ISO/IEC 24769-2:2013

Information technology - Real-time locating systems (RTLS) device conformance test methods - Part 2: Test methods for air interface communication at 2,4 GHz

ISO/IEC 24769-2:2013 defines the test methods for determining the conformance of 2,4 GHz real-time locating system (RTLS) tags with the specifications given in the corresponding subclauses of ISO/IEC 24730-2, but does not apply to the testing of conformity with regulatory or similar requirements. The test methods require only that the mandatory functions, and any optional functions which are implemented, be verified. This may in appropriate circumstances be supplemented by further, application-specific functionality criteria that are not available to the general case. The RTLS tag conformance parameters included in ISO/IEC 24769-2:2013 include the mandatory direct sequence spread spectrum (DSSS) 2,4 GHz radio frequency beacon. It also includes the optional on-off keyed, frequency shift keyed (OOK/FSK) short-range radio frequency link and the optional magnetic air interface. Unless otherwise specified, the tests in ISO/IEC 24769-2:2013 apply exclusively to RTLS tags defined in ISO/IEC 24730-2.

Technologies de l'information — Méthodes d'essai de conformité du dispositif des systèmes de localisation en temps réel (RTLS) — Partie 2: Méthodes d'essai pour la communication d'interface d'air à 2,4 GHz

General Information

• Status: Published
• Publication Date: 11-Jun-2013
• ICS: 35.040 - Information coding
• ICS: 35.040.50 - Automatic identification and data capture techniques
• Technical Committee: ISO/IEC JTC 1/SC 31 - Automatic identification and data capture techniques
• Drafting Committee: ISO/IEC JTC 1/SC 31/WG 4 - Radio communications
• Current Stage: 9093 - International Standard confirmed
• Start Date: 12-Apr-2024
• Completion Date: 30-Oct-2025

Relations

• Revises: ISO/IEC TR 24769:2008 - Information technology - Real-time locating system (RTLS) device conformance test methods - Test methods for air interface communication at 2,4 GHz
• Effective Date: 26-Aug-2017

Overview

ISO/IEC 24769-2:2013 - Information technology - Real-time locating systems (RTLS) device conformance test methods - Part 2: Test methods for air interface communication at 2,4 GHz - defines standardized laboratory test methods to verify conformance of 2.4 GHz RTLS tags and related RF receivers to the air‑interface specifications in ISO/IEC 24730-2. It specifies how to measure mandatory and implemented optional functions (DSSS BPSK beacon, optional OOK/FSK short‑range link, optional magnetic interface) but does not address regulatory compliance.

Key topics and technical requirements

• Scope and applicability
  • Tests apply to RTLS tags defined in ISO/IEC 24730-2 and to DSSS RF receivers and optional magnetic exciters.
  • Regulatory testing is excluded.
• Test environment & tolerances
  • Default conditions: 23 °C ± 3 °C, relative humidity 25–75 %.
  • Default tolerance: +5 % on test equipment and method characteristics.
• DSSS (BPSK) transmission tests
  • Message format: 152‑bit blink (with at least two sub‑blinks) and PN code verification (511 × 152 = 77,672 chips).
  • Carrier frequency: 2 441.750 MHz ± 61 kHz; drift < 5 kHz over a message.
  • Chip rate: 30.521875 MHz ± 763 Hz; phase transitions aligned to chip intervals.
  • Transmit power: class 1, 0 dBm to +10 dBm EIRP; measurement tolerance ±2.0 dB.
  • Error Vector Magnitude (EVM): BPSK EVM < 10 %.
  • Sub‑blink timing: nominal 125 ms ± 16 ms (must remain within 108–142 ms).
• Receiver (reader) tests
  • Use of a vector signal generator to synthesize blinks of multiple lengths (56/72/88/152 bits) to measure detection quality and robustness.
• Measurement setup & reporting
  • Typical equipment: anechoic chamber, measurement antenna, vector signal analyzer (example: Agilent E4443A) or vector signal generator (example: Agilent E4438C).
  • Noise floor, measurement uncertainty, and full test data (distance, captured metrics, post‑processing description) must be documented in the test report.
• Optional interfaces
  • Procedures exist for OOK/FSK short‑range links and magnetic air interface; tests verify only implemented optional functions.

Applications and who uses it

• Manufacturers of RTLS tags and readers use this standard to validate product conformance to ISO/IEC 24730-2 before interoperability or certification testing.
• Test laboratories and QA engineers adopt the methods to produce reproducible, comparable RF test reports.
• System integrators and procurement teams reference these conformance metrics when specifying RTLS hardware for asset tracking, logistics, healthcare, and industrial IoT deployments.

Related standards

• ISO/IEC 24730-2 (DSSS 2.4 GHz air interface protocol) - normative reference for message and air‑interface specs.
• ISO/IEC 24770 - performance test methods for equipment compliant with ISO/IEC 24730-2.
• Other parts of ISO/IEC 24769 (e.g., Part 5 for CSS at 2.4 GHz) and future UWB parts (61, 62).

