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BS ISO IEC 24770 โ Real-Time Locating System (RTLS) Device Performance Test Methods Series
Information technology โ Real-time locating system (RTLS) device performance test methods (2012/2015 edition series)
๐ BS ISO/IEC 24770 is the British Standard series adopted by BSI from the ISO/IEC 24770 international standard, defining real-time locating system (RTLS) device performance test methods. Developed by ISO/IEC JTC 1 Subcommittee SC 31 (Automatic identification and data capture techniques), with UK participation through Technical Committee IST/34, RTLS is a technology system for real-time location tracking of people, assets, and equipment, widely used in healthcare, logistics, warehousing, manufacturing, and security. This series provides unified performance evaluation methods for RTLS devices using different air interface technologies, serving as an important basis for equipment selection, acceptance, and quality control.
๐ก The “performance” of a locating system is multidimensional: ranging accuracy, update rate, coverage, and interference immunity all affect system behavior. 24770 uses standardized test methods so RTLS devices from different vendors can be compared on a common basis.
1. Series Overview and Positioning ๐
This batch covers three parts of the BS ISO/IEC 24770 series: Base document: test methods for air interface communication at 2.4 GHz (2012 edition), Part 61: Low rate pulse repetition frequency UWB air interface (2015 edition), and Part 62: High rate pulse repetition frequency UWB air interface (2015 edition). The 2012 base document supersedes and replaces the earlier ISO/IEC TR 24770:2008 technical report, elevating RTLS device performance testing to a full international standard.
Ultra Wide Band (UWB) technology, with its centimeter-level accuracy and strong multipath immunity, has become a mainstream air interface for next-generation RTLS. Parts 61 and 62 give test methods for two UWB implementations โ low rate pulse repetition frequency (LRP) and high rate pulse repetition frequency (HRP) โ covering complete air interface performance evaluation.
โ ๏ธ The test methods target the “air interface” level: performance testing focuses on the RF and communication capability of transceiver devices, while system-level location accuracy is also affected by the positioning algorithm, base station layout, and environment, which should be assessed comprehensively during project acceptance.
2. Series Structure and Part-Level Points ๐ง
| Standard Number | Subject | Edition | Core Content |
|---|---|---|---|
| BS ISO/IEC 24770:2012 | Test methods for air interface communication at 2.4 GHz | 1st ed., 2012-12-01 | Defines air interface communication performance test methods for 2.4 GHz RTLS |
| BS ISO/IEC 24770-61:2015 | Low rate pulse repetition frequency UWB air interface | 1st ed., 2015-10-01 | Defines LRP UWB test methods |
| BS ISO/IEC 24770-62:2015 | High rate pulse repetition frequency UWB air interface | 1st ed., 2015-10-01 | Defines HRP UWB test methods |
3. 2.4 GHz Air Interface Test Method Core Points ๐
The 2012 base document specifies test methods for the air interface communication performance of RTLS devices operating in the 2.4 GHz band. Content covers test conditions, test setup configuration, test procedures, and performance metrics: by measuring transmit power, receive sensitivity, communication range, bit error rate/packet error rate, and interference immunity, the communication performance of the device in typical indoor and near-field environments is evaluated. The test methods emphasize standardization and repeatability of scenarios, ensuring comparability of results across laboratories and production batches.
This part interfaces with ISO/IEC 19762-5 (locating systems terminology) and ISO/IEC 24730 (RTLS application programming interface and protocol), providing a complete evaluation chain from development to mass production of RTLS devices.
4. Part 61: Low Rate Pulse Repetition Frequency (LRP) UWB Air Interface ๐ก
Part 61 defines test methods for the Low rate pulse repetition frequency (LRP) UWB air interface. LRP UWB uses longer pulse intervals and simpler modulation, typically targeting applications balancing low cost, low power, and reasonable accuracy. This part specifies test configuration, terminology definitions (including abbreviations), and test procedures, providing standardized evaluation of transmit, receive, ranging, and interference immunity performance of devices in LRP UWB mode.
๐ก LRP and HRP are two different UWB physical layer implementations: LRP is more power-efficient and simpler, suitable for low-power tags; HRP offers higher data rate and location rate, suitable for high update rate scenarios. Weigh power, update rate, and cost per application needs when selecting.
5. Part 62: High Rate Pulse Repetition Frequency (HRP) UWB Air Interface ๐ฐ๏ธ
Part 62 defines test methods for the High rate pulse repetition frequency (HRP) UWB air interface. HRP UWB provides higher pulse repetition frequency and data throughput, supporting higher location update rates and finer ranging, widely used in scenarios requiring high-precision, high-dynamics positioning such as industrial automation, AGV navigation, and medical tracking. This part likewise specifies test conditions, terminology, and detailed test procedures for evaluating communication and positioning-related performance of devices in HRP UWB mode.
6. Application Practice and Selection ๐ ๏ธ
- ๐ Equipment selection: before purchasing RTLS devices, require suppliers to provide standardized performance reports based on the test methods of the relevant 24770 parts, enabling “like-for-like” comparison.
- ๐ Solution assessment: combine UWB air interface type (LRP/HRP) with application scenarios (low power vs. high update rate) to choose the appropriate product combination.
- ๐ Acceptance testing: during project acceptance, re-measure key performance indicators in the real environment to verify the credibility of supplier data.
- ๐ Standards alignment: use with ISO/IEC 19762-5, ISO/IEC 24730, ISO/IEC 18305, and other RTLS-related standards to build a complete technical system.
๐จ Test results are strongly influenced by the environment: metal reflections, obstruction, multipath, and co-channel interference can all change measured performance. Define test conditions and measurement uncertainty during acceptance, and do not treat “ideal environment nominal values” as field guarantees.
7. Frequently Asked Questions โ
โ Q: What is the difference between 24770 and 24730?
A: 24730 defines the RTLS application programming interface and protocol, while 24770 defines RTLS device performance test methods; the former governs “how to communicate,” the latter governs “how to test performance.”
A: 24730 defines the RTLS application programming interface and protocol, while 24770 defines RTLS device performance test methods; the former governs “how to communicate,” the latter governs “how to test performance.”
โ Q: How to choose between LRP and HRP UWB?
A: LRP focuses on low power, low cost, and moderate accuracy; HRP focuses on high update rate, high data rate, and higher ranging accuracy. Trade off based on the application’s requirements for update rate and power.
A: LRP focuses on low power, low cost, and moderate accuracy; HRP focuses on high update rate, high data rate, and higher ranging accuracy. Trade off based on the application’s requirements for update rate and power.
โ Q: Does the standard cover system-level location accuracy?
A: 24770 mainly covers device air interface performance testing; system-level accuracy also requires integrated testing evaluating the positioning algorithm, base station layout, and environmental factors.
A: 24770 mainly covers device air interface performance testing; system-level accuracy also requires integrated testing evaluating the positioning algorithm, base station layout, and environmental factors.
โ Q: Is this series mandatory?
A: No. It is a voluntary test method standard for device vendors, system integrators, and users to evaluate RTLS device performance.
A: No. It is a voluntary test method standard for device vendors, system integrators, and users to evaluate RTLS device performance.
๐ Q: How do I conduct a standardized RTLS performance test?
A: First identify the device under test and air interface type, then configure the test setup and scenario per the relevant part, execute the measurement per the specified procedure while recording environmental conditions, and finally aggregate and compare results on a common basis.
A: First identify the device under test and air interface type, then configure the test setup and scenario per the relevant part, execute the measurement per the specified procedure while recording environmental conditions, and finally aggregate and compare results on a common basis.