|
|
|
|
Issue #2: Certifications & Testing - June 2025 |
|
|
|
|
Thank you for reading the second edition of the IEEE Industry Newsletter, and many thanks to over 2,000 IEEE members that chose to “opt-in” to receive our new quarterly IEEE Industry Newsletter. Our quarterly Newsletter is singularly focused on technology and applications in support of all industry practitioners. I encourage you to share this with industry colleagues, both IEEE members and non-IEEE members and consider posting on your social media pages. We would like to expand our readership and appreciate your support. |
|
|
In this issue, we have selected a theme: Certifications & Testing. I am pleased to introduce our guest industry author, Mike Violette, CEO at Washington Laboratories Ltd., in Frederick, Maryland, who shares his wisdom and insights on this important topic in our lead article below.
Our IEEE Industry Engagement Committee expert team of volunteers and supporting staff are already looking forward to developing meaningful content for future issues of the IEEE Industry Newsletter. To this end, with a goal of developing content that is meaningful to you, we have developed a brief online survey that you can complete in less than 2 minutes. Please read through this edition of the Newsletter, then take two minutes to respond to the survey.
Finally, be sure to attend our second scheduled Webinar “Take Your IEEE Membership to the Next Level” by Howard Wolfman, discussing the simple steps to self-nomination for IEEE Senior Member elevation. Your one-stop website for “Everything Industry” in the IEEE including industry newsletters, webinars, career development, and more is at www.industry.ieee.org. If you have comments or questions regarding the IEEE Industry Newsletter, please feel free to contact me at [email protected].
|
|
|
Testing, Certification, Compliance, Competence, Confidence, and Faith |
Testing and certification (T&C) activities underpin the trust in engineered devices and systems. This trust relies heavily on verified engineering designs that fulfill regulatory requirements and intended functionality. It is a necessary aspect for acceptance of technological advancements by the public, industry, governments, and other stakeholders. In the United States, the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) has primary responsibility for regulating communications by radio, television, wire, satellite, and cable. |
|
|
It operates under the comprehensive Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) and plays a pivotal role in ensuring constructive usage and effective management of public resources. This specifically includes the radio spectrum – a scarce and valuable resource. Since 1934, these regulations have shaped and refined the landscape of radio and wireline communications. The FCC and other regulators across the globe have been challenged by the rapid pace of technological evolution and innovation.
The Testing, Inspection, and Certification (TIC) industry has emerged as an extensive field. It covers an expansive range of products and services, employing a significant number of Engineers. The products range from consumer goods and devices to advanced satellite systems. Within communications technology, the regulatory guidelines are captured within CFR Title 47. The guidelines facilitate innovation and responsible utilization of spectrum resources. For engineers involved with IoT and connected devices, the regulatory framework outlined in Parts 15, 20, 22, 87, and 90 of the CFR provides critical guidance regarding licensed and unlicensed operations.
Device evaluation standards – through rigorous testing or equivalent validation methods – are foundational to building Competence and establishing Confidence within the certification ecosystem. TIC is important not only to the regulators but just as crucial for device manufacturers and service providers. The FCC’s Office of Engineering and Technology (OET) embodies these standards through the creation and continual refinement of test lab practices. These practices address a wide array of technical issues such as modulation techniques, spurious emissions, and key performance parameters. The practices reinforce both unified goals and constructive debate within the community.
The certification process verifies Compliance with regulations, and the operational effectiveness of IoT and personal devices. This involves multiple dimensions such as frequency usage, power levels, antenna configurations, signal integrity, health considerations, and meticulous documentation practices. Key documentation requirements include:
- Detailed technical descriptions
- Precise device placement specifications (form, fit, function)
- Comprehensive schematics, photographs, diagrams, and logic flowcharts
- Thorough user manuals
- Explicit warnings, cautions, and labeling
- Additional supporting documents (letters, attestations)
Regulatory requirements detailed in CFR Title 47 are the result of meticulous technical and legal deliberations. The objective is preservation of spectrum integrity – a resource subject to intense contention. While unlicensed devices typically fall under CFR Part 15 – covering common consumer electronics such as laptops and wireless peripherals – the pervasive integration of IoT technology necessitates heightened attention to cybersecurity threats. Consequently, evaluating device vulnerabilities has become an integral aspect of the testing and certification process.
