ETSI TR 103 059 V1.1.1 (2012-03)

Electromagnetic compatibility and Radio spectrum Matters (ERM); Short-Range Devices (SRD) for operation in the 13,56 MHz band; System Reference Document for Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) equipment

DTR/ERM-TG28-046

General Information

• Status: Published
• Publication Date: 21-Mar-2012
• Technical Committee: ERM TG28 - ERM Generic SRD's
• Current Stage: 12 - Completion
• Due Date: 19-Apr-2012
• Completion Date: 22-Mar-2012

Standards Content (Sample)

Technical Report
Electromagnetic compatibility
and Radio spectrum Matters (ERM);
Short-Range Devices (SRD) for operation
in the 13,56 MHz band;
System Reference Document for Radio Frequency
Identification (RFID) equipment

2 ETSI TR 103 059 V1.1.1 (2012-03)

Reference
DTR/ERM-TG28-046
Keywords
radar, radio, RTTT, short range, SRD, SRDOC
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3 ETSI TR 103 059 V1.1.1 (2012-03)
Contents
Intellectual Property Rights . 4
Foreword . 4
Executive summary . 4
Introduction . 4
Status of the pre-approval draft . 5
1 Scope . 6
2 References . 6
2.1 Normative references . 6
2.2 Informative references . 6
3 Definitions, symbols and abbreviations . 8
3.1 Definitions . 8
3.2 Symbols . 8
3.3 Abbreviations . 8
4 Comments on the System Reference Document . 8
5 Background information. 9
5.1 The current situation . 9
5.2 The 13,56 MHz inductive RFID technology . 10
5.3 The socio-economic benefits . 10
6 Market information. 11
6.1 General . 11
6.2 History, technology and systems . 12
6.3 Overview of 13,56 MHz RFID family and standards . 12
7 Technical information . 14
7.1 Detailed technical description . 14
7.1.1 13,56 MHz Receiver-Reader restrictions due to present regulations . 14
7.1.2 Detailed technical description of 13,56 MHz systems . 14
7.2 Status of technical parameters . 16
7.2.1 Current ITU and European Common Allocations . 16
7.2.2 Sharing and compatibility studies (if any) already available . 17
7.3 RFID system parameters . 17
8 Radio spectrum request and justification . 20
9 Regulations . 21
9.1 Current regulations . 21
Annex A: Detailed market information . 22
A.1 Applications . 22
A.2 Evolution and outlook of the 13,56 MHz RFID market . 22
Annex B: Technical information . 24
B.1 Technical description . 24
B.1.1 Rationale and design considerations and for 13,56 MHz systems . 24
B.1.2 System functions . 24
B.2 Technical justifications for spectrum . 25
B.2.1 Power and frequency issues. 25
B.3 Technical standards for RFID . 25
Annex C: Bibliography . 27
History . 28
ETSI
4 ETSI TR 103 059 V1.1.1 (2012-03)
Intellectual Property Rights
IPRs essential or potentially essential to the present document may have been declared to ETSI. The information
pertaining to these essential IPRs, if any, is publicly available for ETSI members and non-members, and can be found
in ETSI SR 000 314: "Intellectual Property Rights (IPRs); Essential, or potentially Essential, IPRs notified to ETSI in
respect of ETSI standards", which is available from the ETSI Secretariat. Latest updates are available on the ETSI Web
server (http://ipr.etsi.org).
Pursuant to the ETSI IPR Policy, no investigation, including IPR searches, has been carried out by ETSI. No guarantee
can be given as to the existence of other IPRs not referenced in ETSI SR 000 314 (or the updates on the ETSI Web
server) which are, or may be, or may become, essential to the present document.
Foreword
This Technical Report (TR) has been produced by ETSI Technical Committee Electromagnetic compatibility and Radio
spectrum Matters (ERM).
Executive summary
The present document analyses the potential and status of 13,56 MHz RF Identification Systems and the need for
regulatory and standard improvements as:
• 13 MHz RFID systems cover the widest range of markets and applications of among the RFID families, this
detailed in clause 6.1 and annex A.
• The prospects for the next decade for the 13,56 MHz RFID technology is that these RFIDs have the highest
turnover and increase rate compared to other frequencies. The rate is estimated for about 50 % or higher. This
is based on:
- the mature and versatile 13,56 MHz technology is providing either large reading range with high
datarates and bulk reading capabilitiy as well as very high data rates for the required safety and security
features as requested by the recent EC mandate M436 for private/public and commercial use;
- 13,56 MHz systems have the high level of installed systems covering various markets and applications;
- the inductive near-field reader-tag communication system feature unique properties as highest spectrum
efficiency because of the frequent re-use of the frequency band allowing dense reader operation (see