Standards Content (Sample)

INTERNATIONAL ISO/IEC
STANDARD 24769-2
First edition
2013-06-15
Information technology — Real-
time locating systems (RTLS) device
conformance test methods —
Part 2:
Test methods for air interface
communication at 2,4 GHz
Technologies de l’information — Méthodes d’essai de conformité du
dispositif des systèmes de localisation en temps réel (RTLS) —
Partie 2: Méthodes d’essai pour la communication d’interface d’air à
2,4 GHz
Reference number
©
ISO/IEC 2013
© ISO/IEC 2013
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
Case postale 56 • CH-1211 Geneva 20
Tel. + 41 22 749 01 11
Fax + 41 22 749 09 47
E-mail [e-mail]
Web www.iso.org
Published in Switzerland
ii © ISO/IEC 2013 – All rights reserved

Contents Page
Foreword .iv
Introduction .v
1 Scope . 1
2 Normative references . 1
3 Terms, definitions and abbreviated terms . 1
3.1 Terms and definitions . 1
3.2 Abbreviated terms . 2
4 Conformance tests for ISO/IEC 24730-2 . 2
4.1 General . 2
4.2 Default conditions applicable to the test methods . 2
4.3 Tag DSSS RF transmission tests . 3
4.4 Receiver DSSS RF tests . 5
4.5 Tests for optional air interfaces . 7
Annex A (informative) RF Test measurement site .14
Annex B (normative) Message formats for tests .15
Annex C (normative) Technical requirements of measurement antenna andvector
signal analyser .17
Annex D (normative) Technical requirements of the arbitrary waveform generator and
magnetic coil .18
Annex E (informative) Configuration file for the Agilent E4438C .19
Annex F (normative) High SNR demodulation of ISO/IEC 24730-2 DSSS BPSK signals .27
Annex G (normative) High SNR demodulation of ISO/IEC 24730-2 OOK signals .28
© ISO/IEC 2013 – 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.
International Standards are drafted in accordance with the rules given in the ISO/IEC Directives, Part 2.
The main task of the joint technical committee is to prepare International Standards. Draft International
Standards adopted by the joint technical committee are circulated to national bodies for voting.
Publication as an International Standard requires approval by at least 75 % of the national bodies
casting a vote.
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.
ISO/IEC 24769-2 was prepared by Joint Technical Committee ISO/IEC JTC 1, Information technology,
Subcommittee SC 31, Automatic identification and data capture techniques.
This first edition of ISO/IEC 24769-2, together with other parts of ISO/IEC 24769, cancels and replaces
ISO/IEC TR 24769:2008, which has been technically revised.
ISO/IEC 24769 consists of the following parts, under the general title Information technology — Real-
time locating systems (RTLS) device conformance test methods:
— Part 2: Test methods for air interface communication at 2,4 GHz
— Part 5: Test methods for chirp spread spectrum (CSS) at 2,4 GHz air interface
The following parts are under preparation:
— Part 61: Low rate pulse repetition frequency Ultra Wide Band (UWB) air interface
— Part 62: High rate pulse repetition frequency Ultra Wide Band (UWB) air interface
iv © ISO/IEC 2013 – All rights reserved

Introduction
ISO/IEC 24730 defines the air interfaces and an application programming interface for Real Time
Locating Systems (RTLS) devices used in asset management applications.
This International Standard contains all measurements required to be made on a product in order to
establish whether it conforms to ISO/IEC 24730-2.
Test methods for measuring performance of equipment compliant with ISO/IEC 24730-2 are given in
ISO/IEC 24770.
© ISO/IEC 2013 – All rights reserved v

INTERNATIONAL STANDARD ISO/IEC 24769-2:2013(E)
Information technology — Real-time locating systems
(RTLS) device conformance test methods —
Part 2:
Test methods for air interface communication at 2,4 GHz
1 Scope
This International Standard defines the test methods for determining the conformance of 2,4 GHz
real-time locating system (RTLS) tags with the specifications given in the corresponding subclauses of
ISO/IEC 24730-2, but does not apply to the testing of conformity with regulatory or similar requirements.
The test methods require only that the mandatory functions, and any optional functions which
are implemented, be verified. This may in appropriate circumstances be supplemented by further,
application-specific functionality criteria that are not available to the general case.
The RTLS tag conformance parameters included in this International Standard include the mandatory
direct sequence spread spectrum (DSSS) 2,4 GHz radio frequency beacon. It also includes the optional
on-off keyed, frequency shift keyed (OOK/FSK) short-range radio frequency link and the optional
magnetic air interface.
Unless otherwise specified, the tests in this International Standard apply exclusively to RTLS tags
defined in ISO/IEC 24730-2.
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 19762-1, Information technology — Automatic identification and data capture (AIDC) techniques —
Harmonized vocabulary — Part 1: General terms relating to AIDC
ISO/IEC 19762-3, Information technology — Automatic identification and data capture (AIDC) techniques —
Harmonized vocabulary — Part 3: Radio frequency identification (RFID)
ISO/IEC 24730-2, Information technology — Real time locating systems (RTLS) — Part 2: Direct Sequence
Spread Spectrum (DSSS) 2,4 GHz air interface protocol
3 Terms, definitions and abbreviated terms
For the purposes of this document, the terms and definitions given in ISO/IEC 19762-1, ISO/IEC 19762-3
and the following apply.
3.1 Terms and definitions
3.1.1
error vector magnitude
EVM
difference between the measured signal and a reference
Note 1 to entry: A reference is a perfectly modulated signal.
© ISO/IEC 2013 – All rights reserved 1

