RFID Microchips for Military Personnel

RFID for military application as shown on CNN feature. ...

Solar RFID Reader Powers Asset Tracking System

Savi Technology deploys solar-powered Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) readers and signposts that lower energy usage and costs and enable real-time asset tracking. In many cases, Army bases may be in remote locations with limited power. Solar energy is being used more frequently in remote RFID networks. ...

... "Solar energy provides an energy efficient and environmentally friendly power source for users' RFID hardware, and also eliminates the need to install electrical infrastructure in remote areas where there is no fixed reader infrastructure. Savi engineers mounted solar panels and RFID signposts on poles located at a major U.S. Army supply facility in Kuwait. The solar-powered signposts activate RFID tags attached to vehicles or pieces of equipment. The tags then report the assets' positions to nearby RFID readers, which relay the information to Savi Site Manager software that automatically updates the assets' latest location. These tools enable the facility to track more than 25,000 tags per day. " ...

Via Savi Technology: RFID Asset Tracking Uses Solar Power

Savi RFID Active Reader Order Enables Tracking

Savi Technology received orders of more than $3 million from Comtech Mobile Datacom Corporation for more than 6,000 Savi active Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) reader modules, that will be used in tracking applications. ...

... "Comtech embeds Savi OEM active RFID reader modules into Comtech's satellite-based Movement Tracking System (MTS) kit atop the roof of the driver's cab, providing customers with two-way communications to automatically locate, manage and redirect ground shipments. MTS is used by the U. S. Army to automatically read and relay information of stockpiles at depots or in staging areas by driving MTS-mounted vehicles past RFID-tagged containers and supplies, providing mobile communications to the DoDs In-Transit Visibility network, the world's largest RFID-based cargo tracking system. Savi Technology holds a $424.5 million RFID II procurement contract with the U.S. DoD for active RFID products and services. Comtech Mobile Datacom Corporation recently announced that it was awarded a new $605.1 million indefinite delivery / indefinite quantity contract with the U.S. Army for its Movement Tracking System. " ...

Via Savi Tech: RFID-GPS-SATCOM System Orders Surpass 10,000 Unit Mark

RFID Business Intelligence Implementation by US Army

US Army's Product Manager, Joint - Automatic Identification Technology (PM J-AIT) implements MicroStrategy Business Intelligence Platform to provide analytics for logistics data from radio frequency identification (RFID) solution created by Unisys Corp. ...

... "The Radio Frequency In-Transit Visibility (RF-ITV) program provides government and contractor personnel across four continents with instant access to critical information on military cargo, equipment, and supplies. MicroStrategy software was selected to improve the ability to access and analyze data, and provide better decisions to enhance the Department of Defense's worldwide logistics tracking system. Timely access to mission-critical information will enable decision makers throughout the logistics pipeline to plan, prioritize, and redirect logistics operations to improve warfighter readiness. " ...

Via MicroStrategy: US Army's PM J-AIT Implements MicroStrategy Software

RFID Hammer Tracking System Integrates GIS and Sensors

Army RFID research looks to improve the understanding of rapidly changing conditions in real-time using RFID, geographic information, and multiple sensor perspectives. ...

... "The HAMMERTM is modular in design. The technology may be configurable to accommodate a variety of plug and play components, wireless sensors (e.g., seismic, thermal, acoustic, temperature, chemical), and other peripherals via conventional connections (e.g., USB 2.0, LEMOTM). The core unit includes a computer running a WindowsTM XP operating system, which allows secure and encrypted robust computing and 80 GB of data storage capacity. An embedded ArcGISTM software platform allows for integrated complex geographical information system (GIS) analysis. Base unit features include: position acquisition as well as stand-off positioning; distance, pitch, and roll measurements; and still and video processing. Users can collect data instantly via the a rapid event-capture trigger. Additional functions may include night vision, image stabilization and video pattern registration, voice recognition software, and biometrics for secure operations. Voice annotations, as well as audio communications, may be achieved through a wireless, hands-free, headset. A marking/tracking system may be used to mark and monitor dynamic situations and events across diverse landscapes, via active and/or passive Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) tags and hybrid bar code/RFID labels. " ...

