ISO/IEC 15149-3:2016

Information technology — Telecommunications and information exchange between systems — Magnetic field area network (MFAN) — Part 3: Relay Protocol for Extended Range

ISO/IEC 15149-3:2016 specifies relay protocol to extend effective network coverage of magnetic field area networks. The addressing, request and response codes are defined.

Technologies de l'information — Téléinformatique — Réseau de zone de champ magnétique (MFAN) — Partie 3: Titre manque

General Information

• Status: Published
• Publication Date: 03-Jan-2016
• ICS: 35.110 - Networking
• Technical Committee: ISO/IEC JTC 1/SC 6 - Telecommunications and information exchange between systems
• Drafting Committee: ISO/IEC JTC 1/SC 6/WG 1 - Physical and data link layers
• Current Stage: 9093 - International Standard confirmed
• Start Date: 23-May-2025
• Completion Date: 30-Oct-2025

Relations

• Revises: ISO/IEC 15149:2011 - Information technology — Telecommunications and information exchange between systems — Magnetic field area network (MFAN)
• Effective Date: 07-Oct-2012

Overview

ISO/IEC 15149-3:2016 specifies the relay protocol for extended range in Magnetic Field Area Networks (MFAN). As part of the ISO/IEC 15149 family, this standard defines how MFAN devices (coordinator, nodes, repeaters) operate together to extend effective network coverage using low-frequency magnetic-field communication. It covers addressing, request/response codes, time-division management and MAC-layer relay functions to connect out-of-boundary nodes via MFAN repeaters (MFAN-R).

Keywords: ISO/IEC 15149-3, MFAN, magnetic field area network, relay protocol, extended range, TDMA, MFAN repeater

Key Topics and Technical Requirements

• Network architecture and elements
  • Defines device roles: MFAN-C (coordinator), MFAN-N (node), MFAN-R (repeater).
  • Single MFAN-C per network; nodes and repeaters associate to it.
• Time-domain management (TDMA)
  • Superframe structure divided into request period, response period, and spontaneous period.
  • MFAN-C allocates request time slots; response period is divided by device count. Repeaters may subdivide their slots to create nested superframes for out-of-range nodes.
• Relay and addressing
  • Addressing scheme and request/response codes are defined to manage relay behavior and association/disassociation.
  • Repeater setup procedures and message types (e.g., RSRq, RSRs, RSRA) are specified for forming relay links.
• MAC layer
  • Frame formats and frame types are defined, including request frames, response frames, response confirmation frames and blocks.
  • MAC functions include repeater set-up, data transmission timing and network status management.
• Physical/air interface characteristics
  • MFAN uses low carrier frequencies (30 kHz–300 kHz), simple robust modulation (e.g., BPSK), and coding techniques (Manchester or NRZ‑L) to provide several kbps over several meters in harsh environments.

Applications

• Extending wireless communication coverage in environments where RF propagation is poor: around metal, underground, underwater-adjacent or soil-rich settings.
• Enabling reliable short-range telemetry and control in industrial, mining, agricultural, and underground infrastructure.
• Supporting systems that combine wireless communication and wireless power transfer (WPT) where magnetic-field links are preferred.
• Implementing robust IoT and sensor networks in harsh or metallic environments that require repeaters to reach remote nodes.

Who should use this standard

• Device manufacturers and system integrators designing MFAN hardware (coordinators, nodes, repeaters).
• Firmware and protocol developers implementing MAC/relay functions and TDMA scheduling.
• Test labs and certification bodies validating MFAN interoperability and extended-range relay behavior.
• Architects of industrial and infrastructure communications seeking standards-based magnetic-field networking solutions.

Related standards

• ISO/IEC 15149-1:2014 - MFAN Air Interface (physical and MAC basics)
• ISO/IEC 15149-2 - In-Band Control Protocol for Wireless Power Transfer
• ISO/IEC 15149-4 - Security Protocol for Authentication

This standard is essential for anyone implementing or deploying MFAN relay networks intended to extend coverage reliably in harsh environments.

