Keolabs EMVCo Level 1 benchmark suite
A conformance test solution for EMVCo Contactless Level 1. It verifies the analogue and digital implementation of proximity cards (PICCs) and proximity coupling devices, that is readers (PCDs). KEOLABS supplies test tools and test suites that have obtained qualification from EMVCo against the relevant specifications. The scope of that qualification, the configuration, the software version and the qualification number must be confirmed for each product and specification version. The solution comprises a complete test bench with the SCRIPTIS™ environment and accessories built in strict conformance to the EMVCo specifications.
The test bench as a whole
A test bench has four elements: software, tester, fixtures and the device under test. This shows where the product sits.
A conformance test solution for EMVCo Contactless Level 1. It verifies the analogue and digital implementation of proximity cards (PICCs) and proximity coupling devices, that is readers (PCDs). KEOLABS supplies test tools and test suites that have obtained qualification from EMVCo against the relevant specifications. The scope of that qualification, the configuration, the software version and the qualification number must be confirmed for each product and specification version. The solution comprises a complete test bench with the SCRIPTIS™ environment and accessories built in strict conformance to the EMVCo specifications.
What is tested
EMVCo Level 1 PICCs and PCDs are verified at both analogue and digital level. Everything runs on SCRIPTIS™.
Verifies the analogue and digital implementation of a proximity card (PICC) for payment applications, using the SCRIPTIS analogue and digital test suites.
- SC-VAL-PICC Analog EMVCo: conforms to EMV Contactless Interface v3.2b
- SC-VAL-PICC Digital EMVCo: conforms to EMV Contactless Interface v3.2b
Verifies the analogue and digital implementation of a proximity coupling device, that is a reader (PCD), for terminal type approval.
- SC-VAL-PCD Analog EMVCo: Contactless Terminal L1 Type Approval PCD Analog v3.2a
- SC-VAL-PCD Digital EMVCo: conforms to v3.2a
Analogue testing of Reduced Range terminals.
- SC-VAL-RR Terminal Analog EMVCo: Reduced Range PCD L1 Test Guidelines v3.2a
Every suite runs on SCRIPTIS™, from visual cues that assist manual testing through to fully automated testing with a robot. Communication logs and traces between the test bench and the device under test are fully visible.
- Visual cues and aids for manual testing
- Fully automated testing with a robot
- Logs and traces make the results fully visible
- In use at EMVCo accredited laboratories
Pricing attaches to each test suite, that is to each specification programme, and the SCRIPTIS™ user interface is included. Running a suite requires the corresponding fixtures to be connected, and during testing you follow the prompts for placing the device under test and changing the fixture configuration — swapping antennas in analogue testing, for example.
Test case coverage (July 2026)
Coverage as published by KEOLABS. The test identifiers correspond to the EMVCo test case numbers: v3.2a for PCD and v3.2b for PICC.
Terminal (PCD) analogue — v3.2a
| RF power | TAB111 (power transfer from PCD to PICC), TAB112 (carrier frequency) and others |
|---|---|
| PCD→PICC Type A | TA121 (t1 timing), TA122 (monotonic decrease from V4 to V2) and others |
| PICC→PCD Type A | TA131 and TA132 (load modulation VS1,pp and VS2,pp at minimum positive modulation) and others |
| Bit coding, Type A | TA141 (transmission bit rate), TA142 (bit coding and deactivation of synchronisation) and others |
| PCD→PICC Type B | TB121 (modulation index), TB122 (fall time) and others |
| PICC→PCD Type B | TB131 and TB132 (load modulation VS1,pp and VS2,pp) and others |
| Bit coding, Type B | TB141 (transmission bit rate), TB142 (synchronisation, coding and deactivation) and others |
| PCD I/Q demodulation | TA151 (Type A) and TB151 (Type B) — I/Q demodulation verification |
Terminal (PCD) digital — v3.2a
| Type A | TA001 (basic exchange with single size UID, with timing measurement), TA002 (normal removal) and others |
|---|---|
| Type B | TB000 (TR1PUTMIN pre-test), TB001 (basic exchange with timing measurement) and others |
Reduced Range terminal analogue — v3.2a with the qualified scoring tool
In addition to the RR L1 Test Guidelines v3.2a, the Bulletin No. 276 (First Edition, April 2024) — Reduced Range Devices Acceptance Criteria is applied, and an EMVCo qualified scoring tool is included, so applying the acceptance criteria is part of the same flow.
Card (PICC) analogue — v3.2b
| Power states | CA112 and CA113 (Type A power off and power on states) and others |
|---|---|
| Effect on the field | CAB111 (effect of the PICC on the field) |
| Responsiveness, Type A and B | CA121, CA122, CB121 and CB122 (responsiveness at minimum and maximum field strength) and others |
| Transmission, Type A and B | CA131, CA132, CB131 and CB132 (load modulation, subcarrier frequency and bit rate) and others |
| Bit coding, Type A and B | CA143, CA144, CB143 and CB144 (coding, deactivation, timing and bit boundaries) and others |
| Performance pre-verification | CA151/CB151 (Type A / B Performance Pre-Verification) |
Card (PICC) digital — v3.2b
| Type A | CA001–003 (basic exchange with timing measurement), CA010–012.XY (minimum and extended FDT from PCD to PICC) and others |
|---|---|
| Type B | CB001 (basic exchange with timing measurement), CB010.xy (FDT variations) and others |
| Block protocol | CC001.x (EMV contactless polling support), CC110.x (receiving chained I-blocks from the PCD) and others |
Mobile Analogue — v3.2b
Built on PICC Analogue v3.2b with the EMV Mobile L1 Test Guidelines v3.2b applied, this is the analogue suite for mobile devices such as smartphones. For non-standard form factors, use it together with the SC-RF Probe 4.
Test bench configuration (actual SKUs)
Test platform and runtime
| SC-ProxiLAB Quest | PICC, PCD and NFC signal emulator, for device characterisation and protocol conformance |
|---|---|
| SCRIPTIS™ | Test runtime on a PC, with automation, logging and tracing |
EMVCo reference accessories and fixtures
| SC-EMVCo Test PICC V3.0 | A kit of three EMVCo reference PICCs: two Class 1 tuned to 13.56 and 16.1 MHz, and one Class 3 tuned to 13.56 MHz |
|---|---|
| SC-EMVCo Test PCD V3.0 | One EMVCo reference PCD antenna |
| SC-EMVCo KIT | Three Test PICCs, the PCD antenna, a stand for the Test PCD, and a CMR for signal conditioning and input/output switching |
| SC-RF Probe 4 V1.5 | An RF probe for mobile phones and non-standard form factors |
| SC-Dongle | A dongle for flexible dynamic licensing |
Measurement, amplification and automation
| LeCroy HDO6034-B | A 12-bit ADC oscilloscope, integrated with SCRIPTIS to control analogue testing |
|---|---|
| Bowen 50W 50Ω | A 10–250 MHz variable gain RF amplifier, covering the EMVCo power range and also used for ISO/IEC 14443 alternating field testing |
| SC-ROB6x-VS060 | A six-axis robot that meets the EMVCo acceleration constraint of more than 8 m/s² and sweeps the operating volume automatically, supplied with probe supports for the relevant test specification. The protective cage is an option; without it, the robot must be integrated into an environment conforming to Machinery Directive 2006/42/EC |
| SC-ROB5x-VP-5243 | A five-axis robot that sweeps the operating volume automatically, supplied with probe supports for the relevant test specification |
Specifications and schemes
EMVCo Level 1 conformance (coverage depends on the configuration and licences)