Generic Certification Process

All products created on the Tuya IoT Development Platform must go through these steps: product definition, model selection and proofing, prototype confirmation, trial production, product certification, mass production prototype confirmation, and mass production. This topic describes how to perform product certification that is required at the end of trial production.

Step 1: Request to start certification

When you request to start certification at a certification organization, provide radio frequency (RF) signal parameters and other required information.

• RF signal parameters: For more information, see the module datasheets. If you have any questions, submit a ticket or contact Tuya’s account manager to request support.

  In most cases, laboratories in mainland China can perform RF certification. You can choose a desired organization and make sure the organization is qualified for testing. For more information, see Cooperative Laboratories.

• Certification information: The certification information and requirements can vary, depending on different certification types. For example, for more information about the CE marking, see Certification Guideline.

  Module schematic diagrams, printed circuit boards (PCBs), antenna test reports, datasheets, block diagrams, and working principles can be obtained at Tuya IoT Development Platform > Tuya OS > Development. Click the target product, and on the details page, click Hardware Information > Module attestation materials to download the required certification information. If no materials are available to be downloaded, submit a ticket or contact Tuya’s account manager to request support.

  

Step 2: Provide prototype for testing

Prototypes to be certified are divided into prototypes (fixed frequency) for RF tests and normal prototypes.

To make a certification prototype, you can go to Tuya IoT Development Platform > Purchase > Sample Store and purchase the following commodities:

• Certified module: used to make a certification prototype. Most module models are listed in Tuya’s Sample Store. For the models that are not listed in the Sample Store, contact Tuya’s account manager and provide your module model requirements. Then, the RF engineer will make the required modules for you.

• USB to TTL converter: In addition to a fixed-frequency prototype, the test process requires a USB to TTL converter. The USB to TTL converter is reusable. You can follow the instructions in Download Certificate Test Software and download the driver for a USB to TTL converter.

Certification prototypes

For a conductive or adaptive prototype, its module can be tested directly. For a radiative prototype, its module must be welded to an end product before it can be tested.

• Fixed-frequency conductive prototype: Fixed-frequency firmware is flashed and an RF connector is welded. The prototype can be directly connected to the instrument for testing. In addition, break out the serial pin and connect it to a computer through a USB to TTL converter. Run the fixed-frequency software and switch to the required channel and mode. Without additional requirements from the certification organization, the fixed-frequency conductive module can be tested directly. If required, the fixed-frequency conductive module needs to be welded to the end product.

  Test items:

  • RF output power

  • Receiver spurious emissions

  • Occupied channel bandwidth

  • Transmitter unwanted emissions in the out-of-band domain

  • Transmitter unwanted emissions in the spurious domain

• Adaptive & blocking prototype: Adaptive firmware is flashed and an RF connector is welded. The prototype can be directly connected to the instrument and router for testing. Then, break out the serial pin and connect it to a computer through a USB to TTL converter. Run software or commands to connect to the router and instrument and test adaptive and blocking items. Generally, the end product is not required. Only the adaptive module needs to be tested.

  Test items:

  • Adaptive

  • Receiver blocking

  This test item only applies to certain certifications, such as CE marking. But FCC certification does not require this test item. As specified in certain laws and regulations, products with power less than 10 dBm are exempt from the adaptive testing.

• Fixed-frequency radiative prototype: Fixed-frequency firmware is flashed, and the original antenna is used. This type of prototype applies to space radiation projects. In addition, break out the serial pin and connect it to a computer through a USB to TTL converter. Run the fixed-frequency software and switch to the required channel and mode. In most cases, the fixed-frequency radiative module needs to be welded to the end product.

  Test items:

  • Radiated emissions

• Normal prototype: It is the normal prototype for mass production, used to test safety compliance, Low Voltage Directive 2014/35/EU (LVD), electromagnetic compatibility (EMC), and other items. The end product is required.

The following table lists the prototypes to be prepared for common certifications. The required prototypes are subject to laboratories’ specific requirements.

Step 3: Test by certification laboratory

Provide the prototype, standard operating procedure (SOP), and fixed-frequency software to the certification organization for testing.

• The certification laboratory provides a test report after the test is passed.
• If a problem arises in the test, the organization can troubleshoot the problem by checking the SOP and other documents. If the problem persists, submit a ticket and provide the graphic and text descriptions and test data to Tuya for further troubleshooting.

Step 4: Close certification process and issue certificate

After the test is passed, a factory audit is performed, the certification process is closed, and then a certificate is issued.

If you have other service requirements, please contact Tuya’s account manager or other staff to request certification support. For example, you might request to use Tuya’s module certification without additional certification, modify hardware specifications of the certified product, or add a product model to be certified.