1、Designation: D 7434 08Standard Test Method forDetermining the Performance of Passive Radio FrequencyIdentification (RFID) Transponders on Palletized or UnitizedLoads1This standard is issued under the fixed designation D 7434; the number immediately following the designation indicates the year oforig
2、inal adoption or, in the case of revision, the year of last revision. A number in parentheses indicates the year of last reapproval. Asuperscript epsilon () indicates an editorial change since the last revision or reapproval.1. Scope1.1 This test method quantitatively evaluates the readabilityof rad
3、io frequency identification (RFID) pallet transpondersplaced on pallet loads that are mechanically handled bymaterial handling equipment such as fork trucks, pallet jacks,and automated guided vehicle systems.1.2 This test method is intended for use in laboratorysettings that simulate, as closely as
4、is practicable, the distribu-tion environment of the product being tested.1.3 The values stated in inch-pound units are to be regardedas standard. The values given in parentheses are mathematicalconversions to SI units that are provided for information onlyand are not considered standard.1.4 This st
5、andard does not purport to address all of thesafety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is theresponsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro-priate safety and health practices and determine the applica-bility of regulatory limitations prior to use.2. Referenced Documents2.1
6、 ASTM Standards:2D 996 Terminology of Packaging and Distribution Environ-mentsD 4332 Practice for Conditioning Containers, Packages, orPackaging Components for TestingE 337 Test Method for Measuring Humidity with a Psy-chrometer (the Measurement of Wet- and Dry-Bulb Tem-peratures)3. Terminology3.1 D
7、efinitionsTerms and definitions used in this testmethod may be found in Terminology D 996.3.2 Definitions of Terms Specific to This Standard:3.2.1 critical transponder distancethe distance betweenthe transponder and the interrogator antenna at which atransponder becomes undetectable by an RFID syste
8、m, whenmoving the RFID transponder out of the read field.3.2.2 direct line of sightan unobstructed visible path fromone object to another.3.2.3 firmwarea series of programmable instructions,stored in read only memory (ROM), which controls thecapabilities of an interrogator.3.2.4 radio frequency iden
9、tification (RFID)a wirelessdata communication technology that uses radio waves totransfer data from one source to another.3.2.5 read fieldthe area in which an RFID transponder iscapable of responding to the interrogator. The outermostboundary of the read field correlates to the critical transponderd
10、istance. The distance between the critical transponder dis-tance and the transponder acquisition distance represents anarea of RF energy that may or may not be sufficient to activatea passive transponder.3.2.6 RFthe energy used by RFID systems to activatetransponders and wirelessly transfer informat
11、ion.3.2.7 RF inhibitinga substance or material that causes asignificant reduction in the effectiveness of radio waves thatreach an RFID transponder.3.2.8 softwarean array of logic, displayed as an applica-tion, used to access and control a device.1This test method is under the jurisdiction of ASTM C
12、ommittee D10 onPackaging and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee D10.18 on Miscella-neous Packaging.Current edition approved Aug. 1, 2008. Published September 2008.2For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, orcontact ASTM Customer Service at serviceastm.org. For A
13、nnual Book of ASTMStandards volume information, refer to the standards Document Summary page onthe ASTM website.1Copyright ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959, United States.3.2.9 transponder acquisition distancethe distance be-tween the transpond
14、er and the interrogator antenna at which atransponder is first detected by an RFID system, when movingthe transponder into the read field.4. Summary of Test Method4.1 This procedure is used to determine the read perfor-mance of the RF system while affixed to a fully assembled, unitload. The read fie
15、ld is developed by determining the criticaltransponder distance and the transponder acquisition distance5. Significance and Use5.1 Many materials used in the production of goods canhave an adverse affect on the performance of an RFID system.This test method qualifies the performance of an RFID syste
16、mapplied to a unit load.5.2 This test method is intended for systems used exclu-sively within the United States. Additional test standards fromISO or other standards bodies may apply to internationallyhandled goods and may include additional test scenarios notoutlined in this test method.6. Interfer
