telecommunications standards advisory committee

For discussion only TSAC Paper No. 8/2005

TSAC Paper No. 8/2005March 2005

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TELECOMMUNICATIONS STANDARDS ADVISORY COMMITTEE

Adoption of Performance Specification forRadio Frequency Identification (RFID) Equipment

Operating in 865 - 868 MHz and/or 920 � 925 MHz Bands (II)

採採採採納納納納在在在在 865-868 MHz 及及及及 920-925 MHz 頻頻頻頻帶帶帶帶操操操操作作作作的的的的射射射射頻頻頻頻識識識識別別別別 (RFID) 設設設設備備備備的的的的性性性性能能能能規規規規格格格格 (II)

Introduction

This paper proposes the adoption of the following newspecification:

HKTA 1049 Performance Specification for Radio FrequencyIssue 1 Draft 2 Identification (RFID) Equipment Operating in the

865 � 868 MHz and/or 920 � 925 MHz Bands

Background

2. TSAC Paper no. 14/2004 which proposed the adoption of the draft

Issue 1 of HKTA 1049 RFID specification was circulated to members for

comment in December 2004. The proposal was to adopt the performance

specification for RFID equipment operating in the 865-868 and 920-925 MHz

bands in Hong Kong. The proposed HKTA 1049 specification was based on

the specifications issued by the ETSI EN 302 208-21 and FCC Part 15.2472.

OFTA received comments from the Consumer Council and some mobile

operators on the paper.

1 ETSI EN 302 208-2 �Electromagnetic compatibility and Radio spectrum Matters (ERM); Radio FrequencyIdentification Equipment operating in the band 865 MHz to 868 MHz with power levels up to 2 W; Part 2:Harmonized EN under article 3.2 of the R&TTE Directive�2 Code of Federal Regulations (USA); Title 47 Telecommunication; Chapter 1 Federal CommunicationsCommission, Part 15 Radio Frequency Devices; Section 15.247



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Summary of Comments

3. Some mobile operators expressed the concern that the RFID

equipment operating at 920 � 925 MHz band might cause interference to the

mobile phones if allowed to operate in the extended GSM frequency band in

future. They requested OFTA to look into the issue.

4. The Consumer Council expressed concern about the safety aspect

of RFID equipment and proposed to adopt the two European Standards EN

503573 and EN 503644 as the radiation safety requirements in the

specifications such that any RFID equipment to be certified in Hong Kong

should fulfil these safety standards and requirements. The EN 50357 was a

standard which described the assessment methods and the EN 50364 was a

standard which specified the limitation of human exposure to electromagnetic

fields.

Radiation Safety Standards

5. In Europe, the European Committee for Electrotechnical

Standardization (CENELEC) published EN 50364 standard to address the

human exposure to electromagnetic fields radiated by Electronic Article

Surveillance (EAS) and RFID equipment. The EN 50364 standard applies to

equipment operating within the frequencies from 0 Hz to 10 GHz and has

specified the general public exposure limits for basic restrictions (i.e. Specific

Absorption Rate (SAR) and power density) and reference levels (i.e. field

strength, power density).

3 EN 50357 �Evaluation of human exposure to electromagnetic fields from devices used in Electronic ArticleSurveillance (EAS), Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) and similar applications� issued by EuropeanCommittee for Electrotechnical Standardization (CENELEC)4 EN 50364 �Limitation of human exposure to electromagnetic fields from devices operating in the frequencyrange 0 Hz to 10 GHz, used in Electronic Article Surveillance (EAS), Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) andsimilar applications� issued by European Committee for Electrotechnical Standardization (CENELEC)



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6. According to the EN standard, measurements and calculations to

demonstrate equipment compliance should conform to EN 50357 which set out

the procedures for the evaluation of human exposure to electromagnetic fields

for EAS, RFID and similar applications. Methods such as measurements,

calculations and numerical modelling could be used to demonstrate the

compliance of the standards. The EN 50364 is a harmonised standard under

the Radio and Telecommunications Terminal Equipment (R&TTE) Directive

(1999/5/EC). Under the R&TTE Directive, the RFID equipment for sale or

import in the European Union shall comply with CENELEC standards.

7. In the US, the ANSI/IEEE C95.15 standard gives the

recommendations to prevent harmful effects in human beings exposed to

electromagnetic fields in the frequency range from 3 kHz to 300 GHz. The

techniques and instrumentation for the measurement of potentially hazardous

electromagnetic fields are specified in ANSI/IEEE C95.36 standard.

