Wi-Fi Alliance Certification Methods

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Walter Copeland
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1 Wi-Fi Alliance Certification Methods February 2007 Wi-Fi CERTIFIED Makes it Wi-Fi

2 Overview There are various certification methods available to Wi- Fi Alliance members* Some require testing, some do not Overview of all certification methods Emphasis on certification methods that do NOT require testing *Note: Adopter members are not eligible to participate in plug fests, purchase test bed equipment, nor certify products. Wi-Fi Alliance Confidential 2

3 Wi-Fi Certification Overview Only Wi-Fi Alliance members may submit products for certification testing (regardless of certification method) All products must demonstrate interoperability for the standard tests band support (a/b/g) Security support (Wi-Fi Protected Access 2, WPA2 ) Optional tests include WMM WMM Power Save Wi-Fi Protected Setup h (Spectrum and Trasmit Power Management Extensions) d (Global Harmonization) Wi-Fi Alliance Confidential 3

4 Wi-Fi Certification Methods Standard testing Module Policy* Transfer Policy* Application Specific Device (ASD) testing *These methods do not require testing at an Alliance Authorized Test Laboratory (ATL). Wi-Fi Alliance Confidential 4

5 Standard Testing Defined test plans and testbeds Testbeds consist of specific equipment in specific configurations DUT must demonstrate interoperability with all equipment in test bed Performance measurements Conformance to published specifications Compatibility with test bed devices Tests may be performed at any Wi-Fi Alliance Authorized Testing Laboratory (ATL) See our web site for a current list of ATLs: Wi-Fi Alliance Confidential 5

6 Alternative Test Methods The next slides detail alternatives to our standard testing process Our policies and alternative test methods allow for some flexibility If you have questions about the application of one of our policies or alternative test methods please contact the Wi-Fi Alliance by sending an to: Wi-Fi Alliance Confidential 6

7 Wi-Fi CERTIFIED Makes it Wi-Fi Module Policy

8 Module Policy Overview The Module Policy Allows products using the same wireless equipment to be Wi-Fi CERTIFIED without undergoing certification testing Is an Intra-Company policy the policy is only applicable WITHIN a single company Terminology Equipment that may be incorporated into multiple products can be classified as a Module as long as: 1. the module is Wi-Fi CERTIFIED through actual certification testing; and 2. the module will employ the same basic configuration (hardware/software/firmware, etc.) in later products. A product that incorporates a Wi-Fi CERTIFIED module and is certified using the Module Policy is referred to as a Dependent Product Wi-Fi Alliance Confidential 8

9 Module Policy Costs The cost to designate a device as a module is US$500 and can be designated: 1. at the time of the initial certification application; or 2. retroactively through the Certification System. The cost for a dependent product certification is US$300 per dependent product and requires: 1. the module be previously designated; and 2. only a completed declaration form through the Certification System for certification. Wi-Fi Alliance Confidential 9

10 Illustration: Module Example Model A Module Tested and Certified First Dependent Product Tested and Certified Model B Second Dependent Product Certified without Testing Wi-Fi Alliance Confidential 10

11 Wi-Fi CERTIFIED Makes it Wi-Fi Transfer Policy

12 Transfer Policy Overview The Transfer Policy Allows products that are Wi-Fi CERTIFIED by an OEM or supplier to be Wi-Fi CERIFIED for your company without undergoing certification testing (the product certification can be transferred an unlimited number of times) Is an Inter-Company policy for transferring an existing product certification from a supplier product to your company transfers initiated from other companies, not within your own company Applicability A certification transfer is applicable for re-branded products, where the only changes affect the branding, packaging, or cosmetics of the product. Member requesting transfer must agree to the following: Product will only be re-branded as above Transferred certification becomes independently owned by member requesting transfer (no burden on member who tested product at lab) Member requesting transfer accepts all future certification responsibilities Wi-Fi Alliance Confidential 12

