RFID standards for global automotive updated

Lack of Interoperability is a major obstacle to the wider deployment of RFID technology throughout the automotive supply chain. To overcome this obstacle, the JAIF* developed two major standards covering the use of RFID to identify parts and vehicles and the use of RFID to identify containers.

Updated versions of these important standards have recently been published.

B-21, Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) Item Level Standard defines methods for item identification, verification, traceability, product characteristics, and Vehicle Identification Number (VIN).. The standard also provides additional details such as, which data to put in which Memory Bank, which data syntax standards to use, and how to use them most effectively.

RC-6, JAIF Guideline for Returnable Transport Items Identification covers the basic features of data carriers applied to returnable transport items. It defines the data carrier selection, data structure and storage of data for Returnable Transport Items. It was developed to address the well-identified business needs in Europe, Japan, and the U.S., using automatic identification technology, especially RFID tags.

The latest versions of these two standards take account of updates to the ISO 1736x series of standards and incorporate other change requests from Europe, US, and Japan including:

• the addition of 8-bit encording and related modifications to allow the use of UTF-8,changes to the length of the Odette Company Identification Number.

Access Version 3 of B-21/LR05 and RC-6/LR04 free of charge.

*JAIF = Joint Automotive Industry Forum (AIAG, Odette and JAMA/JAPIA)