clause 5.2).
• 13,56 MHz frequency band is harmonized in all three ITU regions which assures coverage of all markets.
Secondly recent developments in the evolution of the technology and ISO standards as well as
developments/requirements in social, public, commercial and industrial areas have dictated the need for amending the
spectrum mask in the ERC/REC 70-03, annex 9 as well as amending the EN 300 330-1 [i.2] for:
• higher operating ranges as well as higher data rates by
• improvement of the modulation level and spectrum width to meet the market needs. The modifications can be
made by keeping the 13,56 MHz carrier to the present level of 60 dBµA/m as specified in the ERC/REC 70-03
[i.10] and modifying the transmitter mask.
Introduction
The present document has been developed to support the co-operation between ETSI and the Electronic
Communications Committee (ECC) of the European Conference of Post and Telecommunications Administrations
(CEPT) for internal reference within ETSI [i.1].
ETSI
5 ETSI TR 103 059 V1.1.1 (2012-03)
RFIDs have been in use for almost all areas of the industrial-commercial, the public and private sector.
Especially the 13,56 MHz RFID technology is matured and has achieved tag deployment rates in the several billion unit
range. This frequency is highly attractive because of the global harmonization of this frequency band since it is an ISM
band in all 3 ITU regions.
The 13,56 MHz RFIDs use the inductive near field propagation mode which has the unique advantage of allowing a
high reader fieldstrength without disturbing the in-band or adjacent band radio services because of the fast fieldstrength
roll-off of 60 dB/Decade [i.2] and [i.5].
This means that the reading range is controlled or limited while far-field operation can suffer from reflections and
diffractions.
The two most limiting factors for 13,56 MHz RFIDs are regulatory constraints with regard to the modulation allowance
level which is addressed in the present document.
Status of the pre-approval draft
Final approval for publication as ETSI Technical Report is expected after ERM #42.
Target version Pre-approval date version
(see note)
V1.1.1 A s m Date Description
st
V1.1. 0.0.1 August 2010 1 Draft for consideration in ERM TG 28
nd
V1.1.3 0.0.2 Sept. 2011 2 Draft for approval in ERM TG28 #30
th rd
V1.1.4 - Sept. 19 2011 3 Draft approved by TG 28 # 30 for int. Enquiry
V1.0.3 - October 2011 Final draft for approval in TG 28 G2M_2011-10-20
for submission to ERM #45
V1.0.3r1 October 2011 Final draft approved in TG 28 for ERM release for
publication
V1.0.3r2 October 2011 Final draft for remote consultation
ETSI
6 ETSI TR 103 059 V1.1.1 (2012-03)
1 Scope
The present document provides information on short range device equipment for RFIDs operating in the 13,56 MHz
frequency range from 13,553 MHz to 13,567 MHz and covering the requirements for carrier and the associated
modulation emissions.
The present document includes the necessary information to support the co-operation between ETSI and the ECC
including:
• market information;
• technical information;
• regulatory issues.
2 References
References are either specific (identified by date of publication and/or edition number or version number) or
non-specific. For specific references, only the cited version applies. For non-specific references, the latest version of the
reference document (including any amendments) applies.
Referenced documents which are not found to be publicly available in the expected location might be found at
http://docbox.etsi.org/Reference.
NOTE: While any hyperlinks included in this clause were valid at the time of publication, ETSI cannot guarantee
their long term validity.
2.1 Normative references
The following referenced documents are necessary for the application of the present document.
Not applicable.
2.2 Informative references
The following referenced documents are not necessary for the application of the present document but they assist the
user with regard to a particular subject area.
[i.1] ECC-ETSI MoU (version of April 2004).
[i.2] ETSI EN 300 330-1: "Electromagnetic compatibility and Radio spectrum Matters (ERM); Short
Range Devices (SRD); Radio equipment in the frequency range 9 kHz to 25 MHz and inductive
loop systems in the frequency range 9 kHz to 30 MHz; Part 1: Technical characteristics and test
methods".
[i.3] ERC Report 69 (February 1999): "Propagation model and interference range calculations for
inductive systems 10 kHz - 30 MHz".
NOTE: Available at: http://www.satoworldwide.com/news_releases_02062008_DIP.htm
[i.4] Wired Science: "New RFID Tag could mean the end of Bar Codes".
