ISO/IEC 24730-61:2013 PDF

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

• ISO/IEC 24730 (other parts)
• ISO/IEC/IEEE 8802-15-4 (PHY/MAC framework)
• ISO/IEC 15963 (RFID unique identification)

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.