ANSI USEMCSC C63.27-2021 PDF

Full title and description

ANSI/USEMCSC C63.27-2021 — American National Standard for Evaluation of Wireless Coexistence. This revision standard defines an evaluation process and supporting test methods to quantify the ability of equipment that incorporates RF communications (the Equipment Under Test, EUT) to coexist with other wireless services in its intended radio‑frequency environments.

Abstract

This standard specifies key performance indicators (KPIs), evaluation tiers, test procedures and reporting practices to assess Functional Wireless Performance (FWP) of an EUT in the presence of unintended signals, and to optionally compute a likelihood of coexistence (LoC) or feed a risk assessment. It supports assessment of both the effects of unintended signals on the EUT and the effects of the EUT on unintended signals.

General information

• Status: Active (Revision standard; current edition published and in use).
• Publication date: Published May 17, 2022; ANSI approval recorded November 29, 2021.
• Publisher: Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) as content provider; ANSI/USEMCSC accredited committee (C63) oversight.
• ICS / categories: Electromagnetic compatibility and radiocommunications — receiving and transmitting equipment (examples: 33.060.20) and EMC general (33.100.01).
• Edition / version: C63.27-2021 (revision of IEEE/ANSI C63.27-2017).
• Number of pages: Approximately 87 pages (electronic PDF).

Scope

The standard applies to equipment that incorporates RF communications and to the evaluation of its wireless coexistence in intended operational electromagnetic environments. It provides methods to: define the EUT’s Functional Wireless Performance (FWP); identify intended and unintended signals; select appropriate KPIs; design test plans and evaluation tiers; execute laboratory and/or field measurements; and report results that support product guidance, design decisions, and risk assessments. The standard is intended to be technology‑agnostic and applicable across a broad set of radio technologies (Wi‑Fi, Bluetooth, cellular, IoT radios, medical wireless, etc.).

Key topics and requirements

• Definition and selection of Functional Wireless Performance (FWP) metrics for the EUT (throughput, latency, packet loss, time‑to‑complete, error rates, EVM, etc.).
• Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) and pass/fail criteria tailored to the EUT’s intended function and user experience.
• Evaluation tiers and test plan development to represent intended operational environments and interfering sources.
• Controlled laboratory test methods and recommended field/operational evaluation approaches.
• Procedures to measure and report the effect of unintended signals on the EUT and the EUT’s effect on other systems.
• Optional computation or estimation of a Likelihood of Coexistence (LoC) and integration of results into risk assessment or user guidance.
• Guidance for test setup, instrumentation, repeatability, and documentation to ensure results are reproducible and actionable.

Typical use and users

Primary users include product and RF/system engineers, EMC test laboratories, wireless device manufacturers (including consumer, industrial and medical device sectors), regulatory compliance teams, and organizations performing risk assessments for wireless operation in shared or dense RF environments. The standard is used to design test programs, validate coexistence performance during development, investigate field complaints, and provide documented evidence of coexistence capability for internal or external stakeholders.

Related standards

Related documents include the earlier IEEE/ANSI C63.27-2017 (superseded), other C63 series EMC and radiated emissions/immunity standards (for example C63.4, C63.10 and related test method standards), and sector‑specific guidance where coexistence is critical (e.g., medical device standards that reference wireless performance and safety). Organizations commonly use C63.27 alongside regulatory test methods and product‑specific standards to form a complete compliance and performance evaluation strategy.

Keywords

wireless coexistence, coexistence testing, functional wireless performance, FWP, KPI, likelihood of coexistence, LoC, RF testing, EMI, EMC, RFI, EUT, throughput, latency, packet loss, error vector magnitude, IoT, Wi‑Fi, Bluetooth, medical wireless

FAQ

Q: What is this standard?

A: ANSI/USEMCSC C63.27-2021 is the American National Standard that defines methods and test procedures to evaluate the wireless coexistence of equipment that uses RF communications — i.e., how well a device performs its wireless functions in the presence of other, potentially interfering, wireless signals.

Q: What does it cover?

A: It covers definition of Functional Wireless Performance (FWP), selection of KPIs, test plan and evaluation tier development, laboratory and field test methods, reporting requirements, and optional methods to estimate a Likelihood of Coexistence (LoC). It also addresses measuring the EUT’s impact on other devices.

Q: Who typically uses it?

A: Device manufacturers, EMC and RF engineers, test labs, product compliance teams, and anyone responsible for designing, validating or documenting wireless device behavior in realistic RF environments — including industries such as consumer electronics, industrial IoT, automotive, and medical devices.

Q: Is it current or superseded?

A: C63.27-2021 is the current revision (ANSI approval recorded November 29, 2021; published May 17, 2022). It supersedes IEEE/ANSI C63.27-2017. Users should verify if a newer revision has been published at the time of use.

Q: Is it part of a series?

A: Yes. It is part of the C63 family of standards maintained by the ANSI Accredited Standards Committee C63® (Electromagnetic Compatibility). C63.27 is complementary to other C63 test and measurement standards that address emissions, immunity and specific test methods.

Q: What are the key keywords?

A: Wireless coexistence, coexistence testing, functional wireless performance (FWP), KPI, RF, EMC, EMI, likelihood of coexistence (LoC), EUT, latency, throughput, packet loss, error vector magnitude.