Skip to content
spilma

Radio spurious emissions and receiver blocking tests

A radio test report has two halves. One measures what the product emits outside its channel, down to the spurious domain; the other measures what its receiver tolerates: a strong signal outside the band (blocking), a signal in the next channel (selectivity), two signals that mix into the channel (intermodulation). In the EU both halves come from the ETSI harmonised standards cited under RED Article 3(2); in the US, Part 15 limits emissions and has no general receiver test. This page reads the limits and levels in the texts themselves, as of October 7, 2026: EN 300 328 V2.2.2, EN 301 893 V2.2.1, EN 303 687 V1.1.1, EN 300 220-2 V3.3.1, EN 303 413 V1.2.1, ERC Recommendation 74-01, 47 CFR 15.205, 15.209 and 15.247, and the 3GPP UE conformance specifications. It ends with the readings the texts contradict, several of which this page used to make.

SideRequirementWhat is measuredWhere it is written
TransmitUnwanted emissions in the spurious domainMean power outside the channel and outside the out-of-band domainEN 300 328 Table 4, EN 301 893 clause 4.2.4, EN 300 220-2 Table 5, 47 CFR 15.247(d) and 15.209
ReceiveReceiver spurious emissionsWhat the product radiates while it listensEN 300 328 Table 5, EN 301 893 Table 4, EN 303 413 Table 4-5
ReceiveReceiver blockingWanted link kept alive with a strong signal outside the operating bandEN 300 328 clause 4.3.x.12/11, EN 301 893 clause 4.2.8, EN 300 220-2 clause 4.5.4, EN 303 413 clause 4.2.1
ReceiveAdjacent channel selectivityWanted link kept alive with a signal of the same kind in the next channelEN 301 893 clause 4.2.9, EN 303 687 clause 4.3.8, EN 300 220-2 clause 4.5.3, 3GPP clause 7.5
ReceiveSpurious response rejectionResistance to an unmodulated signal at a frequency where the receiver respondsEN 300 220-2 clause 4.5.5, 3GPP clause 7.7 (FR1)
ReceiveIntermodulationResistance to two signals whose mixing product falls in the channelEN 300 220-2 clause 4.5.6, 3GPP clause 7.8 (FR1)

Two points drive everything below. First, "receiver spurious emissions" (what the receiver radiates) and "spurious response" (what the receiver wrongly responds to) are different requirements. Second, not every standard has every receiver test: EN 300 328 has blocking only.

EU. Article 3(2) of Directive 2014/53/EU: "Radio equipment shall be so constructed that it both effectively uses and supports the efficient use of radio spectrum in order to avoid harmful interference." Recital 10 spells out the receiver half: a receiver should have "a level of performance that allows it to operate as intended and protects it against the risk of harmful interference, in particular from shared or adjacent channels". Recital 11 adds that, "although receivers do not themselves cause harmful interference, reception capabilities are an increasingly important factor" in efficient spectrum use. Receive-only products are in scope: the Article 2 definition of radio equipment covers a product that "intentionally emits and/or receives radio waves".

The consolidated list of Implementing Decision (EU) 2022/2191 shows how this is applied in practice. Several cited standards carry a notice that they do "not address requirements relating to receiver performance parameters" and give no presumption of conformity for them; EN 300 440 V2.1.1 carries that notice for its receiver categories 2 and 3. Where the cited standard leaves a parameter out, or is applied only in part, Article 17(3) no longer allows internal production control alone, and Article 17(4) sends the product to EU-type examination or full quality assurance.

US. Part 15 regulates receivers as emitters. 15.101 requires an SDoC or certification for receivers that tune within 30 to 960 MHz, CB receivers and radar detectors (scanning receivers and radar detectors need certification); receivers above 960 MHz or below 30 MHz are exempt from the technical provisions but remain subject to 15.5. None of this tests blocking or selectivity. The FCC Notice of Inquiry FCC 22-29 (April 21, 2022) describes Commission rules on receiver performance as limited to specific cases (800 MHz public safety band, the 900 MHz band, the DTV transition, CBRS), and the Policy Statement FCC 23-27 (adopted April 20, 2023) sets principles, such as receivers sharing responsibility for mitigating interference, without adding a Part 15 test. Receiver requirements for US cellular devices come from the 3GPP specifications through PTCRB and operator programmes, not from the FCC rules.

