Overview
ISO/IEC 24770-61:2015 specifies device performance test methods for Real Time Locating System (RTLS) equipment that use the Low Rate Pulse Repetition Frequency Ultra Wide Band (UWB) air interface. The standard defines how to measure UWB tag-to-reader radio link performance (location accuracy, tag capacity, latency, orientation, range and packet error rates) for devices intended to conform to ISO/IEC 24730-6. It is focused on functional performance testing and does not cover regulatory or certification testing.
Key Topics
- Scope and applicability: Tests apply to RTLS tags and readers that implement the ISO/IEC 24730-61 UWB air interface; results help determine suitability for specific applications.
- Primary performance parameters:
- Location accuracy - comparison of system-calculated locations to actual tag positions (line-of-sight tests).
- Tag capacity - ability to process a given blink (transmit) rate and number of tags.
- Location latency - time from tag transmission to availability of accurate location data.
- Tag orientation - effect of tag rotation on reported location.
- System range & packet error rate - link length, reader density implications and packet success rates.
- Test conditions:
- Tests run in environments representative of the intended application (indoor/outdoor) with typical RF noise, temperature and humidity.
- Default tolerance of ±5% for test equipment and procedure quantities unless otherwise specified.
- Typical test setups and procedures:
- Preferred system-installed configuration or a four-reader square layout (diagonal ~75 m outdoors, ~50 m indoors).
- Tags spaced ~5 m across the coverage area; minimum capture of 250 blinks per tag for location accuracy.
- Movement tests include at least 50 tag location changes of 2 m or more.
- The standard contains a prescribed method to compute a test tag blink rate from application parameters.
Applications and Users
ISO/IEC 24770-61 is practical for:
- RTLS equipment manufacturers validating UWB device performance during product development.
- Independent test labs performing standardized performance evaluations.
- System integrators and solution architects selecting UWB RTLS hardware for asset tracking, logistics, healthcare, manufacturing and other location-aware applications.
- Procurement and QA teams requiring objective, comparable performance data when evaluating RTLS vendors.
Keywords: ISO/IEC 24770-61, RTLS test methods, UWB air interface, Ultra Wide Band RTLS, location accuracy, tag capacity, location latency, RTLS performance testing.
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