Overview
ISO/IEC 18305:2016 - Information technology - Real time locating systems - Test and evaluation of localization and tracking systems - defines a standardized framework for testing and evaluating real-time locating systems (RTLS). The standard identifies appropriate performance metrics, test & evaluation (T&E) scenarios, reporting formats and visualization guidance, with a primary focus on indoor localization and tracking environments.
Key topics and technical requirements
ISO/IEC 18305:2016 structures T&E around measurable, repeatable criteria and includes:
- LTS taxonomy: classification of location sensor types, unimodal vs multimodal systems, infrastructure-dependent vs infrastructure-less solutions, and training requirements.
- Privacy and security considerations: guidance on evaluating risks and protections relevant to location data.
- T&E methodology taxonomy: system vs component testing, black-box vs white-box approaches, repeatability, laboratory vs building-wide tests, and ground-truth methods.
- Performance metrics: standardized metrics such as floor detection probability, zone detection probability, various error statistics (means, RMS, covariance), Circular Error 95% (CE95), Vertical Error 95% (VE95), Spherical Error 95% (SE95), coverage, relative accuracy, latency, and set-up time.
- Mission-critical metrics (optional): susceptibility, resilience and availability considerations for safety-critical deployments.
- T&E scenarios and failure modes: building types (e.g., office, warehouse, subterranean), mobility effects (walking, running, crawling), and sensor failure modes.
- Reporting requirements: recommended contents for T&E reports including environment, equipment, data formats, update rates, RF interference, GUI features, set-up procedures and floor plans.
Practical applications
ISO/IEC 18305:2016 is practical for anyone who needs objective, repeatable evaluation of indoor positioning systems:
- RTLS vendors - to validate product claims and compare algorithm or sensor configurations.
- System integrators - to verify performance before deployment in buildings, warehouses, hospitals and factories.
- Test laboratories and certification bodies - to apply consistent T&E methods and produce comparable reports.
- Procurement teams and facility managers - to specify acceptance criteria and evaluate competing RTLS solutions.
- Safety and mission-critical operators - to assess resilience, latency and coverage for emergency, tracking and asset-management use cases.
Related standards
ISO/IEC 18305:2016 complements other ISO/IEC and industry standards for wireless communications, positioning and IT system testing. For interoperable deployments, consult relevant wireless and location technology standards and regional radio regulations.
By using ISO/IEC 18305:2016 as a reference, organizations can produce consistent, transparent test results for indoor RTLS, improving procurement decisions, product development and operational reliability.