European radio regulations open up

Citation

(1998), "European radio regulations open up", Sensor Review, Vol. 18 No. 4. https://doi.org/10.1108/sr.1998.08718dab.006

European radio regulations open up

European radio regulations open up

Keywords Radio telemetry (standards)

A great deal is happening in 1998 which will radically change the parameters for the low power (short range) radio industry in Europe:

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  The new European frequency allocation for short range radio devices at 868-870MHz has now been accepted (subject to minor national restrictions) for unlicensed use throughout most of Europe, including the UK. This is a great step forward for exporters as it is a brand-new common European frequency for SRDs, and companies are already designing products operating at 868 for sale throughout Europe. (It is also close enough to the US frequencies to open up the US market to European countries and vice versa.)

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  The 433MHz allocation for short range devices was, until very recently, only available in the UK for radio-activated car keys. It has now been opened up for general use, in line with most of the rest of Europe, but its usefulness is in question because of severe overcrowding of the spectrum by other users and consequent interference problems.

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  Other frequency bands for SRDs are being harmonized throughout Europe, opening up new product opportunities, as well as requiring re-engineering of older products.

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  The process of obtaining type approvals and EMC testing is evolving, so that it is now easier to obtain a one-stop type approval that is valid throughout Europe.

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  A new generation of multi-use ICs is being developed for short range radio devices, which should increase the design opportunities and decrease costs in this rapidly growing industry.

These and many other changes will be discussed in detail at the Radio Solutions '98 Conference, to be held at the National Motorcycle Museum, Birmingham, on 28-29 October. This will be the seventh Radio Solutions exhibition and conference, having grown from a small table-top event running alongside a seminar in 1992, to a full-scale exhibition with 71 stands this year. There will be some exciting product launches and innovative uses of the technology displayed by companies from several countries.

For more information contact LPRA Secretariat, Brearley Hall, Luddenden Foot, Halifax HX2 6HS, UK. Tel: +44 (0)1422 886463; Fax +44 (0)1422 886950; E-mail: www.info@lpra.org, or visit our Website for regular Radio Solutions '98 updates and the facility to pre-register for the event electronically.