ISO/IEC 18046-3:2020

DRAFT INTERNATIONAL STANDARD
ISO/IEC DIS 18046-3
ISO/IEC JTC 1/SC 31 Secretariat: ANSI
Voting begins on: Voting terminates on:
2019-11-27 2020-02-19
Information technology — Radio frequency identification
device performance test methods —
Part 3:
Test methods for tag performance
Technologies de l'information — Méthodes d'essai des performances du dispositif d'identification par
radiofréquence —
Partie 3: Méthodes d'essai des perfomances du tag
ICS: 35.040.50
THIS DOCUMENT IS A DRAFT CIRCULATED
FOR COMMENT AND APPROVAL. IT IS
THEREFORE SUBJECT TO CHANGE AND MAY
NOT BE REFERRED TO AS AN INTERNATIONAL
STANDARD UNTIL PUBLISHED AS SUCH.
IN ADDITION TO THEIR EVALUATION AS
BEING ACCEPTABLE FOR INDUSTRIAL,
This document is circulated as received from the committee secretariat.
TECHNOLOGICAL, COMMERCIAL AND
USER PURPOSES, DRAFT INTERNATIONAL
STANDARDS MAY ON OCCASION HAVE TO
BE CONSIDERED IN THE LIGHT OF THEIR
POTENTIAL TO BECOME STANDARDS TO
WHICH REFERENCE MAY BE MADE IN
Reference number
NATIONAL REGULATIONS.
ISO/IEC DIS 18046-3:2019(E)
RECIPIENTS OF THIS DRAFT ARE INVITED
TO SUBMIT, WITH THEIR COMMENTS,
NOTIFICATION OF ANY RELEVANT PATENT
RIGHTS OF WHICH THEY ARE AWARE AND TO
©
PROVIDE SUPPORTING DOCUMENTATION. ISO/IEC 2019

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ISO/IEC DIS 18046-3:2019(E)

COPYRIGHT PROTECTED DOCUMENT
© ISO/IEC 2019
All rights reserved. Unless otherwise specified, or required in the context of its implementation, no part of this publication may
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ii © ISO/IEC 2019 – All rights reserved

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ISO/IEC DIS 18046-3:2019(E)

Contents Page
Foreword .vi
Introduction .vii
1 Scope . 1
2 Normative references . 1
3 Terms and definitions . 2
4 Symbols and abbreviated terms . 2
5 Conditions applicable to the test methods . 3
5.1 Number of tags to be tested . 3
5.2 Test environment . 3
5.3 RF environment . 3
5.4 Pre-conditioning . 3
5.5 Default tolerance . 3
5.6 Total measurement uncertainty . 3
5.7 Test result reporting . 3
5.8 Test mounting material . 3
5.9 Test communication parameters . 4
5.10 Test equipment limits . 4
5.11 Human exposure to EMF . 4
6 Setup of test equipment for tag test. 4
6.1 Test apparatus and test circuits for ISO/IEC 18000-2 tags . 4
6.2 Test apparatus and test circuits for ISO/IEC 18000-3 tags . 4
6.3 Test apparatus and test circuits for ISO/IEC 18000-61, ISO/IEC 18000-62, ISO/
IEC 18000-63 and ISO/IEC 18000-64 tags . 4
6.3.1 Propagative UHF tags measurement . 4
6.3.2 Inductive UHF tags measurement . 6
6.4 Test apparatus and test circuits for ISO/IEC 18000-7 tags . 6
7 Functional tests for inductive tags as defined in ISO/IEC 18000-2 and ISO/
IEC 18000-3, ISO/IEC 18000-61, ISO/IEC 18000-62, ISOIEC 18000-63 and ISO/
IEC 18000-64 . 6
7.1 Identification magnetic field threshold (H ) . 6
THR Identification
7.1.1 Purpose . 6
7.1.2 Test procedure . 6
7.2 Reading magnetic field threshold (H ) . 8
THR Read
7.2.1 Purpose . 8
7.2.2 Test procedure . 8
7.2.3 Test report . 9
7.3 Writing magnetic field threshold (H ) . 9
THR Write
7.3.1 Purpose . 9
7.3.2 Test procedure . 9
7.4 Maximum operating magnetic field (H ) .11
max
7.4.1 Purpose .11
7.4.2 Test procedure .11
7.5 Survival magnetic field (H ) .11
Survival
7.5.1 Purpose .11
7.5.2 Test procedure .11
7.6 Load modulation (L ) .11
m
7.6.1 Purpose .11
7.6.2 Test procedure .11
8 Functional tests for propagative tags as defined in ISO/IEC 18000-61, ISO/
IEC 18000-62, ISO/IEC 18000-63 and ISO/IEC 18000-64 .12
8.1 Minimum power threshold (Pmin) for identification, read and write .12
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ISO/IEC DIS 18046-3:2019(E)

