RFID - Testing and Certification

1. RFID - Testing and Certification Speaker : Alejandro Torrecilla CENTRO DE TECNOLOGÍA DE LAS COMUNICACIONES, S.A. – CETECOM Spain C/Severo Ochoa 2, 29590 Campanillas (Málaga) - SPAIN Phone: +34 95 261 91 23; Fax: +34 95 261 91 13 email: alejandro.torrecilla@cetecom.es URL: www.cetecom.es

2. Overview of RFID technology Regulatory testing & approvals Regulatory concerns Essential information Testing requirements Approval requirements RFID certification CETECOM involvement in RFID technology Index

3. What is RFID? Uses a semiconductor IC in a tag or label to transmit stored data when that tag or label is exposed to radio waves of the correct frequency. RFID System Elements - Reader:The unit powers the coil of wire known as the antenna, filters and powers them for transmission over distance - Air interface:Proximity electromagnetic or inductive coupling / Propagating electromagnetic waves Inductive Coupling Propagation Coupling - Transponder (Tag):A memory device programmed with a series of bits Type of Transponders - Active vs. passive:On-board battery power source / Powered by energy from reader - Read-write vs. read-only Overview of RFID technology

4. Overview of RFID technology Typical applications The way to the market

5. Regulatory concerns RFID systems is a radio equipment: Different frequency bands, different emissions limits: can a RFID device be used or commercialised worldwide? EMF: Hundreds of devices working in a single area: Is constant exposure to radiation safe? RFID is a tracking system easy to use and easy to install: Can privacy be damaged? RFID can be used for outdoors tracking operations: Is it allowed outdoors operations? RFID systems is composed by several elements and each one may have different certification requirements: Have passive transponders to be certified? Regulatory testing & approvals

6. Regulatory testing & approvals Essential requirements - USA

7. Regulatory testing & approvals Essential requirements – USA Transponders • Passive transponders do not need to be certified • Active transponders need to be certified, but under Sections 15.255 and 15.240, they can be certified together with the reader and under a single FCC ID Privacy • Based on three principles • Consumers have the right to know that RFID is being used • Consumers can opt out of using the technology at the point of purchase • Consumers can desactivate RFID tags at the point of purchase • Federal legislation • Not specific legislation • Federal Trade Commission is the body in charge of protection of privacy of the consumers • States legislation: Several states are working on specific legislation • California: 29/04/2004: California Senate OKs Bill SB 1834 to Limit RFID Use • Utah: 01/03/2004: Draft legislation passed House vote but it is rejected in the Senate • Massachusetts: 28/04/2004: Working on a draft bill • Civil liberties organizations claim specific legislation to regulate the use of RFID technology • Proposal of Federal legislation: “RFID Right to Know Act of 2003”

8. Regulatory testing & approvals Essential requirements – EU Future: • Frequency band: 865-868 MHz • Channel spacing: 200 kHz, Channel carriers: 861.1 MHz – 867.9 MHz • Output power: Up to 2 W • Test standard: EN 302 208 (Draft version available)

9. Regulatory testing & approvals Essential requirements – EU Transponders • Passive transponder does not need to be certified under the R&TTE Directive • Active transponder need to be certified, it can be together with the reader of separately, depending on the Notified Body. Privacy • 95/46/EC: Data Protection Directive • Obsolete data collected must be deleted periodically • Other data is subject to “access right” • 2002/58/EC: Privacy and electronic communications Directive • Location data may only processed anonymous or with the consent of the individual • The individuals has to be informed about: • The type of data to be processed • The purposes of the processing • Its duration • Any possible recipients of the data • Possibility of withdrawing the consent of the processing of location data • Possibility of prevent the processing of the location data temporarily

10. Regulatory testing & approvals Essential requirements – Others • 125 kHz, 134.2 kHz and 13.56 MHz are generally worldwide accepted • 902-928 MHz and 2400-2483.5 MHz are generally accepted in ITU Region II • 868-868.6 MHz are generally accepted in ITU Region I • 2446-2454 MHz band is not extended in ITU Region I • Japan • 950-956 MHz possibly open for RFID for 2005 • 433 MHz difficult due to interference with Amateur Radio • Korea • 910-914 MHz possibly open for RFID in second half of 2004 • 433 MHz interference investigations in place - No clear the final decision • Australia and New Zealand: Expected allocation in 923-928 MHz with up to 4 W - End of 2004 • China: They are investigating possible allocations in 860-960 MHz and 433 MHz – No clear the final decision