Standards Content (Sample)

FINAL
INTERNATIONAL ISO/IEC
DRAFT
STANDARD FDIS
15149-3
ISO/IEC JTC 1/SC 6
Information technology —
Secretariat: KATS
Telecommunications and information
Voting begins on:
2015-09-16 exchange between systems —
Magnetic field area network (MFAN) —
Voting terminates on:
2015-11-16
Part 3:
Relay Protocol for Extended Range
Technologies de l’information — Téléinformatique — Réseau de zone
de champ magnétique (MFAN)
RECIPIENTS OF THIS DRAFT ARE INVITED TO
SUBMIT, WITH THEIR COMMENTS, NOTIFICATION
OF ANY RELEVANT PATENT RIGHTS OF WHICH
THEY ARE AWARE AND TO PROVIDE SUPPOR TING
DOCUMENTATION.
IN ADDITION TO THEIR EVALUATION AS
Reference number
BEING ACCEPTABLE FOR INDUSTRIAL, TECHNO-
ISO/IEC FDIS 15149-3:2015(E)
LOGICAL, COMMERCIAL AND USER PURPOSES,
DRAFT INTERNATIONAL STANDARDS MAY ON
OCCASION HAVE TO BE CONSIDERED IN THE
LIGHT OF THEIR POTENTIAL TO BECOME STAN-
DARDS TO WHICH REFERENCE MAY BE MADE IN
©
NATIONAL REGULATIONS. ISO/IEC 2015

ISO/IEC FDIS 15149-3:2015(E)
© ISO/IEC 2015, Published in Switzerland
All rights reserved. Unless otherwise specified, no part of this publication may be reproduced or utilized otherwise in any form
or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, or posting on the internet or an intranet, without prior
written permission. Permission can be requested from either ISO at the address below or ISO’s member body in the country of
the requester.
ISO copyright office
Ch. de Blandonnet 8 • CP 401
CH-1214 Vernier, Geneva, Switzerland
Tel. [phone]
Fax [phone]
[e-mail]
www.iso.org
ii © ISO/IEC 2015 – All rights reserved

ISO/IEC FDIS 15149-3:2015(E)
Contents Page
Foreword .iv
Introduction .v
1 Scope . 1
2 Normative references . 1
3 Terms and definitions . 1
4 Symbols and abbreviated terms . 2
5 Overview . 2
6 Network elements . 2
6.1 General . 2
6.2 Time element . 2
6.2.1 Request period. 3
6.2.2 Response period . 3
6.2.3 Spontaneous period . 3
6.3 Physical element . 3
6.3.1 MFAN-C . 4
6.3.2 MFAN-N . 4
6.3.3 MFAN-R . 4
6.4 Address element . 4
6.4.1 Node ID . . 4
7 Network functions. 5
7.1 General . 5
7.2 Request period . 5
7.3 Response period . 5
7.4 Spontaneous period . 5
8 Network status . 5
8.1 General . 5
8.2 Network configuration . 5
8.3 Network association . 5
8.4 Network disassociation . 6
8.5 Network association check . 6
8.6 Data transmission. 6
8.7 Network release . 6
8.8 MFAN device status . 6
9 MAC layer frame format . 6
9.1 General . 6
9.2 Frame format . 6
9.3 Frame type . 6
9.4 Payload format . 7
9.4.1 Request frame . 7
9.4.2 Response frame . 7
9.4.3 Response confirmation frame . 8
9.4.4 Response confirmation block . 9
10 MAC layer function .10
10.1 General .10
10.2 Repeater set-up .10
Bibliography .11
© ISO/IEC 2015 – All rights reserved iii

