Overview
ISO/IEC 24770-5:2019 specifies device performance test methods for Chirp Spread Spectrum (CSS) Real‑Time Locating System (RTLS) equipment - mainly tags and readers - that implement the ISO/IEC 24730‑5 air interface (CSS at 2.4 GHz). The standard defines how to measure key radio‑link and system performance characteristics so manufacturers, test labs and system integrators can evaluate whether CSS RTLS equipment meets application requirements. It is explicitly focused on functional performance testing and does not cover regulatory or certification testing.
Key topics and requirements
- Scope: Tests apply exclusively to RTLS equipment defined in ISO/IEC 24730‑5 and address the CSS tag‑to‑reader air interface.
- Performance parameters covered:
- Location accuracy - comparing system‑calculated positions to actual positions (tests are confined to line‑of‑sight situations).
- Tag capacity - maximum tags/blinks per second the system can process.
- Location latency - time from tag transmission to published location.
- Tag orientation - sensitivity of location results to tag rotation.
- System range & packet error rate - link distance vs. packet loss and its impact on usability.
- Test conditions:
- Tests should be performed in environments typical of the intended application (indoor/outdoor, representative RF noise floor).
- Default tolerance of ±5% for measurement equipment and procedures.
- Systems should provide adequate logging to count transmitted/received packets.
- Test methods detailed:
- System locate performance (preferred setup uses four readers at the corners of a square to cover test area).
- CSS tag‑to‑reader tests using default blink mode.
- CSS two‑way ranging tests (time‑of‑flight / TDOA/TOA considerations).
- Normative references include ISO/IEC 24730‑5 and ISO/IEC 19762 terminology.
Applications
ISO/IEC 24770‑5:2019 is practical for:
- Evaluating RTLS equipment for asset tracking, inventory, healthcare patient/equipment location, warehouse/logistics, and industrial automation.
- Comparing CSS RTLS products for deployment planning - determining reader density, expected accuracy, and tag battery/traffic tradeoffs.
- Performing pre‑deployment QA, acceptance testing, and vendor performance claims verification.
Who should use this standard
- RTLS equipment manufacturers and firmware/hardware developers
- Independent test laboratories and QA teams
- Systems integrators and procurement/specification authors
- Research teams benchmarking CSS RTLS implementations
Related standards
- ISO/IEC 24730‑5 - CSS air interface specification (device definition).
- ISO/IEC 19762 - harmonized AIDC vocabulary.
- ISO/IEC 18305 - RTLS test methods for system level (note: 24770‑5 applies exclusively to 24730‑5 devices unless stated).