The industry's growing emphasis on cybersecurity highlights recent regulatory shifts by the FCC, the European Union, and other international bodies. These entities increasingly focus on device integrity, data protection, and anti-fraud measures. Therefore, adherence to established guidelines for device design alone is insufficient; manufacturers must demonstrate robust internal processes that foster and maintain trust within the certification framework.
For the broader industry, integrating IoT with secure wireless communication technologies and robust cybersecurity protocols is essential. However, governmental oversight alone may not encompass the breadth of emerging threats and opportunities. Industry-led initiatives, such as IEEE standards development efforts, play a critical role in addressing these gaps and driving collective awareness.
As Galileo famously asserted that "the Earth moves," similarly, technological evolution is relentless. The T&C community, in collaboration with industry groups, must remain vigilant and proactive, fostering engineering excellence, sustaining public Faith in a system designed to protect our community and economy. Practicing TIC engineers in industry have laid the foundation to deliver safe and reliable products and processes, while skillfully navigating through the complex and constantly changing maze of regulations. |
|
|
New Industry Initiatives Around the IEEE Regions – A Focus on Region 9 |
IEEE Region 9 encompasses the countries of Latin America and the Caribbean. It is a vibrant and dynamic region, supported by a highly engaged volunteer community. Over the years, numerous efforts have been made to strengthen ties with industry, ultimately leading to the development of a formal and consistent strategy for industry engagement. While the region has a strong academic and research presence, its industry is primarily driven by applied engineering, telecommunications, energy, and technology services, with a focus on implementation and infrastructure. The diversity of Region 9 presents both opportunities and challenges in designing tailored benefits that address the varied needs of our members. |
|
|
To deepen industry involvement, we are actively collaborating with corporations across Region 9, promoting women in industry, and identifying regional industry experts. One key initiative is the Ambassadors Program, where volunteers connect IEEE with their workplaces by hosting Coffee Talks on industry-relevant topics, highlighting IEEE’s value, and forming local industry-focused groups. Another initiative, WIE IndustrIEEE, offers students the opportunity to shadow women leaders in partner organizations for a full day, providing real-world insight and inspiration. Additionally, we are organizing virtual industry events across Latin America, creating a database of regional industry experts. We are also forging new corporate partnerships, enhancing, and expanding our industry engagement efforts.
Region 9 Sections have also played a crucial role in advancing industry engagement. A notable example is the IEEE El Salvador Section's Partner Companies Program, which strengthens collaboration between industry and the engineering community. The program promotes professional growth, innovation, and networking. Participating companies gain access to technical training, increased visibility at IEEE events, and connections with a vast network of experts. Since its inception, the program has successfully engaged major producers in the energy, telecommunications, and manufacturing sectors, reinforcing ties between industry and academia. This initiative exemplifies how IEEE Sections can foster local partnerships that contribute to development, underscoring IEEE’s role as a vital link between technology and industry.
IEEE Region 9 continues to strengthen its connection with industry through innovative programs and strategic partnerships. These efforts not only enhance the professional growth of members but also demonstrate the value IEEE brings to the region’s technological advancement. By bridging academia and industry, Region 9 is paving the way for a diverse and connected engineering community. If you have questions about any of the industry-focused activities mentioned in this article, please reach out to Juan Galindo, IEEE R9 Industry Engagement Chair at [email protected].
|
|
|
Contributing Authors: Juan Galindo (IEEE R9 Industry Engagement Chair) and Armando Ruiz (IEEE El Salvador Section Chair) |
|
|
IEEE Standards Association Supports Industry Conformity Testing |
The IEEE Standards Association (IEEE SA) is well-known for its standards in telecommunications, energy, and many other areas. Traditionally, IEEE Standards have been developed by groups of technical experts who participate and vote as individuals. What is less well-known is that the IEEE SA is expanding support of entity standards.
