SIST EN 4905:2023

Aerospace series - Passive UHF RFID for airborne use

This document is applicable to new manufactured tags after publication of this document.
This document aims to:
-   provide specification for RFID tag manufacturers to design and manufacture passive UHF RFID tags for the aeronautical industry;
-   identify required performances for UHF RFID tags in order to be read/written during ground operations only, while being subject to the global flight environment;
-   identify functional and environmental validation tests to be performed on passive UHF RFID tags with associated pass/fail criteria as well as associated test methods;
-   check functionalities and resistance to environment for airborne passive UHF RFID tags.
This document does not apply to:
-   the reader (interrogator – readers). It will be addressed appropriately by individual applicants;
-   active RFID devices or battery assisted passive (BAP) RFID devices;
-   RFID tags designed to operate outside the 860 MHz to 960 MHz frequency range.

Luft- und Raumfahrt - Passive UHF-RFID für den Einsatz in der Luft

Dieses Dokument ist für neue, nach der Veröffentlichung dieses Dokumentes hergestellte Tags anwendbar.
Ziel dieses Dokumentes ist es,
   für RFID Tag Hersteller eine Spezifikation für die Auslegung und Herstellung passiver UHF RFID Tags für die Luftfahrtindustrie bereitzustellen;
   Leistungsanforderungen für UHF RFID Tags festzulegen, um diese nur bei Einsätzen am Boden zu lesen/zu beschreiben, während sie der globalen Flugumgebung unterliegen;
   funktions  und umweltbezogene Validierungsprüfungen festzulegen, die an passiven UHF RFID Tags durchzuführen sind, mit zugehörigen Kriterien für bestanden/nicht bestanden sowie damit verbundenen Prüfverfahren; und
   Funktionalitäten und den Widerstand gegenüber der Umgebung von passiven UHF RFID Tags für den Einsatz in der Luft zu überprüfen.
Dieses Dokument ist nicht anwendbar für
   das Lesegerät (die Abfrageeinrichtung – Lesegeräte). Dies wird entsprechend von einzelnen Antragstellern angemessen behandelt;
   aktive oder batteriegestützte passive (BAP) RFID Geräte; und
   RFID Tags, die für den Betrieb in einem Frequenzbereich außerhalb von 860 MHz bis 960 MHz ausgelegt sind.

Série aérospatiale - RFID UHF passive pour une utilisation aéroportée

Le présent document est applicable aux nouvelles étiquettes, fabriquées après la publication du présent document.
Le présent document vise à :
-   fournir des spécifications aux fabricants d’étiquettes RFID pour concevoir et fabriquer des étiquettes RFID UHF passives pour l'industrie aéronautique ;
-   identifier les performances requises pour les étiquettes RFID UHF afin de permettre la lecture/l'écriture pendant les opérations au sol uniquement, tout en étant soumises à l'environnement de vol global ;
-   identifier les essais de validation fonctionnelle et environnementale à effectuer sur les étiquettes RFID UHF passives avec les critères de réussite/d'échec associés ainsi que les méthodes d'essai associées ;
-   vérifier les fonctionnalités et la résistance à l'environnement pour les étiquettes RFID UHF passives embarquées.
Le présent document ne s’applique pas :
-   au lecteur (interrogateur - lecteurs) ; celui-ci sera traité de manière appropriée par les différents demandeurs ;
-   aux dispositifs RFID actifs ou aux dispositifs RFID passifs assistés par batterie (BAP) ;
-   aux étiquettes RFID conçues pour opérer en dehors de la gamme de fréquences entre 860 MHz et 960 MHz.

