Allowed antennas for nRF9151 to keep certifications

[N.Weller]

In the nRF9151 Product Specification, there are maximum gain requirements for the LTE antenna implementation, specific to supported bands.  It is my understanding that any suitable antenna for my frequency bands of interest may be used as long as it conforms to those requirements.  Others are telling me that if I do not use an antenna part number certified by Nordic, then I will have to repeat the FCC 47 CFR certification testing, rather than just the FCC Part 15(b) testing.  

Is it true that an antenna certified with the nRF9151 must be used to take advantage of the certifications?  If so, is there a documented list of the certified antennas?  Like I see a list of antennas required for Japan, here:  nRF9151 Global and regulatory - nordicsemi.com 

If an antenna is used that has a higher gain than the maximum permissible gain allowed for the nRF9151 in a particular band, what are possible remedies?  Try to retest to ensure the implementation does not exceed any regulatory limits?  Disable usage of the offending band?  

Thanks!

[JONATHAN LL]

Hi Nathan, 

You should be able to use any antenna that are within the requirements for operating in the area it will be deployed. 

You should be able to use any of the antennas listed on the page you linked to as non of them are operating at more then 3dBi it seems. 3 dBi is the limit. 

We also have a white paper on this here with of the shelf antennas: https://docs.nordicsemi.com/bundle/nwp_033/page/WP/nwp_033/nwp_033_antennas.html But make sure that you dont select one that has higher then 3dBi as this will not be approved in Japan. 

If an antenna is used that has a higher gain than the maximum permissible gain allowed for the nRF9151 in a particular band, what are possible remedies? 

You will not be able\allowed to operate in the frequency where the gain exceed the limit. The antenna used on the DK (P822601) does have a range in its frequency of operation where gain is higher so its not allowed to use it on those frequencies. 

Regards,
Jonathan