RFID Dash7 Alliance

Michelin, Savi Tech, TI and others have created the DASH7 Alliance to grow use of wireless data technology through better interoperability. A number of national laboratories will support the effort as technical advisors. ...

... "The DASH7 Alliance will work to ensure cross-vendor interoperability as well as to promote greater use of the ISO 18000-7 wireless data standard, which is more cost effective, more reliable, and operates at lower power levels than ZigBee and similar wireless data technologies. The DASH7 Alliance will also foster new wireless data innovations based on the standard, including advanced sensor networking, electronic seals, mobile phone integration, and other advances ... " ...

Via Dash7: DASH7 Alliance to Advance Wireless Data Technology

Satellite RFID Tag Provides Global Visibility

Numerex and Savi will collaborate to develop an asset and shipment monitoring capability that integrates Global Satellite Positioning, active Radio Frequency Identification and Satellite Communications into a hybrid RFID tag, the ST-694 GlobalTag. ...

... "The satellite-based global RFID device will be designed to provide tracking information in the harshest environmental conditions, be scalable, flexible, and deliver real-time visibility to those who need it, on a near global basis. The partners will work together to ensure that the ST-694 GlobalTag becomes HERO (Hazards of Electromagnetic Radiation to Ordnance) certified, and based on the ISO 18000-7 standard for active RFID, which will help promote interoperability with compatible networks and devices. Savi has provided the active RFID products for the U.S. DoD's In-Transit Visibility network, which is the world's largest RFID network that tracks about 35,000 conveyances daily across more than 4,000 locations and 40 countries. Asset owners, chemical, retail, defense, transportation companies, rail, suppliers faced with customer RFID mandates, ocean ports and terminal operators, exporters, importers and logistics service providers benefit from Savi's real-time solutions. " ...

Via Numerex: GlobalTag Combining GPS, RFID and Satellite Communications

RFID Electronic Toll Interoperability

TransCore launches the eZGo Anywhere standard onboard unit to support nationwide interoperability for electronic collection systems for tolls. The system support wireless payment of tolls as motorists travel across states. ...

... "The eZGo Anywhere onboard unit (OBU) operates in the 902-928 MHz frequency ranges, and is a high-speed, high-performance RFID tag suitable for electronic toll collection and traffic management applications where a standard on-board unit is specified. It is a read-write OBU that supports adding and editing data to the OBU at high speeds in real-time. The TransCore eZGo Anywhere OBU employs advanced security techniques that ensure a tag's authenticity while preventing data corruption and/or alteration. In addition, tag cloning, spoofing, copying, or duplicating is prevented. eZGo Anywhere OBUs support factory programming of fixed data fields that are locked at the factory and cannot be reprogrammed. Agency read-only data fields are programmed by the agency using password-protected programming equipment. eZGo Anywhere OBU cases are constructed of highly durable, impact resistant, molded plastic and are available in five colors. Markings on the OBU assist patrons in the proper installation and orientation. eZGo Anywhere OBUs are available in waterproof, driver feedback, and exterior-mount models. eZGo Anywhere features a non-replaceable internal battery with a decade’s worth of lifespan based upon typical usage. " ...

Via Transcore: RFID-based eZGo Anywhere Tag for National Interoperable Electronic Toll Collection

Alliance for Toll Interoperability: "The Alliance is being created to promote, research, and implement interoperability concepts to allow existing and new agencies to better utilize today’s technologies to operate their facilities while minimizing revenue loss due to unavailable or inaccurate information. "

Walmart RFID Interoperability

For Walmart to realize the full benefits of RFID, it needs to support interoperability in RFID technology, so that suppliers can leverage their investments across their supply chains. Walmart needs to create a win-win situation to drive adoption. ...

... "It's in the interest of small suppliers that need the competitive pricing that interoperable RFID systems will allow. " ...

Via Computerworld: WalMart RFID Challenges

Passive Radio Frequency Identification (pRFID)

Federal government opens request for proposal for passive RFID solutions. ...

... "The Government requires commercially available state-of-the-art Passive RFID EPC Class 1, Gen 2, communications hardware, software, documentation, training, warranty service, and maintenance to provide a common, integrated structure for logistics tracking, locating, and monitoring of assets for users. In addition, the Government requires technical engineering services, including turnkey solutions integrating existing AIT and Active RFID with Passive technology to ensure the users have the capabilities to integrate technologies to accomplish a transparent solution. Passive RFID EPC, Class 1, Gen 2, technology will provide standardization and interoperability amongst Government users of Passive RFID EPC technology. " ...

