ANSI C63.10
American National Standard of Procedures for Compliance Testing of Unlicensed Wireless Devices — a guide to scope, measurement procedures, FCC authorization categories, and how ANSI C63.10 relates to FCC Part 15. Part of the Compatible Electronics Learning Center.
What is ANSI C63.10?
ANSI C63.10 is an American National Standard published by the American National Standards Institute (ANSI) under the auspices of the Accredited Standards Committee C63® on Electromagnetic Compatibility. It specifies the procedures for compliance testing of unlicensed wireless devices — devices that intentionally transmit radio frequency energy and operate under authorization granted by the FCC without requiring an individual license.
The standard is the primary measurement procedure document referenced by the FCC for testing intentional radiators under FCC Part 15 Subparts C, D, E, F, G, and H, and for certain devices under Part 18. It replaced the earlier ANSI C63.10-2009 edition and provides updated test procedures that reflect current wireless technology.
Compatible Electronics is NVLAP-accredited to test to ANSI C63.10 (2013) at our Lake Forest/Silverado, Brea, and Newbury Park locations. Our ANSI C63.10 testing services cover the full range of unlicensed wireless device categories.
Scope and Device Categories
ANSI C63.10 applies to unlicensed wireless devices across a broad range of frequency bands and transmission technologies. The major categories include:
1
FCC Part 15 Subpart C — Intentional Radiators
Devices that intentionally generate and radiate RF energy. Includes spread spectrum devices (frequency hopping and direct sequence), digital transmission systems, field disturbance sensors, and general intentional radiators operating under the power limits of Section 15.247 and related rules.
2
FCC Part 15 Subpart D — Unlicensed PCS Devices
Unlicensed Personal Communications Service (PCS) devices operating in the 1910–1930 MHz band. These are tested for maximum EIRP, unwanted emissions, and other parameters to ensure coexistence with licensed services.
3
FCC Part 15 Subpart E — Unlicensed National Information Infrastructure (U-NII)
Devices operating in the 5 GHz U-NII bands — the bands used by 5 GHz Wi-Fi (802.11a/n/ac/ax). U-NII devices must meet specific power spectral density limits and, in certain bands, implement Dynamic Frequency Selection (DFS) and Transmit Power Control (TPC).
4
FCC Part 15 Subparts F, G, H — UWB, BPL, White Space
Ultra-Wideband (UWB) devices (Subpart F), Access Broadband over Power Line (BPL) systems (Subpart G), and TV Band White Space devices (Subpart H) each have specific technical requirements addressed by ANSI C63.10.
Key Measurement Procedures
ANSI C63.10 specifies detailed measurement procedures for the parameters required by FCC rules. The major measurement categories include:
- Conducted and radiated output power: Measurement of fundamental transmit power at the antenna port (conducted) and as radiated EIRP, using calibrated antennas and field-strength measurements in an accredited test facility.
- Frequency accuracy and stability: Verification that the device operates within its authorized frequency band under all specified operating conditions.
- Occupied bandwidth: Measurement of the bandwidth containing a specified percentage (typically 99%) of total transmitted power.
- Unwanted emissions: Measurement of spurious and harmonic emissions to verify compliance with the applicable out-of-band limits.
- Frequency hopping parameters: For frequency hopping spread spectrum systems — verification of hop count, dwell time, hopping sequence pseudo-randomness, and other parameters defined in Section 15.247.
- Peak power spectral density: For spread spectrum and digital transmission systems, verification that power spectral density limits are met on both a conducted and radiated basis.
ⓘ Test site requirements: ANSI C63.10 measurements are performed on an Open Area Test Site (OATS), in an anechoic chamber, or using other alternative methods specified in the standard. All facilities must meet the applicable site validation criteria, and test equipment must be calibrated to traceable standards. Compatible Electronics' facilities meet all ANSI C63.10 site requirements and hold NVLAP accreditation confirming this.
ANSI C63.10 and FCC Authorization
For most unlicensed wireless devices, FCC authorization is obtained through one of two routes — both of which accept test reports generated to ANSI C63.10:
1
FCC Certification (formerly ID)
Required for most intentional radiators under Part 15 Subpart C, as well as U-NII devices. The applicant submits a test report (to ANSI C63.10 procedures) and application to a Telecommunications Certification Body (TCB). Compatible Electronics is an FCC-authorized TCB (CETCB), allowing us to both test and certify qualifying devices in a single engagement. See our FCC certification page for details.
2
Supplier's Declaration of Conformity (SDoC)
Some devices may use SDoC rather than certification. The responsible party tests the device to ANSI C63.10 procedures, attaches an FCC identifier, and self-declares compliance without TCB review. SDoC is appropriate for certain Part 15 Subpart B devices and some others as defined in Part 2.
ANSI C63.10 Accreditation at Compatible Electronics
Compatible Electronics holds NVLAP accreditation (Lab Code 200527-0) for ANSI C63.10 (2013) across multiple test categories and locations:
| Standard / Application | Locations |
|---|
| ANSI C63.10 (2013) — Intentional Radiators, FCC Part 15 Subpart C | Lake Forest, Brea, Newbury Park |
| ANSI C63.10 (2013) — U-NII Devices (no DFS), FCC Part 15 Subpart E | Lake Forest, Brea, Newbury Park |
| ANSI C63.10 (2013) — UWB, FCC Part 15 Subpart F | Lake Forest, Brea |
| ANSI C63.10 (2013) — Access BPL, FCC Part 15 Subpart G | Lake Forest |
| ANSI C63.10 (2013) — White Space, FCC Part 15 Subpart H | Lake Forest |
| ANSI C63.10-2009 — Unlicensed Wireless Devices | Brea |
Ready to Test Your Product?
Compatible Electronics is an NVLAP-accredited EMC and wireless testing laboratory (Lab Code 200527-0) and FCC-authorized TCB. Three Southern California locations, fast turnaround.
www.celectronics.com
