ETSI TR 103 059 V1.2.1 (2013-11)

Technical Report
Electromagnetic compatibility
and Radio spectrum Matters (ERM);
Short-Range Devices (SRD) for operation
in the 13,56 MHz band;
System Reference Document for Radio Frequency
Identification (RFID) equipment

2 ETSI TR 103 059 V1.2.1 (2013-11)

Reference
RTR/ERM-TG28-046
Keywords
radio, RFID, short range, SRD, SRDOC
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ETSI
3 ETSI TR 103 059 V1.2.1 (2013-11)
Contents
Intellectual Property Rights . 5
Foreword . 5
Executive summary . 5
Introduction . 6
1 Scope . 7
2 References . 7
2.1 Normative references . 7
2.2 Informative references . 7
3 Definitions, symbols and abbreviations . 9
3.1 Definitions . 9
3.2 Symbols . 9
3.3 Abbreviations . 9
4 Comments on the System Reference Document . 10
4.1 Comments on the revised version 1.2.1 . 10
4.2 Revised items in version 1.2.1 . 10
5 Background information. 11
5.1 The current situation . 11
5.2 The 13,56 MHz inductive RFID technology . 12
5.3 The socio-economic benefits . 12
6 Market information. 13
6.1 General . 13
6.2 History, technology and systems . 15
6.3 Overview of 13,56 MHz RFID family and standards . 15
7 Technical information . 17
7.1 Detailed technical description . 17
7.1.1 13,56 MHz Receiver-Reader restrictions due to present regulations . 17
7.1.2 Detailed technical description of 13,56 MHz systems . 17
7.2 Status of technical parameters . 19
7.2.1 Allocations in the band 13,36 MHz to 13,76 MHz . 19
7.2.2 Sharing and compatibility studies (if any) already available . 20
7.3 RFID system parameters . 20
8 Radio spectrum request and justification . 23
8.1 Radio spectrum request for the narrowband/long range RFID mask . 23
8.1.1 Justification for the narrowband/long range reader RFID mask . 23
8.2 Radio spectrum request for the wideband/short range reader RFID mask . 24
9 Regulations . 25
9.1 Current regulations . 25
9.2 Proposed regulation . 26
9.3 Requested ECC and EC actions . 26
9.3.1 Requested ECC studies . 26
9.3.2 Requested ECC regulatory actions . 26
9.3.3 Requested EC regulatory actions . 27
Annex A: Detailed market information . 28
A.1 Applications . 28
A.2 Evolution and outlook of the 13,56 MHz RFID market . 28
Annex B: Technical information . 30
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4 ETSI TR 103 059 V1.2.1 (2013-11)
B.1 Technical description . 30
B.1.1 Rationale and design considerations and for 13,56 MHz systems . 30
B.1.2 System functions . 30
B.2 Technical justifications for spectrum . 31
B.2.1 Power and frequency issues. 31
B.3 Technical standards for RFID . 31
Annex C: Bibliography . 33
History . 34

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5 ETSI TR 103 059 V1.2.1 (2013-11)
Intellectual Property Rights
IPRs essential or potentially essential to the present document may have been declared to ETSI. The information
pertaining to these essential IPRs, if any, is publicly available for ETSI members and non-members, and can be found
in ETSI SR 000 314: "Intellectual Property Rights (IPRs); Essential, or potentially Essential, IPRs notified to ETSI in
respect of ETSI standards", which is available from the ETSI Secretariat. Latest updates are available on the ETSI Web
server (http://ipr.etsi.org).
Pursuant to the ETSI IPR Policy, no investigation, including IPR searches, has been carried out by ETSI. No guarantee
can be given as to the existence of other IPRs not referenced in ETSI SR 000 314 (or the updates on the ETSI Web
server) which are, or may be, or may become, essential to the present document.
Foreword
This Technical Report (TR) has been produced by ETSI Technical Committee Electromagnetic compatibility and Radio
spectrum Matters (ERM).
Executive summary
The present document analyses the potential and status of 13,56 MHz RF Identification Systems and the need for
regulatory and standard improvements as:
• 13 MHz RFID systems cover the widest range of markets and applications among the RFID families, this is
detailed in clause 6.1 and annex A.