NOTE: Available at: http://www.satoworldwide.com/news_releases_02062008_DIP.htm
[i.5] ERC Report 44 (January 1997): "Sharing between inductive systems and radiocommunication
systems in the band 9 - 135 kHz".
[i.6] ECC Report 74: "Compatibility between radio frequency identification devices (rfid), and the
radioastronomy service at 13 MHz".
ETSI
7 ETSI TR 103 059 V1.1.1 (2012-03)
[i.7] Poly IC printed electronics.
NOTE: Available at: http://www.polyic.de/upload/PolyIC200709-001_de.PDF .
[i.8] ISO/IEC 14443-2 Amd. 3: "Identification cards - Contactless integrated circuit(s) cards -
Proximity cards - Part 2: Radio frequency power and signal interface - Amd. 3: Bits rates of fc/8,
fc/4 and fc/2".
[i.9] ISO/IEC 15693-1:2010: "Identification cards - Contactless integrated circuit cards - Vicinity cards
- Part 1: Physical characteristics".
[i.10] ERC Recommendation 70-03: "Relating to the use of short range devices (srd)".
[i.11] ISO/DIS 17367: "Supply chain applications of RFID - Product tagging".
[i.12] CEN EN 14803: "Identification and/or determination of the quantity of waste".
[i.13] FM(10)092 Annex 24: "Dynamic Evolution of RFID Market".
[i.14] Klaus Finkenzeller: "RFID Handbook", Chapter 5.1.11: "Selection of frequency for inductive
coupled RFID systems", issue 2008, ISBN 978-3-446-41200-2.
[i.15] VDC Market Report: "RFID and related solutions".
NOTE: Available at: http://www.vdcresearch.com/market_research/autoid/research_reports.aspx
[i.16] EETimes publishes an article about PolyIC: "Organic RFID breakthroughs detailed".
NOTE: Available at: http://www.polyic.com/read.php?page=359&l1=5&l2=4
[i.17] ISO/IEC 18000-3: " Information technology - Radio frequency identification for item management
- Part 3: Parameters for air interface communications at 13,56 MHz".
[i.18] ISO/IEC 10536: "Identification cards -- Contactless integrated circuit(s) cards".
[i.19] ISO/IEC TR 18047-3: "Information technology - Radio frequency identification device
conformance test methods - Part 3: Test methods for air interface communications at 13,56 MHz".
[i.20] ISO/IEC 15693-3: "Identification cards - Contactless integrated circuit cards - Vicinity cards -
Part 3: Anticollision and transmission protocol".
[i.21] ISO/IEC 10373-4: "Identification cards -- Test methods -- Part 4: Contactless integrated circuit
cards".
[i.22] ISO/IEC 10373-6: "Identification cards - Test methods - Part 6: Proximity cards".
[i.23] ISO/IEC 10373-7: "Identification cards -- Test methods -- Part 7: Vicinity cards".
[i.24] ETSI EN 302 291: "Electromagnetic compatibility and Radio spectrum Matters (ERM); Short
Range Devices (SRD); Close Range Inductive Data Communication equipment operating at
13,56 MHz".
[i.25] ISO/IEC 18092: "Information technology -- Telecommunications and information exchange
between systems -- Near Field Communication -- Interface and Protocol (NFCIP-1)".
[i.26] ECMA 340: "Near Field Communication Interface and Protocol (NFCIP-1)".
[i.27] ISO/IEC TR 18001: "Information technology - Radio frequency identification for item
management - Application requirements profiles".
[i.28] ISO/IEC 18046 (parts 1 to 3): "Information technology - Radio frequency identification device
performance test methods".
[i.29] ISO/IEC18000-1: "Information technology - Radio frequency identification for item management -
Part 1: Reference architecture and definition of parameters to be standardized".
[i.30] ITU Radio Regulations.
ETSI
8 ETSI TR 103 059 V1.1.1 (2012-03)
[i.31] http://www.efis.dk/views2/search-allocations.jsp.
3 Definitions, symbols and abbreviations
3.1 Definitions
For the purposes of the present document, the following terms and definitions apply:
bulk reading: extension of single reading to a set of tags within the illumination field
identification system: equipment consisting of a transmitter(s), receiver(s) (or a combination of the two) and an
antenna(s) to identify objects by means of a transponder
Short Range Devices (SRDs): radio devices which provide either unidirectional or bi-directional communication and
which have low capability of causing interference to other radio equipment
tag: device that responds to an interrogation signal
3.2 Symbols
For the purposes of the present document, the following symbols apply:
P Power
R Distance
f frequency
f carrier frequency in Hz
C
H magnetic field strength
kB/s Data transmission speed
λ Wave length
3.3 Abbreviations
For the purposes of the present document, the following abbreviations apply:
AIDC Automatic Identification and Data Capture
ANFR Agence Nationale des Fréquences
ASK Amplitude Shift Keying
EAS Electronic Article Surveillance
ECA European Common Allocation
ECC Electronic Communications Committee
EM ElectroMagnetic
EPC Electronic Product Code