8. In Hong Kong, the radiation safety standard adopted by OFTA is

based on the ICNIRP7 Guidelines. OFTA has adopted the radiation safety

requirement on the assessment for mobile phones. The ICNIRP Guidelines

and ANSI/IEEE C95.1 standards were adopted by the Telecommunications

Authority as the radiation safety standard for mobile phones subsequently.

Starting from 1 April 2003, mobile phones to be type-approved by OFTA should

comply with either ICNIRP or ANSI/IEEE standards. The list of type-

approved mobile phones in compliance with radiation safety standards were

posted on OFTA�s homepage.

5 ANSI/IEEE C95.1 �IEEE Standard for Safety Levels with respect to Human Exposure to Radio FrequencyElectromagnetic Fields, 3 kHz to 300 GHz� issued by American National Standards Institute (ANSI) / Institute ofElectrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE)6 ANSI/IEEE C95.3 �Recommended Practice for the Measurement of Potentially Hazardous ElectromagneticFields � RF and Microwave� issued by ANSI/IEEE.7 “Guidelines for Limiting Exposure to Time-Varying Electric, Magnetic, and Electromagnetic Fields (up to 300GHz)� issued by International Commission on Non-Ionizing Radiation Protection (ICNIRP)



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Considerations

9. In allocating the 920 � 925 MHz frequency band for RFID, OFTA

had discussed the issue and proposal with the members of the Radio Spectrum

Advisory Committee and had considered the electromagnetic compatibility

between the RFID service and other services. OFTA confirmed that there

would be a guard band of 3 MHz (925 - 928 MHz) between RFID block and the

EGSM downlink block which was sufficient to prevent interference from RFID

equipment to EGSM mobile.

10. There had been increasing public concerns on the radiation hazard

in Hong Kong. It was noted that an international standard for the human

exposure to electromagnetic fields for RFID equipment was not yet available

but the radiation safety standards such as EN 50364, ANSI/IEEE C95.1 and

ICNIRP Guidelines were widely accepted by many overseas countries.

Though different assumptions had been taken in the above standards, the health

and safety protection offered should largely be equivalent.

11. With its potential applications, there might be massive deployment

of RFID equipment in Hong Kong. The radiation safety might become an

important issue for the general public and workers who work in the vicinity of

RFID equipment in the near future.

12. For the US, equipment operating within close proximity to human

body is required to fulfil mandatory radiation safety requirement as given in

ANSI/IEEE C95.1. For the European Union, RFID equipment has to fulfil the

mandatory radiation safety requirement as given in EN 50364.

13. It is noted that RFID equipment manufacturers design and produce

RFID equipment which are in compliance with EN 50364, ANSI/IEEE C95.1,



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ICNIRP and/or other radiation safety standards. The RFID equipment

fulfilling the EN 50364, ANSI/IEEE C95.1 and/or ICNIRP standards are

already available in the market.

14. To address the public concern on the radiation safety of the use of

RFID equipment, it is proposed that the RFID equipment for used in Hong

Kong need to fulfil either ICNIRP, or EN 50364, or ANSI/IEEE C95.1 as the

radiation safety requirements.

Proposed HKTA 1049 specification

15. The Issue 1 Draft 2 of HKTA 1049 specification is given in Annex

1 and has incorporated the following radiation safety requirements:-

a) The RFID equipment shall meet the exposure limits

specified in the EN 50364, ANSI/IEEE C95.1 or ICNIRP

Guidelines;

b) The assessment method should follow EN 50357,

ANSI/IEEE C95.3 or other assessment methods issued by

relevant organisations which are acceptable to the TA.

Certification Requirement

16. As explained in the previous TSAC paper no. 14/2004, HKTA

1049 specification is classified under Voluntary Certification Scheme (VCS) of

the Hong Kong Telecommunications equipment Evaluation and Certification

(HKTEC) Scheme. Although the certification requirement is voluntary, such

equipment for sale in Hong Kong shall comply with the HKTA 1049

specification.



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WTO Notification

17. Since the specification proposed for adoption is based on widely

accepted open standards, notification to the World Trade Organisation (WTO) is

not required (please refer to TSAC Paper No. 14/97).

Recommendation

18. It is recommended that the proposed HKTA 1049 specification as

given in Annex 1 be adopted by the TA.

Advice Sought

19. It is noted that the frequency allocations for RFID equipment in

865– 868 MHz and 920– 925MHz bands had been included in the

Telecommunications (Telecommunications Apparatus) (Exemption from

Licensing) (Amendment) Order 2005. The Order was tabled at the

Legislative Council on 9 March 2005. Subject to negative vetting of the

Legislative Council, the Order would take effect in early April 2005.

