Dec 16, 2008 9:22 AM

In the context of growing adoption of radio frequency identification (RFID), particularly in open supply chain applications and concurrent development of innovative products and services, the ISO (International Organization for Standardization) has revised the ISO/IEC 18000-1:2008 standard, Information technology—Radio frequency identification for item management.

The standard defines generic architecture concepts in which item identification is commonly used, within the logistics and supply chain, by way of example. It also defines parameters that need to be determined in any standardized air interface definition in the subsequent parts of ISO/IEC 18000.

Further, ISO/IEC 18000-1:2008 gives examples of conceptual architectures in which these air interfaces are often to be used, and provides parameter definitions for communications protocols within a common framework for internationally useable frequencies for RFID.

Basically, an RFID system uses a reader to locate and track special tags or labels attached to an item. This is accomplished using low-wattage radio frequencies to read from and write to the tags.

ISO is the world’s largest developer and publisher of international standards. The IEC (International Electrotechnical Commission) prepares and publishes international standards for all electrical, electronic, and related technologies—collectively known as electrotechnology.