• The prospects for the next decade for the 13,56 MHz RFID technology is that these RFIDs have the highest
turnover and increase rate compared to other frequencies. The rate is estimated for about 50 % or higher of all
SRD applications. This is based on:
- the mature and versatile 13,56 MHz technology is providing either large reading range with high data
rates and bulk reading capability or very high data rates at low reading ranges needed for the required
safety and security features and as requested by the EC mandate M436 for private/public and commercial
use;
- 13,56 MHz systems are used in a large amount of installed systems covering various markets. The
present document covers two different application types which require different TX emission masks for
different emission levels and bandwidths:
a) Narrowband/long range applications as used in libraries, access control, logistics and materials
handling, waste management, apparel tagging in manufacturing laundry services, etc. These
systems are typically installed in industrial or shopping sites. From all 13,56 MHz applications they
represent some 3 % of all deployed systems.
b) Wideband/short range applications for use in ticketing and payment systems to secure transactions
(i.e. smart cards, e-Passport, mass transportation tickets), NFC, employing authentication to
provide secure identification mechanisms for persons and objects. These systems represent about
97 % of the market for 13,56 MHz RFID systems.
- All 13,56 MHz RFID systems feature unique properties as highest spectrum efficiency as dense
operation of 13,56 MHz RFID systems in a given area.
• 13,56 MHz frequency band is harmonized in all three ITU regions which assures coverage of all markets.
Furthermore recent developments in the evolution of the technology and ISO standards as well as market developments
or requirements in social, public, commercial and industrial areas have shown the need for amending the
ERC/REC 70-03, annex 9 as well as amending the EN 300 330-1 [i.2] as presented in the present document.
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6 ETSI TR 103 059 V1.2.1 (2013-11)
Introduction
The present document has been developed to support the co-operation between ETSI and the Electronic
Communications Committee (ECC) of the European Conference of Post and Telecommunications Administrations
(CEPT) for internal reference within ETSI [i.1].
RFIDs have been in use for almost all areas of the industrial-commercial, the public and private sector.
Especially the 13,56 MHz RFID technology is matured and has achieved tag deployment rates in the several billion unit
range. This frequency is highly attractive because of the global harmonization of this frequency band since it is an ISM
band in all 3 ITU regions.
The 13,56 MHz RFIDs use the inductive near field propagation mode which has the unique advantage of allowing a
high reader field strength without disturbing the in-band or adjacent band radio services because of the fast field
strength roll-off of 60 dB/Decade [i.2] and [i.5].
This means that the reading range is confined or limited while RFID's using EM/far-field operation can suffer from
reflections and diffractions.
The two most limiting factors for 13,56 MHz RFIDs are regulatory constraints with regard to the modulation allowance
level which is addressed in the present document.
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7 ETSI TR 103 059 V1.2.1 (2013-11)
1 Scope
The present document provides information on short range device equipment for RFIDs operating in the 13,56 MHz
frequency range from 13,553 MHz to 13,567 MHz and covering the requirements for carrier and the associated
modulation emissions.
The present document includes the necessary information to support the co-operation between ETSI and the ECC
including:
• market information;
• technical information;
• regulatory issues.
2 References
References are either specific (identified by date of publication and/or edition number or version number) or
non-specific. For specific references, only the cited version applies. For non-specific references, the latest version of the
reference document (including any amendments) applies.
Referenced documents which are not found to be publicly available in the expected location might be found at
http://docbox.etsi.org/Reference.
NOTE: While any hyperlinks included in this clause were valid at the time of publication, ETSI cannot guarantee
their long term validity.
2.1 Normative references
The following referenced documents are necessary for the application of the present document.
Not applicable.
2.2 Informative references
The following referenced documents are not necessary for the application of the present document but they assist the
user with regard to a particular subject area.
[i.1] ECC-ETSI MoU (version of April 2004).
[i.2] ETSI EN 300 330-1: "Electromagnetic compatibility and Radio spectrum Matters (ERM); Short
Range Devices (SRD); Radio equipment in the frequency range 9 kHz to 25 MHz and inductive
loop systems in the frequency range 9 kHz to 30 MHz; Part 1: Technical characteristics and test
methods".
[i.3] ERC Report 69 (February 1999): "Propagation model and interference range calculations for
inductive systems 10 kHz - 30 MHz".
