ISO/IEC 14443-4:2018/Amd 2:2020

Overview

ISO/IEC 14443-4:2018/Amd 2:2020 is an international standard amendment that focuses on contactless proximity cards and security devices used for personal identification. Specifically, this amendment enhances the transmission protocol in Part 4 of ISO/IEC 14443 to improve harmonization across implementations. Originally published in 2018, Amendment 2 was released in August 2020 by ISO and IEC, the leading organizations in worldwide standardization for information technology and personal identification technologies.

The amendment updates key protocol processes, error handling, and state management operations to ensure smoother, more uniform communication between Proximity Coupling Devices (PCDs) and Proximity Integrated Circuit Cards (PICCs). It is an important evolution for applications relying on secure, contactless transmission of data such as identity verification, access control, and electronic payment systems.

Key Topics

• Transmission Protocol Enhancements
  Amendment 2 introduces refinements to the transmission protocol focusing on error recovery, protocol state transition, and parameter exchange. These ensure compatibility and reliable interaction between different manufacturers' devices.

• Error Handling and Recovery
  The amendment clarifies procedures for cases where messages such as S(PARAMETERS) or S(DESELECT) blocks are sent or not acknowledged, detailing how PCDs should react (e.g., retry sequences, ignore errors, reset fields) to maintain robust communication.

• Deactivation Process Updates
  The standard revises instructions for deactivating PICCs after transactions are complete, recommending the use of the S(DESELECT) command over previously defined "deactivation sequences." This streamlines the transition of cards to a HALT or inactive state.

• Protocol Parameter Management
  Enhancements include new rules on how devices should handle unknown, unsupported, or malformed parameters in communication blocks, improving harmonization by preventing unintended state changes and ensuring protocol compliance.

• Harmonization Across Device Types
  Footnotes and parameter value guidelines were adjusted to uniformly handle differences between Type A and Type B PICCs, facilitating better cross-device interoperability.

Applications

The enhanced ISO/IEC 14443-4 transmission protocol amendment applies broadly across sectors utilizing contactless personal identification technologies:

• Access Control Systems
  Improving protocol reliability ensures secure, seamless authentication at secured facilities, offices, and controlled areas.

• Electronic Payment Solutions
  Contactless payment cards and devices benefit from the refined error handling and deactivation processes, reducing transaction failures and enhancing user experience.

• Government IDs and Passports
  National identity cards and ePassports implemented with ISO/IEC 14443 benefit from harmonized transmission protocols to support border control and identity verification.

• Public Transport Ticketing
  Contactless transit cards rely on standardized communication protocols for quick, error-free fare processing.

• Secure Authentication Tokens
  Devices providing multi-factor authentication for IT systems leverage these protocol enhancements for improved security and device interoperability.

Related Standards

For comprehensive understanding and integration of contactless identification technologies, the following related ISO/IEC standards in the 14443 series should be considered:

• ISO/IEC 14443-1: Physical characteristics of contactless proximity cards
• ISO/IEC 14443-2: Radio frequency power and signal interface
• ISO/IEC 14443-3: Initialization and anti-collision protocols
• Other ISO/IEC 14443-4 amendments and revisions: Expanding and maintaining transmission protocol standards

Organizations implementing contactless personal identification solutions should review the full suite of ISO/IEC 14443 parts to ensure compliance and interoperability.

By adhering to the ISO/IEC 14443-4:2018/Amd 2:2020 standard, manufacturers and system integrators can enhance the security, reliability, and compatibility of contactless proximity cards and devices worldwide, promoting seamless integration in diverse applications.