20. Members are kindly invited to submit their views and comments if

any on this paper and the recommendation given in paragraph 18 to the

Secretary on or before 1 April 2005.

Office of the Telecommunications Authority21 March 2005

Annex 1 to TSAC Paper No. 8/2005

HKTA 1049ISSUE 1 DRAFT 2March 2005

[DRAFT]

PERFORMANCE SPECIFICATION FOR

RADIO FREQUENCY IDENTIFICATION (RFID)

EQUIPMENT OPERATING IN THE

865 � 868 MHz AND/OR 920 � 925 MHz BANDS

TELECOMMUNICATIONS AUTHORITYHONG KONG

HKTA1049 ISSUE 1 Draft 2 PAGE iMARCH 2005

FOREWORD

1. This specification is prescribed under section 32D of the TelecommunicationsOrdinance (Cap 106) (�the Ordinance�) to set out the technical requirements forRadio Frequency Identification (RFID) equipment operating in the 865 � 868 MHzand/or 920 � 925 MHz band in Hong Kong. Radiocommunications apparatusfalling into the scope of this specification, unless covered by other application-specific specification, shall meet the stipulated requirements.

2. Under the Ordinance, the possession or use of any radiocommunications apparatusor any apparatus emitting radio frequency energy must be covered by anappropriate licence issued by the Telecommunications Authority (TA) with theexception of those specifically exempted from licensing under the Ordinance, suchas those covered by the Telecommunications (TelecommunicationsApparatus)(Exemption from Licensing) Order.

3. At present, the Office of the Telecommunications Authority (OFTA) operates aHong Kong Telecommunications Equipment Evaluation and Certification(HKTEC) Scheme. Details of the HKTEC Scheme can be found in theinformation note OFTA I 421. Under the Scheme, suppliers or manufacturers ofthe radiocommunications apparatus may apply to OFTA for certification of theirapparatus against this specification. The application procedures for certification ofradiocommunications apparatus can be found in the information note OFTA I 401.A prescribed label may be affixed to the equipment which has been certified by theTA. Details of the labelling arrangement can be found in the StandardisationGuide HKTA 3211.

4. RFID equipment is required to operate on a �no-interference no-protection� basis,i.e. they may not cause radio interference and cannot claim protection frominterference. Manufacturers or suppliers of RFID equipment are advised toconsider the potentiality of interference due to the shared use of the frequencies.

5. The TA reserves the right to give separate certification to models he considers tobe technical variants and the performance of which may differ between models.

6. The TA may amend any part of this specification as and when he deems necessary.

7. In case of doubt about the interpretation of this specification, the methods ofcarrying out the test and the validity of statements made by the equipmentmanufacturers or suppliers about the equipment, the decision of the TA shall befinal.

8. The HKTA specifications and information notes are issued by the TA. Thedocuments can be obtained through one of the following methods :-

! downloading direct through the OFTA�s Internet Home Page. The Home Pageaddress is http://www.ofta.gov.hk;

! making a request for hard copies to :

HKTA1049 ISSUE 1 Draft 2 PAGE iiMARCH 2005

Radio Laboratory,Standards Section,Office of the Telecommunications Authority,29/F Wu Chung House,213 Queen�s Road East, Wanchai, Hong Kong.

Fax : +852 2343 5824Email : [email protected]

9. Enquiries about this specification may be directed to �

Radio Laboratory,Standards Section,Office of the Telecommunications Authority,29/F Wu Chung House,213 Queen�s Road East, Wanchai, Hong Kong.

Fax : +852 2343 5824Email: [email protected]

HKTA1049 ISSUE 1 Draft 2 PAGE iiiMARCH 2005

CONTENTS

1 Scope of Specification

2 Electrical Safety

3. Radiation Protection

4 Operating Frequencies

5 Technical Requirements

5.1 Operation in the 865 � 868 MHz Band

5.2 Operation in the 920 � 925 MHz Band

HKTA1049 ISSUE 1 Draft 2 PAGE 1MARCH 2005

1. SCOPE OF SPECIFICATION

This specification defines the minimum performance requirements for RadioFrequency Identification (RFID) equipment operating in the 865 � 868 MHzand/or 920 � 925 MHz band.

