The development of wireless technology has enabled the rapid explosion of the Internet of Things (IoT). Millions of IoT devices are interconnected on wireless networks gathering and sending data, impacting all aspects of society and life. Before an IoT end-product is permitted to be launched into the market, it needs to successfully navigate multiple levels of complex certification approval processes to certify the product is in compliance with government regulations and industry standards; safe to use; and interoperable with other devices on the network. Certification approval processes can be time consuming and costly, and failure to pass may lead to longer product development time, higher cost, and launch delay.
This paper provides an overview of the complexity of the multiple levels of product certifications with an emphasis on how antenna performance requirements are decided by the regulatory restrictions and industry standards. Throughout, examples are used to demonstrate how to design or select an antenna to meet the restrictions and requirements for certification and a successful launch to market.