Via US Army ERDC: HAMMER (Hand-held Apparatus for Mobile Mapping and Expedited Reporting)

DOD RFID Final Rule Adopted

DOD adopts final RFID rule and will require the use of Gen-2 RFID tags. ...

... "DoD has adopted as final, with changes, an interim rule amending the Defense Federal Acquisition Regulation Supplement (DFARS) to include additional commodities and locations that require package marking with passive radio frequency identification (RFID) tags. The rule requires contractors to affix passive RFID tags at the case and palletized unit load levels when shipping packaged petroleum, lubricants, oils, preservatives, chemicals, additives, construction and barrier materials, and medical materials to specified DoD locations.

RADIO FREQUENCY IDENTIFICATION (FEB 2007)

(a) Passive RFID tag means a tag that reflects energy from the reader / interrogator or that receives and temporarily stores a small amount of energy from the reader/interrogator signal in order to generate the tag response.
(1) Until February 28, 2007, the acceptable tags are --

(i) EPC Class 0 passive RFID tags that meet the EPCglobal Class 0 specification; and (ii) EPC Class 1 passive RFID tags that meet the EPCglobal Class 1 specification. This includes both the Generation 1 and Generation 2 Class 1 specifications.

(2) Beginning March 1, 2007, the only acceptable tags are EPC Class 1 passive RFID tags that meet the EPCglobal Class 1 Generation 2 specification. Class 0 and Class 1 Generation 1 tags will no longer be accepted after February 28, 2007. " ...

Via Federal Register: Defense Federal Acquisition Regulation Supplement; Radio Frequency Identification (DFARS Case 2006-D002)

RFID Nano-Battery Technology

mPhase Technologies plans to reinvent the design of batteries, that power portable electronic devices, freeing us from the fire-hazards of lithium ion batteries, ie. the ones that catch fire in laptop computers. mPhase is creating the Smart Nanobattery, which is a radical approach to energy storage using nanograss.

... "The company is developing a battery for potential use in consumer commerce and security applications like active RFID Radio Frequency ID tags; " ...

Via mPhase Tech: mPhase Technologies To Continue Its Development Of A Radical Improvement In Battery Technology Superior To Current Designs ...

RFID Army Depot MRO Maintenance Repair Overhaul ...

Tobyhanna Depot implements WhereNet's active RFID technology to manage MRO of command and control systems for the military. ...

... "WhereNet Corp. announced that Tobyhanna Army Depot has expanded use of the standards-based WhereNet active RFID, real-time locating system (RTLS) technology to streamline the repair and overhaul of defense electronic systems at the Pennsylvania facility. Tobyhanna Army Depot performs the maintenance, repair, and overhaul of command, control, communications, intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance systems for the Defense Department. Tobyhanna initially contracted with SYS-TEC to deploy the WhereNet system in late 2004 to optimize the refurbishment of the AN/TRC-170 Microwave Communications System and AN/TPS-75 Air Defense Radar System. After extended deployment in rugged environments while supporting America's armed forces, these communications systems are shipped to Tobyhanna, where each system is disassembled, overhauled, and tested before being shipped out to the field again. With assemblies, subassemblies, components, and spare parts spread across the more than 1.9-million-square-foot refurbishment areas, WhereNet's RTLS technology provides each work center with visibility of the AN/TRC-170 and AN/TPS-75 system's work in process. " ...

Via Wherenet: TOBYHANNA ARMY DEPOT EXPANDS USE OF WHERENET ACTIVE RFID REAL-TIME LOCATING SYSTEM TECHNOLOGY ...

RFID Research: Sensor Networks: IBM Consortium ...

IBM consortium wins contract to support the research and development of RFID wireless sensor networks to enable military operations. ...

