The International Standards Organization (ISO) and EPCglobal are two organizations that have worked together to establish standards and protocols for RFID equipment. These standards aim to provide universal specifications that promote the worldwide adoption of UHF RFID technology. The ISO 18000-6C is one such standard that has had a significant impact on the RFID industry.
Understanding ISO 18000-6C
The ISO 18000-6C standard describes the communication standards for UHF Class 1 Gen 2 ITF or Interrogator-Talks-First RFID readers and tags. In ITF RFID systems, the tag modulates its information and backscatters to the reader only after the reader sends the command.
Three essential components of reader-tag communication are defined in the ISO 18000-6C standard: how the information is coded, how it is modulated, and the anti-collision protocols used. This standard states that UHF Passive systems are ITF and use Pulse Interval Encoding (PIE), Amplitude-Shift Keying (ASK), and Q-algorithm (a form of slotted ALOHA).
Bit-Coding & Modulation
Pulse Interval Encoding (PIE) is used in ISO 18000-6C equipment for the reader to tag communication. It describes how a message is encoded before being sent from the reader to the tag. PIE, similar to Morse Code, uses long and short pauses to represent a “1” or a “0”. A longer pause indicates a “1” while a shorter pause indicates a “0”. PIE works in conjunction with Amplitude Shift Keying (ASK), which describes how the information is modulated. ASK changes the amplitude of the wave to represent digital data.
Two other bit-coding techniques also come into play: Miller Encoded Subcarrier (Miller ES) and Bi-Phase Space coding or FM0. Both of these methods are characterized by transitions instead of pauses.
Anti-Collision Protocols
The ISO 18000-6C also includes protocols to prevent collisions during inventory counts. If two tags respond at the same time to a reader, the reader cannot read either due to the collision. Anti-collision algorithms like the Q algorithm or adaptive Q algorithm are employed by the reader to make reading RFID tags in a room with two or more tags possible. This algorithm is a derivative of a prior one called Slotted ALOHA.
Popular Chips Compliant with ISO 18000-6C
Several popular RFID chips are compliant with the ISO 18000-6C standard. Some of these include the:
- Impinj Monza R6
- NXP UCODE 8
- Alien Higgs 3
- Alien Higgs 9
- NXP UCODE 7
- Impinj Monza 4
These chips are widely used in the industry due to their compliance with the ISO 18000-6C standard and their superior performance in various applications.
Applications of ISO 18000-6C Compliant RFID Tags
RFID technology compliant with the ISO 18000-6C standard finds its most prevalent application in inventory management and supply chain logistics. Businesses often use these tags to track the movement and location of goods throughout their supply chain. For instance, large retail stores use RFID tags to manage inventory in real-time, reduce errors in stock counts, and prevent theft.
Moreover, ISO 18000-6C compliant RFID tags play a critical role in transportation and logistics, where they are used for tracking shipments and containers# I’ll search for more information about the applications of ISO 18000-6C compliant RFID tags in transportation and logistics
sector, ISO 18000-6C compliant RFID tags are leveraged to track shipments and containers. They offer benefits such as improving efficiency, reducing human error, and providing real-time visibility of goods. This ability to track and trace goods as they move through the supply chain greatly enhances transparency and operational efficiency.
In addition, these tags are also utilized in the automobile industry, where they can be attached to vehicles during production to track their progress along the assembly line. They can also be used in toll collection systems, as vehicles equipped with these tags can be automatically identified and billed as they pass through toll booths.
In healthcare, RFID tags are used for tracking medical equipment, medication, and even patients. They help minimize errors, optimize inventory management, and improve patient safety. Also, in library management, these tags can be used to automate checkout and return processes, as well as inventory management.
In summary, RFID technology, specifically those compliant with the ISO 18000-6C standard, has a broad range of applications across various industries. Its capabilities in improving inventory and supply chain management, enhancing operational efficiency, and ensuring accurate tracking of items make it an invaluable tool in our increasingly interconnected and digital world.
