Radio Aspects of Electronic Article Surveillance (EAS) Task Force

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Radio Aspects of Electronic Article Surveillance
(EAS) Task Force
Document No GSC16-GRSC9-22
Source Radio Aspects of EAS Task Force
Contact Jacques Hulshof
GSC Session GRSC-9
Agenda Item 7.3

• Convenor Jacques Hulshof

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The heart of the system the tag

• It contains a resonant circuit, consisting of an
  air coiled loop and a capacitor.
• The tag is attached to an article prior to being
  put on sale (PoS).
• It can be either a hard tag or a paper tag.
• At PoS hard tags are removed by a strong magnet
  called detacher.
• The paper tags are destroyed by means of a so
  called deactivator. It uses the principle of a
  pulse listen system. The system scans over the
  band, and once it discovers a tag within range it
  produces a burst at the resonance frequency of
  the tag with much higher field strength than
  the normal scanning field strength.

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The gates

• The tag is destroyed/removed so it cannot be
  detected by the gates anymore.
• An induction loop antenna system sweeps over the
  frequency band or is of the pulse listen
  principle meaning it is pulsing at a certain
  frequency and listens if a tag in area.
• If a tag is detected, the system raises an alarm.
  
• Typically these (antenna) gates are located at
  the exits of shops.

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Shoplifting growing problem

• Shoplifting is a growing social worldwide
  problem.
• EAS systems are applied to reduce customer theft
• Global shrinkage 36 countries US 104.5
  billion(1.34 of retail sales)
• Customer theft worldwide US 43.1 billion is
  41.2 of total shrinkage
• North America customer theft US 14.2 billion,
  0.54 of total sales
• Latin America customer theft US 1.8 billion,
  0.51 of total sales
• South Africa customer theft US 247 million,
  0.54 of total sales
• Asia-Pacific customer theft US 7.9 billion,
  0.62 of total sales
• NOTE Ref. The Global Retail Theft Barometer
  (2008) by Centre for Retail Research

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What is the problem ?

• At present, retailers place security tags on
  their merchandise locally, paying their own staff
  to perform this task.
• Source tagging at the point of manufacture of the
  merchandise is increasing and can significantly
  reduce the overall cost.
• Increasing source tagging of goods for global
  delivery requires the harmonization of systems
  and frequencies on a global level.
• There are some concerns over potential
  interference with existing safety distress
  systems.
• Similar systems are developing for medical
  implants devices used inside and outside
  aircraft ID cards luggage handling systems in
  airports, item management, logistics, livestock,
  etc.
• A full description can be found in document
  GSC-15-GRSC8-11a1.

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Frequencies applied for EASITU Radio Regulations

• 9-135 kHz
• Radio navigation
• Fixed Maritime Mobile
• Maritime Radio navigation
• 7400-8800 kHz
• Broadcasting and fixed mobile except aeronautical
  mobile
• Fixed maritime mobile
• Maritime mobile
• 8 414.5 kHz distress frequency for digital
  selective calling
• 8 376.5 kHz distress frequency for narrow-band
  direct-printing telegraphy
• 8 364 kHz search and rescue operations concerning
  manned space vehicles.
• 8 416.5 kHz frequency for the transmission of
  maritime safety information

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Regions/Countries considered

• Regulations in regions/countries
• Europe (Region 1)
• USA/Canada (Region 2)
• China (Region 3)
• Japan (Region 3)
• Korea (Region 3)
• Canada/USA same regulations

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Regulations 9-135 kHz

• Europe
• 72 dBµA/m to 65 dB dBµA/m _at_ 10 m (90-119 kHz 42
  dBµA/m)
• US/Canada
• 2400/f µV/m _at_ 300 m, same as Europe
• China
• 72 dBµA/m _at_ 10 m, same as Europe
• Korea
• 66.5 to 43.5 dBµA/m _at_ 3m (approx. 100x lower than
  Europe)
• Japan
• 15 µV/m _at_ ?/2p, comparable with Europe (low end
  higher)

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Regulations 7400-8800 kHz

• Europe 9 dBµA/m _at_ 10 m
• US/Canada
• 11.5 dB dBµA/m _at_ 30 m with demands for
  restricted bands (almost equal to Europe)
• China
• 7300-8300 and 8400-9900 kHz 9 dBµA/m _at_ 10 m
• Korea
• 9.1 dBµA/m _at_ 3m (approx. 10x lower than Europe)
• Japan
• 2.5 dBµA/m _at_ 3m (approx. 20x lower than Europe)

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Activities since GSC-15Activity ITU-R WP1B

• ITU-R WP1B developed a Report listing common
  frequency bands that are used for the deployment
  of SRDs in all regions of the world. However, not
  all of these bands listed as common bands are
  harmonized for SRD use either regionally or
  globally.
• ITU-R Radio Communication Groups
• Source Document 1/BL/7-E, 19 August 2011
• Subject Resolution ITU-R 54
• Revision 1 to Document 1/178
• DRAFT NEW RECOMMENDATION ITU-R SM.SRD
• Frequency ranges for global and regional
  harmonization of short range devices (SRDs)

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Scope of DNR ITU-R SM.SRD

• This Recommendation contains frequency ranges to
  be used as recommended ranges for SRD
  applications requiring operation on a global or
  regional harmonized basis.

