§  2.944   Software defined radios.

   (a) Manufacturers must take steps to ensure that only software that has
   been approved with a software defined radio can be loaded into the
   radio. The software must not allow the user to operate the transmitter
   with operating frequencies, output power, modulation types or other
   radio frequency parameters outside those that were approved.
   Manufacturers may use means including, but not limited to the use of a
   private network that allows only authenticated users to download
   software, electronic signatures in software or coding in hardware that
   is decoded by software to verify that new software can be legally
   loaded into a device to meet these requirements and must describe the
   methods in their application for equipment authorization.

   (b) Any radio in which the software is designed or expected to be
   modified by a party other than the manufacturer and would affect the
   operating parameters of frequency range, modulation type or maximum
   output power (either radiated or conducted), or the circumstances under
   which the transmitter operates in accordance with Commission rules,
   must comply with the requirements in paragraph (a) of this section and
   must be certified as a software defined radio.

   (c) Applications for certification of software defined radios must
   include a high level operational description or flow diagram of the
   software that controls the radio frequency operating parameters.

   [ 70 FR 23039 , May 4, 2005]