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FCC Identifier (FCC ID)

1980
  • Federal Communications Commission (FCC)
Wi-Fi router with visible FCC Identifier label for telecommunications compliance.

(generated image for illustration only)

For electronic devices that are intentional radiators of radio frequency energy (e.g., Wi-Fi routers, Bluetooth devices), the FCC requires a unique identifier known as the FCC ID. This alphanumeric code is permanently affixed to the device. It consists of a Grantee Code, assigned by the FCC to a specific company, and a Product Code, assigned by the company to a specific device model.

The FCC ID is an important component of the ‘Certification’ authorization procedure, the most rigorous process reserved for devices with the highest potential to cause harmful interference. The ID serves as a public link to a wealth of technical information about the device. When a manufacturer applies for certification, they must submit detailed documentation to the FCC or a designated Telecommunication Certification Body (TCB). This includes test reports demonstrating compliance with RF exposure limits and technical standards, block diagrams, schematics, operational descriptions, and user manuals. Once approved, this information becomes publicly accessible through the FCC’s online database, searchable by the FCC ID. The Grantee Code, the first part of the ID, is a three- or five-character alphanumeric string that uniquely identifies the company that obtained the equipment authorization. The second part, the Product Code, can be up to 14 characters long and is chosen by the grantee to identify the specific product model. This system creates a transparent and accountable framework, allowing regulators, competitors, and consumers to verify that a device has undergone and passed the required testing for legal operation in the United States.

UNESCO Nomenclature: 3312
– Telecommunications

Type

Identification System

Disruption

incremental

Usage

Widespread Use

Precursors

  • FCC’s mandate to regulate radio communications
  • need for a systematic way to track certified equipment
  • development of product serialization and model numbering by manufacturers
  • creation of public-access government databases

Applications

  • public database lookup for device specifications and test reports
  • enforcement actions against non-compliant devices
  • consumer verification of device authenticity and authorization
  • tracking of wireless devices by model and manufacturer
  • reverse engineering and security analysis of rf devices

Patents:

NA

Potential Innovations Ideas

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Related to: FCC ID, grantee code, product code, certification, intentional radiator, RF device, telecommunication certification body, TCB, compliance, wireless.

Historical Context

FCC Identifier (FCC ID)

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(if date is unknown or not relevant, e.g. "fluid mechanics", a rounded estimation of its notable emergence is provided)

Related Invention, Innovation & Technical Principles

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