NOTE: Available at: http://www.satoworldwide.com/news_releases_02062008_DIP.htm.
[i.4] Wired Science: "New RFID Tag could mean the end of Bar Codes".
NOTE: Available at: http://www.satoworldwide.com/news_releases_02062008_DIP.htm.
[i.5] ERC Report 44 (January 1997): "Sharing between inductive systems and radiocommunication
systems in the band 9 - 135 kHz".
[i.6] ECC Report 74: "Compatibility between radio frequency identification devices (rfid), and the
radioastronomy service at 13 MHz".
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8 ETSI TR 103 059 V1.2.1 (2013-11)
[i.7] Poly IC printed electronics.
NOTE: Available at:
http://ieeexplore.ieee.org/xpl/login.jsp?tp=&arnumber=1233745&url=http%3A%2F%2Fieeexplore.ieee.o
rg%2Fxpls%2Fabs_all.jsp%3Farnumber%3D1233745.
[i.8] ISO/IEC 14443-2 "Identification cards - Contactless integrated circuit(s) cards - Proximity cards -
Part 2: Radio frequency power and signal interface.
[i.9] ISO/IEC 15693-1 "Identification cards - Contactless integrated circuit cards -- Vicinity cards --
Part 1: Physical characteristics".
[i.10] ERC Recommendation 70-03: "Relating to the use of short range devices (srd)".
[i.11] ISO/DIS 17367: "Supply chain applications of RFID - Product tagging".
[i.12] CEN EN 14803: "Identification and/or determination of the quantity of waste".
[i.13] FM(10)092 Annex 24: "Dynamic Evolution of RFID Market".
[i.14] Klaus Finkenzeller: "RFID Handbook", Chapter 5.1.11: "Selection of frequency for inductive
coupled RFID systems", issue 2008, ISBN 978-3-446-41200-2.
[i.15] VDC Market Report: "RFID and related solutions".
[i.16] EETimes publishes an article about PolyIC: "Organic RFID breakthroughs detailed".
NOTE: Available at: http://www.eetimes.com/document.asp?doc_id=1170339.
[i.17] ISO/IEC 18000-3: " Information technology - Radio frequency identification for item management
- Part 3: Parameters for air interface communications at 13,56 MHz".
[i.18] ISO/IEC 10536: "Identification cards -- Contactless integrated circuit(s) cards".
[i.19] ISO/IEC TR 18047-3: "Information technology -- Radio frequency identification device
conformance test methods -- Part 3: Test methods for air interface communications at 13,56 MHz".
[i.20] ISO/IEC 15693-3: "Identification cards - Contactless integrated circuit cards - Vicinity cards -
Part 3: Anticollision and transmission protocol".
[i.21] ISO/IEC 10373-4: "Identification cards -- Test methods -- Part 4: Contactless integrated circuit
cards".
[i.22] ISO/IEC 10373-6: "Identification cards - Test methods - Part 6: Proximity cards".
[i.23] ISO/IEC 10373-7: "Identification cards -- Test methods -- Part 7: Vicinity cards".
[i.24] ETSI EN 302 291: "Electromagnetic compatibility and Radio spectrum Matters (ERM); Short
Range Devices (SRD); Close Range Inductive Data Communication equipment operating at
13,56 MHz".
[i.25] ISO/IEC 18092: "Information technology -- Telecommunications and information exchange
between systems -- Near Field Communication -- Interface and Protocol (NFCIP-1)".
[i.26] ECMA 340: "Near Field Communication Interface and Protocol (NFCIP-1)".
[i.27] Void.
[i.28] ISO/IEC 18046 (parts 1 to 3): "Information technology -- Radio frequency identification device
performance test methods".
[i.29] ISO/IEC18000-1: "Information technology -- Radio frequency identification for item management
-- Part 1: Reference architecture and definition of parameters to be standardized".
[i.30] ITU Radio Regulations.
[i.31] Void.
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9 ETSI TR 103 059 V1.2.1 (2013-11)
[i.32] ECC Report 67: Compatibility study for generic limits for the emission levels of inductive SRDs
below 30 MHz.
[i.33] RFID report BNetzA: Measurements to characterize HF RFID signals and to determine the
interference to the HF broadcast service: M66-17R0-SE24-at-13MHz-Test-Report.