ERC Recommendation 74-01 (approved 1998, edition corrected May 23, 2022) is the CEPT source of the spurious-domain values. Its Annex 2, Table 6 sets for short range devices, RLAN, CB, cordless telephones and radio microphones in transmit mode -54 dBm in 87.5 to 118, 174 to 230 and 470 to 694 MHz, -36 dBm elsewhere from 9 kHz to 1 GHz and -30 dBm above 1 GHz, and for receivers and idle transmitters -57 dBm up to 1 GHz and -47 dBm above. For cases it does not cover, it sends the reader to Recommendation ITU-R SM.329, whose current version is SM.329-13 (September 2024). The Recommendation itself says it should not be used on its own to place products on the market under the RED: the harmonised standards carry the values.

TextTransmit modeReceive modeUpper frequency measured
ERC 74-01, Table 6, rows 2.1.2 and 2.1.4-54 dBm in 87.5 to 118, 174 to 230, 470 to 694 MHz; -36 dBm to 1 GHz; -30 dBm above-57 dBm to 1 GHz; -47 dBm aboveFUPPER from Table 1: 5th harmonic for a fundamental of 600 MHz to 5.2 GHz, 26 GHz for 5.2 to 13 GHz
EN 300 328 V2.2.2, Tables 4 and 5 (2.4 GHz)-54 dBm in four bands: 47 to 74, 87.5 to 118, 174 to 230, 470 to 694 MHz; -36 dBm (100 kHz) otherwise to 1 GHz; -30 dBm (1 MHz) to 12.75 GHz-57 dBm (100 kHz) to 1 GHz; -47 dBm (1 MHz) to 12.75 GHz12.75 GHz
EN 301 893 V2.2.1, Table 4 (5 GHz receivers)Clause 4.2.4 (transmit masks and Table 3)-57 dBm (100 kHz) to 1 GHz; -47 dBm (1 MHz) to 26 GHz26 GHz
EN 300 220-2 V3.3.1, Table 5 (sub-GHz SRD)-54 dBm in 87.5 to 118, 174 to 230, 470 to 694 MHz; -36 dBm otherwise from 9 kHz to 1 GHz; -30 dBm from 1 to 6 GHz-57 dBm to 1 GHz; -47 dBm from 1 to 6 GHz6 GHz
EN 303 413 V1.2.1, Table 4-5 (GNSS)Not applicable (receive only)-57 dBm (100 kHz) to 1 GHz; -47 dBm (1 MHz) to 8.3 GHz8.3 GHz
47 CFR 15.247(d) with 15.205 and 15.209 (US)20 dB below the in-band peak in any 100 kHz (30 dB if power was measured as an RMS average); in restricted bands, 15.209 field strength, for example 500 μV/m at 3 m above 960 MHz, average detector above 1 GHz15.109 applies only to receivers tuning 30 to 960 MHz, CB receivers and radar detectors (15.101(b))10th harmonic or 40 GHz, whichever is lower, for a radiator below 10 GHz (15.33(a)(1))

Three details that reports get wrong. EN 300 328 keeps a fourth -54 dBm band (47 to 74 MHz) that the current ERC 74-01 table does not list. The EN limits are conducted at an antenna port when there is one, otherwise e.r.p. below 1 GHz and e.i.r.p. above. And for a 2.4 GHz product the FCC scan goes to about 24.8 GHz while EN 300 328 stops at 12.75 GHz, so one sweep does not serve both reports. Near 2.4 GHz, the 15.205 restricted bands 2310 to 2390 MHz and 2483.5 to 2500 MHz are where band-edge measurements are judged against 15.209 rather than the 20 dB rule; above 1 GHz, 15.35(b) adds a peak limit 20 dB above the average limit.

The blocking signal is CW at -34 dBm for every category. What changes is the wanted signal and the list of frequencies (Tables 6 to 8 for FHSS, 14 to 16 for other equipment). OCBW is the occupied channel bandwidth in Hz.

