CISPR 16-1-6-2022 PDF

Full title and description

Specification for radio disturbance and immunity measuring apparatus and methods — Part 1-6: Radio disturbance and immunity measuring apparatus — EMC antenna calibration (CISPR 16-1-6:2014/AMD2:2022). This document is Amendment 2 published in 2022 that updates procedures and guidance for calibration of antennas used in radiated disturbance measurements.

Abstract

This amendment provides additional and revised requirements, procedures and supporting information for the calibration of antennas to determine antenna factors (AF) applicable to antennas used in radiated disturbance measurements. It focuses on free‑space antenna calibrations in the boresight direction, defines calibration methods and configurations, and gives guidance on measurement uncertainties and the associated test instrumentation. The amendment is intended to be used alongside the base 2014 edition and previous amendments or the consolidated version where applicable.

General information

• Status: Amendment 2 to CISPR 16-1-6 (published and in force as of March 3, 2022).
• Publication date: 03 March 2022.
• Publisher: IEC / CISPR (International Electrotechnical Commission, CISPR technical committee).
• ICS / categories: 33.100.10 (Emission); 33.100.20 (Immunity).
• Edition / version: CISPR 16-1-6:2014 Ed.1 amended — Amendment 2 (designation CISPR 16-1-6:2014/AMD2:2022). A consolidated CSV combining 2014 + A1:2017 + AMD2:2022 is also available.
• Number of pages: Amendment 2 standalone: 48 pages (consolidated CSV is much larger).

Scope

The standard (as amended) specifies methods and procedures for calibrating antennas to determine antenna factors used in radiated disturbance measurements in a free‑space environment, primarily in the boresight direction. The frequency range addressed spans from low frequencies up to microwave, commonly cited as 9 kHz to 18 GHz in the consolidated material, and covers monopole, loop, dipole, biconical, log‑periodic dipole‑array (LPDA), hybrid and horn antennas. Guidance on measurement uncertainty, calibration configurations and required test instrumentation is included.

Key topics and requirements

• Procedures for free‑space antenna calibration and determination of antenna factor (AF).
• Frequency range coverage (typical guidance covering approximately 9 kHz to 18 GHz in consolidated editions).
• Calibration methods and configurations for different antenna types (monopole, loop, dipole, biconical, LPDA, hybrid, horn).
• Requirements for instrumentation, test sites and measurement setup (free‑space conditions, positioning, boresight alignment).
• Guidance and procedures for estimating and reporting measurement uncertainty associated with antenna calibration.
• Compatibility and use with other parts of the CISPR 16 series and with national/adopted versions (e.g., EN/DIN adaptations).

Typical use and users

Primary users are EMC test laboratories, antenna calibration laboratories, manufacturers of antennas and RF test equipment, conformity assessment bodies, and regulatory/standards organizations. The document is used when performing or specifying antenna calibrations that feed into radiated emissions testing, to ensure consistent antenna factor determination and uncertainty reporting across laboratories.

Related standards

This part is one element of the CISPR/IEC 16 series (measurement apparatus and methods). Closely related documents include CISPR 16‑1‑1, CISPR 16‑1‑2 and other parts of CISPR 16 dealing with measuring apparatus, detectors and calibration. The amendment has been adopted into regional documents such as EN/DIN adaptations (for example EN 55016‑1‑6 with amendment adoptions). For full consolidated procedures consult the CSV (CISPR 16‑1‑6:2014 + A1:2017 + AMD2:2022).

Keywords

antenna calibration; antenna factor (AF); EMC antenna; radiated disturbance; measurement uncertainty; free‑space calibration; CISPR 16; EMC test instrumentation.

FAQ

Q: What is this standard?

A: It is Amendment 2 (2022) to CISPR 16‑1‑6, the part of the CISPR/IEC 16 series that specifies procedures for EMC antenna calibration used to determine antenna factors for radiated disturbance measurements.

Q: What does it cover?

A: The amendment updates and clarifies calibration procedures, recommended configurations and uncertainty estimation for a range of antenna types over a wide frequency range (commonly reported as 9 kHz to 18 GHz in consolidated material), with an emphasis on free‑space boresight calibrations.

Q: Who typically uses it?

A: EMC and calibration laboratories, antenna and RF equipment manufacturers, test engineers, and conformity assessment bodies that perform or rely on calibrated antenna factors for radiated emissions measurements.

Q: Is it current or superseded?

A: The 2022 publication is an amendment (AMD2) to the 2014 edition and is currently published (effective 03 March 2022). A consolidated version combining the 2014 base text with A1:2017 and AMD2:2022 is available for those seeking the full integrated text. Users should check national or regional adoptions (EN/DIN, etc.) for harmonized versions.

Q: Is it part of a series?

A: Yes — it is Part 1‑6 of the CISPR/IEC 16 series (Specification for radio disturbance and immunity measuring apparatus and methods). Other parts of the series address detectors, instrumentation, site validation and related measurement methods.

Q: What are the key keywords?

A: Antenna calibration, antenna factor (AF), EMC antenna, radiated disturbance, calibration uncertainty, free‑space calibration, CISPR 16.