HLTF5(95)1

SOURCE: TTA[1]

TITLE: Standardization Topics on Network based RFID Services

AGENDA ITEM:Joint 4.7

DOCUMENT FOR:

Decision
Discussion
Information / √

1.DECISION/ACTION REQUESTED

Action asked:This contribution is for your information. It is recommended that GSC-11 delegates take a look at new challenges of B2B, B2C and B2B2C RFID applications and services and corresponding standardization issues to be tackled as extensions as well as additions to existing RFID-related standards.

Proposed resolution: (nothing to be set out.)

2.REFERENCES

[1]The AIM Global, “Standards Groups related to Automatic Identification and Data Capture,”

[2]The High Tech Aid, “RFID Standards – SC31,”

[3]EPCglobal, “Specifications & Ratified Standards,”

[4]ISO/IEC JTC 1/SC 31/WG 4/SG 1, “Intel Leadership in guiding RFID Reader Management Capabilities,” November 2005

[5]Gildas Avoine and Philippe Oechslin, “RFID Traceability: A Multilayer Problem”, EPFL, 2005

[6]ITU-T TSAG, “A proposed new work item on object/ID associations,” November 2005,

3.RATIONALE

As a variety of RFID-based applications and services have been deployed in the market and have changed existing business processes and provided new values to customers, more and more new service requirements have been figured out. That is, existing RFID-based applications and services have been exploited in B2B fields, but currently new types of RFID-based applications and services have been introduced in B2C and B2B2C fields which produce different service requirements and new challenges to be tackled.

B2B, B2C and B2B2C applications must be based on network and communication between service entities distributed globally in the Internet as well as the NGN. So an RFID application network gets associated with L1 to L7 issues. Study issues will depend on network configurations and service architectures.

Existing ISO/IEC standards and drafts don’t cover all requirements of network-based B2B, B2C, and B2B2C RFID applications and neither do EPCglobal’s standards. Both ISO/IEC JTC 1/SC 31 and EPCglobal are still focusing on B2B applications such as the supply chain management, inventory management, manufacturing and processing, logistics, and so on. But emerging RFID applications and services of B2B, B2C and B2B2C models require new and extended features to provide better values to enterprises as well as customers.

This contribution was excerpted from an ITU-T TSAG report, “Review report of Standardization Issues on Network Aspects of Identification including RFID” to introduce standardization activities of other SDOs and new standardization issues to GSC-11 attendees. It deals with:

  • Review of standardization activities of other SDOs to avoid duplicate standards development and make a collaboration of standards development;
  • Analysis of service requirements of networked ID applications and services; and
  • New standardization areas and topics expected.

3.1.Review of Standardization Activities of other SDOs

In order to avoid duplicate standards development and make harmonized collaborations, existing standards and standardization activities of other SDOs are summarized.

3.1.1.ISO Activities

3.1.1.1.ISO/IEC JTC 1 SC 31 Activities

It is a standardization group for the automatic identification and data capture techniques and the major standardization body on RFID issues. The AIM Global summarized the work scopes of working groups of SC 31 as follows[1]:

SC 31 – standardization of data formats, data syntax, data structures, data encoding and technologies for the process of automatic identification and data capture. It has five working groups;

  • WG 1 (Data Carriers) – the development of data carrier specifications and related documentation for linear and 2-dimensional barcode symbologies;
  • WG 2 (Data Structure) – standardization of data structures for the process of automatic identification and data capture;
  • WG 3 (Conformance) – standardization of conformity assessment requirements for automatic identification and data capture technologies, inclusive of test methodologies and test specifications, within the scope of SC 31's area of work and subject to the exclusions defined therein;
  • WG 4 (RFID for Item Management) – development of standards for interoperability of wireless, non-contact omni-directional radio frequency identification devices capable of receiving, storing, and transmitting data while operating at power levels that are in freely available international frequency bands in the area of item level identification and management across the supply chain such as finished good asset management, raw material asset management, material traceability, inventory control, electronic article surveillance, warranty data, production control/robotics, and facilities management. It has four sub-groups;

–SG 1 (Data Syntax) – to develop a technical paper of what should be in the final standards on functions of syntax in a data flow reference model, and provide a technical paper outlining a search/append/solution for RF tags. The subgroup name, “Data Syntax”, was agreed to be changed into “application interface protocols” at the March meeting, 2006;

–SG 2 (Unique ID of RFID Tags) – to make the appropriate research and submit a draft proposal for a standard addressing the unique identification of RFID tags;

–SG 3 (Air Interface) – to progress the work item NP 18000 - Air interface and deal with sensor issues;

–SG 5 (Application Requirements Profile) – to develop application requirements profiles.