Via Federal Business Opportunities: 70--Passive Radio Frequency Identification (pRFID)

Global RFID Interoperability Standards

GS1, ETSI and CEN have joined forces to create the Global RFID Interoperability Forum for Standards (GRIFS) project. The project is supported by funding from the European Union to collaborate on the standards that drive global interoperability of RFID technology. ...

... "The project is funded by the European Commission's Framework Programme 7 for Information and Communication Technologies, in which the European Union has recognised the importance of inter-enterprise interoperability as we move towards ambient intelligence environments where most devices are connected to seamless, ubiquitous networks. GRIFS will work to characterise the variety of standards activities taking place globally: (1) To create a number of liaison activities to disseminate information about the importance of global standards; (2) To align RFID standards development globally; (3) To put in place the Global RFID Interoperability forum for Standards (GRIFS) comprising global stakeholders; (3) To ensure continuing close collaboration between standards activities. " ...

Via GRIFS: Launch of a Global RFID Interoperability Forum for Standards

Microsoft RFID Biztalk Release 2

Microsoft BizTalk Server 2006 R2, which includes radio frequency identification (RFID) infrastructure improvementa, is now generally available. Core components include a device abstraction framework and tools that support the creation of Microsoft .NET-based RFID and sensor applications. ...

... "This product includes advancements for radio frequency identification (RFID) and electronic data interchange (EDI), and extended interoperability such as Enterprise Service Bus (ESB) Guidance and Line of Business Adapters. Together, these capabilities make it easier for companies to connect systems within their own organizations and across those of trading partners. The availability of BizTalk Server 2006 R2 underscores Microsoft's long-term commitment to deliver extensive SOA and BPM capabilities as part of the overall Microsoft application platform. The platform spans products and technologies to develop, deploy and manage applications and IT infrastructure across the organization locally and worldwide. " ...

Via Microsoft: New product advancements enable customers to extend enterprise connectivity through real-world solutions for BPM, SOA.

TagSYS RFID Library Tag Family

TAGSYS Folio 370L Tag Family based on NXP’s new ICODE SLI-L IC is introduced to meet the requirements of the library RFID market. The Folio 370L Tag Family provides high performance, password protected Electronic Article Surveillance and meets the emerging NISO (US National Information Standards Organization) data model standard for libraries. ...

... "The TAGSYS Folio 370L Tag Family and NXP ICODE SLI-L feature advanced communication signaling resulting in up to 20% better read range as well as a password protected EAS feature protecting against illicit manipulation of the theft protection, thus maximizing performance, reliability and security in the application. In addition, to comply with the emerging global NISO and Danish data model standard, designed to standardize tag data across the library industry, the Folio 370L Tag Family and ICODE SLI-L are ISO 15693 compliant, and feature a 256bit user memory block and standard AFI security code. With the unique privacy feature the book label can be transformed into a quiet mode, when it is borrowed, protecting the privacy of the borrower. Back in the library it will be reverted into public mode again. Standardization under the NISO and Danish data model will accelerate RFID adoption within the library segment by ensuring interoperability from book manufacturer to library. " ...

Via TagSYS: RFID Library Tagging Solution

RFID Products: Microsoft Technology Centers

ntermec will deliver RFID hardware to Microsoft Technology Centers throughout the United States in support of business scenario testing. ...

... "Microsoft Technology Centers allow enterprises and ISV (independent software vendor) customers to envision, architect, and evaluate technology solutions before buying and deploying them in their own IT environment. Intermec's CV60 vehicle-mounted computers, IV7 vehicle-mounted RFID readers and IA33E RFID antennas are available for use in real-world RFID scenarios at Microsoft Technology Centers in Austin, Reston, Chicago, Boston, Silicon Valley and New York. Microsoft selected Intermec for its RFID technology and thought leadership, its commitment to the Microsoft platform, and Intermec RFID hardware interoperability with the Microsoft BizTalk RFID platform. " ...

Via Intermec: Intermec Selected to Supply RFID Products to Microsoft Technology Centers

RFID Battery-Assist Passive Tag: Supports Logistics and Manufacturing ...

