Directors(BoD) has granted its approval for a 15% increase in member fees, effective from January 1,2024. This decision comes after careful consideration of the organization’s financial situation and the need to cover the rising costs of current and futrue member services throughout 2024.
Feel free to explore the mission and operations of the Bluetooth SIG by visiting the provided web pages below:
By obtaining wireless (Bluetooth) certification, manufacturers can demonstrate that their products comply with the required technical reliability. In another words, these certifications are like products’ passes, allow them legally entering the market and be able to import or export specific countries. Modular approval and Non-modular approval are two different approaches to the certification and regulatory processes for wireless communication devices.
Modular approval is a process in which a wireless device is certified as a modular component, such as a Bluetooth module, that can be integrated into multiple host devices without additional testing for each host device. Once certified, the module can be used in various host devices without undergo the same level of testing.
Non-modular approval is also known as end-product approval, is the traditional certification process for wireless devices, where the entire device needs to be tested and certified for compliance with wireless (Bluetooth) standards and regulations.
Countries follow and under modular approval such as FCC (USA), IC (Canada), Telec (Japan), KC (South Korea), NCC(Taiwan), SRRC(China)…etc.Meanwhile, countries are under non-modular approval, we have CE (Europe), RCM (Australia and New Zealand)…etc.
The elaboration and the easy steps on how the process we go through as you choose Raytac, detail for each as following:
Modular Approval:
FCC (USA) FCC ID Search | Federal Communications Commission 1. Part 15C –> Simply use our module FCC ID on product label 2. Part 15B (EMC) –> request lab to test on EMC, SDoc* *Definition: SDoc(Supplier’s Declaration of conformity) One way to show that a product, process or service to comply with a standard or technical regulation, in which a supplier provides written assurance of conformity to the specified requirements.
IC (Canada) IndustryCanda Wireless ID Database (industrycanada.co) 1.Similar to FCC –> Simply use our module IC ID on product label. 2.–> request lab to test finished good on EMC (IC ES003). Recommend combining test with FCC Part 15B
Telec (MIC)(Japan) MIC ICT Policy (soumu.go.jp) 1.–> Simply use our module Telec ID on product label 2.Different from the USA and Canada –> EMC is optional in Japan, upon on end customer’s request.
KC (South Korea) South Korea – Labeling/Marking Requirements (trade.gov) 1. Wireless test can be continued to use module report, new test is not required. 2. EMC KN301489(same rule as CE EN301489) –> to be tested based on final goods under EMC test policy. Same rules as FCC and IC. Recommend combining test with FCC Part 15B. 3. If product obtain additional cable IO port, test on KN3235 is required. 4. To be KC certified, the new test is required, certification no. cannot be continued to use from other policy. And the test must be done locally.
NCC (Taiwan) NATIONAL COMMUNICATIONS COMMISSION (ncc.gov.tw) 1. Products is compliant with platform policy –> lab submit photo and add product under Raytac NCC no. 2. Products is not compliant with platform policy –> product must be tested as final goods at the lab to be certified. *Definition: platform policy: product itself has it’s own function before Bluetooth was installed. For example, a Bluetooth installed pen has a new function; it vibrates when the switch is on. In this scenario, pen originally has it’s own function, and now the addition function; vibration has been added to this device. We say this product is compliant with platform policy.
SRRC (China) State Radio Regulation of China (srrc.org.cn) 1. –>Simply use our module SRRC ID on product label. 2. Products doesn’t under the category of home electronics / office supplies, SRRC test must be implemented.
Non-Modular Approval:
CE (Europe) CE Marking (trade.gov) 1. Wireless test: EN300328 –> Conducted test could continue to use Raytac ‘s CE report. –> Radiated test is required to be tested based on final goods under wireless regulation. 2. EN301489 (EMC) –> Same rules as FCC and IC. Recommend combining test with FCC Part 15B 3. Safety test: EN60950 (EN62368)–> safety test is required to be tested based on final goods under regulation.
RCM (Australia and New Zealand) The Regulatory Compliance Mark (RCM) (General) – EESS 1. Products is CE certified –>lab can copy CE report to apply RCM 2. Products is not CE certified –> go through the same test as CE regulations.
Overall, it’s important to note that the certification process and requirements may vary across different regions. Manufacturers should consult the relevant certification authorities to determine the specific requirements for their wireless devices. Raytac already took a step ahead gone through complex procedures of obtaining certifications, and we also have strong IT team to support for best solutions.Choosing Raytac would allow you to work more efficient and it will be your key in success for all the projects.