[i.34] Liaison statement from ETSI-ERM to ECC WGSE #63 dated 2012-11-07, Doc. ECC/SE(13)016.
[i.35] M436: Standardization Mandate To The European Standardization Organization Organizations
CEN, CENELEC and ETSI In The Field Of Information And Communication Technologies
Applied To Radio Frequency (RFID And Systems.
[i.36] Summary for the 13.56 MHz RFID Measurement campaign (for BC.
[i.37] ETSI Liaison statement from ECC WGSE to ETSI-ERM: SE(13)049A20-LS to ETSI TC ERM on
ETSI TR 103 059 for RFID 13.56 MHz.doc.
[i.38] "Measuring Lean benefits using Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) technology".
NOTE: http://www.rfidinfo.jp/whitepaper/381.pdf.
[i.39] 2006/771/EC: Commission Decision of 9 November 2006 on harmonisation of the radio spectrum
for use by short-range devices.
3 Definitions, symbols and abbreviations
3.1 Definitions
For the purposes of the present document, the following terms and definitions apply:
bulk reading: extension of single reading to a set of tags within the illumination field
identification system: equipment consisting of a transmitter(s), receiver(s) (or a combination of the two) and an
antenna(s) to identify objects by means of a transponder
Short Range Devices (SRDs): radio devices which provide either unidirectional or bi-directional communication and
which have low capability of causing interference to other radio equipment
tag: device that responds to an interrogation signal
3.2 Symbols
For the purposes of the present document, the following symbols apply:
P Power
R Distance
f frequency
f carrier frequency in Hz
C
H magnetic field strength
kB/s Data transmission speed
λ Wave length
3.3 Abbreviations
For the purposes of the present document, the following abbreviations apply:
AIDC Automatic Identification and Data Capture
AM Amplitude Modulation
ANFR Agence Nationale des Fréquences
ASK Amplitude Shift Keying
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10 ETSI TR 103 059 V1.2.1 (2013-11)
BC BroadCasting
DRM Digital Radio Mondiale
EAS Electronic Article Surveillance
ECC Electronic Communications Committee
EM ElectroMagnetic
EPC Electronic Product Code
ERC European Radiocommunications Committee
FD Full Duplex
HF High Frequency
IC Integrated Circuit
ISM Industrial Scientific Medical
ISO International Standards Organisation
LF Low Fequency
LS Liason Statement
NB Narrow Band
NFC Near Field Communication
NRZ Non Return Zero
PSK Phase Shift Keying
RF Radio Frequency
RR Radio Regulations
RX Radio Receiver
SRD Short Range Device
TG Task Group
TX Transmitter
UHF Ultra High Frequency
WB Wide BAnd
4 Comments on the System Reference Document
4.1 Comments on the revised version 1.2.1
No comments are received to date.
4.2 Revised items in version 1.2.1
The revision of V1.2.1 covers two different application families. The combined transmitter mask of the version V1.1.1
has been changed in clause 8 to two individual transmitter masks for a Narrowband/Long range and a Wideband/Short
range application.
The main changes are in:
• Executive summary
• Clause 6.1, Market information
• Clause 7, Technical information (7.1.1, 7.2.1 and 7.3)
• Clause 8 Radio spectrum request and justification (8.1, 8.1.1, 8.2 and 8.2.2)
• Clause 9, Regulations, (9.1, 9.2 and 9.3)
Other revisions concern textual updates in various places.
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11 ETSI TR 103 059 V1.2.1 (2013-11)
5 Background information
5.1 The current situation
RFIDs operating at 13,56 MHz meet a number of different market requirements and have reached the highest market
acceptance and penetration among all other RFID technologies operating at other frequency ranges.
The increase rate over the next decade is about 50 % or higher. This is based on an already high level of installed
systems and particularly the number of tags. This high level of acceptance is due to the versatile yet simple 13,56 MHz
inductive technology.
13,56 MHz benefits are:
• Frequency band is harmonized in ITU regions 1, 2 and 3
• Near field properties RFIDs have distinct features well defined and limited operating range
• Very high spectrum efficient technology 13,56 MHz ±7 kHz is sufficient
• High coverage of Standards by global standards (ISO) and regional as
well as different application specific
standards
• Highest data rate and bidirectional communications up to 423 kB/s for sophisticated, secure
data transmission and anti-collision and up
to 30 MB/s for short distance systems
• Low cost structure using mature and high volume technologies
• Choice of technology for or short or long operating ranges at very high or high data rates
Regarding the achievable operating range, the regulation for the carrier field strength level was increased from
42 dBµA/m to 60 dBµA/m a few years ago in order to provide higher reading ranges and to meet the market demands.