... "The United States Army Research Laboratory and United Kingdom Ministry of Defence have selected an IBM-led consortium, the newly formed International Technology Alliance (ITA) in Network and Information Sciences, to undertake a research program exploring advanced technology for secure wireless and sensor networks to support future coalition operations, over a potential 10 year period, with a value of up to $135.8 million. Successful future military operations will depend on the capability of coalition forces to quickly gather, interpret and share battlefield information to coordinate actions, so the research will enable interoperability and communications across disparate military units, allowing them to operate more effectively. This Alliance represents a new way of conducting collaborative research by fostering close partnerships among government, academic, and industry researchers in both countries. The ITA creates a critical mass of private sector and government researchers focused on solving military technology challenges central to future coalition military operations; enabling staff rotations among all organizations in the Alliance; and facilitating rapid and affordable transition of technologies with an innovative transition model. " ...

Via IBM: IBM-Led Consortium Wins Ground-Breaking Transatlantic Defense Research Agreement ...

RFID Medical Record Army System ...

3M will implement RFID-enabled medical record system for the US Army that support their operational efficiency objectives and increase the quality of services through reduced errors. ...

... "3M has been awarded a $3.76 million contract to develop and install a system that uses radio frequency identification (RFID) technology to track medical files at the U.S. Army's massive Fort Hood Installation in Texas. The system is expected to make a positive impact on operational efficiencies in health care delivery, the troop deployment process and the management of medical data collection. The active medical records of more than 150,000 servicemen and women and their dependents are housed at five sites at Fort Hood, and as many as 70,000 files may be in use at the base's six clinics during the course of a month.



The RFID system is intended to substantially reduce errors and inefficiencies associated with manual tracking, retrieval, filing and file merging methods. The tracking of Army medical records through RFID technology is an innovation led by the Telemedicine and Advanced Technology Research Center (TATRC), a unit of the U.S. Army Medical Research and Materiel Command (USAMRMC). Fort Hood, situated about 60 miles north of Austin, the state capital, is the nation's largest active duty domestic military installation, occupying some 340 square miles. The Army becomes the third federal entity to employ RFID systems from 3M, following similar decisions recently by the Tax Division of the Department of Justice and the U.S. Tax Court. Unlike the other applications, however, the system in development for the Army requires higher-performance capability and a greater degree of continuous and automatic tracking of the files. " ...

Via 3M: United States Army Awards Contract to 3M for Pilot RFID Program To Track and Manage Medical Records at Fort Hood ...

DOD RFID Contract Value Doubled and Extended ...

DOD doubles RFID contract value with Savi Technology and extends the contract expiration date.

... "The U.S. Department of Defense (DoD) has increased its RFID II contract value with Savi Technology from $207.9 million to $424.5 million and extended the ordering period for the company's active Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) products and services by another two years -- through January 31, 2008. The contract amendments were made by the U.S. Army's Information Technology, E-Commerce and Commercial Contracting Center (ITEC4), and the executive agent for the DoD is the office of the Product Manager, Joint-Automatic Identification Technology. In a public notice, the Department of the Army wrote: The extension of the ordering period and raising of the contract ceiling is necessary in order to continue to provide active RFID tags and associated supplies and services for shipments of materiel to the Middle East in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom.

Savi Technology, a leading developer and provider of RFID supply chain solutions for allied defense forces and commercial enterprises, has provided RFID solutions to the DoD for more than a decade. The company helped build the DoD's In-Transit Visibility (ITV) network, which spans more than 45 countries and tracks military supplies through more than 2,000 sites. In addition to the DoD, the company provides RFID solutions for allies such as NATO, the United Kingdom, Australia, Denmark, and Spain, among others. Savi Technology is building interoperable RFID-based networks for allies that enable them to improve the management of consignments for multi-national, joint-force operations. " ...

DOD RFID Contract Value Doubled and Extended: Via Savi Technology: SAVI TECHNOLOGY’S DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE RFID II CONTRACT CEILING INCREASED TO $424.5 MILLION: Procurement contract for RFID Products and Services Extended Two Years ...

Tags: Radio Frequency Identification, RFID, RFID Tag

RFID Cargo Tracking System ...

... "The Cargo Tracking System will use a Citadel Vista-10XL mobile computer with an IDENTEC SOLUTIONS Active RFID reader module. As the cargo is loaded, antennas mounted outside the truck will read active RFID tags attached to cargo containers. The cargo contents will automatically be recorded and reported, and actions will be launched, all without human intervention. Commanders will immediately know the location of all cargo containers in the supply chain. This is a future-proof RFID system that can easily support multiple tag technologies and future technologies via plug-in modules. " ...