HF High Frequency
ISM Industrial Scientific Medical
ISO International Standards Organisation
LF Low Fequency
NFC Near Field Communication
NRZ Non Return Zero
RX Radio Receiver
SRD Short Range Device
TG Task Group
TX Transmitter
UHF Ultra High Frequency
4 Comments on the System Reference Document
No comments are received to date.
ETSI
9 ETSI TR 103 059 V1.1.1 (2012-03)
5 Background information
5.1 The current situation
RFIDs operating at 13,56 MHz meet a number of different market requirements and has reached the highest market
acceptance and penetration among all other RFID technologies operating at other frequency ranges.
The increase rate over the next decade is about 50 % or higher. This is based on an already high level of installed
systems and particularly the number of tags. This high level of acceptance is due to the versatile yet simple 13,56 MHz
inductive technology.
13,56 MHz benefits are:
• Frequency band is harmonized � in ITU regions 1, 2 and 3
• Near field properties RFIDs have distinct features � well defined and limited operating range
• Very high spectrum efficient technology � 13,56 MHz ±7 kHz is sufficient
• High coverage of Standards � by global standards (ISO) and regional as
well as different application specific standards
• Highest data rate and bidirectional communications � up to 423 kB/s for sophisticated, secure
data transmission and anti-collision and up
to 30 MB/s for short distance systems
• Low cost structure � using mature and high volume technologies
• Choice of technology for long or short operating ranges � with controlled and short range at high
data rate or high range with medium data rates
The regulation for the carrier field strength level was increased from 42 dBµA/m to 60 dBµA/m a few years ago in
order to provide higher reading ranges and to meet the market demands. At the time, the market primarily required read-
only tags and the enhanced reading range was effectively enabled by the 60 dBµA/m limit.
The increased complexity of RFID systems, the level of sophistication of the various applications, last not least the need
for data protection and enhanced capability for data security have dictated the shift from read-only and unidirectional
data communication to bidirectional communication between reader and the tag.
Bidirectional communication to the tags is essential for present RFID systems with sophisticated protocols e.g. for
addressing individual tags, and also enabling data security functions. For bulk reading environments fast protocols for
tag serialization is required, which is only feasible with bidirectional communication.
The large majority of the RFID systems respectively the tags are passive, this is a precondition for high market
penetration and reliable operation at low cost. Passive tags face a number of limitations for realizing the chip
technology, especially if bidirectional communication between reader and tag is required.
The bidirectional communication requires that the tag activation signal is to be ASK modulated. The modulation level
has to be minimum ~10 % (respectively a modulation index of 18 %) in order to be reliably detected by the passive
tags.
The present modulation mask, initially defined for operation at a carrier level of 42 dBµA/m, works satisfactorily with
the present modulation mask level of 9 dBµA/m. However using the increased carrier level of 60 dBµA/m the
modulation level of 9 dBµA/m is too low.
The present document supports the need for amending the modulation emission levels and defines the required
modulation mask to allow reliable bidirectional communication at the carrier operation level of 60 dBµA/m.
The present modulation mask, initially defined for operation at a carrier level of 42 dBµA/m, works satisfactorily with
the present modulation mask level of 9 dB/µA/m but with the increased carrier level the modulation level is too low and
no longer functional to support bidirectional communication at 60 dBµA/m.
ETSI
10 ETSI TR 103 059 V1.1.1 (2012-03)
The present document supports the need for amending the modulation emission levels and defines the required
modulation mask to support bidirectional communication at the operation level of 60 dBµA/m.
5.2 The 13,56 MHz inductive RFID technology
• RFID systems at 13,56 MHz basically operates as magnetically coupled and tuned circuits.
• Systems can use the trade-off potential to either make use of high quality factors (Q) for the antenna circuits in
order to provide the highest efficiency to power the tags over the maximum required reading distance at
moderate data rates, - or using a lower Q and broadband tuned circuits supporting high data rates up to 100
