主题：Why HAC Testing?

 

Why HAC Testing?

?In July 2003, the FCC modified the exemption for digital wireless phones under the Hearing Aid Compatibility Act of 1988to require that wireless phone manufacturers and wireless phone service providers make digital wireless phones accessible to individuals who use hearing aids.

?Since 2003, more people have come to rely on wireless phones for safety, business, and personal use. For this reason, it is vitalfor individuals with a hearing impairment to have access to digital wireless phones. The FCC has taken steps to increase access to wireless telephones by requiring wireless carriers and equipment manufacturers to make more digital wireless phones hearing aid-compatible.

In June 2005, the FCC modified the preliminary handset deployment benchmarks specific to Tier I wireless carriers(i.e., nationwide wireless carriers such as Sprint-Nextel, VerizonWireless, Cingular, and T-Mobile).

?The FCC did not modify the preliminary deployment benchmark obligations for handset manufacturers of Tier II or Tier III (i.e., non-nationwide) wireless carriers.

?Later on July 11 published a consumer advisory about these rulesspecifically.

??For Tier I digital wireless services providers:

?By September 16, 2005, each such provider had to make available to consumers, per air interface, fourANSI M3-rated handsets, or 25%of the total number of digital wireless handset modelsoffered by the carrier nationwide. Each provider also had to make all of these models available for testing in each retail store it owned or operated.T-Mobile had until November 16, 2005.

?By September 16, 2006, each such provider must make available to

consumers, per air interface, fiveANSI T3-rated digital wireless

handsets, or 25%of the total number of handsetsit offers nationwide.

Each provider also must make all of these models available for testing in

each retail store it owned or operated.

For other digital wireless services providers:

?By September 16, 2005, each such provider had to include in its handset offerings at least twoANSI M3-rated hearing aid-compatible handset modelsper air interface offered. Each provider also had to make all of these models available for testing in each retail store it owned or operated.

?By September 18, 2006, each such provider must include in its handset offerings at least twoANSI T3-rated hearing-aid compatible handset modelsfor each air interface offered. Each provider also must make all of these models available for testing in each retail store it owns or operates.

For manufacturersof digital wireless handsets for use or imported for use in the United States:

?By September 16, 2005, each such manufacturer had to offer to service providers at least twoANSI M3-rated hearing aid-compatible handset modelsfor each air interface offered.

?By September 18, 2006, each manufacturer must offer to service providers at least twoANSI T3-rated hearing aid-compatible handset modelsfor each air interface offered.

??For both digital wireless service providers and manufacturers:

?By February 18, 2008, 50%of all handsetsmust meet the ANSI M3-rated HAC requirementfor each air interface offered.

HAC Test Standards/Specifications

ANSI C63.19 –2001 and 2005 editions:American National Standard for Methods of Measurement of Compatibility between Wireless Devicesand Hearing Aids.

??Measurements made for the WDs:

?RF E-field & H-field Emissions

?T-coil mode, magnetic-signal strength in the audio band

?T-coil mode, magnetic-signal frequency response through the audio band

?T-coil mode, magnetic-signal and noise articulation index

??Measurements made for the Hearing Aids:

?RF immunity in microphone mode

?RF immunity in T-coil mode

The M-Ratings (M1-M4 Phones):

?A phone which has low interference-causing emission (H-and E-field) is given a higher “M”rating. The rating is based upon a peak field strength as measured over a 5 x 5 cm grid in the region of the ear piece.

?AWF(ArticulationWeighting Factor) = 0 (CDMA/UMTS) and -5 (GSM)