ASTM_D_7434_-_08_2014.pdf

Designation:D743408(Reapproved 2014)Standard Test Method forDetermining the Performance of Passive Radio FrequencyIdentification(RFID)Transponders on Palletized or UnitizedLoads1This standard is issued under the fixed designation D7434;the number immediately following the designation indicates the year oforiginal 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 radio 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 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 standard 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 ASTM Standards:2D996 Terminology of Packaging and Distribution Environ-mentsD4332 Practice for Conditioning Containers,Packages,orPackaging Components for TestingE337 Test Method for Measuring Humidity with a Psy-chrometer(the Measurement of Wet-and Dry-Bulb Tem-peratures)3.Terminology3.1 DefinitionsTerms and definitions used in this testmethod may be found in Terminology D996.3.2 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 system,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 identification(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 transponderdistance.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 information.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 anapplication,used to access and control a device.3.2.9 transponder acquisition distancethe distance be-tween the transponder 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,unit1This test method is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee D10 onPackaging and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee D10.17 on Auto-IDApplications.Current edition approved Oct.1,2014.Published November 2014.Originallyapproved in 2008.Last previous edition approved in 2008 as D7434-08.DOI:10.1520/D7434-08R14.2For referenced ASTM standards,visit the ASTM website,www.astm.org,orcontact ASTM Customer Service at serviceastm.org.For Annual Book of ASTMStandards volume information,refer to the standards Document Summary page onthe ASTM website.Copyright ASTM International,100 Barr Harbor Drive,PO Box C700,West Conshohocken,PA 19428-2959.United States1 load.The read field 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 systemapplied 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.Interferences6.1 RFID systems are subject to interference from metal,water,and ambient RF energy.If significant levels of any ofthese interferences are presen