Aeronavtika - Pasivne priponke UHF RFID za uporabo v zraku

Ta dokument se uporablja za novo proizvedene oznake po objavi tega dokumenta.
Cilj tega dokumenta:
–   proizvajalcem radiofrekvenčnih identifikacijskih (RFID) kartic zagotoviti dokument z zahtevami za izdelavo pasivnih visokofrekvenčnih radijskih identifikacijskih (UHF RFID) kartic za aeronavtični sektor;
–   določiti zahtevano učinkovitost visokofrekvenčnih radijskih identifikacijskih kartic za možnost branja/pisanja samo pri izvajanju dejavnosti na tleh, med tem ko se nahajajo v globalnem letalskem okolju;
–   določiti validacijske preskuse delovanja in okolja, ki se jih izvede na pasivnih visokofrekvenčnih radijskih identifikacijskih karticah s povezanimi merili za določanje ustreznosti/neustreznosti ter povezanimi preskusnimi metodami;
–   preveriti funkcionalnost in odpornost na dejavnike okolja za pasivne zračne visokofrekvenčne radijske identifikacijske kartice.
Ta dokument ne zajema:
–   čitalnika (bralnik – čitalniki). Ustrezno ga bodo obravnavali posamezni prijavitelji;
–   aktivnih naprav za radiofrekvenčno identifikacijo ali pasivnih naprav za radiofrekvenčno identifikacijo z baterijskim napajanjem;
–   radiofrekvenčnih identifikacijskih kartic, zasnovanih za delovanje zunaj frekvenčnega razpona med 860 in 960 MHz.

General Information

• Status: Published
• Public Enquiry End Date: 15-Nov-2022
• Publication Date: 05-Nov-2023
• ICS: 35.040.50 - Automatic identification and data capture techniques
• ICS: 35.240.60 - IT applications in transport
• ICS: 49.035 - Components for aerospace construction
• Technical Committee: I13 - Imaginarni 13
• Current Stage: 6060 - National Implementation/Publication (Adopted Project)
• Start Date: 03-Nov-2023
• Due Date: 08-Jan-2024
• Completion Date: 06-Nov-2023
• Ref Project: EN 4905:2023 - Aerospace series - Passive UHF RFID for airborne use

Relations

• Revised: SIST EN 4817:2012 - Aerospace series - Passive UHF RFID tags intended for aircraft use
• Effective Date: 19-Jan-2023

Overview

EN 4905:2023 - "Aerospace series - Passive UHF RFID for airborne use" is a European standard published by CEN that specifies requirements for newly manufactured passive UHF RFID tags intended for aeronautical use. The standard defines how passive UHF RFID tags (860–960 MHz) should be designed, validated and marked so they can be reliably read/written during ground operations while enduring the global flight environment. It does not cover readers/interrogators, active or battery-assisted tags, or tags intended for other frequency ranges.

Key topics and requirements

• Scope and applicability: Applies to new tags manufactured after publication; targets passive UHF RFID tags for airborne components and integrated nameplates.
• Functional requirements: Defines expected read/write performance, read range considerations, memory usage (EPC, user memory/XTID), and interoperability expectations (EPC™ Gen2 compatibility).
• Environmental requirements: Specifies resistance to flight-related environmental stresses (temperature, vibration, humidity, chemical exposure) and survival/operating temperature ranges. Test methods reference established aviation and military test procedures.
• Validation and test methods: Identifies functional and environmental tests, associated pass/fail criteria and test methods to confirm tag performance in airborne conditions.
• Quality, marking and handling: Covers tag identification/marking, packaging, storage, transportation and quality assurance requirements for aerospace supply chains.
• Limitations: Excludes reader specifications and tags outside 860–960 MHz or active/BAP devices.

Keywords: EN 4905:2023, Passive UHF RFID, aerospace RFID, UHF RFID tags, environmental testing, EPC Gen2, interoperability.

Applications

EN 4905:2023 supports adoption of RFID in aviation processes where durable, interoperable data carriers are needed:

• Spare parts logistics and inventory management for aircraft components
• MRO (Maintenance, Repair and Overhaul) and component lifecycle tracking
• As-fitted configuration management and record-keeping
• Cargo, catering and supply-chain automation where batch reads and distance reading are beneficial
• Integrated nameplates and part identification that must survive the aircraft environment

Who should use this standard

• RFID tag manufacturers designing aerospace-grade passive UHF tags
• Aircraft OEMs, airlines and MRO organizations specifying identification and data capture solutions
• Procurement, quality and compliance teams assessing suppliers and acceptance criteria
• Systems integrators implementing RFID-based logistics and maintenance systems

Related standards (select)

• ATA Spec 2000 (Chapter 9 - RFID & barcode requirements)
• EPC™ Gen2 / ISO/IEC 18000-6(C) (UHF air interface)
• EUROCAE / RTCA references (e.g., DO-160 environmental procedures)
• EN 9100 (Aerospace quality management), MIL-STD-202 / MIL-STD-810 test methods, FAA 14 CFR Part 45

Adopting EN 4905:2023 helps ensure passive UHF RFID tags used in aviation are interoperable worldwide, robust against flight environments, and suitable for ground-based read/write operations across the aerospace supply chain.