Intelleflex RFID tags can be used by logistics companies and in manufacturing in long-range, battery-assisted mode for real-time inventory tracking of assemblies in the warehouses. The RFID system can automatically generate a proof of shipment when assemblies are shipped. When used in maintenance operations in passive mode, companies can realize significant benefits from having actionable manufacturing and repair history data in the 64Kb user memory of the RFID tag at the point of use. ...

... "Intelleflex's InfoSure tags and the I-Beam reader are multi-protocol, ensuring global interoperability using EPC standards. InfoSure tags can be used as passive C1G2 tags with any other C1G2 reader or used in the battery-assisted passive mode at long ranges with the I-Beam reader. InfoSure tags offer up to 100-meter read/write range in free space, which translates to 100 percent read/write reliability at standard working ranges in industrial environments. They also offer 64 kb user memory, which is segmented into 1 kb blocks so they can be independently protected for read/write access through passwords. The I-Beam reader can read any EPC C1G2 tag as well as the Class 3 InfoSure tag. Initial product shipments of both the tags and readers are targeted for asset management, yard management, manufacturing and zonal access control applications. " ...

Via Intelleflex Corporation: Intelleflex Announces Availability of its RFID Battery-Assisted Passive Tag and Reader Products ...

RFID Middleware: Automate Integrate ...

Reltronics Technologies has made their system, SmartInstrument, a versatile middleware for automatic Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) systems, widely available in the marketplace. Reltronics strengths lie in automation and identification using remote RFID technology. The SmartInstrument middleware system plays a role in supporting interoperability and integration of multiple, potentially incompatible, solutions. ...

... "One of Reltronics Technologies' fortes is in creating and supporting RFID systems that assist in automating asset and inventory management, identifying drug pedigrees, etc. and which rely upon storage and remote retrieval of data using RFID hardware (Readers, Antennas, Tags or Transponders). Retailers such as Wal-Mart and Target have whole-heartedly accepted the RFID concepts to implement efficiencies in their workflow and to limit inventories in their warehouses and they have subsequently initiated mandates to their vendors to implement RFID technology in their supplies within set timelines. These mandates are allowing shorter timelines and the industry not only needs many new deployments but also sustain existing deployments. SmartInstrument is a step forward to facilitate transparency in the RFID systems deployment thereby bringing commonality between various RFID protocols and hardware technologies (reader, antenna, and transponders or RFID tags), irrespective of the technology being new or old.

For instance, SmartInstrument enables end-users to deploy new RFID systems while seamlessly supporting all existing RFID systems and eliminating the need for single- sourcing thereby achieving a better return of investment. It fills the need by interpreting any RFID system utilizing any reader (Active, Passive), working on any frequency (LF, HF, VHF, UHF), with any communication protocol (Ethernet, WiFi, RS-232, RS-485), any transponder (Active, Passive), and any standard (EPCGlobal, ISO, AIMGlobal) bringing the much needed commonality into the RFID infrastructure. Reltronics Technologies' focus on bringing interoperability and sustainability into the RFID technology environment is the result of industry satisfaction with the RFID initiative, to enable overcoming the customer perception of which RFID technology to deploy, to enable commonality between the various RFID protocols, to enable a more cost-effective RFID system deployment, and finally to allow the end-users to start small with one RFID system and expand at their own financial pace without having to worry about the RFID system being antiquated. " ...

Via Reltronics: A Novel Idea to Harmonize Automatic Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) Systems ...

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 ...

Monza RFID Tag Readers Gen2 Interoperable ...

Impinj's Monza RFID chip and Speedway readers are certified for Generation-2 interoperability. ...

... "Leading Gen 2 RFID solution provider, Impinj, Inc., announced that EPCglobal Inc., the not-for-profit standards organization dedicated to driving global adoption of the Electronic Product Code (EPC) for supply chain excellence, has awarded interoperability marks to Monza tag chips and Speedway readers, certifying that these Impinj products comply with EPCglobal's Gen 2 standard and interoperate with other certified devices. Third-party testing firm MET Laboratories conducted EPCglobal's product interoperability testing as part of an extensive hardware certification and standards compliance program for RFID chips, tags, readers, and printers. MET Laboratories also performed EPCglobal's RFID Gen 2 compliance testing in September 2005, awarding Gen 2 compliance certification marks to Impinj's Monza chip and Speedway reader at that time.