17、ences6.1 RFID systems are subject to interference from metal,water, and ambient RF energy. If significant levels of any ofthese interferences are present in the immediate testing area,the observed read field will be affected. Due to uncontrolledvariation in testing facilities, numerical values for i
18、nterferencecannot be stated. Possible sources of interference shall bedocumented in the final report.6.1.1 Documentation of interference shall include informa-tion regarding, material, size, and location relative to interro-gator antenna.6.2 If significant levels of interference are unavoidable,test
19、ing shall be conducted in such a manner that interferencesremain unchanged throughout testing.7. Atmospheric Conditions7.1 Testing shall be conducted at standard conditioningatmosphere 23 6 1C (73.4 6 2F) and 50 6 2 % relativehumidity, unless otherwise noted as per 13.1.1.7.2 The exact measurement o
20、f temperature and relativehumidity of the testing atmosphere shall be made as close tothe specimen being exposed as is possible. (See Test MethodE 337 for a detailed description of methods.) The temperatureand relative humidity indicated at the control point may not berepresentative of conditions el
21、sewhere in the conditioned spacedue to local effects or deficiency in air circulation. Tolerancesat the controller usually must be smaller than those at thespecimen.8. Apparatus8.1 Material Handling EquipmentThe equipment used tomove the unit load. This equipment may consist of a manual orelectronic
22、 pallet jack, fork truck, or clamp truck.8.2 Antenna StandThe antenna stand shall be a stationarysupport constructed of an RF neutral material (wood or plastic,ideally) that can support the weight of the antenna being usedwhile allowing for antenna height adjustment.8.2.1 ProtractorA large protracto
23、r shall be placed at thebase of the antenna stand to visually guide the operator alongthe radian being tested.8.3 RFID System:8.3.1 InterrogatorA manufactured device that communi-cates with RFID transponders via antennae and communicatestransponder information to the host computer.8.3.2 Interrogator
24、 AntennaA manufactured device thatemits RF energy to transponders and receives information fromtransponders in the form of reflected RF energy.8.3.3 Transponder (pallet transponder)A microchip witha small conductive antenna that receives RF energy from theinterrogator antenna and reflects the inform
25、ation on the microchip back to the interrogator antenna in the form of RF energy.8.3.4 Host ComputerAny computer with the proper soft-ware to communicate with and operate the RFID interrogator.9. Test Specimen9.1 Each unit load shall be comprised of a specified quantityof unit case load(s), represen
26、tative of a production run unitload.9.2 Each unit case load shall consist of a representativeproduction run package, or components of an assembledpackaging system, to include primary, secondary, and/or ter-tiary packaging up through the shipping case level.9.3 An RFID transponder specimen shall be a
27、 randomlyselected transponder from an RFID transponder inventory.10. Conditioning10.1 Test specimens shall be conditioned at the standardconditioning atmosphere of 23 6 2C (73.4 6 3.6F) for aminimum of 24 h prior to testing (see Practice D 4332) unlessotherwise noted as per 13.1.1.11. Procedure11.1
28、Mapping the Read Field:11.1.1 Determining the Critical Distance Read Field of theUnit Load:11.1.1.1 Assemble RFID system.11.1.1.2 Affix RFID pallet transponder to the unit load.(1) The location of the RFID pallet transponder shall bedocumented and held constant throughout testing.NOTE 1Transponder p
29、lacement was observed to be an instrumentalvariable affecting the readability of the transponder affixed to the unit load.11.1.1.3 Mount the interrogator antenna to the antennastand.(1) Document the distance from the floor to the center ofthe interrogator antenna. If a fixed antenna is being used,do
30、cument this in final report.11.1.1.4 Place the unit load along the +90 radian, as closeto the antenna stand as possible, such that a direct line of sightexists between the interrogator antenna and the transponder.11.1.1.5 The location of the material handling equipmentrelative to the interrogator an
31、tenna shall be documented andheld constant throughout testing.NOTE 2The metallic nature of material handling equipment wasobserved to have a significant affect on the readability of the transponderaffixed to the unit load.D743408211.1.1.6 Slowly, move the unit load along the radian, awayfrom the int
32、errogator antenna, at a consistent speed until theRFID system no longer detects the transponder.NOTE 3Transponder detection is usually indicated by the graphicaluser interface on the host computer screen.11.1.1.7 Record the critical transponder distance.11.1.1.8 Repeat steps 11.1.1.5 through 11.1.1.