ISO/IEC FDIS 15149-3:2015(E)
Foreword
ISO (the International Organization for Standardization) and IEC (the International Electrotechnical
Commission) form the specialized system for worldwide standardization. National bodies that are
members of ISO or IEC participate in the development of International Standards through technical
committees established by the respective organization to deal with particular fields of technical
activity. ISO and IEC technical committees collaborate in fields of mutual interest. Other international
organizations, governmental and non-governmental, in liaison with ISO and IEC, also take part in the
work. In the field of information technology, ISO and IEC have established a joint technical committee,
ISO/IEC JTC 1.
The procedures used to develop this document and those intended for its further maintenance are
described in the ISO/IEC Directives, Part 1. In particular the different approval criteria needed for
the different types of document should be noted. This document was drafted in accordance with the
editorial rules of the ISO/IEC Directives, Part 2 (see www.iso.org/directives).
Attention is drawn to the possibility that some of the elements of this document may be the subject
of patent rights. ISO and IEC shall not be held responsible for identifying any or all such patent
rights. Details of any patent rights identified during the development of the document will be in the
Introduction and/or on the ISO list of patent declarations received (see www.iso.org/patents).
Any trade name used in this document is information given for the convenience of users and does not
constitute an endorsement.
For an explanation on the meaning of ISO specific terms and expressions related to conformity
assessment, as well as information about ISO’s adherence to the WTO principles in the Technical
Barriers to Trade (TBT) see the following URL: Foreword - Supplementary information
The committee responsible for this document is ISO/IEC JTC 1, Information technology,, Subcommittee
SC 6, Telecommunications and information exchange between systems.
This first edition of ISO/IEC 15149-3, together with ISO/IEC 15149-1, ISO/IEC 15149-2, and
ISO/IEC 15149-4, cancels and replaces ISO/IEC 15149:2011, which has been technically revised.
ISO/IEC 15149 consists of the following parts, under the general title Information technology —
Telecommunications and information exchange between systems:
— Part 1: Air Interface
— Part 2: In-Band Control Protocol for Wireless Power Transfer
— Part 3: Relay Protocol for Extended Range
— Part 4: Security Protocol for Authentication
iv © ISO/IEC 2015 – All rights reserved

ISO/IEC FDIS 15149-3:2015(E)
Introduction
This International Standard provides protocols for magnetic field area network (MFAN). MFAN
can support the service based on wireless communication and wireless power transfer in harsh
environment. MFAN is composed of four protocols; Air Interface, in-band control protocol, relay
protocol, and security protocol.
ISO/IEC 15149-1 specifies the physical layer and media access control layer protocols of wireless
network over a magnetic field.
ISO/IEC 15149-2 specifies the control protocol for wireless power transfer based on magnetic field
area network.
ISO/IEC 15149-3 specifies the relay protocol to extend effective network coverage of magnetic field
area network.
ISO/IEC 15149-4 specifies the security protocol to authenticate nodes to communicate in magnetic field
area network.
© ISO/IEC 2015 – All rights reserved v

FINAL DRAFT INTERNATIONAL STANDARD ISO/IEC FDIS 15149-3:2015(E)
Information technology — Telecommunications and
information exchange between systems — Magnetic field
area network (MFAN) —
Part 3:
Relay Protocol for Extended Range
1 Scope
This International Standard specifies relay protocol to extend effective network coverage of magnetic
field area network. The addressing, request and response code are defined.
2 Normative references
The following documents, in whole or in part, are normatively referenced in this document and are
indispensable for its application. For dated references, only the edition cited applies. For undated
references, the latest edition of the referenced document (including any amendments) applies.
ISO/IEC 15149-1:2014, Information technology — Telecommunications and information exchange between
systems — Magnetic field area network (MFAN) — Part 1: Air interface
3 Terms and definitions
For the purposes of this document, the terms and definitions given in the other of ISO/IEC 15149 and
the following apply.
3.1
wireless power transfer
WPT
mechanism in which a unit having enough power wirelessly transfer it to other units
3.2
Magnetic Field Area Network
MFAN
wireless network that provides reliable communication in harsh environments using magnetic field
3.3
Magnetic Field Area Network - Coordinator
MFAN-C
device that manages the connection and release of nodes within the communication area and the
sending and receiving time of data in an MFAN
3.4
Magnetic Field Area Network – Node
MFAN-N
device except the coordinator that forms a network in an MFAN
3.5
Magnetic Field Area Network – Repeater
MFAN-R
device among MFAN-Ns that performs partial functions of coordinator
© ISO/IEC 2015 – All rights reserved 1

ISO/IEC FDIS 15149-3:2015(E)
4 Symbols and abbreviated terms
The following acronyms
...

