June 24, 2024 - QPRDv3 Webinar Q&A

Introduction

On 24 June 2024, the Bluetooth SIG hosted a webinar to cover topics related to the new Qualification Program Reference Document (QPRD) v3. This article contains the questions asked by attendees and the Bluetooth SIG's responses. To view the webinar, see Introduction to the New Bluetooth Qualification Process and Tool.

Webinar questions and responses

How much is the Qualification Fee? Are the fees changing with QPRDv3?

Qualification Fees are not changing with QPRDv3. Members can view the current fee schedule.

Is there an administrative fee to qualify additional products using the same Design Number (DN)?

No, subsequent product submissions from the same Member company that include the same Design Number (DN) will not be charged a Product Qualification Fee.

Is it mandatory to use a Bluetooth Qualification Consultant?

It is not required to use a Bluetooth Qualification Consultant. Bluetooth Qualification Consultants are recommended if you would like assistance completing the Bluetooth Qualification Process or verifying that products meet all qualification requirements. See the list of current Bluetooth Qualification Consultants.

How much do Bluetooth Qualification Consultants charge?

Bluetooth Qualification Consultants are independent consultants. Each Member company that engages a Bluetooth Qualification Consultant is responsible for establishing the terms of its relationship with the consultant, including payment and scope of services.

Does a product using a design based on an existing QDID have to be tested if there are new custom services being added that are not defined in the Bluetooth specifications?

No, custom and proprietary profiles and services are outside the scope of the Bluetooth Qualification Process. If you are using an existing Design with no changes to the Bluetooth-compliant portions, use Option 1 to specify the Design and complete the qualification process.

Is it permitted to reuse test reports from a Bluetooth Qualification Test Facility (BQTF) for lower layers like LL, HCI, and RF-PHY, assuming test cases are not affected by TCRL changes?

Members should use good engineering practices to determine which mandatory test cases are impacted by the modifications and execute those test cases. Members may use previous test evidence for non-impacted mandatory test cases. When a Member uses previous test evidence, the Member is still responsible for ensuring that the Design complies with the Bluetooth specifications.

Is it required to enter product details before specifying the design?

Yes, product details must be entered before specifying the Design. However, they can be easily changed before submission if needed.

How many products can you have per qualification? What if my product is being sold under different names in different locations?

There are no limits to the number of products your company can submit using the same Design. Each variant of a product's name and/or model number must be included in the Qualified Product Database.

My product won't be commercially available until next year. When should I start the qualification process?

The qualification process can be completed up to three months before the product details are made public. If the details do not need to be withheld from public view and there will not be any changes to the Design, the qualification process can be completed anytime before the product's release.

What do you mean by "using the same design?" Would using the same Bluetooth chip but different form factors be "using the same design?"

Yes, if there are no changes to the Bluetooth-compliant portion and claimed capabilities (Implementation Conformance Statement or ICS), it is considered the same Design.

Will unused Declaration IDs be converted to Receipt Numbers?

Unused Declaration IDs will be available to use as a Receipt Number in Qualification Workspace.

If we are designing our Bluetooth module by using a qualified Bluetooth chip, do we need to qualify our product separately?

Yes, all Members must complete the Bluetooth Qualification Process for their products. Depending on whether there are changes to the Bluetooth compliance portions, testing may not be required.

How is the term "Product" defined? Is the Bluetooth module the product, or are devices that use the Bluetooth module along with other ICs considered to be the product?

Both are considered products using Bluetooth technology, and both must complete the qualification process and be listed in the Qualified Product Database. The module manufacturer will perform the qualification process for the Bluetooth module product, while their customers who integrate the module in their product will perform the qualification process for their product that uses the Bluetooth module.

What happens if the consistency check has inconsistencies?

Members must address inconsistencies by correcting the ICS Form so that it passes the consistency check, or provide a valid Test Coverage Waiver (TCW) that indicates that the requirement has been waived before submission. For more information, see ICS Form Inconsistencies for Inter-Layer Dependencies.

Can expired component QDIDs assessed over three years ago be used in the qualification process?

Yes, if the component is not impacted by specification withdrawal, it can be used, even if it has been more than three years since its last assessment.

How can I access the qualification tool?

Members can access Qualification Workspace.