Receiver category (clause 4.2.3)Who falls in itWanted signalBlocking frequencies (MHz)
1Adaptive equipment above 10 dBm e.i.r.p.(-133 dBm + 10 log OCBW) or -68 dBm, whichever is less, at 2 380 and 2 504; (-139 dBm + 10 log OCBW) or -74 dBm at the others2 380, 2 504, 2 300, 2 330, 2 360, 2 524, 2 584, 2 674
2Non-adaptive with medium utilisation above 1 % and up to 10 %, or any equipment above 0 dBm and up to 10 dBm e.i.r.p.(-139 dBm + 10 log OCBW + 10 dB) or (-74 dBm + 10 dB), whichever is less2 380, 2 504, 2 300, 2 584
3Non-adaptive with medium utilisation of 1 %, or any equipment at 0 dBm e.i.r.p.(-139 dBm + 10 log OCBW + 20 dB) or (-74 dBm + 20 dB), whichever is less2 380, 2 504, 2 300, 2 584

The pass criterion is a PER or FER of 10 % or less, or, for equipment that cannot report one, no loss of the wireless transmission function needed for the intended use. Levels are given at the receiver input for a 0 dBi antenna; a conducted test corrects for the in-band antenna gain, a radiated test converts the level to a power flux density with PFD = P + 11 - 20 log(300/F).

EN 301 893 V2.2.1 (5 GHz) and EN 303 687 V1.1.1 (6 GHz)

Section titled “EN 301 893 V2.2.1 (5 GHz) and EN 303 687 V1.1.1 (6 GHz)”

Both define the wanted signal relative to Pmin, the lowest level that meets the criterion with no blocker, and use the same 10 % PER/FER criterion.

StandardWanted signalBlocking frequency (MHz)Blocking levelSignal
EN 301 893 V2.2.1, Table 8Pmin + 6 dB5 100-53 dBm (primary, or secondary with radar detection); -59 dBm (secondary without radar detection)CW
EN 301 893 V2.2.1, Table 8Pmin + 6 dB4 900, 5 000, 5 975-47 dBm; -53 dBm for secondary without radar detectionCW
EN 303 687 V1.1.1, Table 9 (LPI)Pmin + 6 dB5 895, 6 475-53 dBmCW
EN 303 687 V1.1.1, Table 9 (LPI)Pmin + 6 dB5 695, 5 795, 6 575, 6 675-47 dBmCW
EN 303 687 V1.1.1, Table 10 (VLP)Pmin + 6 dBSame frequencies-58 dBmCW

In EN 303 687, the 5 695, 5 795 and 5 895 MHz points are not tested when the equipment also supports 5 GHz RLAN operation compliant with EN 301 893.

Version 3.3.1 (March 2025, cited by Decision (EU) 2025/2499; V3.1.1 stays cited until June 11, 2027) rewrote the receiver part. V3.2.1 had removed receiver category 3 and set category 2 as the minimum; V3.3.1 adds the receiver parameters of ETSI EG 203 336 and applies them to all receivers, with limits "adapted to non specific SRD". The criterion is a bit error ratio of 10-3 for digital receivers, a SINAD of 20 dB for analogue ones.

ClauseRequirementLimit in V3.3.1Applies to
4.5.1SensitivityS ≤ 10 log(OCW in kHz) - 117 dBm with polite spectrum access (-94 dBm for 200 kHz); -60 dBm otherwiseAll receivers
4.5.2Dynamic range60 dB or moreAll receivers
4.5.3Adjacent channel selectivity-69 dBm, wanted signal at S + 3 dBBands D (169.400 to 169.475 MHz) and J (434.040 to 434.790 MHz), or NRI bands with a channel spacing
4.5.4Blocking-69 dBm at ±2 MHz from the operating channel edges; -44 dBm at ±10 MHz; -44 dBm at ±5 % of fnom or ±15 MHz, whichever is greaterAll receivers
4.5.5Spurious response rejection (unmodulated signal, within fnom ±15 MHz)-79 dBm within 2 MHz of the channel edges; -54 dBm beyondAll receivers
4.5.6Intermodulation rejection25 dBBands D and J, or NRI bands with a channel spacing

Annex I of the standard (selection of technical parameters) explains why ACS and intermodulation stay limited to channelised bands: elsewhere "the adjacent channel is not defined", and the standard relies on blocking. An 868 MHz LoRa or Sigfox receiver is therefore tested for sensitivity, dynamic range, blocking and spurious response rejection, not for ACS or intermodulation.

V1.2.1 (April 2021) is the cited version; V1.1.1 is listed among the withdrawn references with the date May 10, 2024. The criterion is a C/N0 degradation of no more than 1 dB on each declared constellation and signal, with a 1 MHz AWGN blocker.

