1. The need for additional spectrum for RFID in the band 915 – 921 MHz by John Falck 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)

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

3. Prediction of global sales of tags annually

4. Annual consumption of tags globally

5. 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

6. 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

7. 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

8. 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

9. 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.

10. 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

11. 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)

12. 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

13. 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

14. 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

15. Thank you for your attention
John Falck
Chairman ERM_TG34