3.2 Abbreviated terms
ARB arbitrary waveform generator
BPSK binary phase shift keying
DSSS direct sequence spread spectrum
DUT device under test
EIRP effective isotropic radiated power
EVM error vector magnitude
FSK frequency shift keying
OOK on-off keying
PPM parts per million
RBW resolution bandwidth
RTLS real-time locating system
TIB timed interval blink
VBW video bandwidth
4 Conformance tests for ISO/IEC 24730-2
The following subclauses describe the conformance tests.
4.1 General
This International Standard specifies a series of tests to determine the conformance of RTLS tags to
the ISO/IEC 24730-2 air interfaces. The results of this test shall be compared with the values of the
parameters specified in ISO/IEC 24730-2 to determine whether the tag under test conforms.
This International Standard also specifies a series of tests to determine the conformance of RTLS RF
receivers to the ISO/IEC 24730-2 air interfaces. The results of these tests shall be compared with the values
of the parameters specified in ISO/IEC 24730-2 to determine whether the RF receiver under test conforms.
This International Standard additionally specifies tests to determine the conformance of the magnetic
exciter device that is specified as an optional air interface for ISO/IEC 24730-2.
4.2 Default conditions applicable to the test methods
These conditions apply to all tests.
4.2.1 Test environment
Unless otherwise specified, testing shall take place in an environment of temperature 23 °C ± 3 °C
(73° F ± 5° F) and of relative humidity 25 % to 75 %.
4.2.2 Default tolerance
Unless otherwise specified, a default tolerance of + 5 % shall be applied to the quantity values given to
specify the characteristics of the test equipment and the test method procedures.
2 © ISO/IEC 2013 – All rights reserved

4.2.3 Noise floor at test location
Noise floor at test location shall be measured with the spectrum analyser in the same conditions as the
measurement of the DUT, with a span of 10 MHz: RBW, VBW and antenna.
The spectrum analyser shall be configured in acquisition mode for at least 1 minute.
The maximum of the measured amplitude shall be at least 60 dB below the expected value of the
amplitude of the measured tag DSSS transmission at 0 dBm power with the tag placed at 1 m from the
measurement antenna.
Special attention has to be given to spurious emissions, e.g. insufficiently shielded computer monitors.
The electromagnetic test conditions of the measurements shall be checked by performing the
measurements with and without a tag in the field.
4.2.4 Total measurement uncertainty
The test equipment will introduce a level of measurement uncertainty. For example, the frequency
accuracy of the local oscillator used in RF down-converter will add uncertainty to the calculated
frequency accuracy of the measured RF. The specifications of the test equipment used shall be included
in the report.
4.3 Tag DSSS RF transmission tests
This portion of the document describes the tests of the DSSS transmissions.
4.3.1 General
The DUT shall be an RTLS tag. The measurement equipment shall consist of an anechoic chamber as described
1)
in Annex A, and a measuring antenna and a vector signal analyser for example an Agilent E4443A with
80 MHz bandwidth, as described in Annex C. Figure 1 shows the required test equipment setup.
Vector Signal analyzer
1 meter
DUT
Measurement Antenna
Figure 1 — Setup of equipment for DSSS RF test
4.3.2 Test Objective
The objective of this test is to verify that the RTLS tag provides the appropriate DSSS modulation
waveform required for proper system performance.
1)  The Agilent E4443A is an example of a suitable product available commercially. This information is given for
the convenience of users of this document and does not constitute and endorsement by ISO or IEC of this product.
© ISO/IEC 2013 – All rights reserved 3

4.3.3 Test procedure
The tag shall be configured to transmit a 152-bit DSSS blink (as defined in 6.3.2.4 of ISO/IEC 24730-2)
at an interval of 10 seconds or less. Each blink shall be configured with at least 2 sub-blinks. The tag
shall be configured to transmit at a class 1 power between 0 dBm and +10 dBm EIRP. The measurement
equipment shall be configured to start capturing for not less than 2,5 milliseconds after the RF energy
detected is above the threshold. The post processing software shall calculate the raw samples and
produce metrics for the following parameters to verify compliance of the tag.
4.3.4 Test measurements and requirements
This subclause describes the test measurements and requirements.
4.3.4.1 Carrier frequency
The carrier frequency shall be 2 441,750 MHz ± 61 kHz (25 PPM). The carrier frequency drift over the
duration of the entire message shall be less than 5 kHz (2 PPM).
4.3.4.2 Transmit power
The transmitted power shall be calculated based on the power received at the measurement antenna.
The calculated power shall be within ± 2,0 dB of the DUT specified transmit power.
4.3.4.3 Chip rate
The chip rate of the BPSK shall be 30,521 875 MHz ± 763 Hz (25 PPM). No phase transitions shall occur
at less than the chip rate, and all phase transitions shall occur at an integral multiple of the chip rate. An
example methodology for measuring these transitions is provided in Annex F.
4.3.4.4 Message content and structure
The post processing software shall verify the 152-bit message format including preamble, status bits,
tag ID, data, and message CRC are in compliance with the format specified in ISO/IEC 24730-2, 6.3.2.1.
The post processing software shall verify differential data encoding within the message.
4.3.4.5 PN code length and polynomial
The polynomial used for driving the BPSK DSSS modulation is defined in Figure 3 of 6.1 of ISO/IEC 24730-
2. The entire captured message shall be 511 * 152 = 77 672 chips in length. The post processing software
shall verify compliance with the defined PN sequence polynomial and second order nonlinearity equation
specified in ISO/IEC 24730-2.
4.3.4.6 Error vector magnitude
A BPSK signal shall produce a phase/amplitude constellation of two points. The post processing software
shall determine the error vector magnitude of the distribution of the captured signal. The EVM must be
less than 10 %.
4.3.4.7 Sub-blink interval and dither
Connect the measurement antenna to the vector signal analyser. Set up the analyser to trigger on the energy
of the first sub-blink of a blink, and measure the time between the falling edge of the first sub-blink to the
rising edge of the second sub-blink. This interval shall be nominally 125 milliseconds ± 16 milliseconds.
Verify that over several successive blinks, the interval changes but does not go below 108 milliseconds
or exceed 142 milliseconds.
4 © ISO/IEC 2013 – All rights reserved

