ISO/IEC TR 18046:2005

Information technology — Automatic identification and data capture techniques — Radio frequency identification device performance test methods

ISO/IEC TR 18046:2005 provides test method guidelines for performance characteristics of radio frequency identification (RFID) devices (tags and interrogation equipment) for item management, and specifies the general requirements and test requirements for tag and interrogator performance which are applicable to the selection of the devices for an application. It does not apply to testing in relation to regulatory or similar requirements.

Technologies de l'information — Techniques d'identification automatique et de capture des données — Méthodes d'essai de performance de dispositif d'identification par radiofréquence

General Information

• Status: Withdrawn
• Publication Date: 03-Feb-2005
• Withdrawal Date: 03-Feb-2005
• 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 - Automatic identification and data capture techniques
• Current Stage: 9599 - Withdrawal of International Standard
• Completion Date: 17-Oct-2006

Relations

• Revised: ISO/IEC 18046:2006 - Information technology — Automatic identification and data capture techniques — Radio frequency identification device performance test methods
• Effective Date: 15-Apr-2008

Standards Content (Sample)

TECHNICAL ISO/IEC
REPORT TR
18046
First edition
2005-02-01

Information technology — Automatic
identification and data capture
techniques — Radio frequency
identification device performance test
methods
Technologies de l'information — Techniques d'identification
automatique et de capture des données — Méthodes d'essai de
performance de dispositif d'identification par radiofréquence




Reference number
ISO/IEC TR 18046:2005(E)
©
ISO/IEC 2005

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ISO/IEC TR 18046:2005(E)
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©  ISO/IEC 2005
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ISO/IEC TR 18046:2005(E)
Contents Page
Foreword. v
Introduction . vi
1 Scope. 1
2 Normative references. 1
3 Terms and definitions. 2
4 Symbols and abbreviated terms. 2
5 General concepts. 2
5.1 Identification. 2
5.2 Range. 3
5.3 Rate. 3
5.4 Read. 3
5.5 Write. 3
5.6 Reliable. 3
5.7 Conditions. 4
6 Requirements. 4
6.1 Introduction. 4
6.2 General. 4
6.3 Test conditions. 5
6.4 Test parameters. 7
6.4.1 Introduction. 7
6.4.2 Distance. 7
6.4.3 Tag population. 9
6.4.4 Tag geometry. 9
6.4.5 Tag orientation. 10
6.4.6 Tag volume. 11
6.4.7 Tag speed. 11
6.4.8 Tag mounting material. 11
6.4.9 RF environment. 11
6.4.10 Data transaction. 11
7 Sampling. 11
8 Test methods. 12
8.1 Identification range. 12
8.1.1 Individual tag. 12
8.1.2 Multiple tags. 13
8.2 Identification rate. 13
8.2.1 Individual tag. 13
8.2.2 Multiple tags. 14
8.3 Read range. 15
8.3.1 Individual tag. 15
8.3.2 Multiple tags. 16
8.4 Read rate. 17
8.4.1 Individual tag. 17
8.4.2 Multiple tags. 18
8.5 Write range. 18
8.5.1 Individual tag. 18
8.5.2 Multiple tags. 19
8.6 Write rate. 20
8.6.1 Individual tag. 20
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ISO/IEC TR 18046:2005(E)
8.6.2 Multiple tags.21
9 Reporting of test results.22
Annex A (informative) Test measurement site.23
A.1 Test sites and general arrangements for measurements involving the use of radiated
fields .23
A.1.1 General.23
A.1.2 Anechoic chamber.23
A.1.3 Anechoic chamber with a conductive ground plane.24
A.1.4 Open area test site (OATS).26
A.1.5 Test antenna.27
A.1.6 Substitution antenna.27
A.1.7 Measuring antenna.28
A.1.8 Stripline arrangement.28
A.2 Guidance on the use of radiation test sites.28
A.2.1 General.28
A.2.2 Verification of the test site .29
A.2.3 Preparation of the EUT .29
A.2.4 Power supplies to the EUT .29
A.2.5 Range length.29
A.2.6 Site preparation.30
A.3 Coupling of signals .30
A.3.1 General.30
A.3.2 Data signals.30
A.4 Standard test position .31
A.5 Test fixture.31
A.5.1 General.31
A.5.2 Description.31
A.5.3 Calibration.32
A.5.4 Mode of use.33
Annex B (normative) Test extensions & deviations for long range RFID systems.34
B.1 Test modifications for long range RFID devices.34
B.2 Test methods.34
B.2.1 Test method modifications.34
B.2.2 Test method extensions .35