Standards Content (Sample)

SLOVENSKI STANDARD
01-december-2023
Aeronavtika - Pasivne priponke UHF RFID za uporabo v zraku
Aerospace series - Passive UHF RFID for airborne use
Luft- und Raumfahrt - Passive UHF-RFID für den Einsatz in der Luft
Série aérospatiale - RFID UHF passive pour une utilisation aéroportée
Ta slovenski standard je istoveten z: EN 4905:2023
ICS:
49.035 Sestavni deli za letalsko in Components for aerospace
vesoljsko gradnjo construction
2003-01.Slovenski inštitut za standardizacijo. Razmnoževanje celote ali delov tega standarda ni dovoljeno.

EN 4905
EUROPEAN STANDARD
NORME EUROPÉENNE
October 2023
EUROPÄISCHE NORM
ICS 35.040.50; 35.240.60; 49.035 Supersedes EN 4817:2012
English Version
Aerospace series - Passive UHF RFID for airborne use
Série aérospatiale - RFID UHF passive pour une Luft- und Raumfahrt - Passive UHF-RFID für den
utilisation aéroportée Einsatz in der Luft
This European Standard was approved by CEN on 16 July 2023.

CEN members are bound to comply with the CEN/CENELEC Internal Regulations which stipulate the conditions for giving this
European Standard the status of a national standard without any alteration. Up-to-date lists and bibliographical references
concerning such national standards may be obtained on application to the CEN-CENELEC Management Centre or to any CEN
member.
This European Standard exists in three official versions (English, French, German). A version in any other language made by
translation under the responsibility of a CEN member into its own language and notified to the CEN-CENELEC Management
Centre has the same status as the official versions.

CEN members are the national standards bodies of Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia,
Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Norway,
Poland, Portugal, Republic of North Macedonia, Romania, Serbia, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Türkiye and
United Kingdom.
EUROPEAN COMMITTEE FOR STANDARDIZATION
COMITÉ EUROPÉEN DE NORMALISATION

EUROPÄISCHES KOMITEE FÜR NORMUNG

CEN-CENELEC Management Centre: Rue de la Science 23, B-1040 Brussels
© 2023 CEN All rights of exploitation in any form and by any means reserved Ref. No. EN 4905:2023 E
worldwide for CEN national Members.

Contents Page
European foreword . 3
Introduction . 4
1 Scope . 5
2 Normative references . 5
3 Terms and definitions . 6
4 List of acronyms . 10
5 RFID tag presentation . 11
6 Tag requirements . 12
6.1 General requirements . 12
6.2 Functional requirements . 12
6.3 Environmental requirements . 14
6.4 Specific requirements . 20
7 Tag installation . 21
8 Quality assurance . 21
9 Replacement . 21
10 RFID tag identification and marking . 21
11 Packaging, handling, storage and transportation . 24
Bibliography . 25