4.3.5 Test report
The test report shall contain the tag distance to the measurement antenna and all of the measured
data. A brief narrative of the post processing software used to evaluate the captured signal shall also
be included as an annex to the data. As mentioned before (in 4.2.4), the report shall also contain the
uncertainties of the measurement equipment.
4.4 Receiver DSSS RF tests
This subclause describes the conformance tests for the base station DSSS receiver (reader).
4.4.1 General
The DUT shall be an RTLS RF receiver. Example measurement equipment could consist of an Agilent
2)
E4438C Vector Signal Generator (VSG) with options 5 (6G hard drive) and 602 (Internal Baseband
Generator 64Msa memory). Figure 2 shows the required test equipment set-up. An ISO/IEC 24730-2 format
set-up and configuration file for the Agilent E4438C is also included in this document package in Annex E.
HP E4438C
Vector Signal Generator
DUT
Figure 2 — Setup of equipment for DSSS RF Test
4.4.2 Test objective
The objective of this test is to verify that the RTLS RF receiver (DUT) provides the appropriate DSSS
signal detection required for proper system performance.
4.4.3 Test procedure
The VSG shall be configured to transmit all four blink lengths (56-bit, 72-bit, 88-bit and 152-bit). Each
blink type shall be configured with 8 sub-blinks. This should correspond to an average airtime usage
of approximately 5 % for each of the four types. The post processing software shall calculate the raw
samples and produce detection quality (% of total messages sent) metrics for the test parameters
described below to verify compliance of the RF receiver.
4.4.3.1 152-bit blinks
A 152-bit DSSS blink (as defined in 6.3.2.4 of ISO/IEC 24730-2) is to be set at an interval of 0,42 seconds.
This corresponds to an approximate air time usage of 5 % for 8 sub-blink configuration.
2)  The Agilent E4438C is an example of a suitable product available commercially. This information is given for
the convenience of users of this document and does not constitute and endorsement by ISO of this product.
© ISO/IEC 2013 – All rights reserved 5

4.4.3.2 88-bit blinks
A 88-bit DSSS blink (as defined in 6.3.2.3 of ISO/IEC 24730-2) is to be set at an interval of 0,24 seconds.
This corresponds to an approximate air time usage of 5 % for 8 sub-blink configuration.
4.4.3.3 72-bit blinks
A 72-bit DSSS blink (as defined in 6.3.2.2 of ISO/IEC 24730-2) is to be set at an interval of 0,20 seconds.
This corresponds to an approximate air time usage of 5 % for 8 sub-blink configuration.
4.4.3.4 56-bit blinks
A 56-bit DSSS blink (as defined in 6.3.2.1 of ISO/IEC 24730-2) is to be set at an interval of 0,15 seconds.
This corresponds to an approximate air time usage of 5 % for 8 sub-blink configuration.
4.4.4 Test measurements and requirements
Stated below are the test measurements and requirements.
4.4.4.1 Carrier frequency tests
The centre carrier frequency test shall be 2 441,750 MHz. The edge carrier test frequencies shall be
2 441,811 043 75 MHz (+25 ppm) and 2 441,688 956 25 MHz (−25 ppm). The carrier frequency accuracy
for all three tests should be ±1 ppm. The carrier frequency drift over the duration of the entire message
shall be less than 4,88 kHz (2 ppm) for all tests.
4.4.4.2 Receiver input RF power levels
The VSG shall be configured to provide two input signal levels to the DUT: −100 dbm (threshold
sensitivity) and −40 dbm (dynamic range).
4.4.4.3 Chip rate
The chip rate of the BPSK shall be 30,521 875 MHz ± 30,5 Hz (1 PPM). No phase transitions shall occur
at less than the chip rate, and all phase transitions shall occur at an integral multiple of the chip rate. An
example methodology for measuring these transitions is provided in Annex F.
4.4.4.4 Message content and structure
The post processing software shall verify the 152-bit message format including preamble, status bits,
tag ID, data, and message CRC are in compliance with the format specified in ISO/IEC 24730-2, 6.3.2.1.
The post processing software shall verify differential data encoding within the message for reception
error detection.
4.4.4.5 PN code length and polynomial
The polynomial used for driving the BPSK DSSS modulation is defined in Figure 3 of 6.1 of ISO/IEC 24730-
2. The entire captured message shall be 511 * 152 = 77 672 chips in length. The post processing software
shall verify compliance with the defined PN sequence polynomial and second order nonlinearity
equation specified in ISO/IEC 24730-2. As mentioned before (in 4.2.4), the report shall also contain the
uncertainties of the measurement equipment.
4.4.4.6 Detection error magnitude
For each set of the 4 message lengths, 3 test frequencies and 2 RF input levels (24 total tests), the
reception error shall be better than 98 % of all sub-links sent. Each test shall consist of a minimum of
1 000 blinks × 8 sub-blinks
6 © ISO/IEC 2013 – All rights reserved

