If you’re bringing a wireless device to the EU market that operates in the 2.4 GHz band, such as Bluetooth, Zigbee, or Wi-Fi, ETSI EN 300 328 is the radio standard that applies to your device. This harmonized European standard lays out the essential requirements for radio equipment compliance under the Radio Equipment Directive (RED).
What Is ETSI EN 300 328?
ETSI EN 300 328 sets out technical requirements for wideband data transmission systems, including frequency-hopping spread spectrum (FHSS), Wi-Fi, 802.15.4, and other 2.4 GHz technologies.
Compliance ensures that your device won’t interfere with others sharing the 2.4 GHz ISM band and can be legally sold in the European market.
What does ETSI EN 300 328 V2.2.2 evaluate?
Test Procedures and Descriptions (ETSI EN 300 328 V2.2.2)
| Test Procedure | Description |
|---|---|
| RF Output Power | Confirms device transmits within legal power limits to avoid interference.. |
| Duty Cycle, Tx-sequence, Tx-gap | Evaluates how frequently and for how long a device transmits, including pauses between transmissions. |
| Medium Utilization (MU) | Measures how much of the spectrum a device occupies over time and power usage. |
| Power Spectral Density (PSD) | Ensures energy is spread out evenly, avoiding spikes that could interfere with other signals. |
| Accumulated Transmit Time, Frequency Occupation, Hopping Sequence | Assesses how evenly and fairly a device uses hopping frequencies. |
| Hopping Frequency Separation | Verifies channels are spaced far enough to prevent overlap. |
| Adaptivity (Channel Access Mechanism) | Checks if the device avoids busy channels by detecting existing transmissions (LBT – Listen Before Talk) |
| Occupied Channel Bandwidth | Measures the bandwidth within which most of the transmitted power resides. Ensures the signal stays within the intended frequency range and does not spill into adjacent channels. |
| Transmitter Unwanted Emissions (Out-of-Band) | Measures emissions just outside the operating band. Ensures minimal leakage into adjacent frequency bands to protect nearby devices. |
| Transmitter Unwanted Emissions (Spurious Domain) | Evaluates emissions far from the device’s operating frequency, such as harmonics. Ensures these spurious signals are within acceptable levels. |
| Receiver Spurious Emissions | Assesses unintended emissions generated by the receiver. Prevents it from becoming a source of interference when not transmitting. |
| Receiver Blocking | Tests how well the receiver can maintain performance when a strong signal is present on nearby frequencies. Ensures immunity to nearby interference and robustness in crowded environments. |
Why This Matters
Understanding the test procedures is vital for proving your product is compliant to EN 300 328 v2.2.2. Non-conformance can result in product recalls, and product launch delays.
Final Thoughts
ETSI EN 300 328 is a dense technical document, but compliance is critical for any device operating in the crowded 2.4 GHz space. By following the test guidelines and referencing the test requirements table, you can streamline your certification process and ensure your device meets EU market requirements with confidence.
For tailored support in testing and compliance, MiCOM Labs offers full-service pre-compliance and certification testing. Have questions on pre-compliance or the EN 300 328 test plan?