Many manufacturers aren’t familiar with what to expect when they begin the SAR testing process. In fact, manufacturers may not even be aware of what testing is required for their product or pre-compliance testing. To help make sure that your device’s RF exposure testing process goes as smoothly as possible, we’re diving into what you can expect so you can be prepared for testing. It’s also important to us that our clients understand the testing process, so we’d like to provide some transparency.

Pre-compliance & Compliance RF Exposure Testing

A basic definition of SAR testing is that it is a measurement unit for the quantity of Radio Frequency (RF) that is absorbed by the body when a wireless device is used. This measurement describes both the amount of RF energy absorbed by the body from the wireless device and the rate at which it’s absorbed by the tissue exposed to it. Devices may undergo pre-compliance testing, but all devices are required to undergo compliance testing.

Pre-compliance SAR Testing

Pre-compliance testing is conducted during the development phase for a product. It may also involve working with a SAR testing lab to get guidance on the product’s design during development.

Without this input from SAR and RF exposure experts, a wireless device may fail compliance SAR testing due to its design. This failure will not only require more testing but a complete redesign of the device, which adds time to production and increases costs.

Pre-compliance testing can save manufacturers time and money by determining if a product will pass testing throughout the design and development process. If there are any issues with the product, they can quickly and easily be corrected. Although pre-compliance testing can result in slightly increased costs, the benefits it provides, and the time and money it saves manufacturers, make up for these added costs.

Compliance SAR testing

As mentioned, SAR is a unit of measurement for the quantity of RF exposure to the body when a wireless device that uses radio frequency to communicate is used. Any RF device used within 20 cm of the body is required to be evaluated to meet the RF exposure limits that have been determined by the FCC and other federal governmental agencies around the world.

The RF Exposure Testing Process

1. Contact us

Before beginning the process of RF exposure testing, we encourage you to contact us to learn more about what may be required for your product. RF Exposure Lab is made up of a team of experts in SAR testing and makes sure to communicate what is required for our clients. When you come to us for pre-compliance and compliance testing, you can be sure that we’ll only perform required testing.

2. Provide information about your product

Once you’ve determined whether you’re interested in pre-compliance testing for your product, you can move on to the next step of preparation for RF exposure testing. There is some information that you’ll want to make sure you have:

• The size of the device
• The device’s weight
• An explanation of how the device is meant to be used
• Which modules/transmitters are used in the device
• How many antennas are used per module
• Which country or countries you require certification for (US, Canada, Europe, South Korea, etc.)

3. Deliver the equipment to be tested

The process of RF exposure testing doesn’t simply require the device itself. First, we’ll need a sample of the device, which will be used to determine output power measurements. Depending on the transmitters, test code may be required to control the transmitters. Testing also requires unmodified samples, if possible, as well as the device’s charger, batteries, and other accessories that will be included with the device. Finally, we ask that manufacturers provide user instructions.

4. Testing

Once the previous steps have been completed, the testing process will begin. If there is any issue with the device that is non-compliant, we’ll inform you as soon as possible so that it can be fixed. When the device has completed testing, we’ll send you a report and answer any questions you may have about testing.

Get RF Exposure Testing Help at 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 manufacturing and the regulatory side of SAR testing, Jay Moulton has more than 25 years of experience. He is unique in his ability, experience, and knowledge of SAR. It’s this distinctive expertise and knowledge that allows us to guarantee our clients accurate SAR 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 SAR 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.

We offer SAR testing services for a variety of wireless devices, such as

• Millimeter wave devices
• Near field charging devices
• Cell phones, laptops, and tablets
• Medical devices
• Modems

As well as many more devices! If you’re looking for SAR testing help that is provided with expertise, speed, accuracy, and integrity, contact us to learn more about our services or to get a quote.