  • WG5 (RTLS: Real-Time Locating Systems) – to provide standards for continually monitoring the locations of assets.

Related to RFID, most standards and work items we know are associated with WG 2 and WG 4 activities. The WG 5 is a newly established group for RTLS-related standardization. The WG 2 is developing ISO/IEC 15459-x series standards which specify code schemes for unique identifications of transport units, returnable transport items, supply chain management items, etc. [2]:

  • ISO/IEC 15459-1: Unique identifier for transport units - Part 1: Unique identification of transport units
  • ISO/IEC 15459-2: Unique identifier for transport units - Part 1: Registration procedures
  • ISO/IEC 15459-3: Unique identifier for transport units - Part 3: Common rules for unique identification
  • ISO/IEC 15459-4: Unique identifier for transport units - Part 4: Unique item identification for supply chain management
  • ISO/IEC 15459-5: Unique identifier for transport units - Part 5: Unique Identification of Returnable Transport Items (RTIs)
  • ISO/IEC 15459-6: Unique identifier for transport units - Part 6: Unique identification for product groupings in material lifecycle management

The WG4 developed and is developing other remaining work items such as [2]:

  • ISO/IEC 15961: application interfaces of a data protocol to specify a common interface between application programs and an RFID reader
  • ISO/IEC 15961-1: Data protocol - Part 1: Application interface
  • ISO/IEC 15961-2 Data protocol - Part 2: Registration of RFID data constructs
  • ISO/IEC 15961-3 Data protocol - Part 3: RFID data constructs
  • ISO/IEC 15962: data encoding rules and logical memory functions of the data protocol
  • ISO/IEC 15963: unique identification of RFID tags
  • ISO/IEC 18001: application requirements profile (ARP)
  • ISO/IEC 18047: RFID device conformance test methods, split to mirror ISO/IEC 18000

−ISO/IEC 18047-1 Part 1: Not available

−ISO/IEC 18047-2 Part 2: parameters for air interface communications below 135 kHz

−ISO/IEC 18047-3 Part 3: parameters for air interface communications at 13.56 MHz

−ISO/IEC 18047-4 Part 4: parameters for air interface communications at 2.45 GHz

−ISO/IEC 18047-5 Part 5: Not available

−ISO/IEC 18047-6 Part 6: parameters for air interface communications at 860 to 960 MHz

−ISO/IEC 18047-7 Part 7: parameters for air interface communications at 433 MHz

  • ISO/IEC 18046: RFID tag and interrogator performance test methods
  • ISO/IEC 19762: harmonized vocabulary
  • ISO/IEC 24710: Elementary tag license plate functionality for ISO/IEC 18000 air interface definitions
  • ISO/IEC 18000: RFID air interface specifications for item management

−ISO/IEC 18000-1 Part 1: generic parameters for the air interface for globally accepted frequencies

−ISO/IEC 18000-2 Part 2: parameters for air interface communications below 135 kHz

−ISO/IEC 18000-3 Part 3: parameters for air interface communications at 13.56 MHz

−ISO/IEC 18000-4 Part 4: parameters for air interface communications at 2.45 GHz

−ISO/IEC 18000-5 Part 5: withdrawn

−ISO/IEC 18000-6 Part 6: parameters for air interface communications at 860 to 960 MHz

−ISO/IEC 18000-7 Part 7: parameters for air interface communications at 433 MHz

  • ISO/IEC 24729: implementation guidelines

−ISO/IEC 24729-1 Part 1: RFID-enabled labels

−ISO/IEC 24729-2 Part 2: recyclability of RF tags

−ISO/IEC 24729-3 Part 3: RFID interrogator/ antenna installation

  • ISO/IEC 24752: a reader system management protocol
  • ISO/IEC 24730: Real Time Locating Systems

−ISO/IEC 24730-1 Part 1: RTLS - application programming interface

−ISO/IEC 24730-2 Part 2: RTLS - 2.4 GHz air interface protocol

−ISO/IEC 24730-3 Part 3: RTLS - 433 MHz air interface protocol

−ISO/IEC 24730-4 Part 4: RTLS - Global Locating Systems

  • ISO/IEC 24753: Air Interface Commands for Battery Assist and Sensor Functionality
  • ISO/IEC 24769: RTLS - RTLS Device Conformance Test Methods
  • ISO/IEC 24770: RTLS - RTLS Device Performance Test Methods

