ISO/IEC TR 18268:2013 PDF

Overview

ISO/IEC TR 18268:2013 is an informative Technical Report that collates industry experience on the technical effects and practical issues when multiple PICCs (proximity integrated circuit cards or objects) are present in the field of a single PCD (proximity coupling device). The report explains how multiple contactless integrated circuit cards interact electromagnetically - including shifts in resonant frequency, reduced field strength, loading of the PCD, distortion of modulation signals, and identity-management considerations to support simultaneous usage. Typical scenarios such as electronic passports with multiple visas and wallets containing multi‑industry cards are examined.

Key Topics

• Resonance shift: Mutual inductive and capacitive coupling between PICC antennas lowers the collective resonant frequency (relative to individual PICCs). The report explains how collective resonance moves toward and below the 13.56 MHz operating frequency as the number of PICCs increases.
• Lowest operating field strength (Hlow): Multiple, closely coupled PICCs present a lower collective Q factor and may require a higher local magnetic field strength for reliable operation. The document models Hlow vs. number of PICCs in three practical regions.
• Loading effect on PCD: Presence of one or more PICCs alters PCD antenna current and Q factor; this affects operating volume and power available to cards.
• Signal/modulation distortion: Multiple PICCs can modify the PCD waveform (modulation index, rise/fall, ringing), impacting both PCD→PICC and PICC→PCD communication quality.
• Addressing & identity management: Recommendations on how PICCs should manage identities and addressing (e.g., CID support, UID/PUPI handling, AFI management) to aid collision avoidance and predictable selection.
• Empirical scenarios and test considerations: Practical examples (passports, wallets) and implications for system behaviour and user experience.

Applications and Who Uses It

ISO/IEC TR 18268:2013 is practically valuable to:

• Card and antenna designers (optimize PICC resonant tuning and antenna layouts)
• PCD/RFID reader manufacturers (design robust readers with adequate power and modulation resilience)
• System integrators and solution architects (design workflows for multi‑card interactions in access control, ID and payment)
• Government ID programs (e-passports) and wallet manufacturers (assess multi‑card presentation scenarios)
• Test labs and standards bodies (develop test methods and interoperability guidance)

Use this report to improve user experience and reliability where simultaneous presentation of multiple contactless cards is likely.

Related Standards

• ISO/IEC 14443 (contactless smart card standard referenced in the report)
• ISO/IEC 10373-6 (test PCD assembly and test methods used in simulations)

Keywords: ISO/IEC TR 18268:2013, contactless integrated circuit cards, proximity cards, PICC, PCD, resonance frequency, field strength, loading effect, electronic passport, multi‑industry wallet.