LEARNING ABOUT ANSI C63.10

A Standard for Testing Unlicensed Wireless Devices

For many years ANSI C63.4 had been the go to standard for FCC compliance testing. Prior to ANSI C63.10, ANSI C63.4 covered EMC and wireless compliance testing for the majority of FCC part 15 requirements. The ANSI C63.4, and later ANSI C63.10, would eventually replace the formal recommended procedures (MP-4 1983/1987) issued by the Office of Science and Technology (now known as the Office of Engineering and Technology (OET)).

There are two main subparts to FCC Part 15; Subpart B covers the control of unintentional radiation from digital devices such as your smartphone, tablet, computer or other electronic devices. The other primary subpart is Subpart C, covering unlicensed low power intentional radiators; devices that transmit radio frequency energy intentionally, usually for wireless communication of some type. Examples of these low level intentional radiators include WiFi 802.11, Bluetooth, and wireless remote controls and key fobs, among others. The remaining subparts in Part 15 address more specific spectrum utilization or interference concerns, generally related to new and emerging technology. New subparts are added as needed.

New and innovative ways to utilize the spectrum needed to be developed at a rapid pace in order to keep up with the increasing demand for low power transmitters, and the test methods used to asses compliance with the rules needed to keep pace accordingly. Special procedures were developed to handle specific emerging technology, FCC Knowledge Database articles would be published to provide guidance on appropriate methods. The amount of supplemental guidance became numerous and difficult to identify.

Understanding there was a need to address intentional radiators separate from digital devices, and that supplemental guidance should be consolidated, a new project was proposed that would branch off from ANSI C63.4. The new project would facilitate the consolidation and development of procedures for testing a wide variety of unlicensed wireless devices for compliance with the FCC Rules, and in March of 2006, C63® approved the establishment of the working group that would go on to develop ANSI C63.10 American National Standard for Testing Unlicensed Wireless Devices.

Mr. Art Wall initially proposed the development and ultimately won the committee approval necessary for the formation of the Working Group responsible for ANSI C63.10. Mr. Wall is retired Deputy Chief of the Federal Communications Commission Laboratory and principal consultant for Radio Regulatory Consultants. One of Mr. Wall’s last duties as Deputy Chief was the development and oversight of the Telecommunication Certification Body (TCB) program.