Entity standards are created by groups of companies (and other organizations), each that get one vote per entity. |
|
|
Entity standards enable companies and industry groups to develop standards within IEEE, while an Industry Affiliate Network (IAN) gives industry consortia and alliances a way to turn their own specifications into IEEE standards. An example is the MIPI Alliance which creates interface specifications for integrating mobile device components into peripherals and applications. With over 300 industry members worldwide, MIPI specifications are used in smartphones, automobiles, and the Internet of Things. A MIPI specification that was adopted as an IEEE Standard (IEEE 2977-2021) now provides a critical high-speed data link interface used in automotive safety, infotainment, and advanced driver assistance systems.
Entity standards and IAN are governed by IEEE SA’s Entity Collaborative Activities Governance (CAG) Board. Established in 2006, the CAG plays a pivotal role in the close relationship IEEE SA has with industry. Initiatives of the CAG include the IEEE Registration Authority that manages the allocation of Media Access Control (MAC) to manufacturers, an Industry Connections program that supports pre-standardization collaborations, an IEEE Conformity Assessment Program (ICAP), and the IEEE SA open-source platform (SA Open).
Conformity assessment programs test and certify products, services, or people to ensure standards have been properly followed. This results in the interoperability and consistency enabling global supply chains, creating market opportunities for industry while lowering costs and improving quality and safety for consumers. Standards assessment and certification programs for AI ethics, distributed energy resources, medical devices, cybersecurity, nuclear power, online age verification, time protocols, and more are included in IEEE conformity assessment. As we look to the future, entity standards, conformity assessment and open source all stand to increase in importance in industry and IEEE.
|
|
|
IEEE to Run Free Virtual Career Fairs to Meet Industry Workforce Needs! |
Is your company seeking talent in science, technology, mathematics, and engineering (STEM) fields?
IEEE has the answer! IEEE Technical Activities, Member and Geographic Activities, and Corporate Activities are now hosting a series of IEEE Career Fairs. In a unique virtual environment, IEEE Career Fairs enable businesses to meet and schedule interviews with IEEE Student Members and Young Professionals (YPs). |
|
|
There is no cost, and every company can decide in advance who to interview based on resumes submitted by IEEE Students and YPs. Virtual career fairs have advantages over their in-person counterparts. Candidates can join from anywhere, reducing geographic barriers, expanding access to the available talent pool. Virtual career fairs eliminate travel costs, enabling recruiters to participate without disrupting their daily routines. They also offer businesses an opportunity to involve more technical staff in interviews with less impact on busy schedules.
IEEE Career Fairs use a virtual event platform configured to emulate a conference setting with a lobby, meeting rooms, and breakout rooms suitable for interviews. The platform is branded with IEEE and corporate sponsor logos and will allow for documents (e.g., resumes and job descriptions) to be uploaded and available to registered participants.
More than 200,000 Students and YPs are active IEEE members across the globe, a strong indicator that Student and YP candidates are engaged in, serious about their professional careers, and keep up with industry trends. They tend to become the highest performing and most dedicated professionals in their fields. Many of them are also members of IEEE Eta Kappa Nu, the international honor society for electrical and computer engineering students and professionals. These individuals typically rank in the top 25% of their class. |
In addition, candidates undergo assessments to ensure they have the skills, education, and experience participating recruiters identify as essential. At a time when employers are inundated with thousands of resumes for every job opening, IEEE Career Fairs offer an efficient and cost-effective way to access top candidates. |
|
|
If you know of job openings in your company, let your Human Resources department know about this opportunity to enroll at careerfair.ieee.org. A great way to support young IEEE members and your company at the same time. |
|
|
WEBINAR: IEEE Senior Member Elevation – What, Why, and How |
IEEE Senior Members are recognized as technical leaders among their industry peers. Many are recognized as industry leaders by engineers and managers within their company.
Do you meet the qualifications of IEEE Senior Member but still have not yet attained this membership level?
This webinar will offer an overview of the IEEE Senior Member grade—what it is, why it matters, and how qualified members can apply. There is no additional membership fee for Senior Member grade. Led by Howard Wolfman, Chair of the IEEE Admissions and Advancement Committee, this session will walk participants through the elevation process, requirements, benefits, and common pitfalls to avoid. Whether you’re preparing to apply or helping others navigate the process, this webinar offers an excellent opportunity to gain clarity and confidence. |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