8.1.1 Purpose .12
8.1.2 Test procedure .12
8.1.3 Test report .13
8.2 Sensitivity degradation (S ).15
Degradation
8.2.1 Purpose .15
8.2.2 Test procedure .15
8.2.3 Test report .16
8.3 Maximum operating power (Pmax) .18
8.3.1 Purpose .18
8.3.2 Test procedure .18
8.3.3 Test report .18
8.4 Survival electromagnetic power (Psurvial) .19
8.4.1 Purpose .19
8.4.2 Test procedure .19
8.4.3 Test report .20
8.5 Interference rejection (I ) .20
Rejection
8.5.1 Purpose .20
8.5.2 Test procedure .20
8.5.3 Test report .21
8.6 Maximum fade rate (Pmin,fade) .22
8.6.1 Purpose .22
8.6.2 Test procedure .22
8.6.3 Test report .23
9 Functional tests for 433,920 MHz propagative tags as defined in ISO/IEC 18000-7 .24
9.1 Identification electromagnetic field threshold (E ) and frequency
THR Identification
tolerance .24
9.1.1 Purpose .24
9.1.2 Test procedure .24
9.1.3 Test report .25
9.2 Reading electromagnetic field threshold (E ) and frequency tolerance .26
THR Read
9.2.1 Purpose .26
9.2.2 Test procedure .26
9.2.3 Test report .27
9.3 Writing electromagnetic field threshold (E ) .28
THR Write
9.3.1 Purpose .28
9.3.2 Test procedure .28
9.3.3 Test report .29
9.4 Sensitivity Directivity (S ) .29
Directivity
9.4.1 Purpose .29
9.4.2 Test procedure .30
9.4.3 Test report .31
9.5 Interference rejection (I ) .32
Rejection
9.5.1 Purpose .32
9.5.2 Test procedure .32
9.5.3 Test report .35
9.6 Maximum operating electromagnetic field (E ) .35
max
9.6.1 Purpose .35
9.6.2 Test procedure .35
9.6.3 Test report .37
9.7 Survival electromagnetic field (E ) .37
Survival
9.7.1 Purpose .37
9.7.2 Test procedure .37
9.7.3 Test report .38
Annex A (informative) Resonant frequency and Q factor measurement for inductive tag .39
Annex B (normative) Test apparatus modification for ISO/IEC 18000-3 compliant tags
for field strengths > 5 A/m .42
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ISO/IEC DIS 18046-3:2019(E)