2. ELECTRICAL SAFETY

The equipment shall comply with the electrical safety requirements set out inHKTA 2001 "Compliance Test Specification Safety and Electrical ProtectionRequirements for Subscriber Equipment Connected to the PublicTelecommunications Networks in Hong Kong" issued by the TelecommunicationsAuthority (TA).

3. RADIATION PROTECTION

3.1 The RFID equipment shall comply with the exposure limits specified in:-

EN 50364 �Limitation of human exposure to electromagnetic fields fromdevices operating in the frequency range 0 Hz to 10 GHz, used inElectronic Article Surveillance (EAS), Radio Frequency Identification(RFID) and similar applications� issued by European Committee forElectrotechnical Standardization (CENELEC)

or

ANSI/IEEE C95.1 �IEEE Standard for Safety Levels with respect toHuman Exposure to Radio Frequency Electromagnetic Fields, 3 kHz to300 GHz� issued by American National Standards Institute (ANSI) /Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE)

or

�Guidelines for Limiting Exposure to Time-Varying Electric, Magnetic,and Electromagnetic Fields (up to 300 GHz)� issued by InternationalCommission on Non-Ionizing Radiation Protection (ICNIRP)

3.2 Reference Test Method

To demonstrate the compliance with the exposure limits, assessment methodshould be made reference to:-

EN 50357 �Evaluation of human exposure to electromagnetic fields fromdevices used in Electronic Article Surveillance (EAS), Radio FrequencyIdentification (RFID) and similar applications� issued by EuropeanCommittee for Electrotechnical Standardization (CENELEC)


or

ANSI/IEEE C95.3 �IEEE Recommended Practice for the Measurement ofPotentially Hazardous Electromagnetic Fields � RF and Microwave�issued by American National Standards Institute (ANSI) / Institute ofElectrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE)

or

other measurement methods issued by relevant organisations which areacceptable to the TA.

4. OPERATING FREQUENCIES

The equipment shall operate in the frequency bands 865 � 868 MHz and/or 920 �925 MHz.

5. TECHNICAL REQUIREMENTS

5.1 OPERATION IN THE 865 � 868 MHz BAND

a) In the 865 � 868 MHz band, the equipment shall operate on channels of200 kHz spacing. The channel centre frequencies are 864.9 MHz + (0.2MHz * channel number) and the available channel numbers for each sub-band (a1, a2 and a3) are:

a1: channel numbers 1 to 15a2: channel numbers 4 to 15a3: channel numbers 4 to 13

b) The peak output power of the equipment shall not exceed the levelsindicated below:

Operating Band Power Levela1 865 � 868 MHz 0.1 W (e.r.p.)a2 865.6 � 868 MHz 0.5 W (e.r.p.)

a3 865.6 � 867.6 MHz 2 W (e.r.p.)

c) The equipment shall operate in the frequency band 865 � 868 MHz andmeet the technical requirement according to EuropeanTelecommunications Standards Institute (ETSI) Standard EN 302 208-2"Electromagnetic compatibility and Radio Spectrum Matters (ERM);Radio Frequency Identification Equipment operating in the band 865 MHzto 868 MHz with power level up to 2 W; Part 2: Harmonized EN underarticle 3.2 of the R&TTE Directive�;


d) The power of any spurious emission shall not exceed the correspondingfrequency band indicated below :

Operating Band Spurious Emission Level 47 � 74 MHz 87.5 � 118 MHz 174 - 230 MHz 470 � 862 MHz

e.r.p. not to exceed 4 nW

Other frequencies below1000 MHz

e.r.p. not to exceed 250 nW

Frequency above 1000 MHz e.r.p. not to exceed 1 µW

5.2 OPERATION IN THE 920 � 925 MHz BAND

a) The equipment shall operate in the frequency band 920 � 925 MHz andmeet the technical requirement according to the Code of FederalRegulations (USA); Title 47 Telecommunication; Chapter 1 FederalCommunications Commission, Part 15 Radio Frequency Devices; Section15.247;

b) The equipment shall use frequency hopping spread spectrum modulation;

c) The maximum allowed 20 dB bandwidth of the hopping channel is 500kHz;

d) The peak transmitter power shall not exceed 1W and the equivalentisotropically radiated power (EIRP) from the equipment shall not exceed4W;

e) If transmitting antenna of directional gain greater than 6 dBi are used, thepeak transmit power shall be reduced by the amount in dB that thedirectional gain of the antenna exceeds 6 dBi;

f) The spurious emission level of the equipment shall not exceed 10 µW

outside the frequency band in which the fundamental frequencies arelocated.

- END -

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