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ISO/IEC TR 18046:2005(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.
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.
In exceptional circumstances, the joint technical committee may propose the publication of a Technical Report
of one of the following types:
 type 1, when the required support cannot be obtained for the publication of an International Standard,
despite repeated efforts;
 type 2, when the subject is still under technical development or where for any other reason there is the
future but not immediate possibility of an agreement on an International Standard;
 type 3, when the joint technical committee has collected data of a different kind from that which is
normally published as an International Standard (“state of the art”, for example).
Technical Reports of types 1 and 2 are subject to review within three years of publication, to decide whether
they can be transformed into International Standards. Technical Reports of type 3 do not necessarily have to
be reviewed until the data they provide are considered to be no longer valid or useful.
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 TR 18046, which is a Technical Report of type 2, was prepared by Joint Technical Committee
ISO/IEC JTC 1, Information technology, Subcommittee SC 31, Automatic identification and data capture
techniques.
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ISO/IEC TR 18046:2005(E)
Introduction
RFID technology has broad applicability to the Automatic Identification and Data Capture (AIDC) industry in
item management. As a wireless communication technique based on Radio Frequency technology the
applications cover multiple levels of the industrial, commercial and retail supply chains. These may include:
• Freight containers
• Returnable Transport Items (RTI)
• Transport units
• Product packaging
• Product tagging
The performance characteristics of devices (tags and interrogation equipment) may vary drastically due to
application factors as well as the particular RF air interface (frequency, modulation, protocol, etc.) being
supported. Of key concern is the matching of the various performance characteristics to the user application.
Additionally, in an open environment users of such technology demand multiple sources for these devices
from technology providers. A key challenge is a method of evaluating the differences between various
technology providers' products in a consistent and equitable manner.
This technical report provides a framework for meeting the above noted concern and challenges. To this end,
a clear definition of performance as it relates to user application of RFID technology in the supply chain is
provided. Based on such application-based definitions test methods are defined with attention to the test
parameters that must be defined and controlled for a consistent evaluation of RFID devices.
It should be noted that the test methods defined in this document form the basic framework for performance
evaluation and are not exhaustive. Many applications may require a slightly different set of test conditions to
match the use of RFID to the user requirements. The test methods defined herein may be modified to
accommodate the specifics of the application as specified by the user.
Of particular significance, these tests are defined for RFID devices having one antenna. It is common practice
to have products with both single and multiple antennas to define an RFID transaction zone sufficient for the
application. The defined methods can easily be extended from equipment with a single antenna to apply to
equipment with multiple antennas, in order to evaluate performance under conditions more closely matching
those of a particular application.
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TECHNICAL REPORT ISO/IEC TR 18046:2005(E)

Information technology — Automatic identification and data
capture techniques — Radio frequency identification device
performance test methods
1 Scope
This Technical Report provides test method guidelines for performance characteristics of radio frequency
identification (RFID) devices (tags and interrogation equipment) for item management, and specifies the
general requirements and test requirements for tag and interrogator performance which are applicable to the
selection of the devices for an application. It does not apply to testing in relation to regulatory or similar
requirements.
2 Normative references
The following referenced documents are indispensable for the application of this document. For dated
references, only the edition cited applies. For undated references, the latest edition of the referenced
document (including any amendments) applies.
ISO/IEC 18000-1:2004, Information technology — Radio frequency identification for item management —
Part 1: Reference architecture and definition of parameters to be standardized
ISO/IEC 18000-2:2004, Information technology — Radio frequency identification for item management —
Part 2: Parameters for air interface communications below 135 kHz
ISO/IEC 18000-3:2004, Information technology — Radio frequency identification for item management —
Part 3: Parameters for air interface communications at 13,56 MHz
ISO/IEC 18000-4:2004, Information technology — Radio frequency identification for item management —
Part 4: Parameters for air interface communications at 2,45 GHz
ISO/IEC 18000-6:2004, Information technology — Radio frequency identification for item management —
Part 6: Parameters for air interface communications at 860 MHz to 960 MHz
ISO/IEC 18000-7:2004, Information technology — Radio frequency identification for item management —
Part 7: Parameters for active air interface communications at 433 MHz
ISO/IEC 19762-3, Information technology — Automatic identification and data capture techniques —
1)
Harmonized vocabulary — Part 3: Radio frequency identification (RFID)

