Thread Subject: Re: Today's Telecom Call - volume gain

Note

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From: Diane Golden
Date: Tue, Sep 18 2007 11:05 AM

I've attempted to edit Mary's last draft per the discussion yesterday and
have added notes where decisions still need to be made and those issues for
which industry and consumers are to return with feedback. I also drafted
some standard language to address the situation "when more gain is needed"
that Mary identified with issues that need to be decided if that kind of
requirement for AT compatibility is added.

Diane


2-E Volume (Gain) For incoming voice signals:

Built-in Volume Gain Standard

E&IT that provides a function allowing voice communication via audio
transducer typically held to the ear (except those exempted below) must
provide a built-in volume gain that is user adjustable from the normal
unamplified level to at least XX dB above the normal unamplified level as
measured in accordance with the provisions of the FCC regulation §68.317 for
volume control. The volume at the normal unamplified level setting must
also meet the requirement in FCC regulation 68.317.



XX - The gain level still needs to be determined. Consideration is being
given to setting 16 or 15 dB as the required level of built-in gain assuming
one of those levels can be built-in to all products an agency would purchase
without increasing the cost exponentially to upgrade transducers, power
supply, etc. to deliver this level of amplified signal in relatively
undistorted form. Industry and consumers are to return with feedback on a
dB level.



Exception 1 for limited power E&IT (two versions)

A -Analog line-powered E&IT and battery powered cordless telephones must
comply with FCC regulation §68.317 for volume control.

OR

B -Analog line-powered E&IT and battery powered cordless telephones must
provide a built-in gain adjustable from the normal unamplified level to at
least YY dB above the normal unamplified level as measured in accordance
with the provisions of the FCC regulation §68.317 for volume control. The
volume at the normal unamplified level setting must also meet the
requirement in FCC regulation 68.317.



YY - The gain level set would be above the current 12 dB required by FCC but
likely less than the level set in XX. Setting a level 12 dB is conditioned
on engineering analysis that something higher is possible. Industry is to
return with feedback on what, if anything, is possible above 12 dB for low
powered phones. The wording on what is included in this exception also
needs to be finalized, is it just line and battery powered something more or
less?



Exception 2 - Cellular phones



Where additional volume is needed:

E&IT that provides a function allowing voice communication via audio
transducer typically held to the ear must provide modular connectors to
allow for the addition of or compatibility with assistive technologies that
provide greater than XX dB of volume gain without conflict with any required
built-in gain.

(Do we need this kind of a "compatibility with AT" standard to deliver gain
above the XX level? If so, what is the right wording? Do we want to ensure
"add-on" AT compatibility or are substituted AT products acceptable to get
to higher volume levels?)



Advisory Note 1 Volume (gain) on cellular and PCS handsets is currently the
focus of review and study in ATIS Incubator. It is recommended that no
recommendation at this time be made by the TEITAC, but rather, the
recommendations from the study can be given to the Access Board at a later
time.



Advisory Note 2 There are digital products and systems such as digital
telephones and systems that draw from Ethernet, as well as laptop telephone
emulators which use a headset. None of these choices can be measured using
FCC regulation 68.317 for volume control. In the case of laptop telephone
emulators, they are typically used with a headset which is an accessory.




-----Original Message-----
From: Gregg Vanderheiden [mailto: = EMAIL ADDRESS REMOVED = ]
Sent: Tuesday, September 18, 2007 12:33 AM
To: = EMAIL ADDRESS REMOVED = ; 'TEITAC Telecommunications Subcommittee'
Subject: RE: [teitac-telecom] Today's Telecom Call - volume gain



Hi Diane,



I think that summarizes some of the topics discussed today.



Couple of additional notes.



1) 15-16 means 15. So in the end we should say 15 or say 16 after
we find out what is possible. On the call we talked about working on 16 db
if possible and 15 db if not possible and consumers would agree.



2) the exceptions were dependent on engineering analyses that demonstrated
that nothing above 12 db could be done with them. (except the cell phone
which is in another committee)



3) Industry was going to see how high they could go before battery or
voltage or costs shot up. Consumers were going to see if 20 db could be
brought down to 16db or maybe 15 db.






Gregg
-- ------------------------------
Gregg C Vanderheiden Ph.D.






_____


From: = EMAIL ADDRESS REMOVED =
[mailto: = EMAIL ADDRESS REMOVED = ] On Behalf Of Diane Golden
Sent: Monday, September 17, 2007 2:25 PM
To: 'TEITAC Telecommunications Subcommittee'
Subject: Re: [teitac-telecom] Today's Telecom Call - volume gain

See if this summarizes what we've been discussing:



Base requirement - E&IT that provides a function allowing voice
communication via audio transducer typically held to the ear (except those
exempted below) must provide a gain adjustable from the normal unamplified
level to at least 15-16 dB above the normal unamplified level as measured in
accordance with the provisions of the FCC regulation §68.317 for volume
control. The volume at the normal unamplified level setting must also meet
the requirement in FCC regulation 68.317.



Exception 1 - Analog line-powered E&IT and battery powered cordless
telephones must comply with FCC regulation §68.317 for volume control.



Exception 2 - Cellular phones







Diane

-----Original Message-----
From: = EMAIL ADDRESS REMOVED =
[mailto: = EMAIL ADDRESS REMOVED = ]On Behalf Of Brooner
Mary-AMB004
Sent: Monday, September 17, 2007 11:46 AM
To: = EMAIL ADDRESS REMOVED =
Subject: [teitac-telecom] Today's Telecom Call - volume gain


Gentlepeople: -


I have done a bit of drafting to improve our discussions. There is still a
lot to work out but take a look at this. The underlined text is new
wording, the [x] text would be deletions from current text.


See you at 2 pm.





.2-E - Volume (Gain)


For incoming voice signals:

1 Users must be able to adjust the audio output level.

2. Analog line-powered telecommunications products, wireline, and all
wireline or VoIP cordless telephones [wireline or VoIP] must comply with
FCC regulation §68.317 for volume control



3. All cellular phones - TBD



4. Digital [All other telecommunications]products or systems that
provide a function allowing voice communication via an audio transducer
typically held to the ear with a hand must provide a gain adjustable from
the normal unamplified level to at least 18 dB above the normal unamplified
level as measured in accordance with the provisions of the FCC regulation
§68.317 for volume control. The volume at the normal unamplified level
setting must also meet the requirement in FCC regulation 68.317.



5. Other products or system that provide a function allowing voice
communications should provide adjustable volume up to 18dB.



6. Where additional volume is needed, ...

Advisory Note 1 Volume (gain) on cellular and PCS handsets is currently the
focus of review and study in ATIS Incubator. It is recommended that no
recommendation at this time be made by the TEITAC, but rather, the
recommendations from the study can be given to the Access Board at a later
time.



Advisory Note 2 There are other digital products and systems such as digital
telephones and systems that draw from Ethernet, as well as laptop telephone
emulators which use a headset. None of these choices can be measured using
FCC regulation 68.317 for volume control. In the case of laptop telephone
emulators, they are typically used with a headset which is an accessory.

Discussion or Rationale:

* Language for cellular phones pending outcome of ATIS Study Group 11
work

* Further research needed for 20 dB requirement

* Review telecoms/communications to be sure requirement is inclusive

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