Edited by Sales Manager: Mandy Chao
Raytac Corporation 勁達國際電子有限公司 A Bluetooth & WiFi module maker based on Nordic nRF54, nRF53, nRF52, nRF7002 solution www.raytac.com email: service@raytac.com Tel: +886.2.3234.0208
You will get a brief understanding of WPC-ETA certificate (India) and how it relates to Raytac low energy Bluetooth module and how it helps you entering Raytac Bluetooth module into India by passing through importing and Customs clearance procedure way efficiently.
There are some types of ETA certificate categorized by the spec of your wireless transmission product (Bluetooth/Wifi/RFID and by device using frequency spectrum).
Hereafter we’re talking about the WPC-ETA compliance regulation to specifically on “Raytac’s low energy Bluetooth module.”
Outline of the article:
What is WPC Certificate/Equipment Type Approval (ETA) in India?
Raytac Bluetooth module applied to WPC-ETA Regulation Category
What is essential to get the ETA-SD license (ETA Approval)?
How the ETA-SD license works during importing process
A. What is WPC Certificate/Equipment Type Approval (ETA) in India?
The WPC (Wireless Planning & Coordination) is the broadcasting authority and is part of the Ministry of Communications and Information Technology in India.
Products with radio and/or wireless functionality imported or manufactured or marketed in India are required to have an Equipment Type Approval certificate (ETA certificate) from the Wireless Planning and Coordination (WPC India) Wing of the Ministry of Communications of the government of India. This includes product with Bluetooth, wireless local area network access technology (Wi-Fi), small digital radios (Zigbee), and radio frequency identification (RFID) and else more. The WPC-ETA certificate is required for anyone who wants to do wireless device business in India.
B. Raytac Bluetooth module applied to WPC-ETA Regulation Category
–ETA Through Self Declaration (ETA-SD License)
To specifically recognize what is the compliance regulation of equipment applies to Raytac Bluetooth module, we can be assured with our Bluetooth module spec located within “De-licensed Frequency Band list” , 2400-2483.5MHz / Limit with 10mW EIRP / Use of low power and very low power short range radio frequency device for Non-Specific Short range device, from the following chart which was released from WPC authority.
Once we confirm Raytac Bluetooth module spec is operated in De-License Frequency Band with low transmission power, at the mean time making sure the device is exempt from import license as per Import Policy of DGFT (Directorate General Of Foreign Trade), Ministry OM ETA-WPC-Policy-2018-19 dated 26th February 2019, free from EXIM Policy of DGFT, Raytac is granted to apply for “ETA Through Self-declaration” application procedure which was enabled by SARAL SANCHAR Portal of DoT on 12th April, 2019.
Here’s Raytac’s ETA through self-declaration (ETA-SD license) of module MDBT50 certified by WPC authority. (Please refer to the following image)
C. What is essential to get the ETA-SD license (ETA Approval)?
After getting idea of what ETA-SD license means to Raytac low energy Bluetooth module business, we need to get ready of the following points for applying the ETA Approval (ETA-SD License)
Applicant must be India manufacturing or authorized Indian representative
Making sure product exempt from import license
Making sure product working in the de-licensed frequency band
Wireless RF test report conducted by accredited laboratory
Details of Accreditation laboratory & Accreditation certificate issuing authority
Authorization letter
D. How the ETA-SD license works during importing process
Once ETA through self-declaration is generated for a model, subsequently it may be utilized by other person(s) for import/usage purpose in India. It is not necessary the importing agent/manufacturer is same party to the applicant of the license.
Question: How to import products falling under the category of ETA through Self-Declaration? Answer: Such category of product(s) may be imported by submitting an undertaking to the customs along with ETA-SD License without additional payment.
The ETA-SD license remains valid and NO renewal is needed until the technical parameter/design of the device is modified or altered.
Generally speaking , India doesn’t follow Modular policy nor Non-Modular policy. It determines how you proceed WPC-ETA certificate by product type (Semi-finished & End-product) and product technical spec (Frequency spectrum & Max output power). For instance: When the product is manufactured in India and its RF module(s) having ETA certificate is/are fitted inside it without any modification/alteration; then NO separate ETA is required for such finished product during import process. However, if finished product(s) are manufactured outside India, then ETA is required for each product before its import.
For the product which does not fall under De-Licensed frequency band and exempt from import license, WPC/ETA Certificate shall be obtained by routine proceeding to the concerned RLO ETA certificate. Both ETA (RLO) certificate and Import license shall be submitted to Customs during importing process whereas ETA-SD license Raytac module certified is exempt from import license that is way easier to proceed.
