ANSI C63.10-2020 PDF

Full title and description

IEEE/ANSI/USEMCSC C63.10-2020 — American National Standard of Procedures for Compliance Testing of Unlicensed Wireless Devices. This standard provides consensus measurement methods, instrumentation and test-facility requirements to demonstrate RF emissions compliance of a broad range of license-exempt (unlicensed) wireless transmitters and intentional radiators.

Abstract

C63.10-2020 defines reproducible, repeatable test procedures for demonstrating regulatory compliance of unlicensed wireless devices operating broadly across the RF spectrum (commonly cited 9 kHz to 231 GHz). It includes general measurement practices, setup and instrumentation guidance, emission measurement procedures for multiple device classes (including spread-spectrum, U-NII, DTS, UWB, mmWave and beamforming/MIMO systems), reporting requirements and supporting annexes.

General information

• Status: Active American National Standard (current edition, issue 2020).
• Publication date: ANSI approval 10 September 2020; published by IEEE 29 January 2021.
• Publisher: Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE), ANSI-approved.
• ICS / categories: Electromagnetic compatibility and emissions (examples: 33.070.01; 33.100.10).
• Edition / version: C63.10-2020 (supersedes C63.10-2013); amended and corrected by subsequent corrigendum and amendment documents.
• Number of pages: 268 pages (main published PDF).

Scope

The standard specifies U.S. consensus procedures for measurement of radio-frequency signals and noise emitted from unlicensed wireless devices (also described as intentional radiators or license-exempt transmitters). Typical coverage spans devices and technologies such as frequency-hopping and direct-sequence spread spectrum, Bluetooth and other short-range radios, U-NII/802.11 variants, DTS, UWB, mmWave systems, intrusion and remote-control devices, automatic vehicle identification and other license-exempt transmitters. It explicitly excludes device classes already covered by other dedicated standards (for example UPCS/UPCS-like families and certain RF exposure assessment methods) and notes regional regulatory-specific tests (e.g., DFS for some U-NII bands) that may be outside its procedures.

Key topics and requirements

• Measurement instrumentation, calibration and test-facility characteristics required for valid RF emission measurements.
• General procedures for maximizing and measuring conducted and radiated emissions across 9 kHz to 231 GHz (and guidance for higher bands where regulators permit).
• Device-operation and test-sample handling requirements to ensure repeatable results (including port termination, cabling, antenna and position considerations).
• Specific test methods for common device types: frequency-hopping and direct-sequence spread-spectrum devices, DTS, U-NII/802.11, UWB, mmWave systems, and devices with beamforming or multiple-output architectures.
• Procedures for measuring occupied bandwidth, emission bandwidth, spurious and undesirable emissions, and combining emissions from multiple outputs or antenna arrays.
• Reporting and data-recording requirements, and informative annexes (including cross-reference guidance to FCC/ISED requirements and pulse-desensitization considerations).
• Recognized corrigendum and amendment paths (e.g., corrections for UWB bandwidths, pulse desensitization formula, and 2024 amendment updates to bandwidth, mmWave and UWB procedures).

Typical use and users

Used by test laboratories, product manufacturers, compliance engineers, certification bodies and regulatory specialists to develop test plans, perform RF emission testing and prepare compliance test reports for license-exempt wireless products. It serves test engineers designing measurement setups for a wide variety of consumer, industrial, medical and ITS (intelligent transportation) wireless devices.

Related standards

Commonly used alongside or cross-referenced with other standards and documents such as ANSI/IEEE C63.4 (radiated and conducted emission measurement methods), ANSI C63.17 (where applicable), IEEE Std 1528 (RF exposure assessment methods) and regulator-specific KDBs and radio standards. C63.10-2020 has an associated corrigendum (C63.10-2020/Cor1-2023) and an amendment (C63.10a-2024) that update/correct specific procedures.

Keywords

Unlicensed wireless, intentional radiator, license-exempt transmitter, RF emissions, compliance testing, radiated emissions, conducted emissions, U-NII, DTS, UWB, mmWave, beamforming, ANSI C63.10.

FAQ

Q: What is this standard?

A: ANSI/IEEE C63.10-2020 is the American National Standard that defines procedures and measurement methods for compliance testing of unlicensed (license-exempt) wireless transmitters and intentional radiators.

Q: What does it cover?

A: It covers instrumentation and facility requirements, general measurement practices, and specific test procedures for a wide range of unlicensed wireless device types (example families include spread-spectrum devices, UWB, U-NII/DTS, mmWave and devices using beamforming/MIMO). It states the typical frequency range as 9 kHz to 231 GHz and provides annexes with cross-reference and measurement detail.

Q: Who typically uses it?

A: Test laboratories, compliance and RF engineers, product manufacturers preparing for regulatory certification, and certification bodies that evaluate emissions performance of license-exempt wireless products.

Q: Is it current or superseded?

A: C63.10-2020 is the active edition (superseding the 2013 edition). It has an official corrigendum published in 2023 and an amendment published in 2024 to address corrections and procedural updates; users should adopt the base standard together with the corrigendum/amendment where applicable. Regulatory authorities (for example FCC and ISED) have also referenced the 2020 edition and its corrections/amendments in their compliance timelines — check the applicable regulator guidance for mandatory adoption dates.

Q: Is it part of a series?

A: Yes — C63.10 is one of several C63 standards addressing electromagnetic compatibility and radio emissions (for example C63.4 for general disturbance measurements and C63.17 for certain PCS-type transmitters). The C63 committee maintains related corrigenda, amendments and companion documents.

Q: What are the key keywords?

A: Unlicensed wireless, intentional radiator, license-exempt, RF emissions, radiated/conducted emissions, U-NII, DTS, UWB, mmWave, beamforming, compliance testing, ANSI C63.10.