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Abbreviated considerations of DNR ITU-R SM.SRD

• considering
• Radiocommunication Assembly 2007 approved
  Resolution ITU-R 54
• increasing demand for and use of SRDs throughout
  the world
• SRD applications are deployed in bands for ISM -
  and non ISM applications
• SRDs are not ISM applications as defined in
  No. 1.15 of the Radio Regulations
• SRDs are used on a worldwide basis, are often
  carried, used across national borders
• specific interference mitigation techniques may
  facilitate the operation of SRDs
• some SRDs may employ advanced spectrum access
  techniques
• coexistence of SRDs with similar technical
  characteristics can be guaranteed
• -
• SRD applications are increasing, which may result
  in increasing spectrum demands
• necessary to use the existing spectrum more
  efficiently and economically.

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Further considerations and notes of DNR ITU-R
SM.SRD

• further considering
• that SRDs may create the potential for harmful
  interference to radiocommunication services, and
  some of them can be carried by individuals across
  national boundaries and Radio communication
  Assembly 2007 approved Resolution ITU-R 54
• noting
• that Resolution ITU-R 54 states that the ITU-R
  should continue its studies to enable
  implementation of advanced technologies for SRDs,
  thereby in particular focusing on a strategy for
  the future
• that frequency ranges, power levels and other
  technical and operating parameters commonly used
  by SRDs are listed in Report ITU-R SM.2153
  Technical and operating parameters and spectrum
  use for short-range radiocommunication devices,

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Recognitions and recommendations of DNR ITU-R
SM.SRD

• recognizing
• that the regulatory framework for SRDs, such as
  the decision on frequency bands for use by SRDs,
  is a national matter
• that there are a number of benefits of global or
  regional harmonization of frequency ranges for
  SRD usage for end users, manufacturers and
  regulators, such as
• a broader manufacturing base and increased volume
  of devices, resulting in economies of scale and
  equipment availability
• improved spectrum utilization
• that, in principle, SRDs have no requirement for
  an individual licence as they generally use the
  radio spectrum on a non-interference and
  non-protected basis. However, in specific cases
  licensing or registration may be required,
• recommends
• that for SRDs requiring operation on a global or
  regional harmonized basis, the frequency ranges
  as specified in Annex 1 and Annex 2 may be
  considered, if appropriate.

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Examples of SRDs according to DNR ITU-R
SM.SRD

• Example applications of such SRDs are the
  following medical applications SRD applications
  used inside and outside aircraft SRDs for
  supporting ID cards some Intelligent Transport
  System (ITS) applications RFID applications for
  luggage handling systems in airports, item
  management, logistics, livestock, electronic
  article surveillance (EAS) and Near Field
  Communication (NFC).

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Annex 1 of document DNR ITU-R SM.SRD

• Frequency ranges for global harmonization of SRDs
• Frequency ranges as contained in Table below are
  based on information from Report ITU-R SM.2153
  and contributions from administrations attending
  relevant ITU-R meetings. The Table may not
  reflect the actual situation. In this regard,
  further information is to be sought from
  administrations.
•  
• Frequency range 9-148.5 kHz for Inductive SRD
  applications

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Annex 2 of document DNR ITU-R SM.SRD

• Frequency ranges for regional harmonization of
  SRDs
• Frequency ranges and their availability in
  various Regions as contained in the Table below
  are based on information from Report ITU-R
  SM.2153 and contributions from administrations
  attending relevant ITU-R meetings. The Table may
  not reflect the actual and prevailing situation
  in each country and/or Region. In this regard,
  further information is to be sought from
  administrations.
• Frequency range 7 400-8 800 kHz
• Region 1 Available
• Region 2 Available
• Region 3 Available in some countries

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How to join

• http//list.etsi.org/scripts/wa.exe?SUBED1gsc-eas
  A1
• or by sending an email to Julian Pritchard  
• Email julian.pritchard_at_etsi.org
•  

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Next steps

• To hold a first face-to-face meeting in Shanghai
  in the year 2012