European foreword
This document (EN 4905:2023) has been prepared by the Aerospace and Defence Industries
Association of Europe — Standardization (ASD-STAN).
After enquiries and votes carried out in accordance with the rules of this Association, this
document has received the approval of the National Associations and the Official Services of the
member countries of ASD-STAN, prior to its presentation to CEN.
This document shall be given the status of a national standard, either by publication of an identical
text or by endorsement, at the latest by April 2024, and conflicting national standards shall be
withdrawn at the latest by April 2024.
Attention is drawn to the possibility that some of the elements of this document may be the subject
of patent rights. CEN shall not be held responsible for identifying any or all such patent rights.
This document supersedes EN 4817:2012.
The main change between this document and EN 4817:2012 is that this document has been
developed to define UHF passive RFID tags able to work under on-board conditions, be
interoperable worldwide and conform to ATA Spec 2000, Chapter 9-5 requirements.
According to the CEN-CENELEC Internal Regulations, the national standards organizations of the
following countries are bound to implement this document: Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia,
Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland,
Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal,
Republic of North Macedonia, Romania, Serbia, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland,
Türkiye and the United Kingdom.
Introduction
In order to improve:
— spare parts logistics;
— optimized maintenance process;
— component repair operations or replacements based on expiration date;
— as-flying configuration management process;
— cargo/catering operation;
in the aeronautical industry, an efficient data capture and storage tool, attached to the parts for their
entire life and usable worldwide is highly desired.
Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) is considered as the best candidate for all stakeholders:
suppliers, OEM (Original Equipment Manufacturers), aircraft manufacturers, airlines, MROs
(Maintenance, Repair and Overhaul), etc., for more accurate, faster and more automatic processes for
data capture.
The key characteristics of RFID are mainly the ability to store data onto an object, to read and write at
the point of action, to be able to point and link with existing databases and for UHF RFID in particular
the ability to be read from a distance and in batches.
The RFID label consists of an integrated circuit attached to a substrate with an integrated antenna and,
when applicable, covered with a human-readable printed film and/or machine-readable 2D or data
matrix barcode.
Standardization of these RFID tags for aeronautical industry adoption of RFID technology will provide
key benefits in processes configuration management and for the maintenance of airborne components
compared to paper records, bar code or classical human readable nameplates.
1 Scope
This document is applicable to new manufactured tags after publication of this document.
This document aims to:
— provide specification for RFID tag manufacturers to design and manufacture passive UHF RFID tags
for the aeronautical industry;
— identify required performances for UHF RFID tags in order to be read/written during ground
operations only, while being subject to the global flight environment;
— identify functional and environmental validation tests to be performed on passive UHF RFID tags
with associated pass/fail criteria as well as associated test methods;
— check functionalities and resistance to environment for airborne passive UHF RFID tags.
This document does not apply to:
— the reader (interrogator – readers). It will be addressed appropriately by individual applicants;
— active RFID devices or battery assisted passive (BAP) RFID devices;
— RFID tags designed to operate outside the 860 MHz to 960 MHz frequency range.
2 Normative references
The following documents are referred to in the text in such a way that some or all of their content
constitutes requirements 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.
EN 9100, Quality Management Systems — Requirements for Aviation, Space and Defence Organizations
ATA Spec 2000, Chapter 9 — Automated Identification and Data Capture — Ch. 9-4 (Barcode) & 9.5
(RFID)
ATA Spec 2000, Annex 11 — The format of user memory in EPCGlobal Class 1, Generation 2 RFID
transponders
EPC™ Radio-Frequency Identity Protocols Generation-2 UHF RFID Standard, Specification for RFID Air
Interface Protocol for Communications at 860 MHz — 960 MHz
EUROCAE ED-14-RTCA DO-160, Environmental conditions and test procedures for airborne equipment
Interoperability Test System for EPC Compliant Class-1 Generation-2 UHF RFID, Devices —
Interoperability test methodology
ISO 105-X12, Textiles — Tests for colour fastness — Part X12: Colour fastness to rubbing

Published by: ATA National (US), International Air Transport Association of America,
https://www.airlines.org/.
Published by: The European Organisation for Civil Aviation Equipment, https://www.eurocae.net/.
ISO/IEC 18000-6, Information technology — Radio frequency identification for item management —
Part 6: Parameters for air interface communications at 860 MHz to 960 MHz, General
ISO/IEC 18000-63, Information technology — Radio frequency identification for item management —
Part 63: Parameters for air interface communications at 860 MHz to 960 MHz Type C
MIL-STD-202, Department of Defense Test Method Standard: Electronic and Electrical Component Parts
MIL-STD-810G, Department of Defense Test Method Standard: Environmental Engineering
Considerations and Laboratory Tests
FAA 14 CFR Part 45, Aeronautics and Space — Part 45: Identification and Registration Marking
3 Terms and definitions
For the purposes of this document, the following terms and definitions apply.
ISO and IEC maintain terminology databases for use in standardization at the following addresses:
— ISO Online browsing platform: available at https://www.iso.org/obp/
— IEC Electropedia: available at https://www.electropedia.org/
3.1
air interface protocol
wireless air interface protocol by which RFID tags and readers communicate
3.2
backscatter
method of communication in which an RFID tag without a battery (or any internal power source)
receives energy from an RFID reader’s transmission and uses that same energy to send back a reply
3.3
barcode
method of representing data in a visual, machine-readable form
3.4
chip
tiny wafer of semiconductor material, such as silicon, processed to form a type of integrated circuit or
component
3.5
electronic product code
EPC
universal identifier that gives a unique identity to a specific physical object