RFID Cargo Tracking System: Via Identec Solutions: IDENTEC SOLUTIONS Selected to Supply RFID Cargo Tracking System for US Army Maneuver Sustainment Vehicle ...

DataRich Active RFID: Nato SupplyChain ...

NATO awards Savi contract to sustain operations of its RFID-based network, built to track the supply chain between Europe and Afghanistan. ...

... "The contract followed a year-long assessment of the RFID backbone Savi deployed for NATO. The contract calls for purchase of additional data-rich active Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) tags and readers as well as network wide software enhancements to the International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) supply chain, stretching from the Netherlands and Germany through Uzbekistan to Kabul in Afghanistan.

The contract calls for purchase of additional data-rich active Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) tags and readers as well as network wide software enhancements to the International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) supply chain, stretching from the Netherlands and Germany through Uzbekistan to Kabul in Afghanistan.

The new NATO contract calls for additional units of Savi’s readers (Savi Reader SR-650) to be placed at key transportation nodes along the ISAF Network, more Savi tags (ST-654) to be affixed to containers and air pallets, and for a network wide software upgrade to CMS 1.0, which will be hosted at NC3A’s facility in The Hague, Netherlands, where CMS will interface with the NATO LOGFAS Logistics IT system. " ...

DataRich Active RFID: Nato SupplyChain: Via Savi Technology: NATO AWARDS SAVI TECHNOLOGY A NEW CONTRACT FOR RFID NETWORK UPGRADES TO TRACK DEFENSE CONSIGNMENTS: Savi’s New SmartChain® Consignment Management Solution Brings Real-Time Visibility of Joint Force, Multi-National Shipments from Europe to Afghanistan ...

Additional references on the NATO RFID supply chain network:

Focus on DLA: "In fact, asset tracking has become a NATO interest item with the recognition of the inability of traditional materiel management techniques to trace individual assets accurately. The 1998 NATO Ministerial Guidance prioritized the achievement of a common standard asset tracking system through the establishment of the Asset Tracking Interservice Working Group. "

International Asset Tracking & Materials Handling Standardization: "The aim of NATO standardization is to enhance the Alliance's operational effectiveness, achieve the closest practicable cooperation among forces, and to improve efficiency in the use of available resources. LOGSA PSCC supports NATO standardization under the NATO Standardization Agency for asset tracking and materials handling as to increase multinational force compatibility (MFC). As our defense resources diminish, we can make more efficient use of resources through MFC. Our prime goal is to establish Standardization Agreements (STANAGs), which are agreements among several or all 19 member nations to adopt like or similar military equipment, ammunition, supplies, and stores; and operational, logistic, and administrative procedures. "

Supply Chain Systems Transformation - Portfolio Management - Milestones: "IUID STANAG ratification by NATO Asset Tracking Working Group"

Anytime Anywhere RFID Technology: Military Applications ...

Imagine the convergance of radio frequency identification and global positioning. Objects identify themselves and their position to enable real-time, global visibility. Bob Brewin explores the Army's vision for next-generation radio frequency identification (RFID) technology. ...

Anytime Anywhere RFID Technology: Military Applications: Via FCW: Army wants any time, anywhere RFID tag

... "The Army wants some help in developing next-generation radio frequency identification (RFID) tags with built-in global wireless connectivity that will allow the service to locate shipping containers any time, anywhere. " ...

Ubisense Sensors: RFID Active Tags

Ubisense support accelerated customer growth in RFID and associated UWB sensor technology with process efficiency, tracking, and security. ...

Ubisense Sensors: RFID Active Tags: Via Ubisense: UBISENSE REPORTS 60 NEW CUSTOMERS AS DEMAND FOR HIGH ACCURACY INDOOR LOCATION TECHNOLOGY INTESIFIES: Ubisense enhances process efficiencies, space utilization and security for, healthcare, industrial, military and more ...