ISO/IEC JTC 1/SC 31 has focused on business applications, especially supply chain management, considering air interface protocols, RFID reader system management protocol, d existing NGN data processing protocol between reader and middleware host, code schemes, tag data formats, and so on. But its communication scope is within a local network or an organization. In addition to those work items, it is noted that SC 31 is looking at sensor issues.But there has been lack of considerations on following issues:

  • Technical issues for B2C RFID applications which have different service requirements requiring extended features and additional functions;
  • Technical issues for a nation-wide or global network operation for both B2B and B2C;
  • Technical issues for higher layer applications and protocols, including security, to support new service requirements of emerging B2C and B2B ID-based applications and services; and
  • Technical issues for sensor networking with other sensor nodes and other access networks.

Detail technical issues are described in the section 3.3.

3.1.1.2.ISO/IEC JTC 1 SC 6 Activities

ISO/IEC JTC 1 SC 6 is considering expansion of the work scope of WG 1 to cover USN (Ubiquitous Sensor Network) so called WSN (Wireless Sensor Network). Its proposed ToR is “Physical and data link layer issues and higher layer services and protocols over these layers”. Its considered areas are PHY/MAC protocols for USN, network and application layer protocols for ubiquitous terminals and sensor nodes, and security protocols for sensors and USN devices. It is expected the work scope extension is determined in 2006.

3.1.1.3.ISO TC 104 Activities

Its work scope covers standardization of freight containers, having an external volume of one cubic meter (35.3 cubic feet) and greater, as regards terminology, classification, dimensions, specifications, handling, test methods and marking. Its SC 4, identification and communication, covers standardization of freight containers visual marks (location, encoding, design and size); identification (identity codes and marks, automatic container identification system, identification transmission protocol); and data elements and their codes for container related communication. SC 4 has a few working groups and WG 2 deals with electronic container seals with following draft standards:

  • ISO 830: Freight containers - Vocabulary
  • ISO 17712: Freight containers - Mechanical seals
  • ISO 18185: Freight containers - Electronic container seals

−ISO 18185-1 Part 1: Communication protocol

−ISO 18185-2 Part 2: Environmental characteristics

−ISO 18185-3 Part 3: Application requirements

−ISO 18185-4 Part 4: Data protection

−ISO 18185-6 Part 6: Messages sets for transfer between seal reader and host computer

−ISO 18185-7 Part 7: Physical layer

3.1.1.4.ISO TC 122 Activities

Its work scope is standardization in the field of packaging with regard to terminology and definitions, packaging dimensions, performance requirements and tests. It has three working groups. WG 5 (Packaging Terminology and Vocabulary) is developing “ISO 21067: Packaging – Vocabulary.” WG 4 deals with bar code symbols on unit loads and transport packages. WG 7 covers linear bar code and two-dimensional symbols for product packaging.

3.1.1.5.ISO TC 122/104 JWG Activities

The joint group deals with supply chain applications of RFID. Supply chain applications handle various logistic units as shown in Figure 1.

Following draft standards are being progressed:

  • ISO 10374.2: Freight containers - RF automatic identification
  • ISO 17363: Supply chain applications of RFID - Freight containers
  • ISO 17364: Supply chain applications of RFID - Returnable transport items
  • ISO 17365: Supply chain applications of RFID - Transport units
  • ISO 17366: Supply chain applications of RFID - Product packaging
  • ISO 17367: Supply chain applications of RFID - Product tagging

Figure 1 – The layers of logistic units

3.1.2.EPCglobal Activities

The EPCglobal is an industry standardization body for all layer issues of an RFID system and application but it focuses on business applications such as SCM, inventory management, etc. Following specifications were developed [3]:

  • EPC tag data standard; dealing with how data is encoded on the EPC tag itself (i.e. the EPC Tag Encodings), as well as how it is encoded for use in the information systems layers of the EPC Systems Network (i.e. the EPC URI Encodings);
  • UH and UHF air interface protocols;

–900 MHz Class-0 RFID tag specification: it specifies the communications interface and protocol for 900 MHz Class 0 operation. It includes the RF and tag requirements and provides operational algorithms to enable communications in this band;

