The 24 GHz trap nobody warns you about

In the United States, two FCC sections cover 24 GHz and they differ by a factor of 100 in permitted power.

§15.249 — the general route. 250 mV/m at 3 m, which works out to 18.75 mW EIRP.
§15.245 — field disturbance sensors. 2500 mV/m at 3 m, about 1.875 W EIRP.

The second one is what most people quote, and it is why a Chinese 24 GHz module can ship with a datasheet claiming far more range than a US competitor. But read §15.245(a): the section is limited to field disturbance sensors “excluding perimeter protection systems.”

So if you are building fence-line intrusion radar for the US market, the high-power route is closed to you. You are on §15.249 at roughly 19 mW, and any datasheet range figure derived from a 15.245 test does not transfer. This is the single most expensive misunderstanding in the category, and it costs people a full redesign after certification.

Why 60 GHz is the friendlier band

57–71 GHz is unlicensed in both the US and the EU, and the US structure is unusually generous once you accept a duty cycle. The default for radar is 10 dBm peak EIRP, but 57.0–59.4 GHz allows 20 dBm indoors and 30 dBm outdoors, and a narrow 500 MHz slice at 61.0–61.5 GHz allows 40 dBm average. The catch is that raising power requires meeting a transmitter off-time condition, which constrains your waveform design rather than your antenna.

For presence detection and short-range perimeter work, 60 GHz usually wins: more bandwidth for range resolution, no licensing, and a power budget that supports a usable link at 10–30 m.

What "confidence" means here

Every entry carries a confidence tag, and it is not decoration:

verified — I read the rule text and the limit is quoted from it.
partial — the framework is clear but the exact figure depends on the current version of a standard you should open yourself.
pending — not researched yet. The regulator link is there so you can check directly instead of trusting a blog.

I would rather show you eight markets with honest gaps than eight markets with invented numbers. If your market is pending and you need it, ask — it moves up the list.

This is not a certification. Radio regulation changes, national interpretations differ, and a module certified for one host configuration may not be certified in yours. Treat every entry as a pointer to the rule, then verify with the regulator or a test lab before you commit to a design or a shipment.

Common questions

Can I use an FCC-certified module in Europe?

No. FCC certification is a US equipment authorisation and carries no weight in the EU. A module needs a separate EU assessment against the harmonised standard for its band, plus CE marking and a technical file. The same hardware frequently passes both, but it is two processes and two sets of paperwork.

Does a higher-gain antenna let me transmit more power?

No — EIRP already includes antenna gain. Swapping a 12 dBi antenna for an 18 dBi one raises EIRP by 6 dB unless you reduce conducted power by the same amount. Some sections, such as the US fixed point-to-point provision, actually require a minimum gain, which is the opposite constraint.

What changes if I move from 24 GHz to 79 GHz?

In the US, 76–81 GHz is treated as radar spectrum with a 55 dBm peak EIRP ceiling, far more headroom than 24 GHz allows. In Europe, 77–81 GHz is the automotive band under EN 301 091 — which does not automatically cover non-automotive use. The frequency is better; the paperwork is not necessarily simpler.

Why is the EU 24 GHz entry marked partial?

Because the band has been progressively reallocated and the permitted limit depends on which version of the harmonised standard applies at the time you certify. Quoting a number from a superseded EN 300 440 revision is worse than saying "check the current one".

mmWave Band Compliance Lookup