Radio frequency identification (RFID) systems use radio frequency (RF) energy to automatically recognize people, pets, or objects such as car tags and passports. Most RFIDs operate by storing data on a microchip which is normally attached to an antenna and referred to as an RFID transponder or RFID tag. The antenna allows the microchip to transmit the identification information to an RFID "reader" which is also equipped with an antenna. The reader converts the reflected RF waves from the RFID tag into digital format.
Department of Defense (DoD) Policy directives call for implementation of passive RFID technology at the case and pallet level beginning in 2006 for a wide range of commodities, and by 2007 for ordnance – pending safety approvals. Since some ordnance items contain electrical initiators that could be activated or disabled by excessive amounts of electromagnetic energy, the use of passive tag reader devices in an ammunition/ordnance environment must be in conformance with certain safeguards.
The Automatic Identification Technology (AIT) HERO certification process details the step-by-step procedures by which a Program Manager (PM) obtains a Hazards of Electromagnetic Radiation to Ordnance (HERO) certification for new or modified AIT equipments (e.g., passive/active RFID tags, bar code scanners, wireless printers, wireless laptops, RF tag interrogators, repeaters/base stations, Local Area Network (LAN) access points, etc.). This certification is mandatory per DoD RFID Policy of 30 July 2004 (see Contributions below: https://acc.dau.mil/CommunityBrowser.aspx?id=142796) in order to address ordnance safety prior to fleet introduction particularly, for those systems that are used in and around ordnance locations and in magazines or in ordnance assembly/disassembly areas. The certification process will be a system level approach and include all aspects of the system (radiated power, frequency, antenna radiation pattern, power and software control/protocol, etc.)
Typical RFID Test Setup
Based on Joint Ordnance Commander's Group (JOCG) HERO Subgroup sponsored testing, the following conclusions apply to the safe use of global RFID readers around ordnance containing EIDs:
- Readers operating up to 4 watts Effective Isotropic Radiated Power (EIRP) must maintain an Safe Separation Distance (SSD) of 6 feet (for HERO unsafe/unreliable ordnance; e.g., untested, foreign, retrograded, or unknown ordnance). For HERO susceptible ordnance, an SSD of 3 feet is required.
- Readers operating up to 1 watt EIRP must maintain a SSD of 3 feet (for HERO unsafe/unreliable ordnance; e.g., untested, foreign, retrograded, or unknown ordnance). For HERO susceptible ordnance, an SSD of 1.5 feet is required.
- Readers (up to 4 watts EIRP) that are interrogating HERO safe ordnance or ordnance that is enclosed in all-metal shipping containers may use an SSD of 1 foot.
AIT HERO Evaluation Process
AIT HERO Certification Process
RFID Links
NEWS
Read Article: Industry Reacts to JAMA Article on Possible RFID Hazards to Medical Electronics
The links provided are to web pages that are not part of the acc.dau.mil (DAU ACC) domain. These sites are managed by organizations, companies, or individuals and are not under DAU ACC control, and the DAU ACC is not responsible for the information or links you may find once you leave this site. The DAU ACC provides links to these sites as a convenience only and the presence of these links is not a DAU ACC endorsement of the sites. The DAU ACC is not responsible for the information collection practices of these sites. Once you link to an external site, you are subject to the privacy policy of that site, and you should read that site's privacy and information collection policies.
JSC E3 Document Library
JSC E3/SS Awareness Training Schedule and Class List