At the time, the market primarily required read-only tags and the achievable high reading range was effectively enabled
by the 60 dBµA/m limit.
The increased complexity of RFID systems, the level of sophistication of the various applications, last but not least the
need for data protection and enhanced capability for data security have dictated the shift from read-only and
unidirectional data communication to bidirectional communication between reader and the tag. New applications
necessitate the bandwidth increase from ±900 kHz to ±7 MHz.
Bidirectional communication to the tags is essential for present RFID systems with sophisticated protocols e.g. for
addressing individual tags, and also enabling data security functions. For bulk reading environments fast protocols for
tag serialization is required, which is only feasible with bidirectional communication.
The large majority of the RFID systems respectively the tags are passive, this is a precondition for high market
penetration and reliable operation at low cost. Passive tags face a number of limitations for realizing the chip
technology, especially if bidirectional communication between reader and tag is required.
The bidirectional communication requires that the tag activation signal is to be ASK or PSK modulated. The ASK
modulation level has to be minimum ~10 % (respectively a modulation index of 18 %) in order to be reliably detected
by the passive tags.
The present modulation mask, initially defined for operation at a carrier level of 42 dBµA/m, works satisfactorily with
the present modulation mask level of 9 dBµA/m. However using the increased carrier level of 60 dBµA/m the
modulation level of 9 dBµA/m is too low.
The present document supports the need for amending the modulation emission levels and defines the required
modulation mask to allow reliable bidirectional communication at the carrier operation level of 60 dBµA/m.
The present modulation mask, initially defined for operation at a carrier level of 42 dBµA/m, works satisfactorily with
the present modulation mask level of 9 dB/µA/m but with the increased carrier level the modulation level is too low and
no longer functional to support bidirectional communication at 60 dBµA/m.
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12 ETSI TR 103 059 V1.2.1 (2013-11)
The present document supports the need for amending the modulation emission levels and defines the required
modulation mask to support bidirectional communication at the operation level of 60 dBµA/m.
5.2 The 13,56 MHz inductive RFID technology
• RFID systems at 13,56 MHz basically operate as magnetically coupled and tuned circuits.
• Systems can use the design trade-off potential to either make use of high quality factors (Q) for the antenna
circuits in order to provide the highest efficiency to power the tags over the maximum required reading
distance at moderate data rates, or using a lower Q and broadband tuned circuits supporting high data rates up
to 100 kBit/s resulting in lower ranges.
• A distinct advantage of the 13,56 MHz technology is the fact that 13,56 MHz RFID systems operate in the
near field propagation domain which features:
- high field strength roll-off of ~60 dB/decade [i.2] and [i.5];
- lower interference potential to other services operating in the same or nearby frequency bands [i.3] and
[i.6];
- the re-use of the frequency band allowing high spectrum efficiency as dense operation of 13,56 MHz
RFID systems in a given area;
- controlled and limited operating range and free from reflections and diffraction.
Inductive technology RFIDs therefore have favourable propagation properties and ideally suited for Short Range
Device (SRD) operation which are not present with other RFIDs operating in higher frequency ranges and at EM fields.
Another aspect for future high market growth and significantly lower cost is that the printed chip technology for RFIDs
is opening significantly larger markets as compared to the present RFID forecasts because of the much lower cost [i.4]
and [i.7].
The most limiting factor for further deployment of the 13,56 MHz RFID technology is the regulatory constraint for the
modulation emission level and bandwidth as detailed in the present document.
5.3 The socio-economic benefits
The RFIDs are an established technology in the industry, known as "Automatic Identification and Data Capture (AIDC)
technology" and have developed nowadays as an active and indispensable part in all areas of daily life.
AIDC technologies primarily known as Bar Codes. The next generation and successor or complementary technology to
Bar Codes is the RFID technology which is more versatile and essential for applications such as e. g. logistics, apparel
and textiles, industrial installations, payment, access control, ecology savings, libraries, medical and many other
applications as explained in annex A [i.4].
