As connected vehicles become more advanced, the technologies enabling them must keep pace with ever-evolving safety and communication standards. High-frequency testing plays a crucial role in ensuring that Vehicle-to-everything (V2X) systems meet regulatory requirements while maintaining reliability and safety. This article explores how compliance testing for high-frequency technology is adapting to the rise of V2X communication, highlighting the challenges manufacturers face and the importance of expert SAR and RF testing in navigating this complex landscape.

What is Vehicle-to-Everything Technology?

V2X technology allows vehicles to communicate with various objects to improve safety, efficiency, and mobility. Examples that fall under the umbrella of V2X technology include vehicle-to-vehicle (V2V), vehicle-to-pedestrians (V2P), and even vehicle-to-infrastructure (V2I). 

This technology uses onboard sensors that receive direct feedback to create a 360-degree area of awareness around the vehicle and receive indirect messages from infrastructure and other road users.

The ultimate goal of V2X technology is to allow vehicles to use onboard sensors to provide drivers with real-time traffic information, react to changing road conditions, and more.

High-Frequency Technology

Vehicles are powered by high frequency technology to enable this V2X communication. The high frequency band makes up frequencies within the range of 3 MHz to 6 GHz. This band is optimal for long-distance communication across intercontinental distances and/or mountainous terrains. 

The shift to high frequency is what has allowed mobile devices to begin using data rather than just voice communication, as well as increased consumption of data without disruption. High frequency technology is also able to be made with smaller antennas due to the short wavelength of these frequencies. Additionally, high frequency bands can be used to improve user experience and network efficiency for mobile devices, especially in the case of smartphones. 

High Frequency Testing

Whether it’s V2X technology, wireless chargers, or some other form of wireless device, technology will continue to develop, which means that manufacturers will always have updated compliance testing regulations to keep up with. 

The good news is that, with help from SAR and RF testing experts, manufacturers can keep their focus on developing and producing these devices instead of worrying about compliance requirements.

Here are the details of how SAR and RF testing affect high frequency devices. 

High path attenuation (loss of signal power due to distance, obstacles, or the general environment) is a common issue for devices using high frequencies, like V2X devices. Manufacturers may be able to compensate for this by using antennas that provide multipath suppression and interference mitigation, however, SAR requirements need to be taken into account when making these adjustments. 

The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) and IEEE have set SAR compliance regulations that must be followed to prove that devices are safe for consumer use. Keep in mind that these regulations differ between public and occupational environments and in different regions of the world. 

High frequency testing for these devices can also be challenging because of the band’s short wavelength and because these products typically have an increased number of antennas.

In addition to this, high frequency devices are capable of operating in far-field as well as near-field, and many high frequency wireless devices even support near-field connectivity. This adds yet another layer of complexity for RF exposure testing because near-field power absorption depends on many factors, including frequency of operation, the medium in which the electromagnetic field is transmitted, and the distance between the antenna and the body. All these factors require that thorough SAR testing be conducted to prove compliance of these products with FCC standards.

Get High Frequency Testing Help From RF Exposure Lab

Our team’s expertise comes from RF Exposure Lab’s Owner, Vice President, and Chief Engineer, Jay Moulton. An authority in SAR testing with a background in the regulatory side of RF exposure testing, Jay Moulton has more than 25 years of experience. He is unique in his ability, experience, and knowledge of RF exposure. It’s this distinctive expertise and knowledge that allows us to guarantee our clients accurate RF exposure testing results and solutions. 

In addition to this expertise, our team always works hard to go above and beyond, making sure that our clients understand how we are testing their devices and how the standards affect this. We strive to be as communicative and transparent as possible throughout the testing process so our clients are always up to date on the status of their testing.

In addition to SAR testing, we offer Power Density testing and Nerve Stimulation testing for a variety of wireless devices. If you’re looking for RF exposure testing help that is provided with expertise, speed, accuracy, and integrity, contact us to learn more about our services or to get a quote.