ISO/IEC 15693-3:2019 - Overview
ISO/IEC 15693-3:2019 is Part 3 of the ISO/IEC 15693 series for cards and security devices for personal identification - contactless vicinity objects. This document specifies the anticollision and transmission protocol used to initialize and manage communications between a vicinity integrated circuit card (VICC) and a vicinity coupling device (VCD). The standard covers the protocol formats, command sets, timing, and methods to detect and communicate with one card among several (anticollision). Annex A allows incorporation of other standard technologies on the card.
Key Topics and Technical Requirements
- Protocol and command definitions
- Mandatory and optional commands (e.g., Inventory, Stay Quiet, Read/Write block variants, Select, Get system information).
- Anticollision mechanisms
- Procedures and parameters to detect and select a single VICC among multiple cards in the RF field.
- Addressing and selection modes
- Modes such as addressed, non-addressed and select to control card responses.
- Data elements and identifiers
- UID (unique identifier), AFI (Application Family Identifier), DSFID (Data Storage Format Identifier), CRC and other data element definitions.
- Response formats and flags
- Request/response flag formats, error codes, in-process replies, waiting time extension mechanisms.
- VICC states and timing
- Defined card states (Ready, Quiet, Selected, etc.) and precise timing specifications for reliable communication.
- Security framework
- Security-related parameters and command flows (authenticate, challenge, key update) and block security status handling.
- Extended and proprietary commands
- Support for extended reads/writes and optional/custom/proprietary functions to enable advanced applications.
Practical Applications
ISO/IEC 15693-3:2019 is applied where vicinity (longer-range) contactless identification and multi-tag environments are common:
- Library management (book tagging and inventory)
- Asset tracking and logistics
- Access control and secure ID systems
- Public services and information kiosks
- Industrial and supply-chain tag readers
Who should use this standard
- IC and smartcard designers implementing VICC behavior
- Reader (VCD) manufacturers ensuring reliable anticollision and timing
- System integrators deploying multi-tag reading systems
- Security architects and test laboratories validating compliance and interoperability
Related standards
- Part of the ISO/IEC 15693 series (contactless vicinity objects).
- Commonly referenced alongside other contactless ID standards (e.g., proximity card standards) when designing interoperable systems.
ISO/IEC 15693-3:2019 provides the essential protocol and anticollision foundations to build robust, interoperable vicinity RFID systems for multi-card environments, with clear definitions of commands, timing, and security behaviors.
Open preview (PDF)Cards and security devices for personal identification — Contactless vicinity objects — Part 3: Anticollision and transmission protocol