There are a number of new applications and markets which are imperative for the public. A number of states have
already regulated some applications using the new technologies because of the saving cost, allowing international
control/security functions, such as e-Pass and the ID card, driver licenses or similar applications. These are all using
13,56 MHz RFID according to ISO standards.
Therefore 13,56 MHz tags presenting high volumes and provide fast growing markets over the next decade and beyond.
The enabler for the various new applications is on one hand a wideband/short range transmitter mask to cope with wide
modulation range of ±7 MHz for applications requiring high data speed as defined in ISO/IEC 14443-2 [i.8] and on the
other hand narrowband/long ranges to allow a sufficiently high modulation level as required by ISO/IEC 15693-1 [i.9]
and ISO/IEC 18000-3 [i.17].
This can be optimally realized with two transmitter masks like: (a) a wideband/short range transmitter masks for the
ISO/IEC 14443 [i.8] and (b) a narrow/long range transmitter mask for the ISO/IEC 15693-1 [i.9], and similar
applications.
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13 ETSI TR 103 059 V1.2.1 (2013-11)
As example of the socio-economic benefits in the various applications in the industrial area where RFIDs conforming to
the narrow band/long range mask ISO/IEC 15693 [i.9] and ISO/IEC 18000-3 [i.17] can be used and is shown in table 1
identifying savings and performance improvements using RFIDs in a manufacturing environment [i.38].
This is typical for ISO/IEC 18000-3 [i.17] for 13,56 MHz in industrial applications.
Table 1: Savings of Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) technology
Parameter Benefit
Productivity Increased between 10 % and 100 %
Throughput times Decreased between 40 % and 90 %
Inventories Decreased between 40 % and 90 %
Scrap Reduced between 10 % and 50 %
Space savings Between 30 % and 60 %
Overtime Decreased up to 90 %
Safety-related injuries Decreased up to 50 %
Product development time Decreased up to 30 %

Other main application examples of ISO/IEC 15693 [i.9] and ISO/IEC 18000-3 [i.17] are ticketing, and access control
e.g. ski pass, parking, tracking and tracing, libraries, etc.
The various other ISO and other technical standards for 13,56 MHz RFID's are given in clause 6.3.
6 Market information
6.1 General
Besides the Low Frequency (LF) RFID systems, the 13,56 MHz technology is one of the first RFID technologies
brought to the market back in 1995 or earlier in the form of the first smartcard applications. Presently the market covers
a variety of applications.
The market for 13,56 MHz applications is established in the following application areas which are characterized in two
main areas, a narrowband/long range application and in a wideband/short range application (the list of applications may
not be complete):
• For the Narrowband/Long Range RFID TX mask the main applications are:
1) Logistics and materials handling, where goods and mobile assets are tagged for their use along the supply
chain [i.11].
2) Libraries, books handling.
3) Ecology related applications such as waste management.
4) Item level tagging - especially efficient if combined with an Electronic Article Surveillance (EAS)
function which can be performed in the same chip.
NOTE: The 60 dBµA/m emission level according to ERC/REC 70-03 [i.10], Annex 9 provided the needed
reading ranges of RFIDs to cover combine the EAS function with RFIDs. These EAS devices are
extremely range critical and the needed operational EAS ranges were previously only achieved at
different frequencies with very simple EAS technologies.
5) Automatic display of information where items are tagged to provide additional information to consumers
on products and services.
6) Medical applications in identifying equipment, medical process steps, monitoring, etc.
7) Inventory audit, for example in warehouses where boxes or pallets are tagged to improve the speed,
accuracy and efficiency of stock taking.
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14 ETSI TR 103 059 V1.2.1 (2013-11)
8) Asset monitoring and maintenance, where mostly fixed and high value assets are tagged to store
information, e.g. for maintenance purposes.
9) Tagging in the apparel manufacturing and laundry services for industrial and private use.
10) Item flow control in processes, RFID tags are attached to items which are moving along a production
line.
For the Wideband/Short Range RFID mask the main applications are:
1) Payment systems to secure transactions (i.e. smart cards).
2) e-Passport, ID cards, with authentication to provide secure identification mechanisms for persons.
3) Ticketing, mass transportation.
4) NFC and Data streaming.
