Technical Committee (TC) EMC and Radio Spectrum Matters (ERM) Activity Report 2023

Chair: Holger Butscheidt, Federal Ministry of Economic Affairs and Energy, Germany

Responsible for a range of radio product and electromagnetic compatibility (EMC) standards and the overall co-ordination of radio spectrum matters.

ETSI is responsible for a wide range of radio product and electromagnetic compatibility (EMC) standards and the overall co-ordination of radio spectrum matters, with much of this work being conducted in our committee for Electromagnetic compatibility and Radio spectrum Matters (TC ERM) that develops Harmonised Standards and other deliverables in response to Standardization Requests received from EC/EFTA.

We assist the European Conference of Postal and Telecommunications Administrations (CEPT) in harmonizing the use of spectrum, usually by providing a technical basis in System Reference documents (SRdocs) and via our members’ direct participation in CEPT Project Teams.

The work of TC ERM accommodates the requirements of a broad range of industries and applications. These include standards for wide band and ultra-wide band data systems, Short Range Devices (SRDs), wireless medical devices, RFID devices, Intelligent Transport Systems, digital mobile radio, aeronautics, maritime, PMSE and TV/radio broadcast systems.

Through TC ERM, ETSI liaises with several EC groups in which it is an observer, notably the Expert Group of Radio Equipment (EG-RE), the Telecommunication Conformity Assessment and Market Surveillance Committee (TCAM), the Radio Spectrum Policy Group (RSPG) and the Radio Spectrum Committee (RSC). We also work closely with the CEPT Electronic Communications Committee (CEPT/ECC), the Radio Equipment Compliance Association (REDCA) and the market surveillance and conformity assessment authorities through ADCO RED (Group of Administrative Co‑operation under the Radio Equipment Directive).

In force across Europe, the Radio Equipment Directive 2014/53/EU (RED) has required the revision or replacement of all ETSI’s existing related Harmonised Standards and the development of new ones. Hence much of the work of TC ERM Working Groups and Task Groups is in response to the RED, underscored by a strong cooperation between ERM and its groups with CEPT/ECC groups.

In 2023 TC ERM has continued to co-operate closely with the EC to optimize the efficiency of Harmonised Standards drafting process, as exemplified by participation in several bi-lateral events.

During 2023 TC ERM has continued to develop and revise various Harmonised Standards, European Standards, Technical Specifications, Technical Reports and System Reference documents, including those relating to:

  • Advanced Surface Movement Guidance and Control System (A-SMGCS)
  • Antennas for broadcast reception
  • Broadcast Sound Receivers
  • C-ITS communications
  • DAB and DRM transmitters
  • Digital Mobile Radio (DMR)
  • Digital Terrestrial TV transmitter
  • EMC
  • Ground Based Synthetic Aperture Radar (GBSAR)
  • Inductive glueing systems
  • Inductive loop systems for the hearing impaired
  • Inductive loop systems for robotic mowers
  • Level Probing & Tank Level Probing Radars
  • Maritime radar, navigation and communications
  • Measurement and testing
  • Networked Short Range Devices (SRD)
  • Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (NMR) technology
  • Primary & Secondary Surveillance Radar
  • Radiodetermination
  • RFID equipment
  • Satellite Personal Locator Beacons (PLBs)
  • Security scanners
  • Transport and Traffic Telematics (TTT) radar equipment
  • Ultra Low Power Active Medical Implants (ULP-AMI)
  • Ultra Wide Band systems
  • Vehicular radar and surveillance radar
  • VHF air-ground Digital Link (VDL) Mode 2
  • Wideband data transmission devices
  • Wireless microphones & Audio PMSE

Key activities and related publications within the committee’s various Task Groups and Working Groups during the year have included:

ERM TG17 – Broadcast and ancillary communications equipment.

ERM TG17 prepares Harmonised Standards covering essential requirements of article 3.2 of Directive 2014/53/EU as well as other deliverable types for: broadcast transmitters and receivers, sound and vision, using analogue or digital modulation, in collaboration with JTC Broadcast; ancillary communications equipment, including PMSE equipment, video and audio, hearing aid systems including inductive loops and ALDs (Assistive Listening Devices), and domestic radio and TV masthead amplifiers and associated equipment.

Previously published in 2022, ‘Transmitting equipment for the Digital Radio Mondiale (DRM) service; Harmonised Standard for access to radio spectrum’ EN 302 245 V2.2.1 achieved citation in the OJEU in October 2023. Also published in 2022, the corresponding Harmonised Standard relating to radio spectrum access for DAB transmitters EN 302 077 V2.3.1 similarly achieved citation in October 2023.

In October we published a revision to System Reference document (SRdoc) TR 103 450 V1.2.1, detailing technical characteristics and parameters for Wireless Multichannel Audio Systems (WMAS).

ERM TG28 - Generic Short Range Devices (SRD).

