The need for additional spectrum for RFID in the band 915 – 921 MHz by John Falck <jfalck@jfassociates.biz> Chairman ETSI_ERM_TG34 WG FM Workshop on future use of UHF Spectrum for SRDs, RFID and Smart Metering 04-05 April 2011 – Mainz (Germany)

Main topics Rapid growth in RFID sales Need for improved functionality Requirement to operate in a global harmonised band

Prediction of global sales of tags annually

Annual consumption of tags globally

Increased bandwidth Features Benefits Faster data rates. Applies to both the downlink and uplink Benefits Allows loads carrying a greater number of tagged items to be read . Ability to read faster moving objects

Pallet with high volume of tagged items Loads are carrying an increasing numbers of tagged items. Time to complete loading operation tightly controlled. Only available method to read all the tags is by the use of higher data rates

High speed production process Many manufacturing processes operate at high speeds Present data rates limit the applications open to RFID A greater bandwidth will permit higher data rates, thus better satisfying the needs of users

Increased power levels Feature Greater reading range Better penetration inside pallets etc to read tags Benefits Increased reading range essential for some applications Reduction in lost items in logistical operations

Increased density of interrogators Some applications require interrogators to be positioned close together. Minimum permissible distance between interrogators on the same channel due to inter-modulation products. Additional channels with increased channel spacing will permit the use of interrogators at higher densities.

Form factor of tag Garment industry requires a tag that is small, flexible and thin Unfortunately suffers from a narrow bandwidth Cannot operate over both 865 – 868 MHz and 902 – 928 MHz Tagging at source could lead to distribution problems

New developments Frequency diversity Ranging Switching between different frequencies overcomes the problem of standing wave nulls Particular problem with stationary items Ranging Substantially reduces the problem of reflections Can identify the position of a tagged item in space (e.g. for use with an RFID EAS system)

Need for global frequency band RFID is a global business Increasing movement of tags and interrogators between the ITU Regions Present European designation limits performance

Sharing the band Already 918 – 921 MHz allocated to ER-GSM while 915 – 918 MHz acts as a guard band. Feasibility studies indicate that it will be possible for RFID to share this band with ER-GSM. If approved by ECC, RFID could operate in Europe without the need to designate fresh spectrum

Benefits of operation at 915 – 921 MHz Provision of the additional capacity necessary to accommodate the predicted high growth of RFID Permit a level of functionality that will meet international expectations Operation within the same band used by most of the major trading nations

Thank you for your attention John Falck <jfalck@jfassociates.biz> Chairman ERM_TG34