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FAA Approves Passive RFID for Airline Applications
Article courtesy of Frontline RFID
July 13, 2005 -- The U.S. Federal Aviation Administration has approved passive RFID tags for use in airplanes. The policy on passive RFID was developed after the FAA's internal RFID team determined that the tags would not interfere with navigational systems.
In a memo dated May 13, but not approved until June, the FAA outlined its new policy, which will allow the use of passive RFID tags on airplane parts, cargo, baggage, and parcels.
According to the memo, RFID can be used on civil aircraft under the following conditions:
- The tags operate in passive-only mode.
- The RFID devices must not radiate (back-scatter) or generate harmonics below a level of 35 decibels referenced to one microvolt per meter, to avoid interference with aircraft systems.
- The frequency assignment for passive devices must remain outside of the published aviation frequency bands.
- Use of passive RFID is restricted to ground operations only, when the aircraft is not in operation.
- RFID devices must meet the requirements of Federal Aviation Regulations 23, 25, 27, and 29.1301: all equipment must function properly when installed and operate with robust radio frequency stability.
- The policy applies to tags permanently installed on aircraft parts or equipment; on cargo containers or pallets; and tags temporarily attached to cargo, galley carts, or baggage.
The FAA had previously approved use of 433-MHz RFID for use on cargo containers on transport aircraft. The agency is expected to evaluate and develop policies for active and battery-assisted passive RFID tags later.
The passive RFID policy was developed after a two-year trial conducted by Boeing and FedEx that found the technology would not interfere with aircraft systems.
Boeing is currently testing UHF tags on Pratt & Whitney engines in conjunction with Delta Air Lines. Both Boeing and Airbus hope to use RFID for tracking part maintenance history.
With mandates from both the Department of Defense and several large retailers, RFID will also be present on an increasing amount of cargo. There are also several companies planning RFID-based cargo handling systems globally.
The Free Trade Zone at Bangkok International Airport will launch Lufthansa Systems' electronic logistics and warehouse information system (ELWIS) cargo handling system with integrated RFID technology. SkyCargo, the freight division of Dubai-based airline Emirates, will use RFID in its new cargo handling system as well.