ERM TG28 develops and maintains Harmonised Standards, system reference documents and other technical documents for Short Range Devices (SRD) and networks of SRDs, covering requirements for the presumption of conformity to the essential requirements of the Radio Equipment Directive (2014/53/EU).

The work on the Harmonised Standards for Eurobalise EN 302 608 and Euroloop EN 302 609 railway systems have been moved from ERM TG28 responsibility to TC RT for maintenance.

ERM TG34 - RFIDs.

ERM TG34 has primary responsibility to provide and manage ETSI deliverables for RFID matters. 

We published Radio Frequency Identification Equipment operating in the band 865 MHz to 868 MHz with power levels up to 2 W and in the band 915 MHz to 921 MHz with power levels up to 4 W EN 302 208 V3.4.1. This was delivered to the EC in anticipation of citation in the OJ in 2024.

ERM TG37 - Intelligent transport systems.

ERM TG37 has primary responsibility to provide and manage ETSI deliverables for radio-related Intelligent Transport Systems (ITS) matters. 

Published in January 2023, TR 103 853 is a System Reference document (SRdoc) on Road ITS equipment operating in the 5,9 GHz band with channel bandwidths larger than 10 MHz.

ERM TGAERO – Aeronautics.

ERM TG AERO is responsible for developing various standards and specifications related to ground Air Traffic Management equipment, system and constituents, as well as related EU Harmonised Standards under the Radio Equipment Directive as mandated by the European Commission.

The second part of our Harmonised European Standard on access to radio spectrum for Secondary Surveillance Radar (SSR) EN 303 363-2 – covering Far Field Monitor (FFM) - achieved citation in the OJ in December 2023.

We published Part 8 of our European Standard for Advanced Surface Movement Guidance and Control System (A-SMGCS), EN 303 213-8 V2.1.1, providing Community Specification for A-SMGCS guidance service.

Also in relation to A-SMGCS, we published Part 5: Harmonised Standard for access to radio spectrum for Multilateration (MLAT) equipment; Sub-part 1: Receivers and Interrogators EN 303 213-5-1 V2.1.1. This was delivered to the EC in anticipation of citation in the OJ in 2024. 

ERM TG MARINE – Maritime and Amateur Radio.

ERM TG MARINE has primary responsibility to monitor developments in the field of maritime communications, and to propose and draft ETSI deliverables for maritime and inland waterways radio equipment and systems.

In January 2023 we published Technical Specification TS 103 863 V1.1.1 relating to radio transmitters and receivers for maritime mobile broadband communication links operating in the 5‑8 GHz frequency range employing integrated beamforming phased array antennas.

Originally published in October 2022, a revision of our Harmonised European Standard EN 303 132 V2.1.1 on access to radio spectrum for maritime VHF survivor locating devices using DSC Class M achieved citation in the OJ in October 2023.

ERM TGDMR - Digital Mobile Radio.

ERM TG DMR develops and maintains standards and technical reports to ensure the efficient use of radio frequency spectrum, primarily for private/professional land mobile radio systems.

We published revisions to various parts of our Technical Specification on Digital Mobile Radio (DMR) Systems:

We also published TR 102 398 V1.5.1, a revision of our Technical Report on Digital Mobile Radio (DMR) general system design.

ERM TGUWB – Ultra Wide Band.

ERM TG UWB investigates and develops generic and specific radio standards for Short Range Devices using broadband air interfaces and systems using Ultra Wide Band (UWB) technologies, for communications purposes, sensor applications and networks. The group also identifies spectrum requirements to ensure spectrum efficiency and compatibility with other radio services.

In May 2023 we published a new Technical Specification TS 103 789 on radar‑related parameters and physical test setup for object detection, identification and RCS measurement.

Issued in April, TR 103 750 V1.1.1 is a System Reference document (SRdoc) that addresses technical characteristics for Short Range Devices (SRD) using Ultra Wide Band (UWB) in the frequencies 8,5 – 10,6 GHz. A specific emphasis is on passive services in the band 10,68 – 10,7 GHz and X-band radionavigation and radiolocation systems in the band above 8,5 GHz.

ERM WGEMC – Electro Magnetic Compatibility (EMC).

Our ERM Working Group prepares draft ETSI deliverables covering EMC requirements, and liaises with other groups. It also develops measurements methods for EMC parameters not related to the antenna port of radio equipment.

In January 2023 we published an update EN 301 489-3 V2.3.2 of the third part of our Harmonised European Standard on ElectroMagnetic Compatibility (EMC) for radio equipment and services, addressing Short Range Devices (SRD) operating in frequencies between 9 kHz and 246 GHz. This was subsequently delivered to the EC in anticipation of citation in the OJ in 2024.

Published in January, ES 201 468 V1.7.1 revises the ETSI Standard on additional EMC requirements and resistibility requirements for telecommunications equipment for enhanced availability of service in specific applications. 

See the full list of current TC ERM Work Items in development here.