RNSS bandBlocker centre (MHz)Level
1 559 to 1 610 MHz1 524 / 1 548 / 1 554-65 / -95 / -105 dBm
1 559 to 1 610 MHz1 615 / 1 627-105 / -85 dBm
1 164 to 1 300 MHz1 154 / 1 310-75 / -85 dBm

Selectivity and intermodulation: who actually has them

Section titled “Selectivity and intermodulation: who actually has them”
StandardACS / selectivitySpurious responseIntermodulation
EN 300 328 V2.2.2NoneNone (the blocking procedure lets the lab shift a blocking frequency to step off a spurious response)None
EN 301 893 V2.1.1NoneNoneNone
EN 301 893 V2.2.1Clause 4.2.9: wanted at Pmin + 10 dB, interferer of the same type at 20 ± 0.2 MHz offset and Pmin + 26 dBNoneNone
EN 303 687 V1.1.1Clause 4.3.8: interferer at 20 MHz offset Pmin + 26 dB, at 40 MHz offset Pmin + 32 dBNoneNone
EN 300 220-2 V3.3.1Bands D and J onlyClause 4.5.5Bands D and J only, 25 dB
3GPP TS 36.521-1 (LTE UE)7.57.77.8 (wide band intermodulation)
3GPP TS 38.521-1 (NR FR1)7.57.77.8
3GPP TS 38.521-2 (NR FR2)7.5VoidVoid

EN 301 893 V2.2.1 was cited by Decision (EU) 2025/893; V2.1.1 keeps its citation until May 15, 2028. A 5 GHz product assessed against V2.2.1 needs an ACS result that a V2.1.1 report does not contain.

How a blocking test runs (EN 300 328, clause 5.4.11)

Section titled “How a blocking test runs (EN 300 328, clause 5.4.11)”
  1. Tests are at normal conditions only. With several receive chains, one chain is tested and the other inputs are terminated.
  2. Non-FHSS equipment uses its lowest channel for blocking frequencies below 2 400 MHz and its highest channel for those above 2 500 MHz. Equipment that changes channel automatically and cannot disable it is tested as FHSS. Of several bandwidths and data rates, the smallest bandwidth with its lowest usable rate is used.
  3. A link is set up with the companion device and the wanted signal is set to the table level, or, where the table note allows it in a radiated test, to Pmin plus 20, 26 or 30 dB.
  4. The blocker is applied at the table level. If the criterion fails, the blocker frequency may be moved up, then down, by one occupied channel bandwidth (by at most 10 MHz near 2 380 and 2 503.5 MHz, with a 3 dB wanted-signal correction beyond 7 MHz). If it still fails, the product fails. The report must state whether this shift was used.

Step 5 of the procedure names 2 503.5 MHz while Tables 6 to 16 list 2 504 MHz: test plans should quote both so the lab and the reviewer read the same point.

In the EU, the RED route for cellular terminals is the EN 301 908 series, for example EN 301 908-13 V13.3.1 for E-UTRA UE and EN 301 908-25 V15.1.1 for NR UE; the 3GPP conformance specifications are used by PTCRB and GCF. EN 301 908-13 V13.3.1 is cited with a notice: no presumption for receiver total radiated sensitivity or total radiated power for radio equipment narrower than 56 mm or wider than 72 mm.

The 3GPP receiver clauses are numbered the same way in TS 36.521-1 (V19.2.0, June 2026) and TS 38.521-1 (V19.5.1, July 2026): 7.3 reference sensitivity, 7.4 maximum input level, 7.5 ACS, 7.6 blocking (in-band, out-of-band and narrow band), 7.7 spurious response, 7.8 intermodulation, 7.9 spurious emissions. The FR1 reference sensitivity criterion is a throughput of at least 95 % of the maximum throughput of the reference measurement channel. TS 38.521-2 (V19.4.0, September 2026) covers FR2 with radiated requirements (EIS, EIRP) referenced to the centre of the quiet zone, so its tests run over the air; see the 3GPP RF conformance guide and PTCRB tests.