13 Transfer Policy Costs The cost to transfer an existing certification to your company is US$500 and requires: 1. completing a transfer certification application through the Certification System; 2. providing one application for each product certification transfer (i.e., one application per product); and 3. providing (as part of the application) a complete description of the differences between the supplier product and your company s product. Wi-Fi Alliance Confidential 13

14 Transfers Allowed Under Policy Hardware changes associated with cosmetic packaging Software changes associated with GUI and re-branding Application of module policy against a product that was CERTIFIED using this policy Different members invoking this policy for same originally tested product One transfer per transaction (i.e., each product with transferred certification must have its own application/record) Wi-Fi Alliance Confidential 14

15 Transfer Policy Scenarios Company A Company B Tested and Certified Certified via Transfer Company C Tested and Certified D E F Company D Certified via Transfer Company E Certified via Transfer Company F Certified via Transfer Wi-Fi Alliance Confidential 15

16 Transfers Not Allowed Only one degree of separation from tested product is allowed Company B Company C Company A Tested and Certified Applied and Certified via Transfer Transfer does Not Apply Company C Applied and Certified via Transfer Wi-Fi Alliance Confidential 16

17 Application Specific Device (ASD) Testing Wi-Fi CERTIFIED Makes it Wi-Fi

18 ASD Program Overview The Application Specific Device (ASD) Testing Program was developed for equipment that cannot easily be tested using standard test methods Many devices cannot be categorized as traditional STA or AP Device dimensions have changed considerably Media applications have evolved to incorporate functionality Currently, members must develop and propose alternative test method Members must convince the Alliance of the need for any deviation from standard test methods Wi-Fi Alliance Confidential 18

19 ASD Program Overview Approved ASD test plans become part of the certification program Approved test plans can also be used by other members Once approved, any Authorized Test Lab can perform ASD testing Wi-Fi Alliance Confidential 19

20 ASD Program Overview Certification process for ASD testing is no different than standard testing The Alliance will consider standardizing popular ASD test methods Complete process documentation available on members-only web site Wi-Fi Alliance Confidential 20

21 ASD Test Plan Development Process Flow Wi-Fi Alliance Confidential 21

22 ASD Migration Plan Migration from current process to new process and policies incorporating Test Engine as a major component Allow WFA staff to focus on Test Engine development and support Leverage ATL testing expertise more extensively Wi-Fi Alliance Confidential 22

23 Test Engine Architecture Overview The Test Engine Architecture seeks to simplify the current ASD process with a standard platform for testing The purpose of Test Engine is to allow standard station tests to be streamlined for any type of product, including stations that previously were categorized as ASDs. The key component is a framework for client testing which is extensible to Wi-Fi clients of any form, without compromising the integrity of the comprehensive series of Wi-Fi tests developed over the years that ensure device interoperability. A Test Engine Architecture System Overview can be downloaded from the members-only web site Wi-Fi Alliance Confidential 23

24 Closing If you have any questions, please send an to: If you have any questions about Wi-Fi Alliance membership, please send an to: Wi-Fi Alliance Confidential 24

25 Wi-Fi CERTIFIED Makes it Wi-Fi Backup and Examples

26 Combination Scenarios Member A tests and certifies Product X Member B intends to resell Product X as Alpha, Beta and Gamma Member B will not need to test these products Certification for Alpha can be achieved via Transfer policy Alpha can be retroactively classified as a Module Beta and Gamma can achieve certification as dependent products of Alpha Alpha, Beta and Gamma are now Wi-Fi CERTIFIED without testing Wi-Fi Alliance Confidential 26

27 Combination Scenarios Member A tests and certifies product W as Module in Dependent Product X Member A also then invokes Module Policy to certify Dependent Products Y and Z You intend to sell exactly same Module and Dependent Products (w, x, y, z) and maybe another Dependent Product (p) You will not need to test at lab You invoke Certifications Transfers Policy twice to certify in your brand your product w (=W), and x (=X) You classify w as a module You invoke the module policy to certify y(=y), z (=Z) and p as dependent products (p must be functionally the same as X) Wi-Fi Alliance Confidential 27

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