33、7 for all radiiin the in the 690 spectrum at increments of 15.NOTE 4Testing may also be done at increments of less than 15depending upon the level of precision desired.11.1.2 Determining the Transponder Acquisition Read Fieldof the Unit Load:11.1.2.1 Place the unit load along the +90 radian at adist
34、ance that exceeds the corresponding critical transponderdistance by 5 ft.11.1.2.2 Slowly, move the unit load along the radian, towardthe interrogator antenna, at a consistent speed (equal to thespeed used in 11.1.1.6) until the RFID system first detects thetransponder.11.1.2.3 Record the transponder
35、 acquisition distance.11.1.2.4 Repeat steps 11.1.2.1 through 11.1.2.3 for all radiiin the in the 690 spectrum at increments of 15.12. Interpretation of Results12.1 Graphical Representation:12.1.1 The acquisition distance and the critical distance forthe unit load shall be graphically displayed in se
36、parate scaleddiagrams representing the 690 quadrant around the interro-gator antenna (Fig. 1).NOTE 5Additional composite graphs may be produced to includeacquisition and critical distances on the same diagram (Fig. 2).12.2 Data Analysis:12.2.1 The composite graph represents the read field of theRFID
37、 system relative to the tested unit load.12.2.2 If the RFID transponder remains undetected whileaffixed to the unit load, the load is considered to have RFinhibiting characteristics.13. Report13.1 Report the following information:13.1.1 A statement that the test was conducted in compli-ance with the
38、se test methods or a description of any devia-tion(s) from these test methods.13.1.2 Identification of the RFID system including:13.1.2.1 Identification of the make, model, and firmwareversion of the interrogator.13.1.2.2 Identification of the make and model of the inter-rogator antenna.13.1.2.3 Ide
39、ntification of the make and model of the tran-sponder.13.1.2.4 Identification of the make, model, and softwareversion (where applicable) of the host computer.13.1.2.5 All relevant reader settings where available (that is,power setting, reader operation mode).13.1.3 Description of the unit load.13.1.
40、3.1 Description of the product, internal packaging,shipping container, and closure system, where applicable.13.1.4 The temperature and humidity conditioning prior totesting.13.1.5 Graphical representations of the observed read fields(individual or composite) including:13.1.5.1 Critical transponder d
41、istance for the unit load.13.1.5.2 Transponder acquisition distance for the unit load.14. Precision and Bias14.1 PrecisionBased on replicate testing in one laboratoryusing Alien Gen 2 Squiggle transponders and a SensormaticAgile 2 reader, the pooled standard deviation of acquisitiondistance was 3.4
42、in. The pooled standard deviation of criticaldistance was 4.0 in. These estimates of within-laboratoryrepeatability may vary with other equipment, transponders, testconditions, and so forth.14.2 BiasThe procedures in this test method have no biasbecause there are no accepted reference materials or p
43、roce-dures.15. Keywords15.1 critical transponder distance; mapping; packaging; ra-dio frequency identification; read field; RFID; transponder;transponder acquisition distance; unit loadFIG. 1 Example of an Individual Graphical RepresentationFIG. 2 Example of a Composite Graphical RepresentationD7434
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47、ittee on Standards, at the address shown below.This standard is copyrighted by ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959,United States. Individual reprints (single or multiple copies) of this standard may be obtained by contacting ASTM at the aboveaddress or at 610-832-9585 (phone), 610-832-9555 (fax), or serviceastm.org (e-mail); or through the ASTM website(www.astm.org).D7434084