4.4.4.7 Sub-blink interval and dither
The sub-blink interval shall be nominally 125 milliseconds ± 16 milliseconds. Verify that over several
successive blinks, the interval changes but does not go below 108 milliseconds or exceed 142 milliseconds.
4.4.5 Test report
The test report shall contain a summation detection percentage value for each of the 24 tests and all
of the measured data. A brief narrative of the post processing software used to evaluate the detection
percentage shall also be included as an annex to the data.
4.5 Tests for optional air interfaces
Below are the tests for the air interfaces which are optional.
4.5.1 Tag optional OOK/FSK RF tests
This subclause describes the tests for the OOK/FSK optional air interface.
4.5.1.1 Setup of equipment for optional tag OOK/FSK RF tests
The DUT shall be an RTLS tag. The test shall require an RTLS programmer, or an arbitrary waveform
generator and magnetic transmit coil, to induce the OOK/FSK transmissions. The measurement
equipment shall consist of an anechoic chamber and measuring antenna as described in Annex A, and
a measurement antenna and a vector signal analyser such as an Agilent E4443A, or equivalent, as
described in Annex C. Figure 3 shows the required test equipment setup.
Magnetic TX Coil
Measurement Antenna
Arbitrary Waveform Generator
1 meter
DUT
Vector Signal Analyzer
Figure 3 — Setup of equipment for optional OOK/FSK RF test
4.5.1.2 Test objective
The objective of this test is to verify that the RTLS tag provides the appropriate OOK/FSK modulation
waveform required for proper performance with RTLS programmer devices.
© ISO/IEC 2013 – All rights reserved 7

4.5.1.3 Test procedure
The tag shall be configured to turn on its receiver at least every 200 milliseconds in order to ensure
that it receives the RTLS programmer’s magnetic message. The RTLS programmer, or arbitrary wave
form generator with magnetic transmit coil shall send the magnetic Who-Are-You message to the tag as
defined in 7.2.8 of ISO/IEC 24730-2. The measurement equipment shall be configured to start capturing
for not less than 4,5 milliseconds after the detected RF energy of the tag ACK is above the threshold.
The post processing software shall process the raw samples and produce metrics for the following
parameters to verify compliance of the tag.
4.5.1.4 Test measurements
This subclause describes the measurements that are to be made in the performing the tests.
4.5.1.4.1 Carrier frequency
The carrier frequency shall be 2 446,519 MHz ± 61 kHz (25 PPM). The carrier frequency drift over the
duration of the entire message shall be less than 5 kHz (2 PPM).
4.5.1.4.2 Transmit power
The transmitted power shall be calculated based on the power received at the measurement antenna.
The calculated power shall be 0 dBm ± 2,0 dB.
4.5.1.4.3 Modulation depth and duty cycle
The modulation depth (on-to-off ratio) of the OOK signal shall be greater than 99,36 %, which
corresponds to 50 dB.
4.5.1.4.4 FSK frequencies
The logic 0 FSK frequency shall be 376,8 kHz ± 0,1 kHz
The logic 1 FSK frequency shall be 535,5 kHz ± 0,1 kHz.
4.5.1.4.5 OOK/FSK transmission content and format
The post processing software shall verify the content of the 88-bit OOK/FSK message from the tag
including preamble, status, tag ID, ACK, and CRC are in compliance with ISO/IEC 24730-2, 7.1.3.
4.5.1.4.6 Data rate
The bit data rate of the OOK/FSK signal shall be 19,83 kb/s.
4.5.1.5 Test report
The test report shall contain the tag distance to the measurement antenna and all of the measured data.
A brief narrative of the post processing software used shall also be included as an annex to the test
report data. A description of the functionality of this test software is included in Annex G.
4.5.2 Tag optional magnetic receiver test
This subclause describes the tests for the optional magnetic receiver.
4.5.2.1 Setup of equipment for optional magnetic receiver test
The DUT shall be an RTLS tag. The test shall require an arbitrary waveform generator and a magnetic
transmit coil as defined in Annex D. The tag’s magnetic pickup coil shall be oriented for maximum
8 © ISO/IEC 2013 – All rights reserved

