RFID standards

A little background on standardization

In the early days of UHF RFID technology (860-960 MHz frequencies), there was a lack of uniform solutions. Four different communication protocols were developed.

Two developed by the International Organization for Standardization ISO (ISO/IEC 18000-6A and B) and two by the EPCglobal organization and the EPC series standards (EPC class 0 generation 1 and EPC class 1 generation 1).

The different standards, the different communication protocols, and the lack of compatibility between them caused many problems that could only be solved by using a reader that supported the different protocols, which entailed additional costs.

Therefore, the EPCglobal organization in 2005 put into use a new EPC Class 1 Generation 2 standard, which aimed to standardize communication protocols so that RFID technology could be used globally across the entire frequency range: from 860 to 960 MHz. This standard has also been adopted by the ISO organization and recorded in the ISO/IEC 18000-6 C document – an international standard that describes a variety of RFID technologies, using unique frequency bands for each.

The latest update to the standard in 2013, dubbed Gen2 version 2 (Gen2v2), meets the expectations of a growing group of RFID users for secure access to tag information, easier use of RFID in anti-theft systems and enabling the fight against counterfeiting.

Gen2v2 offers five new features: fighting counterfeit products, secure access to modify information in the tag, the ability to create isolated files in the tag's memory, the ability to hide certain data in the tag to protect customer privacy, easier use of the tag in anti–theft systems by adding a sold or in–stock code. Depending on the application, users can activate the features they need.

In 2014, ISO incorporated Gen2v2 into its regulations as ISO/IEC 18000-63 standard.

Most important standards

HF RFID

ISO 14443 (Type A and Type B)

Thanks to encryption features and short read range, tags operating in this standard work well in payment solutions, access control, other solutions where security is a key issue;

ISO 15693 (ISO 18000-3 Mode 1) – HF ISO 15693 RFID

Combines low manufacturing costs with high memory capacity, good reads on metal and liquids;

ISO 18000-3 Mode 2

Uncommon standard, but interesting for its features: fast data flow and excellent reads in applications where tags are very close together.

LF RFID

ISO 11784, ISO 11785, ISO 14223

Used in animal identification

ISO/IEC 18000-2:2009

Defines the means of communication between reader and tag and defines the communication protocol in the radio space.

Types of RFID tags

Type A and Type B

Differing in transmission frequencies (125 KHz or 134.2 KHz) and power continuity from the reader.

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