Annex C (normative) Test apparatus modification for ISO/IEC 18000-61, ISO/IEC 18000-62,
ISO/IEC 18000-63 and ISO/IEC 18000-64 compliant tags .43
Annex D (informative) Inventory command for all parts of ISO/IEC 18000 .45
Annex E (normative) Backscatter power measurement .46
Bibliography .47
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ISO/IEC DIS 18046-3:2019(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.
The procedures used to develop this document and those intended for its further maintenance are
described in the ISO/IEC Directives, Part 1. In particular the different approval criteria needed for
the different types of document should be noted. This document was drafted in accordance with the
editorial rules of the ISO/IEC Directives, Part 2 (see www .iso .org/directives).
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. Details of any patent rights identified during the development of the document will be in the
Introduction and/or on the ISO list of patent declarations received (see www .iso .org/patents).
Any trade name used in this document is information given for the convenience of users and does not
constitute an endorsement.
For an explanation on the voluntary nature of standards, the meaning of ISO specific terms and
expressions related to conformity assessment, as well as information about ISO's adherence to the
World Trade Organization (WTO) principles in the Technical Barriers to Trade (TBT) see the following
URL: www .iso .org/iso/foreword .html.
This document was prepared by Technical Committee ISO/IEC JTC 1, Information technology,
Subcommittee SC ##, [name of subcommittee].
This second/third/… edition cancels and replaces the first/second/… edition (ISO/IEC #####:####),
which has been technically revised.
The main changes compared to the previous edition are as follows:
— Change of the frequency range to 860 – 930 MHz, as Japan (and no other country) any longer supports
a frequency in the 930 – 960 MHz range
— Adaptation of test method for 860-930 MHz band based on 10 years experience of the use of this
standard.
A list of all parts in the ISO ##### series can be found on the ISO website.
vi © ISO/IEC 2019 – All rights reserved

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ISO/IEC DIS 18046-3:2019(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
Performance tests define test methods that deliver results that allow the comparison of different RFID
systems, interrogator and tags in order to select among them for use in a particular application.
The performance characteristics of devices (tags and interrogation equipment) may vary drastically
due to application factors as well as the particular RFID 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 International Standard provides a framework for meeting the above noted concern and challenges.
To this end, clear definitions of performance as relate to user application of RFID technology in the
supply chain are provided. Based on such application-based definitions test methods are defined with
attention to the test parameters required for a consistent evaluation of RFID devices.
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.
The International Organization for Standardization (ISO) and International Electrotechnical
Commission (IEC) draw attention to the fact that it is claimed that compliance with this document may
involve the use of patents.
The ISO and IEC take no position concerning the evidence, validity and scope of these patent rights.
The holder of this patent right has assured the ISO and IEC that he is prepared to grant a free license
to an unrestricted number of applicants on a worldwide, non-discriminatory basis and under other
reasonable terms and conditions to make, use, and sell RFID reader antenna design / patterns for
implementations of this ISO/IEC International Standard, which is related to testing. In this respect, the
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ISO/IEC DIS 18046-3:2019(E)

statements of the holder of this patent right are registered with the ISO and IEC. Information may be
obtained from the following company.
Affected subclause(s)
Contact details Patent number in this part of
ISO/IEC 18046
Impinj inc Patent pending 6.3.2, 7.1.2.3,
th
701 N. 34 Street, Suite 300 7.3.2.3, 7.4.2.1,
Seattle, WA 98103 7.5.2.1, 7.6.2.3
Tel: 206/517-5300
Fax: 206/517-5262
Attention is drawn to the possibility that some of the elements of this document may be the subject of
patent rights other than those identified above. ISO and IEC shall not be held responsible for identifying
any or all such patent rights.
The latest information on IP that may be applicable to this part of ISO/IEC 18046 can be found at www
.iso .org/patents.
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DRAFT INTERNATIONAL STANDARD ISO/IEC DIS 18046-3:2019(E)
Information technology — Radio frequency identification
device performance test methods —
Part 3:
Test methods for tag performance
1 Scope
This International Standard defines test methods for performance characteristics of RFID tags for
item management and specifies the general requirements and test requirements for tags which are
applicable to the selection of the devices for an application. The summary of the test reports forms a
unified tag datasheet. 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, Information technology — Radio-frequency identification for item management — Part1:
Reference architecture and definition of parameters to be standardiz
...