coupling to the transmit coil of the test equipment. The test equipment shall also include a vector signal
analyser. Figure 4 shows the required test equipment setup.
Magnetic TX Coil
Measurement Antenna
Arbitrary Waveform Generator
1 meter
DUT
Vector Signal Analyzer
Figure 4 — Setup of equipment for optional magnetic receiver test
The RTLS tag DUT shall be configured with TIB blinks turned off. It shall also be configured to send one
EXB which time the tag receives a valid exciter message. The exciter retrigger shall be set to 1 second or
less, and the retrigger mode shall be timed based upon the blink transmission, and not upon leaving the
exciter field. The DUT tag shall be configured to turn on its receiver every 200 milliseconds.
4.5.2.2 Test objective
The objective of this test is to verify that the tag properly demodulates magnetic messages and has
enough sensitivity to ensure proper operation with RTLS programmer and exciter devices with
acceptable packet error rates.
4.5.2.3 Test procedure
The ARB output voltage through the coil shall be set such the magnetic field strength at the DUT pickup
coil increased from 42 dBuA/m up to 150 dBuA/m for sensitivity and dynamic range testing. The ARB
output voltage through the coil shall be set such the field strength at the DUT pickup coil is 42 dBuA/m
for packet error rate testing.
For each test, the ARB shall transmit valid 28-bit exciter messages as defined in 7.3.1.1 of ISO/IEC 24730-
2 back to back without gap for a period of 250 milliseconds. The ARB shall then turn off the output,
or at least stop FSK modulation for a period of 2,75 seconds. This process shall repeat throughout the
duration of each test. The vector signal analyser shall be used to verify that the tag has indeed decoded
the message and sent the exciter blink.
4.5.2.4 Test measurements
This subclause describes the measurements that are to be made when performing tests on the
magnetic receiver.
© ISO/IEC 2013 – All rights reserved 9

4.5.2.4.1 Exciter blink (EXB) format and content
The post processing software shall verify that the DSSS exciter blink content and format including
preamble, status, tag ID, exciter ID, and CRC are compliant with ISO/IEC 24730-2, 6.3.2.2.
4.5.2.4.2 Minimum sensitivity and dynamic range
The tag must respond to the exciter message at all field strengths between a minimum of 42 dBuA/m
and a maximum of 150 dBuA/m at the DUT pick up coil.
4.5.2.4.3 Packet error rate
The tag should respond to no less than 99 % of the total messages sent over a 15 minute period
(900 seconds/3 seconds cycle = 300 blinks).
4.5.2.5 Test report
The test report shall include all measured data as well a brief narrative describing the magnetic transmit
coil and the method used to determine the magnetic field strength at the DUT pickup coil.
4.5.3 Optional exciter magnetic transmitter test
4.5.3.1 Setup of equipment for exciter magnetic transmitter test
The DUT shall be an RTLS exciter. The test shall require a calibrated magnetic loop antenna for the
125 kHz frequency range with preamplifier, and a digital oscilloscope as shown in Figure 5. The exciter
shall be oriented with the plane of its coil parallel to the plane of the loop antenna coil. The two coils
shall be aligned such the vector from the centre of the exciter coil to the centre of the loop antenna coil
is perpendicular to the plane of both coils.
Calibrated
Loop Antenna 2 meters
with Preampli
ier
DUT
Oscilloscope
Figure 5 — Setup of equipment for exciter magnetic transmitter test
4.5.3.2 Test objective
The objective of this test is to verify that the RTLS exciter properly generates a magnetic FSK signal that
will be correctly demodulated by RTLS tag devices.
10 © ISO/IEC 2013 – All rights reserved

4.5.3.3 Test procedure
The exciter test shall be conducted for exciter messages lengths of first 28-bit and then 44-bit as
described in ISO/IEC 24730-2, 7.3. The 28-bit exciter message shall be 0xD12348F. The 44-bit exciter
message shall be 0xD1234386655
The oscilloscope shall be connected to the output of the calibrated loop antenna preamplifier. Use the
digital oscilloscope to measure the frequency of the two FSK Tones, the voltage amplitude out of the loop
antenna preamplifier, and to decoded the message.
4.5.3.4 Test measurements
This subclause details the measurements to be logged.
4.5.3.4.1 Exciter message continuity
Verify that there are no gaps in the exciter signal and that the messages of repeated back-to-back without
gap.
4.5.3.4.2 Exciter FSK frequencies
Verify that the exciter signal consists of two alternating frequencies. The first frequency (logic 1) shall
be 114,688 kHz ± 0,2 %. The second frequency (logic 0) shall be 126,976 ± 0,2 %.
4.5.3.4.3 Exciter Manchester code sync period and data period
With the digital oscilloscope, search for a place there the exciter sends the stop sync of one message
immediately followed by the start sync of the next message.
At this point, the exciter shall send a logic 1 (114,688 kHz) for 1,465 milliseconds (±0,2 %).
Immediately after this point, the exciter shall send a logic 0 (126,976 kHz) for 732,4 microseconds (±0,2 %).
Immediately before this point, the exciter shall send a logic 0 (126,976 kHz) for 976,6 microseconds (±0,2 %).
All other parts of the message will have the two FSK tones toggle at either 244,1 microseconds (±0,2 %)
or 488,3 microseconds (±0,2 %).
4.5.3.4.4 Exciter Manchester message content
The 28-bit message 0xD12348F shall be constructed as follows with each 1 and each 0 representing
one Manchester period of 244,14 microseconds. 1 represents the 114,688 kHz tone and 0 represents the
126,976 kHz tone. The following string shows the end sync of the previous message as well as the start sync
of the next message. Spaces have been added between sync periods and data nibbles only for readability.
…000111 111000 10100110 01010110 01011001 01011010 01100101 10010101 10101010 000111 111000…
The 44-bit message 0xD1234386655 shall be constructed as follows with each 1 and each 0 representing
on Manchester period of 244,14 microseconds. 1 represents the 114,688 kHz tone and 0 represents the
126,976 kHz tone. The following string shows the end sync of the previous message as well as the start sync
of the next message. Spaces have been added between sync periods and data nibbles only for readability.
…000111 10100110 01010110 01011001 01011010 01100101 01011010 10010101 01101001 01101001
01100110 01100110 000111 111000…
4.5.3.4.5 Exciter transmit power
With the exciter set to maximum power and the distance between the exciter and the loop antenna
at 2 m, verify that the RMS voltage measured on the oscilloscope corresponds at a minimum of
© ISO/IEC 2013 – All rights reserved 11