INTERNATIONAL ISO/IEC
STANDARD 15149-3
First edition
2016-01-15
Information technology —
Telecommunications and information
exchange between systems —
Magnetic field area network (MFAN) —
Part 3:
Relay Protocol for Extended Range
Technologies de l’information — Téléinformatique — Réseau de zone
de champ magnétique (MFAN)
Reference number
©
ISO/IEC 2016
© ISO/IEC 2016, Published in Switzerland
All rights reserved. Unless otherwise specified, no part of this publication may be reproduced or utilized otherwise in any form
or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, or posting on the internet or an intranet, without prior
written permission. Permission can be requested from either ISO at the address below or ISO’s member body in the country of
the requester.
ISO copyright office
Ch. de Blandonnet 8 • CP 401
CH-1214 Vernier, Geneva, Switzerland
Tel. [phone]
Fax [phone]
[e-mail]
www.iso.org
ii © ISO/IEC 2016 – All rights reserved

Contents Page
Foreword .iv
Introduction .v
1 Scope . 1
2 Normative references . 1
3 Terms and definitions . 1
4 Symbols and abbreviated terms . 2
5 Overview . 2
6 Network elements . 2
6.1 General . 2
6.2 Time element . 2
6.2.1 Request period. 3
6.2.2 Response period . 3
6.2.3 Spontaneous period . 3
6.3 Physical element . 3
6.3.1 MFAN-C . 4
6.3.2 MFAN-N . 4
6.3.3 MFAN-R . 4
6.4 Address element . 4
6.4.1 Node ID . . 4
7 Network functions. 5
7.1 General . 5
7.2 Request period . 5
7.3 Response period . 5
7.4 Spontaneous period . 5
8 Network status . 5
8.1 General . 5
8.2 Network configuration . 5
8.3 Network association . 5
8.4 Network disassociation . 6
8.5 Network association check . 6
8.6 Data transmission. 6
8.7 Network release . 6
8.8 MFAN device status . 6
9 MAC layer frame format . 6
9.1 General . 6
9.2 Frame format . 6
9.3 Frame type . 6
9.4 Payload format . 7
9.4.1 Request frame . 7
9.4.2 Response frame . 7
9.4.3 Response confirmation frame . 8
9.4.4 Response confirmation block . 9
10 MAC layer function .10
10.1 General .10
10.2 Repeater set-up .10
Bibliography .11
© ISO/IEC 2016 – All rights reserved iii