kBit/s resulting in lower ranges.
• A distinct advantage of the 13,56 MHz technology is the fact that below 30 MHz RFID systems operate in the
near field propagation domain which features:
- high field strength roll-off of ~60 dB/decade [i.2] and [i.5];
- lower interference potential to other services operating in the same or nearby frequency bands [i.3] and
[i.6];
- the re-use of the frequency band allowing high spectrum efficiency and dense operation of 13,56 MHz
RFID systems in a given area;
- controlled and limited operating range and free from reflections and diffraction.
Inductive technology RFIDs therefore have favourable propagation properties and ideally suited for Short Range
Device (SRD) operation which are not present with other RFIDs operating in higher frequency ranges and at EM fields.
Another aspect for future high market growth and significantly lower cost is that the printed chip and technology for
RFIDs is opening significantly larger markets as compared to the present RFID forecasts because of the much lower
cost [i.4] and [i.7].
The most limiting factor for 13,56 MHz RFID's is the regulatory constraint for the modulation emission level such as
addressed in the present document.
5.3 The socio-economic benefits
The RFIDs are an established technology in the industry, known as "Automatic Identification and Data Capture (AIDC)
technology" and have developed nowadays as an active and indispensable part in all areas of daily life.
AIDC technologies primarily known as Bar Codes. The next generation and successor or complementary technology to
Bar Codes is the RFID technology which is more versatile and essential for applications such as e. g. logistics, apparel
and textiles, industrial installations, payment, access control, ecology savings, libraries, medical and many other
applications [i.4].
There are a number of new applications and markets which are imperative for the public and by a number of states
already regulated because of the saving cost, allowing international control/security functions, such as e-Pass and the ID
card, driver licenses or similar applications. These are all using 13 MHz RFID according to ISO standards.
Therefore 13 MHz tags presenting high volumes and provide fast growing markets over the next decade and beyond.
The enabler for the various applications is on one hand a transmitter mask to cope with wide modulation range and high
data speed as defined in ISO/IEC 14443-2 Amd. 3 [i.8] and on the other hand high reading ranges to allow a sufficiently
high modulation level as required by ISO/IEC 15693-1 [i.9].
As example of the socio-economic benefits in the various applications in the industrial area where RFIDs can be used is
shown in table 1 identifying savings and performance improvements using RFID in a manufacturing environment.
This is typical for ISO/IEC 18000-3 [i.17] for 13,56 MHz in industrial applications.
ETSI
11 ETSI TR 103 059 V1.1.1 (2012-03)
Table 1: Savings of Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) technology
Parameter Benefit
Productivity Increased between 10 % and 100 %
Throughput times Decreased between 40 % and 90 %
Inventories Decreased between 40 % and 90 %
Scrap Reduced between 10 % and 50 %
Space savings Between 30 % and 60 %
Overtime Decreased up to 90 %
Safety-related injuries Decreased up to 50 %
Product development time Decreased up to 30 %

Other high volume applications examples are ticketing and payment and access control e.g. ski pass, parking, tracking
and tracing, libraries, etc.
Numerous ISO and other technical standards are available for the various applications and markets which are given in
clause 7.4.
6 Market information
6.1 General
Besides the Low Frequency (LF) RFID systems, the 13,56 MHz technology is one of the first RFID technology brought
to the market back in 1995 or earlier in the form of the first smartcard applications. Presently the market covers a
variety of applications.
The market for 13,56 MHz applications is established in the following areas (the list may not be complete):
1) Logistics and materials handling, where goods and mobile assets are tagged for their use along the supply
chain [i.11].
2) Ticketing and Payment systems to secure transactions (i.e. smart cards, e-Passport, mass transportation
tickets).
3) Libraries, books handling.
4) Ecology related applications such as waste management.
5) Item level tagging - especially efficient if combined with an Electronic Article Surveillance (EAS) function
which can be performed in the same chip.
NOTE: The 60 dBµA/m emission level according to ERC/REC 70-03 [i.10], Annex 9 provided the needed
reading ranges of RFIDs to cover combine the EAS function with RFIDs. These E
...