RFID (Radio Frequency Identification) is a technology that uses electromagnetic fields to identify and track objects that have tags attached to them. RFID tags can store data and communicate with RFID readers wirelessly, without the need for direct contact or line of sight. RFID has many applications in various industries, such as inventory management, animal identification, access control, and transportation.
However, not all RFID systems are the same. There are different types of RFID tags and readers that operate at different frequencies, ranges, and data rates. To ensure interoperability and compatibility among different RFID devices, there are international standards and protocols that specify the technical parameters and communication rules for RFID systems.
In this blog post, we will introduce some of the common RFID standards and protocols that you must know if you want to use or design RFID systems.
Air interface and communication protocols for RFID systems
The ISO/IEC 18000 series is a set of standards that define the air interface and communication protocols for RFID systems operating at various frequency bands, from 125 kHz to 2.45 GHz. The ISO/IEC 18000 series covers passive and active RFID tags with different read ranges and data rates, it consists of seven parts.
ISO/IEC 18000 series
– ISO/IEC 18000-1: Generic parameters for air interfaces for globally accepted frequencies
– ISO/IEC 18000-2: Air interface for 135 kHz
– ISO/IEC 18000-3: Air interface for 13.56 MHz
– ISO/IEC 18000-4: Air interface for 2.45 GHz
– ISO/IEC 18000-5: Air interface for 5.8 GHz
– ISO/IEC 18000-6: Air interface for 860 MHz to 930 MHz
– ISO/IEC 18000-7: Air interface at 433.92 MHz
The most widely used part of the ISO/IEC 18000 series is ISO/IEC 18000-6, which defines the air interface and communication protocols for UHF (Ultra High Frequency) RFID systems. UHF RFID systems have a read range of up to several meters and a high data rate, making them suitable for applications such as supply chain management, asset tracking, and electronic toll collection.
The 6 common RFID communication protocols
ISO 11784/11785 (134.2 kHz)
ISO 11784 and ISO 11785 are standards that regulate the RFID of animals, such as livestock, pets, and wildlife. These standards specify the structure and content of the identification code stored in the RFID tag, as well as the technical parameters and communication protocols for the RFID reader and tag.
ISO 11784 defines the code structure of the RFID tag, which consists of a country code, a reserved field, an animal identifier, and an optional extra code. The code structure ensures that each animal has a unique identification number that can be traced back to its origin.
ISO 11785 defines the technical standard of the RFID system, which operates at 134.2 kHz (Low Frequency). The standard specifies how the RFID tag is activated by the reader and how the data is transferred between them. The standard also defines two types of modulation schemes: FDX (Full Duplex) and HDX (Half Duplex).
FDX tags transmit data continuously while receiving power from the reader’s signal. HDX tags store energy from the reader’s signal and then transmit data in bursts when the reader’s signal is off. FDX tags have a faster data rate but a shorter read range than HDX tags.
ISO/IEC 14443A / 14443B (13.56 MHz)
ISO/IEC 14443 is a standard that defines the air interface and communication protocols for proximity cards or smart cards that operate at 13.56 MHz (High Frequency). Proximity cards are RFID cards that have a read range of up to 10 cm and can store more data than simple RFID tags. Proximity cards are widely used for applications such as access control, public transportation, payment, and identification.
ISO/IEC 14443 consists of four parts:
– ISO/IEC 14443-1: Physical characteristics
– ISO/IEC 14443-2: Radio frequency power and signal interface
– ISO/IEC 14443-3: Initialization and anticollision
– ISO/IEC 14443-4: Transmission protocol
The standard also defines two types of cards: Type A and Type B. Type A and Type B cards differ in their modulation methods, coding schemes, and anticollision algorithms. Type A cards have a stronger anti-interference ability but a lower power stability than Type B cards.
ISO/IEC 15693 (13.56 MHz)
ISO/IEC 15693 is a standard that defines the air interface and communication protocols for vicinity cards or smart cards that operate at 13.56 MHz (High Frequency). Vicinity cards are RFID cards that have a read range of up to 1.5 meters and can store more data than simple RFID tags. Vicinity cards are used for applications such as library management, ski passes, and electronic passports.
ISO/IEC 15693 consists of three parts:
– ISO/IEC 15693-1: Physical characteristics
– ISO/IEC 15693-2: Air interface and initialization
– ISO/IEC 15693-3: Anticollision and transmission protocol
EPC Gen2 (860 MHz to 960 MHz)
EPC Gen2, also known as UHF Class 1 Gen 2, is a standard developed by EPCglobal, a subsidiary of GS1, an organization that develops and maintains global standards for business communication. EPC Gen2 defines the air interface and communication protocols for passive UHF RFID tags and readers that are compatible with the ISO/IEC 18000-6 standard.
EPC Gen2 tags have a read range of up to several meters and a high data rate, making them suitable for applications such as supply chain management, asset tracking, and electronic toll collection. EPC Gen2 tags also have features such as memory locking, password protection, kill commands, and user memory.
EPC Gen2 tags store an Electronic Product Code (EPC), which is a unique identifier that can be used to access information about the tagged object in a global network. The EPC consists of a header, a domain manager, an object class, and a serial number.
Conclusion
RFID is a versatile technology that has many applications in various industries. However, to ensure interoperability and compatibility among different RFID devices, there are international standards and protocols that specify the technical parameters and communication rules for RFID systems.
In this blog post, we introduced some of the common RFID standards and protocols that you must know if you want to use or design RFID systems. These standards and protocols cover different frequency bands, ranges, data rates, and features of RFID systems.
We hope this blog post was helpful for you to understand the basics of RFID standards and protocols. If you have any questions or comments, please feel free to contact us.