  • Levels are at the receiver input. EN 300 328 and EN 303 687 specify levels at the antenna connector (0 dBi antenna assumption in EN 300 328). A conducted bench has to correct for the antenna gain; a radiated bench converts to power flux density with the formula given in the standard.
  • The wanted level is not "sensitivity + 3 dB" everywhere. It is a fixed table value in EN 300 328, Pmin + 6 dB for blocking and Pmin + 10 dB for ACS in EN 301 893, S + 3 dB for ACS in EN 300 220-2.
  • The blocker type is set by the text. CW in EN 300 328, EN 301 893 and EN 303 687 blocking; 1 MHz AWGN in EN 303 413; a signal of the same type as the wanted one for the EN 301 893 and EN 303 687 selectivity tests; unmodulated for EN 300 220-2 spurious response rejection.
  • The frequencies are listed. Blocking frequencies come from the tables above; the only freedom EN 300 328 gives is the documented shift by one occupied channel bandwidth.
  • The version is part of the result. EN 301 893 V2.1.1 and V2.2.1 do not contain the same tests, and EN 300 220-2 V3.1.1 and V3.3.1 do not contain the same receiver requirements. A report that cites "EN 300 220-2" without a version cannot be checked.
ClaimWhat the text says
"EN 300 328 includes ACS and intermodulation tests"It has receiver spurious emissions and receiver blocking only (clauses 4.3.1.11/12 and 4.3.2.10/11).
"The EN 300 328 blocking test is clause 5.4.6"5.4.6 is adaptivity. Receiver blocking is tested under 5.4.11.
"EN 300 328 blocking uses a wanted signal at REFSENS + 3 dB and interferers at -53 or -47 dBm"V2.2.2 sets the wanted level per category in Tables 6 to 16 and a -34 dBm CW blocker for all categories.
"EN 300 220-1 is the RED standard for sub-GHz SRD receivers"The cited harmonised standard is EN 300 220-2 (V3.1.1 and V3.3.1). V3.3.1 is self-standing, with no reference to EN 300 220-1 for measurements.
"EN 300 220 tests ACS and intermodulation on every sub-GHz receiver"V3.3.1 applies them only to bands D and J, or national bands with a channel spacing.
"EN 303 687 6 GHz tests include AFC"EN 303 687 V1.1.1 covers LPI and VLP devices; it contains no automated frequency coordination requirement.
"FCC KDB 558074 covers receiver blocking"KDB 558074 is the DTS and frequency hopping measurement guidance for 15.247 transmitter parameters.
"15.249 has limited receiver requirements"15.249 sets field strength limits for the transmitter only. Part 15 receiver rules (15.101, 15.109, 15.111) concern the emissions of receivers tuning 30 to 960 MHz.
"TS 36.521-1 and TS 38.521-1 give presumption of conformity under RED Article 3(2)"The cited standards are the EN 301 908 parts, for example -13 (E-UTRA UE) and -25 (NR UE).
"FR2 bands are n257 at 26 GHz, n258 at 24 GHz, up to n262 at 47 GHz, with OTA IM3 tests"TS 38.521-2 V19.4.0 lists n257 (26.5 to 29.5 GHz), n258 (24.25 to 27.5 GHz), n259, n260 and n261; spurious response and intermodulation are void in FR2.
"Receiver spurious emissions and spurious response are the same test"The first limits what the receiver radiates (-57/-47 dBm); the second is a rejection level against an incoming signal (EN 300 220-2 clause 4.5.5).
  1. RED Article 3(2): see RED tests for the transmitter parameters of the same standards, and RED standards for the cited list.
  2. FCC Part 15: see FCC tests for 15.247, 15.407, 15.209 and 15.205 measurements.
  3. PTCRB and GCF: see PTCRB tests and the 3GPP RF conformance guide.
  4. Operator acceptance: see AT&T network-ready certification.
  5. Bluetooth: qualification is a separate scheme, see Bluetooth SIG qualification.
  6. Bands and power: see license-free bands.

For terms such as EIRP, ACLR, DFS, BLE and 3GPP, see the spilma glossary.