–860 MHz – 930 MHz Class-1 RFID tag radio frequency and logical communication interface specification: it specifies the communications interface and protocol for 860 - 930 MHz Class 1 operation. It includes the RF and tag requirements to enable communications in this band;

–900 MHz Class-1 Generation-2 air interface protocol standard: it defines the physical and logical requirements for a passive-backscatter, Interrogator-talks-first (ITF), RFID system operating in the 860 MHz - 960 MHz frequency range. The system comprises Interrogators, also known as Readers, and Tags, also known as Labels. The specification is adopted as ISO/IEC 18000-6 PDAM as the Type C; and

–13.56 MHz ISM Band Class-1 RFID tag interface specification: it defines the communications interface and protocol for 13.56 MHz Class 1 operation. It also includes the RF and tag requirements to enable communications in this band.

  • Class-1 Generation-2 UHF RFID conformance requirements specification: it specifies the following for the EPCglobal Class-1 Generation-2 UHF RFID Protocol for Communications at 860 MHz – 960 MHz (the Protocol) – Compliance requirements for physical interactions (the signaling layer of the communications) between interrogators and tags, and Compliance requirements for interrogator and tag operating procedures and commands;
  • Application Level Event (ALE) specification: it specifies an interface through which clients may obtain filtered and consolidated EPC data from a variety of sources; and
  • Object Naming Service (ONS) specification: it specifies how the Domain Name System is used to locate authoritative metadata and services associated with the SGTIN portion of a given EPC. That is, it provides the code resolution from a code to a URI.

Additionally following specifications are being developed:

  • EPC information services specification: It enables disparate applications to leverage EPC data via EPC-related data sharing, both within and across enterprises. Ultimately, this sharing is aimed at enabling participants in the EPC Network to gain a shared view of the disposition of EPC-bearing objects within a relevant business context;
  • Reader protocol between a device capable of reading (and possibly writing) tags and a middleware application host;
  • Reader management protocol between readers and management server to monitor the operating status and health of EPCglobal compliant tag readers; and
  • something else such as:

–EPCIS “Discovery”

–Subscriber Authentication

–RFID Reader Coordination

–RFID Tag-level Security and Privacy

–“User Data” in RFID Tags

–Tag Writing, Killing, Locking above the Reader Protocol Layer

–Master Data for RFID Tag Manufacture Data

Since EPCglobal has focused on business-purposes RFID applications, especially supply chain management, its basic communication scope is within a local network or an organization. Even though the EPC Network can expand to a global network via EPC-IS, EPC-IS discovery, ONS, ALE, and XML and Web Services technologies, there has been lack of considerations on following issues:

  • Technical issues for B2C RFID applications which have different service requirements requiring extended features and additional functions;
  • Technical issues for a nation-wide or global network operation for B2C in which RFID readers have different purposes compared to EPC readers;
  • Technical issues for higher layer applications and protocols, including security, to support new service requirements of emerging B2C and B2B ID-based applications and services; and
  • Technical issues for sensor networking with other sensor nodes and other access networks.

3.1.3.Ubiquitous ID Center Activities

Ubiquitous ID Centeris a world-wide non-profit organization for ubiquitous computing technologies that was launched March 2003. The number of member companies are more than 500 all over the world. Ubiquitous ID Center succeeds to the works of ubiquitous computing research result by the TRON Project. The activities of Ubiquitous ID Center include as follows.

  • Constructing an ID system of ucodes, which are assigned to “physical objects” and “places”.
  • Establishing the core technology for using ucodes.

–Data carrier devices to store ucodes called ucode tags (RFID, Smart cards, Active chips, etc.).

–Devices that communicate with data carrier devices (Ubiquitous Communicators).

–Establishing the core technology for information and communications that enables searching for information associated with ucodes (ucode resolution servers).

  • Establishing the core technology for secure wide-area distribution systems for ucodes and information linked to ucodes.

–Allocatingucode spaces

–Running the ucode resolution servers.

–Running the eTRON authentication authority.

3.1.4.NFC Forum Activities

The NFC Forum was launched as a non-profit industry association in 2004 by leading mobile communications, semiconductor and consumer electronics companies. The Forum’s mission is to advance the use of Near Field Communication (NFC) technology by developing specifications, ensuring interoperability among devices and services, and educating the market about NFC technology.