... "Ubisense provides innovative, sensor-driven technology that utilizes UWB to report person and asset location within one foot of accuracy. Small sensors are placed within the indoor environment and active tags worn by people or attached to assets provide location information that can be viewed in 3D. This location data can be used to determine the efficiency and security of any indoor space or training scenario. For instance, US-based DSCI provides live, virtual training scenarios for the Department of Defense (DoD) training centers. DSCI needed high resolution indoor tracking capabilities for Military Operations in Urban Terrain (MOUT) training. Finding that WiFi and Radio Frequency ID (RFID) systems do not offer the near-precise accuracy and reliability required by the DoD, DSCI turned to Ubisense. " ...

Ubisense provides location-aware, sensor-driven technology that increases the usability and security of space. Ubisense utilizes advanced ultra-wideband (UWB) to deliver real-time location data within one foot of accuracy to more than 60 customers spanning workplace, healthcare, industrial and military organizations worldwide. The company is headquartered in Cambridge , England with offices in Denver , Colorado and Dortmund, Germany.

RFID Tag Data Query ...

Server Queries and Reports: HOW RFID TAG INFORMATION IS GENERATED AND DISPLAYED ...

... "Queries rely on information written to RF tags for the information that they provide. Queries will only provide you with valuable results if all the required information is correctly written to the RF tags. " ...

RFID Tag Placement Instructions ...

RFID Tag Placement Instructions: Hardware: RFID TAG and MSL PLACEMENT AND DOCUMENTATION ...

... "When attaching RFID tags to containers:

- Mount them on the same side as an MSL document normally right side near thetop.
- Mount the RFID tag in between the ribs in an indentation.
- When attaching the older Seal Tag, use the nylon strips and mount them to the front door. " ...

RFID Tag Scenario ...

Via Global Cargo Distribution - Domestic - Theater Booking Advisory for Cargo Movement to Iraq and Kuwait ...

... "Each individual package or piece must be tagged with an RFID tag and, except for vehicles/trailers, palletized or skidded to allow for mechanized handling. Lifting points must be clearly marked. After verifying cargo documentation including RFID tags, SDDC will arrange movement from the port to the TDC for onward movement to Iraq or a DODAAC destination within Kuwait. " ...

3G RFID SATCOM ...

3G RFID SATCOM: Improving RFID Technology: Via Army Logistician

Jeffrey D. Fee and Alan Schmack recommend improvements for RFID, such as third-generation satellite communications, 3G SATCOM ...

... "RFID integrated with satellite communications and a GPS results in a single device that can overcome the where is it now? asset tracking problem. A prototype of this new capability being tested by the Army Logistics Transformation Agency is called Third Generation Radio Frequency Identification with Satellite Communications (3G RFID w/SATCOM). It has the potential to provide DOD with unprecedented on-demand supply and equipment in-transit visibility without fixed infrastructure. " ...

DOD HandHeld RFID Computer ...

DOD HandHeld RFID Computer: Via Psion Teklogix: Psion Teklogix Rugged RFID Hand-Held Only One Tough Enough For DoD

Psion Tek secures DOD HandHeld RFID Computer contract ...

... "Psion Teklogix (LSE: PON), a global provider of solutions for mobile computing, wireless data collection, imaging and RFID, announced that its rugged EPC-compliant 7535 Hand-Held Computer with RD7950 Integrated UHF RFID Reader has been the only hand-held reader selected for use by the U.S. Department of Defense (DoD), U.S. Coast Guard and several other federal agencies. Psion Teklogix partners CDO Technologies, SYS-TEC and WFI Government Services have each been awarded a Blanket Purchase Agreement (BPA) from the Army Contracting Agency Information Technology, E-Commerce, and Commercial Contracting Center (ITEC4), for passive Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) Electronic Product Code (EPC) -1 for Multi-protocol (Class 0 and 1) Hand-held Readers. " ...

RFID BPM Asset Management Solution ...

RFID BPM Asset Management Solution: Appian Further Solidifies Lead in BPM Market, Offering RFID Integration to Enhance Process-Driven Solutions: Company Showcases RFID-Enab