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It does NOT restrict you from modifying the software. Read section 24. "The Commission proposed that certain changes in layout, included components, operating

It does NOT restrict you from modifying the software. Read section 24. "The Commission proposed that certain changes in layout, included components, operating software, or variations in overall electrical or mechanical constructions that do not substantially change the overall function of the device do not require a new FCC ID." "The Commission proposed to continue to permit Class I permissive changes for those changes that do not degrade the device parameters normally reported in an equipment authorization application (including a decrease in the fundamental emissions that does not increase spurious emissions; an improved spurious emission performance; minor variations in the enclosure or components; and software changes that do not affect RF parameters)."

PhasmaFelis 11y ago
All of that says that a manufacturer can make certain changes to software and hardware without having to get a new authorization. It says nothing about what the user is permitted to do.
- Sanddancer 11y ago
  Yes, and the cheapest way to be compliant with that is to put the wifi chips in its own locked box, separate from the rest of the phone. There are several chips available right now, like the ath9k series, that already work like this. This issue really is a tempest in a teapot.
  - PhasmaFelis 11y ago
    I'm repeating this in a few places because no one else in the thread seems to have found it yet: https://apps.fcc.gov/kdb/GetAttachment.html?id=1UiSJRK869RsyQddPi5hpw%3D%3D&desc=594280%20D02%20U-NII%20Device%20Security%20v01r02&tracking_number=39498 https://apps.fcc.gov/kdb/GetAttachment.html?id=1UiSJRK869Rsy... The relevant passage is "Describe in detail how the device is protected from 'flashing' and the installation of third-party firmware such as DD-WRT." The FCC is specifically mandating that all custom firmware must be blocked.
    - Sanddancer 11y ago
      A) The relevant portions of the rules only apply to the 5 ghz band. 2.4 ghz doesn't have that set of rules. B) The document is not hard and fast rules, it's a set of guidelines to ensure that the device cannot operate out of the rules. So, putting the radio controls in a separate unflashable baseband chip would be ensuring that the radio is only operated by authorized software, while the rest of the router is operated by other software.
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PhasmaFelis 11y ago

All of that says that a manufacturer can make certain changes to software and hardware without having to get a new authorization. It says nothing about what the user is permitted to do.

Sanddancer 11y ago
Yes, and the cheapest way to be compliant with that is to put the wifi chips in its own locked box, separate from the rest of the phone. There are several chips available right now, like the ath9k series, that already work like this. This issue really is a tempest in a teapot.
- PhasmaFelis 11y ago
  I'm repeating this in a few places because no one else in the thread seems to have found it yet: https://apps.fcc.gov/kdb/GetAttachment.html?id=1UiSJRK869RsyQddPi5hpw%3D%3D&desc=594280%20D02%20U-NII%20Device%20Security%20v01r02&tracking_number=39498 https://apps.fcc.gov/kdb/GetAttachment.html?id=1UiSJRK869Rsy... The relevant passage is "Describe in detail how the device is protected from 'flashing' and the installation of third-party firmware such as DD-WRT." The FCC is specifically mandating that all custom firmware must be blocked.
  - Sanddancer 11y ago
    A) The relevant portions of the rules only apply to the 5 ghz band. 2.4 ghz doesn't have that set of rules. B) The document is not hard and fast rules, it's a set of guidelines to ensure that the device cannot operate out of the rules. So, putting the radio controls in a separate unflashable baseband chip would be ensuring that the radio is only operated by authorized software, while the rest of the router is operated by other software.
- deleted 11y ago
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- deleted 11y ago
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