Thread Subject: Re: Volume Gain (2.2-E)

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From: Diane Golden
Date: Sun, Sep 16 2007 11:10 AM

Paul: How does the automatic default work on your substituted handsets?
Where is the default mechanism housed, in the handset or the base phone?

Diane Golden


-----Original Message-----
From: Michaelis, Paul R. (Paul) [mailto: = EMAIL ADDRESS REMOVED = ]
Sent: Friday, September 14, 2007 5:55 PM
To: TEITAC Committee
Cc: = EMAIL ADDRESS REMOVED = ; Brooner Mary-AMB004
Subject: RE: [teitac-committee] Volume Gain (2.2-E)


Brenda,

I need clarification about whether "built in" means that the 18 dB amplifier
must be an inherent component of the telephone. Specifically, if I leave my
phones as they are (approximately 12 to 15 dB of additional amplification),
and replace our standard handsets with our special-purpose amplified
handsets whenever I sell a phone to the government, would the requirement
for "built in" amplification be satisfied? Thanks,

-- Paul Michaelis

-----Original Message-----
From: = EMAIL ADDRESS REMOVED =
[mailto: = EMAIL ADDRESS REMOVED = ] On Behalf Of Brenda Battat
Sent: Friday, September 14, 2007 3:53 PM
To: = EMAIL ADDRESS REMOVED = ; TEITAC Committee
Subject: Re: [teitac-committee] Volume Gain (2.2-E)

Here are my thoughts:

- the provision needs to clarify that VC must be built-in. There has been
confusion about that and the acceess board confirmed that built-in was their
intent

- I think it makes sense to harmonize the 508 (20dB) provision with the FCC
regulation (18dB) for VC. Even though the Access Board was trying to satisfy
consumer demand for more VC - we had actually asked for 25 dB max in our
comments to the NPRM - in reality, manufacturers build to the FCC regulation
to be in compliance with type certification

- what is needed is a provision to ensure that everyone measures volume from
the same floor. This should eliminate consumer's perception that different
phones have very different levels of volume and may lessen the difference
between the current 508 and FCC levels

- phones should be manufactured to allow for the addition of AT when higher
levels of VC are needed as a reasonable accommodation

Brenda Battat


-----Original Message-----
From: = EMAIL ADDRESS REMOVED =
[mailto: = EMAIL ADDRESS REMOVED = ] On Behalf Of Diane Golden
Sent: Tuesday, September 11, 2007 5:58 PM
To: 'TEITAC Committee'
Subject: Re: [teitac-committee] Volume Gain (2.2-E)

Seems to me we are back to two options --

1) Continue the 20 dB of built-in gain for every phone purchased (re-write
the standard to clarify that is the intent) realizing that the only way an
agency can meet that standard is to add-on AT to every phone purchased or
claim commercial unavailability and just buy those with the 12 dB minimum,
18 maximum without auto default etc. required per FCC.

2) Revised the 508 standard to harmonize with FCC to require a minimum of 12
dB of built-in gain on all phones purchased, 18 dB max gain without
automatic reset to default plus exceptions, and craft new language that
requires compatibility with add-on AT to reach higher gain levels.

Again, regardless of which standard is adopted or something else that
involves built-in and add-on gain, we need clarification on compatibility of
built-in and add-on amplification in the same phone, e.g. what does this
"double-up" of amplification do to distortion given handset specs and how
would the mandatory reset to default apply and work with the doubled-up
gain.

Diane

-----Original Message-----
From: Baker, Robert C. [mailto: = EMAIL ADDRESS REMOVED = ]
Sent: Tuesday, September 11, 2007 2:20 PM
To: = EMAIL ADDRESS REMOVED = ; TEITAC Committee
Subject: RE: [teitac-committee] Volume Gain (2.2-E)


Diane mentions that she is not aware of any agency who has bought telephone
equipment that internally supports a 20db gain.

According to the VPATS we have received from our phone vendor - our phones
are designed to comply with the FCC rules which call for a maximum 18 db
level, with increments at 2db-3db depending on the specific phone. However,
in one VPAT for a phone we purchased the vendor states "the range is
normally 18db, but the volume may increase beyond 18db. At levels over
18db, the volume rests after the completion of the call." However, the VPAT
does not describe how the phone would achieve an increase beyond 18 db. It
is interesting that the vendor states directly in the VPAT
the conflict between the FCC rules and the Section 508 rules.

What are the reasons for not harmonizing 508 with the FCC rules?"

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