The New Gen2v3 Standard Air Interface Protocol
EPC UHF Gen2 Air Interface Protocol
- Published by EPCglobal in 2004
- Describes the physical and logical requirements for passive RFID systems operating in the UHF range (860 MHz – 930 MHz)
- With the further development of data security and data protection, Gen2v2 was published in 2013.
The Gen2v3 standard was introduced at the beginning of 2024. The conformance standard for the Gen2v3 standard has now also been finalized. The next step is to incorporate these topics into the ISO standards. Although progress here is slow, the first document has already been created. The final document is due to be published in mid-October during the ISO Conference.
Josef Preishuber-Pflügl, Managing Director of innobir, provides insights into the new standard, which focuses on quality, speed, security, and effectiveness.
The Gen2v3 standard was introduced at the beginning of 2024. The conformance standard for the Gen2v3 standard has now also been finalized. The next step is to incorporate these topics into the ISO standards. Although progress here is slow, the first document has already been created. The final document is due to be published in mid-October during the ISO Conference.
Josef Preishuber-Pflügl, Managing Director of innobir, provides insights into the new standard, which focuses on quality, speed, security, and effectiveness.
EPC UHF Gen2 Air Interface Protocol
- Published by EPCglobal in 2004
- Describes the physical and logical requirements for passive RFID systems operating in the UHF range (860 MHz – 930 MHz)
- With the further development of data security and data protection, Gen2v2 was published in 2013.
Josef Preishuber-Pflügl Explains the Gen2v3 Standard
1. GS1 has introduced three major innovations with Gen2v3. What exactly are they?

Josef Preishuber-Pflügl began his journey in wireless technologies in 1995. With almost 30 years of experience, he is actively involved in the standardization, radio regulation, product and application development that contribute to the success of RFID, NFC and UWB technologies. In this interview, he explains the optimizations of the latest version of the Gen2v3 standard for UHF RFID systems.
The three most important optimizations that Gen2v3 makes possible are, firstly, the reduction of unnecessary “tag clutters”. Secondly, the selection of tags is improved, which leads to more effective reading. And thirdly, fast access to the data in the memory banks of the tag identifiers is simplified.
In my opinion, the biggest advantage of the Gen2v3 standard is the optimized data processing. In other words, you get larger amounts of data in less time. The tag identifiers, TID for short, can now be read directly. This is a real advantage that represents a major step forward in many sectors. The TID is, so to speak, the serial number assigned by the manufacturer of an EPC UHF RFID tag. The EPC therefore always refers to the object to which it is attached.
The second important innovation in the Gen2v3 standard is that the data can now also be used in an extended form to check values more quickly, with a greater than and less than comparison added in addition to the equality of data. This makes it possible to quickly check whether there is an item within a batch that has exceeded its best-before date, for example. Or whether a delivery has been made too early or too late.
The three most important optimizations that Gen2v3 makes possible are, firstly, the reduction of unnecessary “tag clutters”. Secondly, the selection of tags is improved, which leads to more effective reading. And thirdly, fast access to the data in the memory banks of the tag identifiers is simplified.
In my opinion, the biggest advantage of the Gen2v3 standard is the optimized data processing. In other words, you get larger amounts of data in less time. The tag identifiers, TID for short, can now be read directly. This is a real advantage that represents a major step forward in many sectors. The TID is, so to speak, the serial number assigned by the manufacturer of an EPC UHF RFID tag. The EPC therefore always refers to the object to which it is attached.
The second important innovation in the Gen2v3 standard is that the data can now also be used in an extended form to check values more quickly, with a greater than and less than comparison added in addition to the equality of data. This makes it possible to quickly check whether there is an item within a batch that has exceeded its best-before date, for example. Or whether a delivery has been made too early or too late.

Josef Preishuber-Pflügl began his journey in wireless technologies in 1995. With almost 30 years of experience, he is actively involved in the standardization, radio regulation, product and application development that contribute to the success of RFID, NFC and UWB technologies. In this interview, he explains the optimizations of the latest version of the Gen2v3 standard for UHF RFID systems.
2. Can tell us more about avoiding tag clutter?
Tag clutter occurs when tags from different applications are found at one reading point. This occurs, for example, when there are items of clothing with RFID tags in a suitcase. If the suitcase tag has to be read quickly for sorting at the airport, reading the clothing tags would take too much time. A type of filter is therefore required that only filters out or activates the desired tags that are also related to the RFID solution or the specific application. This can make the time required to capture the tags that are essential for the application much, much faster.
In the original Gen2 protocol, two commands were introduced for tag filtering. These two commands had to be used together. If a tag did not receive the first command, it was read, only to realize later that the read was unnecessary and time was wasted. With Gen2v3, these two commands are combined into one. This significantly reduces the unnecessary reading of other tags and saves a lot of time.
The Impact of Gen2v3
3. What does the publication of the Gen2v3 standard mean for chip and reader manufacturers?
Gen2v3
- A Gen2 air interface protocol standard
- Publication in 2024
- Optimizations: Reduced tag clutter, improved read rates and simplified access to encoded data in TID memory banks
To take full advantage of the Gen2v3 standard, chip manufacturers are starting to develop the next generation of chips. EM Microelectronic has already presented its first Gen2v3 chip for use by the Swiss Federal Railways (SBB*).
The Gen2v3 standard is currently not mandatory for reader manufacturers. However, it stands to reason that the reader software will be adapted in the mid-term. This should be quick and easy. The extensions are particularly necessary if users want to use the new functionalities, such as the query for greater than or equal to the date. As already mentioned, the Gen2v3 standard reduces tag clutter. Tags are captured and recognized more easily and the correct information is read.
Fact sheet about Gen2v3 standard.
*Reference: https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/em4427-joins-emecho-family-em-microelectronic-1zekc
To take full advantage of the Gen2v3 standard, chip manufacturers are starting to develop the next generation of chips. EM Microelectronic has already presented its first Gen2v3 chip for use by the Swiss Federal Railways (SBB*).
The Gen2v3 standard is currently not mandatory for reader manufacturers. However, it stands to reason that the reader software will be adapted in the mid-term. This should be quick and easy. The extensions are particularly necessary if users want to use the new functionalities, such as the query for greater than or equal to the date. As already mentioned, the Gen2v3 standard reduces tag clutter. Tags are captured and recognized more easily and the correct information is read.
Fact sheet about Gen2v3 standard.
*Reference: https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/em4427-joins-emecho-family-em-microelectronic-1zekc
Gen2v3
- A Gen2 air interface protocol standard
- Publication in 2024
- Optimizations: Reduced tag clutter, improved read rates and simplified access to encoded data in TID memory banks