Foreword
ISO (the International Organization for Standardization) and IEC (the International Electrotechnical
Commission) form the specialized system for worldwide standardization. National bodies that are
members of ISO or IEC participate in the development of International Standards through technical
committees established by the respective organization to deal with particular fields of technical
activity. ISO and IEC technical committees collaborate in fields of mutual interest. Other international
organizations, governmental and non-governmental, in liaison with ISO and IEC, also take part in the
work. In the field of information technology, ISO and IEC have established a joint technical committee,
ISO/IEC JTC 1.
The procedures used to develop this document and those intended for its further maintenance are
described in the ISO/IEC Directives, Part 1. In particular the different approval criteria needed for
the different types of document should be noted. This document was drafted in accordance with the
editorial rules of the ISO/IEC Directives, Part 2 (see www.iso.org/directives).
Attention is drawn to the possibility that some of the elements of this document may be the subject
of patent rights. ISO and IEC shall not be held responsible for identifying any or all such patent
rights. Details of any patent rights identified during the development of the document will be in the
Introduction and/or on the ISO list of patent declarations received (see www.iso.org/patents).
Any trade name used in this document is information given for the convenience of users and does not
constitute an endorsement.
For an explanation on the meaning of ISO specific terms and expressions related to conformity
assessment, as well as information about ISO’s adherence to the WTO principles in the Technical
Barriers to Trade (TBT) see the following URL: Foreword - Supplementary information
The committee responsible for this document is ISO/IEC JTC 1, Information technology, Subcommittee
SC 6, Telecommunications and information exchange between systems.
This first edition of ISO/IEC 15149-3, together with ISO/IEC 15149-1, ISO/IEC 15149-2, and
ISO/IEC 15149-4, cancels and replaces ISO/IEC 15149:2011, which has been technically revised.
ISO/IEC 15149 consists of the following parts, under the general title Information technology —
Telecommunications and information exchange between systems:
— Part 1: Air Interface
— Part 2: In-Band Control Protocol for Wireless Power Transfer
— Part 3: Relay Protocol for Extended Range
— Part 4: Security Protocol for Authentication
iv © ISO/IEC 2016 – All rights reserved

Introduction
This part of ISO/IEC 15149 provides protocols for magnetic field area networks (MFAN). MFAN
can support the service based on wireless communication and wireless power transfer in harsh
environments. MFAN is composed of four protocols; air interface, in-band control protocol, relay
protocol and security protocol.
ISO/IEC 15149-1 specifies the physical layer and media access control layer protocols of wireless
network over a magnetic field.
ISO/IEC 15149-2 specifies the control protocol for wireless power transfer based on magnetic field
area network.
ISO/IEC 15149-3 specifies the relay protocol to extend effective network coverage of magnetic field
area network.
ISO/IEC 15149-4 specifies the security protocol to authenticate nodes to communicate in magnetic field
area network.
© ISO/IEC 2016 – All rights reserved v

INTERNATIONAL STANDARD ISO/IEC 15149-3:2016(E)
Information technology — Telecommunications and
information exchange between systems — Magnetic field
area network (MFAN) —
Part 3:
Relay Protocol for Extended Range
1 Scope
This part of ISO/IEC 15149 specifies relay protocol to extend effective network coverage of magnetic
field area networks. The addressing, request and response codes are defined.
2 Normative references
The following documents, in whole or in part, are normatively referenced in this document and are
indispensable for its application. For dated references, only the edition cited applies. For undated
references, the latest edition of the referenced document (including any amendments) applies.
ISO/IEC 15149-1:2014, Information technology — Telecommunications and information exchange between
systems — Magnetic field area network (MFAN) — Part 1: Air Interface
3 Terms and definitions
For the purposes of this document, the terms and definitions given in ISO/IEC 15149-1:2014 and the
following apply.
3.1
wireless power transfer
WPT
mechanism in which a unit having enough power wirelessly transfer it to other units
3.2
Magnetic Field Area Network
MFAN
wireless network that provides reliable communication in harsh environments using magnetic field
3.3
Magnetic Field Area Network - Coordinator
MFAN-C
device that manages the connection and release of nodes within the communication area and the
sending and receiving time of data in an MFAN
3.4
Magnetic Field Area Network – Node
MFAN-N
device except the coordinator that forms a network in an MFAN
3.5
Magnetic Field Area Network – Repeater
MFAN-R
device among MFAN-Ns that performs partial functions of coordinator
© ISO/IEC 2016 – All rights reserved 1

4 Symbols and abbreviated terms
The following acronyms are used in this document:
RSRq Repeater Set-up Request
RSRs Repeater Set-up Response
RSRA Repeater Set-up Response Acknowledgement
5 Overview
MFAN is a wireless communication network that can transmit and receive data over a magnetic field
in a low frequency band (30kHz~300kHz.
...