Sources & references

  1. Directive 2014/53/EU (RED), Article 3(2) and recitals 10 and 11, EUR-Lex eur-lex.europa.eu/eli/dir/2014/53/oj
  2. Implementing Decision (EU) 2022/2191, RED harmonised standards, consolidated text including amendments up to Decision (EU) 2026/2003, EUR-Lex eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/?uri=CELEX:02022D2191-20261115
  3. Implementing Decision (EU) 2025/893, EN 301 893 V2.2.1 cited, EUR-Lex eur-lex.europa.eu/eli/dec_impl/2025/893/oj
  4. Implementing Decision (EU) 2025/2499, EN 300 220-2 V3.3.1 cited, V3.1.1 deleted from 11 June 2027, EUR-Lex eur-lex.europa.eu/eli/dec_impl/2025/2499/oj
  5. ETSI EN 300 328 V2.2.2 (2019-07), 2.4 GHz wideband data transmission, ETSI www.etsi.org/deliver/etsi_en/300300_300399/300328/02.02.02_60/en_300328v020202p.pdf
  6. ETSI EN 301 893 V2.2.1 (2024-11), 5 GHz WAS/RLAN, ETSI www.etsi.org/deliver/etsi_en/301800_301899/301893/02.02.01_60/en_301893v020201p.pdf
  7. ETSI EN 301 893 V2.1.1 (2017-05), 5 GHz RLAN, previous version, ETSI www.etsi.org/deliver/etsi_en/301800_301899/301893/02.01.01_60/en_301893v020101p.pdf
  8. ETSI EN 303 687 V1.1.1 (2023-06), 6 GHz WAS/RLAN, ETSI www.etsi.org/deliver/etsi_en/303600_303699/303687/01.01.01_60/en_303687v010101p.pdf
  9. ETSI EN 300 220-2 V3.3.1 (2025-03), SRD 25 MHz to 1 000 MHz, ETSI www.etsi.org/deliver/etsi_en/300200_300299/30022002/03.03.01_60/en_30022002v030301p.pdf
  10. ETSI EN 303 413 V1.2.1 (2021-04), GNSS receivers, ETSI www.etsi.org/deliver/etsi_en/303400_303499/303413/01.02.01_60/en_303413v010201p.pdf
  11. ERC Recommendation 74-01, unwanted emissions in the spurious domain (edition May 2022), CEPT ECO docdb.cept.org/document/1001
  12. Recommendation ITU-R SM.329, unwanted emissions in the spurious domain, ITU-R www.itu.int/rec/R-REC-SM.329/en
  13. 47 CFR 15.205, Restricted bands of operation (eCFR), eCFR www.ecfr.gov/current/title-47/part-15/section-15.205
  14. 47 CFR 15.209, Radiated emission limits; general requirements (eCFR), eCFR www.ecfr.gov/current/title-47/part-15/section-15.209
  15. 47 CFR 15.247, Operation within the bands 902-928 MHz, 2400-2483.5 MHz, and 5725-5850 MHz (eCFR), eCFR www.ecfr.gov/current/title-47/part-15/section-15.247
  16. 47 CFR 15.33, Frequency range of radiated measurements (eCFR), eCFR www.ecfr.gov/current/title-47/part-15/section-15.33
  17. 47 CFR 15.101, Equipment authorization of unintentional radiators (eCFR), eCFR www.ecfr.gov/current/title-47/part-15/section-15.101
  18. FCC 22-29, Notice of Inquiry on receiver interference immunity performance (ET Docket 22-137), FCC docs.fcc.gov/public/attachments/FCC-22-29A1.pdf
  19. FCC 23-27, Policy Statement on spectrum principles and receiver performance, FCC docs.fcc.gov/public/attachments/FCC-23-27A1.pdf
  20. KDB 558074, DTS and frequency hopping measurement procedures (15.247), FCC OET apps.fcc.gov/oetcf/kdb/forms/FTSSearchResultPage.cfm?switch=P&id=21124
  21. 3GPP TS 38.521-1, NR UE conformance, Range 1 standalone, 3GPP www.3gpp.org/dynareport/38521-1.htm
  22. 3GPP TS 38.521-2, NR UE conformance, Range 2 standalone, 3GPP www.3gpp.org/dynareport/38521-2.htm
  23. 3GPP TS 36.521-1, LTE UE conformance, Part 1: RF, 3GPP www.3gpp.org/dynareport/36521-1.htm