1) To be published.
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ISO/IEC TR 18046:2005(E)
3 Terms and definitions
For the purposes of this document, the following terms and definitions apply.
3.1
identification range
range at which an RFID system shall reliably identify desired tags under a variety of conditions
[ISO/IEC 19762-3]
3.2
identification rate
rate at which an RFID system shall reliably identify desired tags under a variety of conditions
[ISO/IEC 19762-3]
3.3
read range
range at which an RFID system may reliably read from desired tags under a variety of conditions
[ISO/IEC 19762-3]
3.4
read rate
rate at which an RFID system shall reliably read desired tags under a variety of conditions
[ISO/IEC 19762-3]
3.5
write range
range at which an RFID system may reliably write to desired tags under a variety of conditions
[ISO/IEC 19762-3]
3.6
write rate
rate at which an RFID system shall reliably write desired tags under a variety of conditions
[ISO/IEC 19762-3]
4 Symbols and abbreviated terms
EUT – Equipment under test
5 General concepts
5.1 Identification
An RFID system for item management must perform a sequence of communication processes within an
“open” RF environment to transact the desired data with one or more tags in a potentially large tag population.
This process begins with activation and segregation of the desired tags (small population) within the “open”
larger population. This process concludes with the establishment of a communication link between the RFID
interrogator and the tag allowing transaction (reading and/or writing) of application data. This initial process is
described as “Identification”. Identification specifically refers to the process of tag segregation and isolation.
This will result in a uniquely addressable means to communicate with a tag (tag ID). Application data has not
been accessed.
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ISO/IEC TR 18046:2005(E)
5.2 Range
An RFID system for item management requires the segregation and transaction of information remotely (i.e.
non-line-of-sight). The physical separation between the interrogator and the tag is commonly referred to as
range. Range specifically refers to the distance (minimum and maximum) between interrogator antenna and
tag(s). For multiple tags, the range will be measured to the geometric centroid of the tag population. Tag
density (tags per unit volume) will be specified.
5.3 Rate
An RFID system for item management may (and typically will) encounter multiple tags within a data
acquisition session. As many applications require multiple tags to be processed within a fixed amount of time,
a performance parameter dealing with “rate” is appropriate. Rate specifically refers to the quantity of tags per
unit time. This includes impulse and steady state. Tag population will be both static and dynamic. Tag density
(tags per unit volume) will be specified
5.4 Read
RFID tags contain data. This data represents information about the item associated with the tag whether
directly (item attendant) or indirectly (license plate). One of the significant performance characteristics of RFID
relates to the ability of retrieving this “item data” in support of various business process requirements. This
retrieval process is commonly referred to as “reading” and is separate from the previously described process
of “identification”.
Reading tag information assumes that a communication link has been established between the RFID
interrogator and the tag. As such the collision arbitration (sometimes referred to as anti-collision) process is
not involved. Reading of tag data is a “directed” data transaction with the activated and segregated tag.
Reading specifically refers to the process of tag transaction to retrieve information from identified tag
population. This process will include both single byte and multiple byte transactions.
5.5 Write
As noted previously, RFID tags contain data. This data represents information about the item associated with
the tag whether directly (item attendant) or indirectly (license plate). This information may at times be added
and/or modified through the RFID air interface. Should such a capability be available as part of an RFID
system, a significant performance characteristic would be the ability of transferring this “item data” from the
interrogator into the tag. This process is commonly referred to as “writing” and is the inverse of the previously
described process of “reading”.
Writing tag information assumes that a communication link has been established between the RFID
interrogator and the tag. As such the collision arbitration (sometimes referred to as anti-collision) process is
not involved. Writing of tag data is a “directed” data transaction with the activated and segregated tag. Writing
specifically refers to the process of tag transaction to write information into identified tag population. This
process will include both single byte and multiple byte transactions. Write with verification will be available.
5.6 Reliable
RFID systems may require extensive dialog between the interrogator and the tag to fully complete the desired
transaction with the tag population. It is not uncommon to have dialog errors during wireless communication.
Various mechanisms (e.g. checksum, CRC, retransmission, etc.) may be used to ensure the integrity of the
transactions. A reliable transaction specifically refers to the assurance that a tag and/or tag population will be
identified accurately based on statistical likelihood and a defined confidence level.
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ISO/IEC TR 18046:2005(E)
5.7 Conditions
RFID systems must perform the required transactions (i.e. identification, reading, or writing) under a variety of
environmental and application conditions. Such conditions specifically refer to the following:
• Environmental (temperature, humidity, RF spectrum, physical)
• Tag population (quantity, density, motion, orientation, mounting material(s))
6 Requirements
6.1 Introduction
The following section defines the requirements by which RFID systems will be evaluated to describe their
performance parameters. It should be noted that there are a number of system and environmental factors
which influence and bound the performance characteristics of an RFID system. As referenced, the RFID
performance parameters relate to “system” characteristics and thus require both an interrogator as well as
tags for their measurement.
6.2 General
An RFID system information transaction volume (range) and/or speed (rate) are defined by many factors. The
relevant factors and their form will vary depending on the RFID technology (i.e. inductive or propagative)
involved. The following represents some of the relevant factors for the respective system component and
environment:
o Interrogator
o Frequency
o Power or field strength
o Antenna directivity (i.e. gain) and polarization or Q factor
o Receiver sensitivity
o Modulation characteristic
o Tag
o Activation sensitivity (i.e. minimum field strength or power density)
o Antenna directivity (i.e. gain) and polarization or Q factor
o Modulation characteristic
o Tag application surface
o Paper
o Wood
o Glass
o Plastic
o Metal
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ISO/IEC TR 18046:2005(E)
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