ISO 14813-6:2017

Overview

ISO 14813-6:2017 - Intelligent transport systems (ITS) - Part 6: Use of ASN.1 - defines how ASN.1 (Abstract Syntax Notation One) is to be used to specify data types across ITS International Standards. Its purpose is to ensure consistent, unambiguous and interoperable data type definitions that can be recorded in the Central ITS Data Concept Registry (CIDCR) and reused across ITS specifications, while allowing embedding of other encodings and alternative representations.

Key topics and requirements

• Mandatory ASN.1 syntax for data definitions: Wherever data is defined in an ITS standard, a corresponding ASN.1 data type must be provided (other representations such as XML may be included additionally).
• Encoding rules: ASN.1 encoding rules are referenced (ISO/IEC 8825 series); the second edition relaxes the earlier requirement for a specific PER variant and allows any ASN.1 encoding rule to be selected and declared.
• Module and type metadata: Rules for ASN.1 module definitions cover names, identification (module identifiers / OIDs), tag defaults, versioning and revision control to support consistent interpretation and evolution.
• Message versioning: All new messages are required to include a version number inside their structure to support backward/forward compatibility and clear change management.
• Interoperability controls: Guidance on limited use of OCTET STRING, consistent OID assignments (aligned with ISO 14817-3), and formal references to CIDCR entries help avoid ambiguity.
• Support for embedded formats and alternatives: The standard explicitly supports embedding other standardized encodings (e.g., jpeg) and alternative data representations (e.g., XML Schema), plus alternative encodings of the same ASN.1 definitions.
• Documentation and conformance: Annexes include normative ASN.1 module examples and data concept definitions for consistent documentation.

Applications and practical value

• Ensures interoperable message definitions across ITS systems (traffic management, connected vehicles, roadside infrastructure).
• Enables consistent data registries (CIDCR) and reuse of data concepts across multiple ITS specifications.
• Helps implementers produce toolchain-compatible ASN.1 modules (encode/decode libraries, test suites, validators).
• Facilitates legacy and mixed-encoding scenarios by allowing embedded formats and alternate representations-useful where industry practice favours XML or binary multimedia formats.

Who should use this standard

• Standards authors and technical committees (ISO/TC 204)
• ITS system architects and protocol designers
• Data registry managers and metadata stewards (CIDCR)
• Developers of ASN.1 toolchains, encoders/decoders and conformance test suites
• Integrators working on connected vehicle, traffic management and ITS interoperability projects

Related standards

• ISO/IEC 8824 (ASN.1 syntax)
• ISO/IEC 8825 (ASN.1 encoding rules)
• ISO 14817 series (ITS data concept and CIDCR requirements)
• ISO 14817-3 (OID assignment rules)

Keywords: ISO 14813-6:2017, ASN.1, ITS data types, CIDCR, ITS interoperability, ASN.1 encoding, module versioning, ITS standards.