5) Document tracking.
6) Medical, patient tracking.
7) Security access.
Table 2 summarizes the various RFID applications, operating ranges and associated to the required transmitter mask of
figure 9.
Table 2: Overview of major 13,56 MHz Applications
Application Solutions Type TX Mask Type Environment
Library Security Gates Long Range NB, Fig 10 Medium and large
Libraries
Automatic Sorter Long Range NB, Fig 10
Book return Short Range WB, Fig 11
Self-service, Check-In/Check-out Short Range WB, Fig 11
Hand Held Reader Short Range WB, Fig 11
Logistic & Supply Dock doors Long Range NB, Fig 10 Industrial facility
chain Management Industrial automatic sorter Long Range NB, Fig 10
Document tracking Short Range WB, Fig 11
Healthcare RFID-Tunnel inside the production Long Range NB, Fig 10 Industrial facility
line
Document tracking Short Range WB, Fig 11 Hospital
Patient safety Short Range WB, Fig 11
Laundry RFID-Tunnel/Industrial tracking Long Range NB, Fig 10 Industrial facility
Laundry dispenser Short Range WB, Fig 11 Hospital, Factory
Access control Security access Short Range WB, Fig 11 Building
Ticketing Short Range/ WB, Fig 11 Public
transport/Sport
stations, etc.
ID Card Identification Short Range WB, Fig 11 Various
Payment Payment systems Short Range WB, Fig 11 Large Shops
e-Passport/National Passports & ID Cards Short Range WB, Fig 11 Airports, customs,
ID Cards frontiers
Near field NFC Short Range WB, Fig 11 Shops, Public
Communication
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15 ETSI TR 103 059 V1.2.1 (2013-11)
Figure 1 highlights the percentage of the two application categories. This is a projection for 2020, approximately
6 years after the introduction. The wideband application present the majority of 97 % and the narrowband applications
are only used in about 3 % of all the new applications.

Figure 1
6.2 History, technology and systems
The first developments of RFIDs wireless cards were based on the "Close Coupling (smart) Cards" which had to be
positioned rather precisely to match the position of the coils of the card with the position of the reader coils in order to
have a functioning inductive coupled link for power and data.
Therefore these close coupling cards were slot operated (these close coupling cards were operated at 4,9 MHz and
presented the forerunner of the 13,56 MHz system).
The 13,56 MHz RFID Systems for proximity cards were first developed by Mikron in the early 90's as Fare Collection
systems and deployed in volume as MIFARE system from 1996 onwards. The first major application was a 13,56 MHz
RFID card (U-pass) deployed for instance in Seoul for ticketing/payment systems. The MIFARE card was only for
short distance operation. In 1998 Mikron was acquired by Philips® and later transferred to NXP® which continued the
success story of this ISO/IEC 14443-2 Amd. 3 [i.8] smartcard technology with about 1 Billion cards sold.
While the ISO/IEC 14443-2 Amd. 3 [i.8] card was designed for short range and proximity operation (5 cm to 10 cm)
and with inherent safety functionality. From 1999 onwards, the ISO/IEC 15693-1 [i.9] the RFID technology was
expanded the operation range and the application was called the vicinity RFID card. A few years later ISO SC 31
developed the ISO/IEC 18000-3 [i.17] for industrial applications. This allowed reading ranges up to 1,5 m, initially for
access control but also successful in many different industrial applications.
This is one example for the unique 13,56 MHz technology providing either long range which is enabled by high Q Tag
antenna circuits which limits the bandwidth and data speed or system designers have the choice for short range RFID
systems with very high data speed at larger modulation bandwidth.
6.3 Overview of 13,56 MHz RFID family and standards
There are more than five 5 different standards available for the RFID frequency band of 13,56 MHz, they differ in
different reading ranges, modes, modulation rates and data speed according to the different applications, see figure 2.
Table 3 provides an overview of the different 13,56 MHz RFID technologies, applications and the corresponding
reading ranges as one of the key parameters for RFID systems.
ETSI
16 ETSI TR 103 059 V1.2.1 (2013-11)
Table 3: 13,56 MHz RFID reading range overview
Application/technology Standard Reading range
Close coupling Card (initially for 4,9 MHz) ISO/IEC 10536 [i.18] <1 cm
IC Cards (smart cards), e-Pass ISO/IEC 14443-2 [i.8] ~10 cm
Vicinity cards, for access control, etc. ISO/IEC 15693-1 [i.9] ~150 cm
NFC/mobile RFID applications, data ECMA 340 [i.26] ~10 cm
streaming, etc.