80 dBuA/m ± 5 %. This calculation will need to account for preamplifier gain and the loop antenna
conversion factor at 121 kHz nominal.
4.5.3.4.6 Test report
The test report shall log the measured FSK frequencies, as well as the time duration of the sync and
data periods.
4.5.4 Tag system response timing
This set of tests will test the timing of the optional air interfaces.
4.5.4.1 Setup of equipment for system response timing test
The DUT is an RTLS tag. The equipment needed for this test include a ARB with magnetic transmit coil,
and an RF antenna with an RF crystal detector, and an oscilloscope as shown in Figure 6. The tag’s
magnetic pickup coil shall be oriented for maximum coupling to the transmit coil of the test equipment.
Arbitrary Waveform Generator
Magnetic TX Coil
Measurement Antenna
1 meter
DUT
Oscilloscope
RF Crystal Detector
Figure 6 — Setup of equipment for tag system response timing test
The RTLS tag DUT shall be configured with TIB blinks turned off. It shall also be configured to send one
EXB which time the tag receives a valid exciter message. The DUT tag shall be configured to turn on its
receiver every 200 milliseconds.
4.5.4.2 Test objective
The objective of this test is to verify that the RTLS tag responds to magnetic messages within the
required amount of time to work properly with RTLS exciter devices, RTLS programmer devices.
4.5.4.3 Test procedure
Channel 1 of the oscilloscope should be connected to the FSK drive to the ARB.
Channel 2 of the oscilloscope should be connected to the RF detector.
12 © ISO/IEC 2013 – All rights reserved

Trigger on channel 1 and measure the time between the end of the FSK modulation on channel 1 and the
detected RF on channel 2. This time should be less than 1,25 seconds.
4.5.4.4 Test measurements
4.5.4.4.1 Exciter response time
Configure the ARB to send a single valid 28-bit exciter message, preceded by a wake signal consisting of
200 milliseconds of an alternating “1” and “0” signal at the symbol rate defined in 7.1.2 of ISO/IEC 24730-2.
Trigger on channel 1 and measure the time between the end of the FSK modulation on channel 1 and the
detected DSSS RF on channel 2. This time should be less than 1,25 seconds.
4.5.4.4.2 Programmer response time
Configure the ARB to send a single valid 48-bit programmer read tag message, preceded by a wake
signal consisting of 200 milliseconds of an alternating “1” and “0” signal at the symbol rate defined in
7.1.2 of ISO/IEC 24730-2.
Trigger on channel 1 and measure the time between the end of the FSK modulation on channel 1 and the
detected OOK/FSK RF on channel 2. This time shall be less than 100 milliseconds.
4.5.4.5 Test report
Report the response time for exciter –to- DSSS blink and for programmer –to- OOK ACK.
© ISO/IEC 2013 – All rights reserved 13

Annex A
(informative)
RF Test measurement site
A.1 Test site
This annex describes the test site for measuring and characterizing the tag DSSS and OOK/FSK RF
transmissions. The tests should be run in an anechoic chamber, but open air testing is acceptable if
background noise is low enough to allow measurements such as DSSS EVM or OOK/FSK modulation
depth. If open air testing is used, the test chamber discussion of DUT orientation and distance from
antenna still apply.
The test chamber shall be large enough to allow (1) a minimum of 1,0 m between the DUT and the
anechoic chamber wall and (2) a minimum of 1,0 m between the measurement antenna and the anechoic
chamber wall and (3) a minimum of 1,0 m between the DUT and the measurement antenna.
The DUT must be able to be mounted and rotated such that any tag surface (assuming the tag shape to
be approximated by a rectangular prism) can be directly facing the measurement antenna as shown in
Figure A.1. With any one surface facing the measurement antenna, the tag must be able to be mounted
or rotated 360 degrees clockwise or counter-clockwise around the axis between the DUT and the
measurement antenna.
Measurement
antenna
DUT
Rotating
platform
Figure A.1 — RF test chamber
14 © ISO/IEC 2013 – All rights reserved