11. Regulatory testing & approvals Testing requirements – USA Samples preparation: • One sample with antenna prepared for continuous transmission for field strength and spurious emissions measurement • One sample with antenna connector prepared for unmodulated continuous transmission for frequency tolerance measurement • Test Equipment Needed • Spectrum analyser • Semi-Anechoic Chamber • Loop/Bi-log/Horn antenna • Frequency counter • RF coupling device Samples preparation • One sample with antenna and with a test mode for continuous transmission and selection of individual channels • One sample with antenna connector with a test mode for continuous transmission and selection of individual channels and hopping mode

12. Regulatory testing & approvals Testing requirements – EU – EN 300 330 Samples preparation • One sample with antenna prepared for continuous transmission • One sample with antenna connector prepared for continuous transmission (if not available a RF coupling device can be use for measurement of the conducted test cases) Extreme test conditions · Temperature: · Voltage: - General: - 20ºC / 55ºC - Main power: +/- 10 % - Portable: -10ºC / 55ºC - Battery: Depending on the type of battery - Indoor: 0ºC / 55ºC • Test Equipment Needed • Spectrum analyser • Semi-Anechoic Chamber • Loop/Bi-log antenna • RF coupling device Critical!!

13. Regulatory testing & approvals Testing requirements – EU – EN 300 220 Extreme conditions as defined for EN 300 330 testing. Samples preparation • One sample with antenna and with a test mode for continuous transmission/reception and selection of individual channels • One sample with antenna connector with a test mode for continuous transmission and selection of individual channels • Test Equipment Needed • Spectrum analyser • Semi-Anechoic Chamber • Bi-log/Horn antenna • RF coupling device • Adjacent channel power meter • Frequency counter Critical!!

14. Regulatory testing & approvals Testing requirements – EU – EN 300 440 Samples preparation • One sample with antenna and with a test mode for continuous transmission/reception and selection of individual channels • One sample with antenna connector with a test mode for continuous transmission and selection of individual channels Extreme conditions as defined for EN 300 330 testing • Test Equipment Needed • Spectrum analyser • Semi-Anechoic Chamber • Bi-log/Horn antenna • Power Meter

15. Regulatory testing & approvals Testing requirements – EU – Dr. EN 302 208 Samples and extreme conditions as defined for EN 300 440 testing • Test Equipment Needed • Spectrum analyser • Semi-Anechoic Chamber • Bi-log/Horn antenna • Frequency counter • RF coupling device • Signal generator • Prove antenna • Power splitter • Interrogator

16. Regulatory testing & approvals Approval requirements – USA Request Grantee Code (FCC 159 + Filing Fee) (PA only in the case of a new applicant) Test transmitter for radio frequency emissions Once tests indicate that transmitter complies with FCC technical standards, assign FCC ID to transmitter and design compliance label Compile additional technical documentation File FCC form No. 731, FCC form No. 159, emissions test report and technical documentation to FCC or TCB Certificate

17. NB involved NB can be involved Declaration of Conformity Declaration of Conformity Technical Construction File submitted to a NB Technical Documentation Radio Test Suite & DoC according to RF Radio Test Suite CE Marking & DoC CE Marking & DoC Radio Notification to SMA Radio Notification to SMA Regulatory testing & approvals Approval requirements – EU Annex III Annex IV Depending on frequency band

18. Regulatory testing & approvals Approval requirements – Others For detailed information and other countries please consult AMSYS Japan Singapore Australia Brazil South Africa Korea No Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Local holder required FCC or EU test reports and approval accepted (from accredited lab) No Yes Yes No Yes No In-country testing required No No Yes No Yes No Health requirements No Yes Yes No No No Japanese or English English & Portuguese English English English Korean Language TELEC or CAB Approval Body IDA ACA ANATEL RRL ICASA

19. RFID certification • EPC Global will handle a private certification program • To ensure that hardware and software will work properly • Development of standards and specifications to define the different elements of an EPC network • Testing laboratories will be appointed by EPC Global • Certification to be based, not only in conformance, but also in performance • Conformance: Conformity with EPC standards • Performance: Testing in various scenarios or environments: Positions, RF interference, population, etc.

20. CETECOM involvement in RFID • Testing Services • World-Wide Compliance Services • Information Services – through AMSYS (Approval Management System) CETECOM is willing to become a certified laboratory under the EPC Global scheme www.cetecom.es