Published by: ISO International Organization for Standardization, https://www.iso.org/.
Published by: DoD National (US) Mil. Department of Defense, https://www.defense.gov/.
Published by: FAA National (US) Federal Aviation Administration https://www.faa.gov/.
3.6 ®
EPCglobal
GS1 initiative to innovate and develop industry-driven standards for Electronic Product Code™ (EPC) to
support the use of Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) and allow global visibility of items (EPCIS) in
today's fast-moving, information rich, trading networks
3.7 ®
EPCglobal Class 1 Gen 2 UHF Tag
GS1 EPC™ Gen 2 UHF Tag
air interface protocol, which defines the physical and logical requirements for an RFID system of
interrogators and passive tags, operating in the 860 MHz – 960 MHz UHF range
Note 1 to entry: It was first published by EPCglobal in 2004.
3.8
european telecommunication office
ETO
coordination entity between the postal and telecommunications organizations of the European States
3.9
european telecommunications standards institute
ETSI
independent, not-for-profit, standardization organization in the telecommunications industry
(equipment makers and network operators) in Europe
3.10
federal aviation administration
FAA
government agency responsible for civil aviation treaties and controls in the United States
3.11
federal communications commission
FCC
regulator of interstate and international communications by radio, television, wire, satellite, and cable
in all 50 States, the District of Columbia and U.S. territories
Note 1 to entry: An independent US government agency overseen by Congress, the Commission is the federal
agency responsible for implementing and enforcing America’s communications law and regulations.
3.12
human-readable
representation of data or information that can be naturally read by humans
3.13
international electrotechnical commission
IEC
international standards and conformity assessment body for all fields of electrotechnology
3.14
inlay
antenna made on an insulating support and to which an RFID chip is connected
3.15
integrated circuit
IC
electronic circuit formed on a small piece of semiconducting material, which performs the same
function as a larger circuit made from discrete components
3.16
integrated nameplate
identification or part marking containing an embedded RFID chip or device
Note 1 to entry: It may be utilized in the same manner as other identification and markings.
3.17
interoperability
ability of systems, from different manufacturers, to execute bi-directional data exchange functions, in a
manner that allows them to operate effectively together
Note 1 to entry: RFID hardware and software interoperability determine the ability of RFID tags and
interrogators manufactured by different suppliers to work interchangeably.
3.18
interrogator
reader/writer
transmitter/receiver that reads the contents of RFID tags in the vicinity
3.19
label
encapsulated RFID inlay within a type of material that covers and protects it; paper, plastic,
polyethylene, polyamide, cardboard, foam
Note 1 to entry: RFID labels can be made with the adhesive required for the specific application.
3.20
machine-readable
data (or metadata) in a format that can be easily processed by a computer
3.21
non-operating temperature
temperature at which equipment will normally be exposed and not required to operate
3.22
operating temperature
temperature at which equipment will normally be exposed and required to operate
3.23
passive-backscatter, in mode Interrogator-Talk-First (ITF) System
backscattering of a signal towards the reader thanks to the modulation of the reflection coefficient of its
antenna, following the transmission from the reader to the tag of continuous wave RF signals

