EPC Standards

EPC System elements ： EPC Coding structure The reader/ tag Protocols Savant platform The Object Numbering Service (ONS) PML server

EPC Standards (cont.)

UPC = Universal Product Code

a unique code for every group of objects

enables user such as supermarkets to identify every product

two cans of Nestlé coffees have the same UPC

EPC Standards (cont.)

EPC = Electronic Product Code

next generation barcode

coding scheme to electronically identify consumer goods

vision: enable the automated, unique identification of tagged objects

developed by EPCglobal (EAN, UCC)

EPC consists of :UPC + serial number = 96 bits

EPC Infrastructure

EPC Infrastructure (cont.)

EPC Tag - 5 classes

CLASS Characteristics Note

CLASS 0,

CLASS 0+

passive, read only ,ID pre-assigned by tag vendors

Class 0+ is writable

Matrics provides Class 0 tags since 2003;

CLASS 1

(Gen1, Gen2)

passive, WORM, 96-128 bits user memory

Alien Technology provides Class 1 tags since 2003

CLASS 2 Passive, Read/Write capable tag working samples on market

CLASS 3 Semi-passive( with battery), R/W capable and longer read range,30m

Auto ID Center has not completed the IC design

CLASS 4 Semi-passive( with battery),

Long range,100m+

several year to complete

ISO 18000 vs EPC

ISO 18000-6 and EPC, both specify UHF frequencies

ISO 18000-6 specifies Air Interface protocol without considering basic structures such as network technology and IT platforms etc.

ISO 18000-6 and EPC Tags will be compatible in the long run.

。

Tags available

UHF Tags – 860 to 960 MHzHF Tags – 13.56 MHz

EPC Class 0/0+EPC Class 1EPC Class 1 Gen 2ISO 18000-6U-Code 1.19

ISO 15693ISO 14443 AISO 14443 BISO 18000 P3EPC HF

Typical UHF tags

EPC Class 1 IC Properties

   -    96 bit EPC R/W   -    UHF frequencies from 860MHz to 960MHz   -    Data transfer rate            - To the tag 15 to 70 kbits/s            - From the tag 30 to 140kbit/s   -    More than 10 000 write/erase cycles   -    40 year data retention   -    Kill command

Typical UHF tags (cont.)

Philips U-Code EPC 1.19 IC Properties

   -    Memory            - Supports 64 bit and 96 bit EPC            - 256 bit user memory            - persistent ID flag   -    UHF frequencies from 860MHz to 960MHz   -    Data transfer rate            - Reader to tag 40kbits/s            - Tag to reader 40kbits/s to 160kbits/s            - depending on the regulatory area

and amount of tags in reader field

Class 1 Gen 2 vs Class 1 Gen 1

Feature Class 1 Gen 2 (CIG2) Class 1 Gen 1

Read speed Up to 880/sec US

Up to 450 sec EU

Up to 230 US

UP to 115 EU

Write speed ( 96 bit) Min 5 tags/sec;

Re-WRITE many times

3 tags/sec

Re-writable many times

Tag sorting Protocol Q protocol Binary tree

Tag data verification 16 bit CRC read & write 16 bit CRC reads

Multiple reader operation Frequency hopping

Listen-before –talk with dense

reader modes

Four reader sessions for parallel

communication with one tag

Frequency hopping

Listen-before –talk

Security 32 bit lock & kill password

Options for “handle” –based

communication

8 bit kill password with

lockout

Extensibility Up to 512 bit item ID

Unlimited user memory

Anticipates Class 2&3 systems

Up to 96 bit item ID