Passive RFIDs can now stream telemetry data from sensors • The Register

A new ISO standard is set to transform passive RFID technology by enabling continuous streaming of sensor data without requiring batteries or external power sources.

The Technical Breakthrough

The standard, ISO/IEC 18000-65 ("Parameters for air interface communications for streaming sensors based on ISO/IEC 18000-63"), represents a significant advancement in ambient IoT capabilities. Traditional passive RFID tags contain minimal information and operate by harvesting energy from radio waves to transmit basic identification data - essentially their "name, rank, and serial number."

While active RFID sensors exist, they require batteries or external power sources, limiting their deployment in certain environments. The new standard solves this limitation by allowing passive tags to negotiate dedicated frequency channels for continuous data streaming.

How It Works

When radio waves reach a compliant passive tag, the device wakes up and broadcasts its basic identification information. It then negotiates a clear channel on which to stream data from attached sensors. This process enables continuous transmission of time-series data such as vibration, strain, or temperature measurements - capabilities that were previously impossible with battery-free passive RFID systems.

Industry Consortium and Development

The standard was proposed by a consortium including Panasonic, Keio University, Denso Wave Incorporated, and Ramxeed Ltd. Keio University hosts an Ambient IoT communication research consortium focused on wireless power and backscatter communication technologies.

Practical Applications

This technology opens up numerous possibilities for ambient IoT deployments:

• Predictive maintenance systems: Continuous monitoring of machinery and infrastructure without human intervention
• Cost reduction: Avoiding vendor lock-in and reducing system procurement costs through interoperability
• Infrastructure monitoring: Gathering operational data from sensors embedded in buildings, bridges, and industrial equipment
• Environmental sensing: Deploying networks of unpowered sensors for temperature, humidity, and vibration monitoring

Market Impact

The ability to create battery-free wireless sensor networks has significant implications for IoT deployment costs and scalability. By eliminating the need for power sources and enabling interoperability between devices from different manufacturers, the standard could accelerate adoption of ambient IoT solutions across various industries.

Technical Context

This development builds on existing RFID and wireless power transfer technologies operating in the 920 MHz band. The standard addresses a key limitation of previous implementations, which could only provide intermittent sensor readings rather than continuous data streams.

Future Implications

For Japan, where declining and aging populations create workforce challenges, this technology offers a path to automated monitoring and maintenance systems. The data gathered from these ambient IoT networks can feed machine learning systems for predictive maintenance, potentially reducing the need for manual inspections and interventions.

Related Technologies

The advancement in passive RFID streaming capabilities complements other developments in energy-efficient IoT communications, including backscatter brainwave technologies that could make IoT communications even more energy-efficient.

Industry Response

While the technology promises significant benefits, questions remain about implementation costs, range limitations, and the complexity of deploying large-scale ambient IoT networks. However, the standardization effort suggests strong industry support for overcoming these challenges.

The new ISO/IEC 18000-65 standard represents a meaningful step forward in ambient IoT technology, potentially enabling widespread deployment of battery-free sensor networks for continuous monitoring and data collection across various applications and industries.