3.24
passive UHF RFID tag
tag with no internal power source and instead is powered by the electromagnetic energy transmitted
from an RFID reader
Note 1 to entry: It does not transmit radio waves from itself.
3.25
read range
straight-line distance between an RFID tag and the antenna of the RFID interrogator
3.26
radio frequency identification
RFID
remote identification method using radio frequency markers and readers
3.27
radio technical commission for aeronautics
RTCA
United States volunteer organization that develops technical guidance for use by government
regulatory authorities and by industry
3.28
specification control document or drawing
SCD
document or drawing prepared for the purpose of defining and controlling key characteristics of
purchased material, and used to describe qualification and acceptance requirements for procured items
3.29
RFID tag
see “label”
Note 1 to entry: A tag could be an adhesive label, an attached tag or an embedded tag.
Note 2 to entry: When it is possible, the RFID information is completed by human readable information.
3.30
survival temperature
ambient temperature range at which a component can survive in a non-operating range mode and
perform within specifications when operated
3.31
ultra-high frequency
UHF
radio frequencies in the range between 300 megahertz (MHz) and 3 gigahertz (GHz), also known as the
“decimetre band” as the wavelengths range from one meter to one tenth of a meter (one decimetre)
Note 1 to entry: UHF RFID Frequencies vary in each country based on each country’s regulations. UHF allocations
for passive RFID are within the 860 MHz to 960 MHz band worldwide.

3.32
user memory
memory used for storing data other than the unique identifier of the product the tag is attached to
Note 1 to entry: It is typically an optional feature.
3.33
extended tag identifier
XTID
memory construct that defines a tag's capabilities and may include a tag serial number, further
specified in the GS1 EPC Tag Data Standard
4 List of acronyms
For the purposes of this document, the following acronyms apply.
APU Auxilliary Power Unit
ATA Air Transport Association of America
BAP Battery Assisted Passive EN – European Standard
EASA European Union Aviation Safety Agency
EPC Electronic Product Code
ETO European Telecommunication Office
ETSI European Telecommunications Standards Institute
FAA Federal Aviation Administration
FCC Federal Communications Commission
IC Integrated Circuit
IEC International Electrotechnical Commission
ITF Interrogator-Talk-First
MRO Maintenance, Repair and Overhaul
OEM Original Equipment Manufacturer
RF Radio Frequency
RFID Radio Frequency IDentification
RTCA Radio Technical Commission for Aeronautics
SCD Specification Control Document or Drawing
TID Tag IDentifier
UHF Ultra-High Frequency
XTID eXtended Tag IDentifier
5 RFID tag presentation
The UHF RFID tag is generally made of:
— a microchip that includes the memory;
— a micro antenna to receive and transmit;
— an inlay that integrates the chip and its antenna;
— a packaging that protects the inlay.
Antenna shall be unique to the specific type of tag and it shall receive RF waves, energize the integrated
circuit (IC) and then backscatter the modulated energy to the RFID antenna. The integrated circuit, also
called the chip, shall (ISO/IEC 18000-63 Type C):
— contain four memory banks;
— process information, send and receive information;
— use anti-collision protocols.
The four memory banks are the following, and are defined according to ISO/IEC 18000-6 and EPC Gen 2:
— EPC memory bank – The EPC memory bank stores the EPC code, or the electronic product code;
— reserved memory bank – The Reserved memory bank shall contain at least the access and lock passwords
which enable the tag memory to be locked by the user and require a password to view or edit;
— TID memory bank – The TID memory bank contains at least the tag identifier that is a randomized,
unique number that is set by the chip manufacturer and cannot be changed. In order for the reader
to read this number instead of the EPC, the reader settings shall be changed to accommodate;
— user memory bank – The user memory bank is mandatory and its size can vary. It can be used for user-
defined data about the item. This could be information like item type, last service date, or serial number.
It shall be ensured that the format of the information written in this area is standardized in order to
avoid any decoding problem.
High-memory UHF tags affixed to certain parts of the aircraft parts should store each component
history throughout its life so as to enhance parts traceability and reduce cycle time to solve in-service.
The main variation between ICs is the number of bits in the respective memory.
Tags shall be available in various designs (sizes, form factors…), and they shall be customized for a
particular application.
Additional functions (like smart sensors included in RFID tags) are allowed in addition to the above
description, as long as they comply with all the other requirements of this document.
The bar code and human readable nameplate for the parts shall be available on the equipment, but not
necessary on the tag. [3]
Refer to the specificati
...