Logistics, manufacturing, item tagging, asset ISO/IEC 18000-3 [i.17] ~150 cm
control, etc.
13,56 MHz RFID standards are handled in several Standardization Groups, ISO/IEC JTC1/SC17 (cards),
ISO/IEC JTC1/SC31 (logistics), CEN, CENELEC and NFC/ECMA (mobile phone) in cooperation with ETSI
ERM TG23.
13,56 MHz RFID Air interface according to
EN 300 330-1 [i.2] and other related standards
Logistics IC Cards
NFC
(ISO 10536 [i.18]
EN 302 291 [i.24]
ISO 18000-3 [i.17]
Close coupling-on
Air interface
4,9 MHz)
ISO/IEC 18092
ISO/IEC 14443-2
[i.25]
ISO/IEC TR 18047-3 [i.19]
Amd. 3 [i.8]
Conformance
Smart cards
Test methods
ECMA 340 [i.26]
ISO/IEC 15693-1 [i.9]
Vicinity cards
ISO/IEC 15693-3 [i.20]
NFCIP-1
incl. Anti-collision
ISO/IEC 10373-4
[i.21]
Test Methods for
Automot.ID Guide
ISO/IEC 10536 [i.18]
"Returnable Transp.
Items & Transp.Units"
ISO 10373-6 [i.22]
(JAIF)
Test Methods for
ISO/IEC 14443-2
Amd. 3 [i.8]
CEN EN 14803 [i.12]
Waste
ISO 10373-7 [i.23]
Test Methods for
ISO 15693-1 [i.9]
Figure 2: Overview of the 13,56 MHz RFID standard family
The 13,56 MHz RFID standard for logistics (ISO/IEC 18000-3 [i.17]) operates with different modes, recently a mode
M3 was added which resembles the Gen2 EPC protocol to provide compatibility on the data protocol level as used in
UHF RFID tags.
The ISO standards for logistics and also provides bulk reading of many tags in a given or defined area. This is also
inherent to ISO/IEC 15693-1 [i.9]. Bulk reading (also referred to as anti-collision mechanism) is not needed for RFID
systems operating at low ranges for instance for ISO/IEC 14443-2 Amd. 3 [i.8] smart cards because the low reading
distance of a few centimetres provide physical tag differentiation in order to provide privacy.
ETSI
17 ETSI TR 103 059 V1.2.1 (2013-11)
The NFC family is a data communication device used as high speed data transmission media between different cards,
card and terminals, mobile phones i.e. as mobile ticketing, access card, credit cards and other applications requiring
very high data speed.
The NFC devices are very flexible; they can function as contactless chip cards as well as a reader device for reading
other cards.
Another functionality of NFC is a card to card communication to operate as data link. Depending on the function, NFC
cards can have a battery or operate as passive or active RFID devices.
7 Technical information
7.1 Detailed technical description
7.1.1 13,56 MHz Receiver-Reader restrictions due to present regulations
All high volume applications use the re-usable passive tags for low cost, small size, avoiding environmental problems
and also for simple design and ease of application reasons.
The regulation for the present modulation emissions (mask) as provided in EN 300 330 [i.2] is too restrictive for new
applications. The emitted spectrum widths and the modulation levels have to be modified as proposed by the two new
modulation masks:
• For the narrowband and long range applications, passive Radio Frequency Identification systems are unable to
use the maximum carrier allowance of 60 dBµA/m for bidirectional passive RFIDs because of modulation
sideband restrictions with regard to the needed modulation level. The intended regulation for 13,56 MHz
RFIDs of 60 dBµA/m cannot be used.
• For the wideband and very short range passive RFID systems, the present transmitter mask is too narrow to
allow most of the listed applications nunder 6.1.
While in technically optimized and "classic" radio communication systems with for instance battery powered tags can
operate with low transmitter modulation levels, passive or RF powered tags have to live with a number of compromises
and therefore the proposed system provides higher downlink modulation level for operating at the needed long range.
For instance the receiver of passive
...