Impinj is the only company to have earned Gen 2 interoperability certification for both tag chips and readers. Monza chips and Speedway readers enable Powered by Impinj solutions available from a variety of RFID vendors and are key components of recent RFID deployments. Impinj has shipped Monza chips in high volume to the industry's leading RFID tag and inlay vendors worldwide since the Fall of 2005. " ...

Via Impinj: Impinj’s Gen 2 RFID Monza Tag Chips and Speedway Readers Earn EPCglobal Interoperability Certification ...

Unilever RFID: Open Standard Supply Chain Data ...

Unilever collaborates with IBM and T3Ci to test interoperability of the emerging EPCIS RFID data standard. The standard focuses on the efficient use of real-time data among partners in the supply chain. ...

... "The standard is designed to help better enable retailers, manufacturers and organizations throughout the supply chain to overcome information overload and share information to improve business processes. This milestone marks the first step toward delivering interoperability based on the Electronic Product Code Information Services (EPCIS) for exchange and query of RFID data. IBM and T3CI are the co-chairs of the EPCglobal EPCIS Working Group. The objective of the Working Group is to create common interfaces among RFID software, allowing organizations to exchange and leverage RFID data independent of the applications in which data is created or stored. For organizations throughout the supply chain, this will deliver greater value by allowing them to inexpensively capture large volumes of detailed data at each stage of the supply chain and share that data among trading partners. While retailers today can provide manufacturers with large amounts of data about RFIDtagged products, until now there has been no simple and standardized way for manufacturers to sort through the volumes of raw data and perform queries to use it to improve product introductions, promotions and distribution of new products.



The new EPCIS standards-based ability to query RFID data will provide organizations with near real-time RFID data from their trading partners, for the first time giving manufacturers access to the precise information they need. Unilever North America, a global manufacturer of foods, home care and personal care products, also announced today its plans to pioneer use of the EPCIS standard to query RFID data provided by retailers. Unilever will conduct a trial using IBM's EPCIS implementation to collect and access information from within the company's manufacturing environment and from trading partners. By leveraging IBM and T3Ci reports and analysis, Unilever is looking to create additional business value in the areas of promotion management, supply chain visibility and metrics, as well as RFID readability. " ...

Unilever RFID: Open Standard Supply Chain Data: Via T3Ci: IBM and T3Ci Successfully Pilot Open Standard to Enable Manufacturers to Leverage RFID Data and Improve Supply Chain Processes: Unilever Among First Manufacturers to Pioneer New Interface to Connect Data Among Trading Partners ...

EPCIS standard ...

Software Action Group: "EPC Information Services (EPCIS) Phase 2: Create one or more normative technical specifications that will facilitate the development of interoperable EPCIS systems. "

Background on Unilever ...

Unilever awards HR outsourcing contract to Accenture: "Unilever's mission is to add vitality to life. We meet everyday needs for nutrition, hygiene and personal care with brands that help people feel good, look good and get more out of life. Unilever is one of the world's leading suppliers of fast moving consumer goods with strong local roots in more than 100 countries across the globe. Its portfolio includes some of the world's best known and most loved brands including twelve EUR1 billion brands and global leadership in many categories in which the company operates. The portfolio features brand icons such as: Knorr, Hellmann's, Flora, Bertolli, Dove, Lux, Pond's, Lynx, Sunsilk, Persil, Cif and Domestos. Unilever has around 206 000 employees in approaching 100 countries and generated annual sales of EUR40 billion in 2005. "

Info on T3Ci ...

T3Ci: The RFID Analytics and Applications Company: "T3Ci, the leading RFID analytics and applications company, offers a broad range of RFID software and services, representing the most comprehensive RFID vision in the industry. T3Ci develops software and provides enterprise-class solutions for managers of RFID initiatives who are responsible for delivering business value from their company's RFID investment. T3Ci's enterprise-class solutions include RFID analytics as well as a suite of high-value applications for retail suppliers, pharmaceutical companies, and major retailers. Applications include Out-of-Stock Management, Promotions Execution Management, Deductions Management, and Product Authentication. "

RFID Gen2 Transition ...

Industry making transition to Generation 2 RFID ...