Annex B
(normative)
Message formats for tests
The magnetic data are sent in FSK format. A high level, or 1, on the FSK data line corresponds to an output
frequency of 114,688 kHz. A low level, or 0 on the FSK data line corresponds to an output frequency of
126,976 kHz. Since the data are Manchester encoded, each bit is split into two halves. Each half bit period
is 244,14 microseconds.
The wake signal that precedes programmer messages can be created by inverting FSK line every half bit
period for a total of 200 ms. Thus, the output shall toggle between the two FSK tones at the half bit rate.
If the wake signal is used in sending the message, it is important that the end of the wake signal has no
gap before the start sync such that the half bit time does not shift.
The wake signal to pre-amble transition may be as shown in Figure B.1:
01010101 … (total 200 ms) … 01010111100010 … (rest of message) … 000111
|-------------wake-----------|sync|-----message-------|sync|
Figure B.1
The 10-bit Who-Are-You magnetic message, used in 4.5.1, is defined in ISO/IEC 24730-2, 7.2.8.1. It does
utilize the wake signal as shown in Table B.1.
Table B.1
Wake signal Sync Message Sync
200 milliseconds START 10-bits: 1100100000 STOP
The 28-bit exciter message, used in 4.5.3, is defined in ISO/IEC 24730-2, 7.3.1.1. One possible message is
0xD12348F as shown in Table B.2. This includes (op-code = 0xD), (Exciter ID = 0x1234), (CRC = 0x8F).
The message of course still requires the start and stop sync before and after the message. This message
is sent continuously, back to back with gap, such the stop sync of one message is followed immediately
by the start sync of the next message.
Table B.2
Previous Sync Message Sync Next Sync
Sync
STOP START 28-bits: 0xD12348F STOP START
< ------- -------- >
The 144-bit exciter message, used in 4.5.4.3, is not completely defined in
ISO/IEC 24730-2, but is listed in Table 3. The actual message between start and stop sync shall
be 0x9000000000123456789ABCDEEF01234567661 as shown in Table B.3. This message is sent
continuously, back to back with gap, such the stop sync of one message is followed immediately by the
start sync of the next message.
© ISO/IEC 2013 – All rights reserved 15

Table B.3
Previous Sync Message Sync Next Sync
Sync
STOP START 144-bits: 0x9000000000123456789ABCDEF01234567661 STOP START
< ------- -------- >
The 28-bit exciter message, used in 4.5.4.4.1, is defined in ISO/IEC 24730-2, 7.3.1.1, but is going to be sent
only once and preceded by the 200 millisecond wake signal used in programmer messages defined in 7.2
of ISO/IEC 24730-2. One possible message is 0xD12348F as shown Table B.4. This includes (op-code = 0xD),
(Exciter ID = 0x1234), (CRC = 0x8F). The message of course still requires the start and stop sync before
and after the message. This message timing shall actually be more related to programmer device timing
and shall use the 200 millisecond wake up signal followed by the exciter message only once, then the FSK
modulation stops. This is to allow timing from a known time at which the tag received the magnetic message.
Table B.4
Wake signal Sync Message Sync
200 milliseconds START 28-bits: 0xD12348F STOP
The 48-bit read tag configuration magnetic message, used in 4.5.4.4.2, is defined in ISO/IEC 24730-2,
7.2.6 as shown in Table B.5. It does utilize the wake signal.
Table B.5
Wake signal Sync Message Sync
200 milliseconds START 48-bits: 0xD [32-bit tag ID] [12-bit CRC] STOP
16 © ISO/IEC 2013 – All rights reserved

Annex C
(normative)
Technical requirements of measurement antenna andvector
signal analyser
This annex defines the minimum requirements of the measurement antenna and baseband converting
digitizing oscilloscope or its equivalent.
The measurement antenna is used in testing the DUT in which RF transmission is being characterized.
The antenna shall be a 2,4 GHz dipole antenna. Unless otherwise noted in the test procedure, the
measurement antenna shall be placed 1,0 m from the DUT.
The vector signal analyser (or its equivalent) must have an analysis bandwidth of at least 80 MHz. The
Agilent E4443A vector signal analyser with 80 MHz bandwidth option is sufficient for this test. Any unit
that matches performance characteristics of the E4443A is also acceptable.
© ISO/IEC 2013 – All rights reserved 17

Annex D
(normative)
Technical requirements of the arbitrary waveform generator and
magnetic coil
The arbitrary waveform generator, or ARB, and the magnetic transmit coil are used to induce tag action
and to produce the signals required for testing the DUT magnetic receiver functionality.
The ARB shall have the ability to produce a sinusoidal FSK signal with the two frequencies of 114,688 kHz
and 126,976 kHz. The FSK drive can be external or from internal memory, but must be at the proper half
symbol time of 244,14 microseconds and integral multiples thereof. It shall be able to reproduce the
entire magnetic message including 200 millisecond wake time, start sync, message, and stop sync.
The output of the ARB shall connect via 50 ohm cable to the magnetic transmit coil. The transmit coil
shall be located and positioned for favourable coupling to the DUT receive antenna. The coil should have
64 turns and a circular area of 1,0 cm .
For interference testing, a second ARB is coupled in using a coupler or a splitter on the 50 ohm lines and
then the combined signal is cabled to the magnetic transmit coil.
18 © ISO/IEC 2013 – All rights reserved

Annex E
(informative)
Configuration file for the Agilent E4438C
This annex includes a text version of the configuration file required to setup the Agilent E4438C
to create RF transmissions that are in conformance with the ISO/IEC 24730-2 DSSS standard.
ASCII Representation of Agilent Binary File
Line 1 58 01 00 00 00 00 00 00 8F 08 00
...