Compliance Testing vs. Conformance Testing Explained

This document explains compliance testing (FCC, CE, IC, EMI, EMC, RF conformance testing) and conformance testing. We’ll also provide links to WLAN, WiMAX, Zigbee, GSM, LTE, and Z-wave conformance tests.

The terms “compliance testing” and “conformance testing” are often used interchangeably. The purpose of these tests is to determine whether a device or system under development meets the specifications set by standard regulatory bodies.

For example, RF conformance testing ascertains the RF parts of a Device Under Test (DUT), specifically the RF transmitter and receiver. One example is checking whether the transmit spectrum mask meets radiation requirements at various frequency points. Similarly, PHY (Physical layer) conformance checks the PHY layer portion of the DUT. EMI/EMC compliance testing is performed as per EMI/EMC limit requirements.

Basic Compliance/Conformance Testing Block Diagram

The following diagram shows a basic compliance or conformance testing setup:

As shown in the figure, the System Under Test (SUT) or Device Under Test (DUT) is connected with a Conformance Test System (CTS) to perform the compliance tests.

For example, to perform compliance testing of a WiMAX Subscriber Station (SS), a WiMAX Base Station (BS) emulator is used as the CTS. Conversely, to test a WiMAX BS, a WiMAX SS emulator is used as the CTS.

To perform conformance testing of an LTE UE, an eNB emulator is used as the CTS, and to perform testing of an LTE eNB, a UE emulator is used as the CTS.

The Model 8960 from Keysight (previously Agilent) and the Model CMU-200 from R&S can be used as Conformance Test Systems (CTS) for testing GSM, CDMA, and LTE compliant devices.