Overview
ISO/IEC 24730-61:2013 specifies an Ultra Wide Band (UWB) air interface for Real Time Locating Systems (RTLS). The standard defines the physical layer (PHY) and tag management layer (TML) for a low rate pulse repetition frequency (LRP) UWB protocol that supports one-directional simplex communication between readers and tags. It is optimized for low-data-rate, very low battery consumption devices and operates in the 6–10.6 GHz unlicensed band. The protocol targets reliable, medium-range RTLS and RFID-style auto-identification with emphasis on ease of installation and precision locating.
Key topics and technical requirements
- PHY specification
- Modulation and data-rate options including on-off keying (OOK), pulse position modulation (PPM) and hybrid modulation (supporting coherent and non-coherent readers).
- LRP UWB symbol and frame structures (base/extended modes, long-range mode).
- Synchronization header (SHR), PHY header (PHR), data field, and optional location enhancing information postamble (LEIP).
- Transmitter and reader performance requirements and channel numbering for LRP UWB.
- Tag Management Layer (TML)
- Frame control, sequence numbering, addressing modes and frame types.
- Tag identity formats including EUI-64 and references to ISO/IEC 15963 for unique tag IDs.
- Optional extended ID/data, temperature sensor data fields, and frame check sequence (FCS).
- Location methods & concepts
- Supports common RTLS techniques (Time-of-Arrival, Time-Difference-of-Arrival, Angle-of-Arrival, amplitude triangulation) - used in multilateration-style positioning.
- Interoperability & references
- Normative links to ISO/IEC/IEEE 8802-15-4 and ISO/IEC 15963.
- Portions derived from IEEE 802.15.4a/4f to encourage vendor interoperability.
Practical applications
- Asset tracking and inventory in warehouses, logistics, hospitals and manufacturing where power-constrained tags must report location with precision.
- Indoor localization systems requiring medium-range accuracy and long tag battery life.
- RFID/RTLS hybrid solutions where tags periodically transmit identification and location-enhancing data to fixed readers.
- Use cases that prioritize low data rate, low duty-cycle communications (e.g., long-lived wearable or attachable tags).
Who should use this standard
- RTLS system architects and integrators designing UWB locating networks.
- Hardware designers and firmware engineers for tag and reader devices.
- Compliance and testing laboratories validating UWB RTLS interoperability.
- Asset management, healthcare IT, logistics and facility managers evaluating RTLS solutions.
Related standards
Keywords: ISO/IEC 24730-61:2013, RTLS, UWB air interface, LRP UWB, PHY, TML, low-rate PRF, asset tracking, indoor localization, EUI-64, ISO/IEC 15963.
Open preview (PDF)Information technology — Real time locating systems (RTLS) — Part 61: Low rate pulse repetition frequency Ultra Wide Band (UWB) air interface
