In obtaining Vietnam Type Approval, sample plays a significant role. This is because the approval can be processed through local testing method. During the process, there will be two types of testing required, which are Radio Frequency (RF) Test and Electromagnetic Compatibility (EMC) test. In order to perform these tests, we need to prepare samples. And between RF and EMC test, these require different type of samples.
Conducted Sample
Conducted sample is the sample that already has RF cables or SMA connector (can be male or female connector) connected to the RF module inside the sample. For better understanding, below is the picture of RF cable or SMA cable.
In some product such as access point, router, or gateways, usually they already have RF/SMA ports built in. This RF/SMA connector is usually used to connect the external antenna of the product. We can detach the antenna to export the RF port. Once the RF port is exposed, we can just connect it to the spectrum analyzer to do the measurement.
And for the product which has no RF/SMA connector built in, we can check the RF module inside. Depending on the RF module used by the product, usually the RF module inside already has RF pin. If that’s the case, we can just attach the RF cable to RF module through this pin. Otherwise, we need to solder the RF cable into antenna and ground part of RF module.
The purpose of connecting RF cable or SMA connector into the module is to connect RF module to the spectrum analyzer. Therefore, transmission emitted by the RF module can be caught by the spectrum analyzer and then measured.
Normal Sample
Normal sample is an unmodified sample or normal commercial product. This is the same product that will go into the market. This sample has no modification done, and it operates in normal mode. Normal sample is required to do electromagnetic compatibility (EMC) test.
If the normal sample already has RF/SMA connector built in in the antenna port, then this sample can be used as both conducted and normal sample. This is because both conducted and normal samples are the same. To make it normal sample, we just need to attach the antenna, and we can detach the antenna to make it conducted. But, if the sample doesn’t have RF/SMA connector built in in the antenna port, this means that this sample cannot be used as both normal and conducted sample. Because when we make it conducted, we need to do modification to it.
Why We Care
For countries that obligate local testing like Vietnam, sample is a significant part of the approval process. Smoothness of testing process depends on the correctness of sample set up. If sample set up is correct from the first time, test can be started and finished sooner. This means that the overall lead time of the certification process also depends on it.
As explained before, understanding the correct sample requirements when processing Vietnam Type Approval can save you many times. Approval certificate can be obtained sooner without any serious hassle if sample is correct from the first time. It’s because we can also cut down the time to do setting as well as prevent unnecessary sample shipping. Therefore, in Dimulti, prior to the sample shipping we will make sure that sample requirements are understood by customer. Before sending sample to testing lab, we will also do precheck and pretest to the sample to minimize any technical mistake during actual test.