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Frequencies for RFID-systems

 


    Frequency Ranges

    Because RFID systems generate and radiate electromagnetic waves, they are justifiably classified as radio systems. The function of other radio services must under no circumstances be disrupted or impaired by the operation of RFID systems. It is particularly important to ensure that RFID systems do not interfere with nearby radio and television, mobile radio services (police, security services, industry), marine and aeronautical radio services and mobile telephones.

    The need to exercise care with regard to other radio services significantly restricts the range of suitable operating frequencies available to an RFID system. For this reason, it is usually only possible to use frequency ranges that have been reserved specifically for industrial, scientific or medical applications or for short range devices. These are the frequencies classified worldwide as ISM frequency ranges (Industrial-Scientific-Medical) or SRD frequency ranges, and they can also be used for RFID applications.

Frequency ranges for RFID-Systems

frequency range

comment

allowed fieldstrength / transmission power

< 135 kHz

low frequency, inductive coupling

72 dBµA/m max

3.155 ... 3.400 MHz

EAS

13.5 dBµA/m

6.765 .. 6.795 MHz

medium frequency (ISM), inductive coupling

42 dBµA/m

7.400 .. 8.800 MHz

medium frequency, used for EAS (electronic article surveilance) only

9 dBµA/m

13.553 .. 13.567 MHz

medium frequency (13.56 MHz, ISM), inductive coupling, wide spread usage for contactless smartcards (ISO 14443, MIFARE, LEGIC, ...), smartlabels (ISO 15693, Tag-It, I-Code, ...) and item management (ISO 18000-3).

60(!) dBµA/m

26.957 .. 27.283 MHz

medium frequency (ISM), inductive coupling, special applications only

42 dBµA/m

433 MHz

UHF (ISM), backscatter coupling, rarely used for RFID

10 .. 100 mW

865 .. 868 MHz

UHF (RFID only), Listen before talk

100 mW ERP
Europe only

865.6 .. 867.6 MHz

UHF (RFID only), Listen before talk

2W ERP (=3.8W EIRP)
Europe only

865.6 .. 868 MHz

UHF (SRD), backscatter coupling, new frequency, systems under developement

500 mW ERP,
Europe only

902 .. 928 MHz

UHF (SRD), backscatter coupling, several systems

4 W EIRP - spread spectrum, USA/Canada only

2.400 .. 2.483 GHz

SHF (ISM), backscatter coupling, several systems,

4 W - spread spectrum, USA/Canada only

2.446 .. 2.454 GHz

SHF (RFID and AVI (automatic vehicle identification))

0.5 W EIRP outdoor
4 W EIRP, indoor

5.725 .. 5.875 GHz

SHF (ISM), backscatter coupling, rarely used for RFID

4 W USA/Canada,
500 mW Europe

    Table: Frequecy ranges used for RFID-systems (August 2006)

5_RFID-frequencies

    Picture: Frequency-ranges used for RFID-systems shown with the corresponding field strength and power levels.

    Radio Regulation

    The standards drawn up by the ETSI (European Telecommunications Standards Institute) serve to provide the national telecommunications authorities with a basis for the creation of national regulations for the administration of radio and telecommunications.

    for more information about radio regulation please have a look at “Standardization


    Free sample reader: chapter 3 (Fundamental Operating Principles of RFID-Systems)

last update:
14 Nov, 2009

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