Frequently asked questions

Does the RED require receiver tests, and does the FCC?
The RED does. Article 3(2) requires radio equipment to be constructed so that it "both effectively uses and supports the efficient use of radio spectrum", and recital 10 says a receiver should have "a level of performance that allows it to operate as intended and protects it against the risk of harmful interference". The harmonised standards turn this into receiver blocking and, in some of them, selectivity and intermodulation tests. Part 15 of the FCC rules has no general receiver immunity test: receivers tuning 30 to 960 MHz need an SDoC or certification for their own emissions (15.101), not for their resilience. The FCC opened a Notice of Inquiry on receiver performance on April 21, 2022 (FCC 22-29) and issued a Policy Statement on April 21, 2023 (FCC 23-27), neither of which created a Part 15 receiver test.
What are the receiver categories in EN 300 328 V2.2.2?
Clause 4.2.3 defines three. Category 1 is adaptive equipment above 10 dBm e.i.r.p. Category 2 is non-adaptive equipment with a medium utilisation factor above 1 % and up to 10 %, or any equipment above 0 dBm and up to 10 dBm e.i.r.p. Category 3 is non-adaptive equipment with a medium utilisation factor of 1 %, or any equipment at 0 dBm e.i.r.p. All three are tested with a -34 dBm CW blocking signal; the category changes the wanted signal level and the number of blocking frequencies (six to eight in category 1, four in categories 2 and 3).
Does EN 300 328 contain adjacent channel selectivity or intermodulation tests?
No. On the receiver side, EN 300 328 V2.2.2 has two requirements: receiver spurious emissions and receiver blocking (clauses 4.3.1.11 and 4.3.1.12 for FHSS, 4.3.2.10 and 4.3.2.11 for other equipment, tested under clause 5.4.11). Adjacent channel selectivity appears in EN 301 893 V2.2.1 (clause 4.2.9, new compared with V2.1.1), in EN 303 687 V1.1.1 (receiver selectivity) and in EN 300 220-2 V3.3.1 for channelised bands. Intermodulation rejection appears in EN 300 220-2 V3.3.1, only for bands D and J.
What pass criterion is used for receiver blocking?
It depends on the standard. EN 300 328, EN 301 893 and EN 303 687 use a packet or frame error rate of 10 % or less, or, if the equipment cannot report one, no loss of the wireless function needed for the intended use. EN 300 220-2 V3.3.1 uses a bit error ratio of 10^-3 for digital receivers and a SINAD of 20 dB for analogue ones. EN 303 413 (GNSS) allows a C/N0 degradation of no more than 1 dB. 3GPP TS 38.521-1 requires a throughput of at least 95 % of the maximum throughput of the reference measurement channel.
What are the spurious emission limits for a 2.4 GHz radio in the EU and the US?
EN 300 328 V2.2.2 Table 4: -36 dBm (100 kHz) from 30 MHz to 1 GHz, -54 dBm in 47 to 74, 87.5 to 118, 174 to 230 and 470 to 694 MHz, -30 dBm (1 MHz) from 1 to 12.75 GHz; in receive mode Table 5 gives -57 dBm and -47 dBm. In the US, 15.247(d) requires 20 dB below the in-band peak in any 100 kHz outside the band (30 dB if power was measured as an RMS average), and emissions in the 15.205 restricted bands, which include 2310 to 2390 and 2483.5 to 2500 MHz, must meet 15.209.
Which 5G FR2 bands does TS 38.521-2 cover, and are all receiver tests run there?
TS 38.521-2 V19.4.0 (September 2026) defines FR2 as 24 250 to 52 600 MHz and lists n257 (26.5 to 29.5 GHz), n258 (24.25 to 27.5 GHz), n259 (39.5 to 43.5 GHz), n260 (37 to 40 GHz) and n261 (27.5 to 28.35 GHz). Its requirements are radiated quantities referenced to the centre of the quiet zone. Reference sensitivity, maximum input level, ACS, blocking and spurious emissions are in clause 7, but clauses 7.7 (spurious response) and 7.8 (intermodulation) are void in FR2.
Which edition of ERC Recommendation 74-01 applies?
The current document on the ECO database is the edition of May 2022 (approved 1998, corrected 23 May 2022). Annex 2, Table 6 sets for short range devices and RLAN in transmit mode -54 dBm in 87.5 to 118, 174 to 230 and 470 to 694 MHz, -36 dBm elsewhere up to 1 GHz and -30 dBm above, and for receivers -57 dBm up to 1 GHz and -47 dBm above. The Recommendation says it should not be used on its own for placing products on the market under the RED; the harmonised standards take its values, sometimes with additions.