Edited by Account Manager: Jocelyn Tsai
Raytac Corporation 勁達國際電子股份有限公司 Bluetooth & WiFi module maker based on Nordic nRF54, nRF53, nRF52, nRF7002 solution BT5.3 & BT5.2 & BT5.1 Qualified, FCC/IC/CE/Telec/KC/RCM/SRRC/NCC Pre-Certified.
Bluetooth Core Specification 5.4 released in 2023 introduces four significant capabilities to the existing specifications.
1. Periodic Advertising with Response(PAwR)
PAwR is one of the key feature. Prior to Bluetooth 5.4, connectionless bidirectional communication is not possible. PAwR now allows bidirectional transfer of data in connectionless mode between a single central device and a large number of multiple devices (up to 32,640) in a star network topology.
2. Encrypted Adverting Data (EAD)
EAD provides a standardized approach to the secure broadcasting of data in advertising packets and enables the encrypted data over-the-star network to be decrypted only by devices that have shared the key material previously. This security feature protects PAwR communications to safeguard against data tampering, human error, and data leaks.
3. LE GATT Security Levels Characteristic(SLC)
When a GATT Client attempts to access a server attributes (characteristics, descriptors), attributes permissions are checked. If permissions are insufficient, the access is denied and all GATT features will not work properly. With SLC, the client can upgrade its security level to reattempt access of the previous failed operation. SLC enables devices to identify the security mode and level for all their GATT functionality.
4. Advertising Coding Selection
For LE Coded PHY, a Forward Error Correction (FEC) algorithm is used which results in significantly longer transmission distances. FEC parameter (S) uses one of two values (S=2 or S=8) and controls how much data is made to fix errors and how much Bluetooth range may be achieved. Prior to Bluetooth 5.4, specifying the value of the S coding parameter was not impossible. Bluetooth 5.4 allows the host to specify the value of the coding parameter S (S=2 or S=8) when the LE Coded PHY is selected for use with extended advertising.
Main beneficiary market of Bluetooth 5.4
The combination of these features enables ultra-low power, efficient radio usage and secure star networks that can be deployed in large scale ESL (Electronic Shelf Labels) and sensor applications with transferring a small amount of data. Devices accept slightly longer advertising-delay to exchange an extended battery life. It’s easy to see the retail industry as well as the market for ESL and shelf sensors will benefit greatly. ESL are devices that display pricing information for product on retail store shelves. They use small electronic paper displays powered by batteries and can replace traditional paper labels. Besides, ESL use wireless technology and a central hub device to transmit data, allowing retailers to automate pricing and replace traditional manual processes, and creating more efficient in-store operations.
Edited by Account Manager: Ms. Gracie Chuang
Raytac Corporation 勁達國際電子有限公司 A Bluetooth & WiFi module maker based on Nordic nRF53, nRF52, nRF70 solution www.raytac.com email: service@raytac.com Tel: +886.2.3234.0208
Matter aims to build a universal IPv6-based communication protocol to make it easier for smart home devices to communicate with each other. The protocol defines the application layer that will be deployed on devices as well as the different link layers to help maintain interoperability. Matter protocol built from the best pieces of existing trustworthy protocols, including Google Weave, Apple HomeKit, and Zigbee.
Matter is using Thread, Wi-Fi, and Ethernet for transport and Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) for device commissioning to support a host of smart home devices. Any smart home gadgets you have that use these technologies should be able to be bridged into Matter.
Overall, Matter 1.0 simplifies the process of connecting smart home devices and enables seamless communication between them, regardless of their brand or manufacturer.
Matter 1.0 specs already support a variety of common smart home products, including lighting and electrical, HVAC controls, window coverings and shades, safety and security sensors, door locks, media devices including TVs, controllers as both devices and applications, and bridges. Support for security cameras, smart speakers, home appliances and robotic vacuums is already planned for subsequent versions of Matter. With the ecosystem expansion, new use cases and applications are expected to emerge.
Certification Process
Matter Testing
The Matter 1.0 standard launches with test cases and comprehensive test tools for Alliance members and a global certification program including nine authorized test labs who are primed to test not only Matter, but also Matter’s underlying network technologies, Wi-Fi and Thread. Wi-Fi enables Matter devices to interact over a high-bandwidth local network and allows smart home devices to communicate with the cloud. Thread provides an energy efficient and highly reliable mesh network within the home.
Raytac Corporation 