... "RFID markets, increasingly concentrated on the Gen 2 specification, show signs of a healthy transition to the next phase of RFID implementation: full integration at the enterprise level, backed by deep management commitment. When WalMart's new CIO, Rollin Ford, addressed his troops upon taking office last week, he confirmed the company's unabated enthusiasm for RFID ... " ...

RFID Gen2 Transition: Via ABI Research: Scalability, Interoperability, Performance: ABI Research Highlights RFID's New Mantra ...

European RFID Reader

Symbol launches European RFID reader compliant with ETSI standards and based on Microsoft Windows CE OS. ...

... "The XR480 reader builds on Symbol's commercially proven XR400 RFID reader platform and supports the European ETSI 302-208 standard reliable read performance for today's industrial-scale RFID implementations. The XR480 also delivers Generation 2 (Gen 2) dense-reader mode operation which enables the flexibility to support the European standard as it evolves. The XR480 is the only commercially available EPC-compliant RFID reader approved for use in Europe to provide support for up to eight read points which helps decrease deployment complexity and increases flexibility. The Symbol XR480 is also the first commercially available EPC-compliant RFID reader in Europe based on the Windows CE operating system. By utilizing Microsoft's Windows CE operating system, the XR480 RFID reader enables seamless integration and interoperability with existing IT infrastructure while reducing the support costs associated with multi-platform environments. " ...

European RFID Reader: Via Symbol: Symbol Launches RFID Reader for Europe

RFID European Union Public Hearings ...

EU starts public hearings on RFID technology, hoping to spark debate abd understand issues. ...

... "The European Commission last year established an RFID inter-service group to co-ordinate the gathering, analysis and internal dissemination of information concerning RFID technology and its uses. Building on this, the Commission has started today to launch a wide public debate on the opportunities and challenges associated with RFID. To exploit the economic potential of RFID, privacy and consumer concerns associated with the use of RFID tags need to be handled constructively, with the assent of all stakeholders. Furthermore, to enable RFID to deliver on its potential for growth and jobs, Europe needs to agree on common technical standards, to ensure RFID interoperability across borders, and also on a common radio spectrum band for RFIDs to use. The public debate on RFID launched by the Commission today will rely on a series of workshops to build consensus on key issues associated with the use of RFID. These workshops will address RFID applications, end-user issues, interoperability and standards, and frequency spectrum requirements. They will take place in Brussels between March and June 2006 and their conclusions will assist the European Commission in drafting a working document on RFID. This document will be published in September in an online consultation. Additional feedback obtained will then be analysed and integrated in a Commission Communication on RFID, to be adopted before the end of the year. This feedback could lead to amendments of the e-privacy-Directive which is up for review this year. The Communication will also address the need for other legislative measures for RFID, such as decisions on allocation of spectrum. " ...

RFID European Union Public Hearings: Via EUROPA: Commission launches public consultation on radio frequency ID tags ...

RFID Reader Tag Interoperability: Class 3 Tags ...

WJ Communucation establishes reader interoperability with Class 3 RFID tags. ...

... "WJ Communications, Inc., a leading designer and supplier of RF solutions for the wireless infrastructure and RFID reader markets, announced that it has successfully completed interoperability testing of its multi-protocol UHF Reader Platform with Class 3 RFID tags from Intelleflex Corporation. This expands the capability of WJ's high performance reader platform to include Class 3 RFID tags in addition to EPCglobal Gen1, and C1G2 tags. " ...

RFID Reader Tag Interoperability: Class 3 Tags: Via WJ Communications: WJ Communications' UHF C1Gen2 RFID Reader Platform Stakes Lead With Semi-Active Support: Successful Interoperability Testing With Class 3 Tags From Intelleflex Demonstrated ...

Intelleflex Corporation: Intelleflex Corporation Announces Class 3 RFID Developers' Training: "Intelleflex's semi-active, battery-assisted RFID products offer long range (up to 100 meters in free space) and high read/write reliability ( > 99% in real-world environment), together with a large user memory. These features open up a whole new set of applications that bring tremendous business value, beyond mere identification through unique serialization of good and assets. "

Intelleflex is a Silicon Valley company focused on the next-generation of RFID systems. Intelleflex will bring to market high-performance, high-reliability, EPC-compliant transponders and readers. Intelleflex tags will have the capability of interoperating with all EPC-compliant readers, and are targeted to provide the longest read range and the highest read/write reliability available in the industry. In addition, Intelleflex offers value-added features such as application-specific security, long battery life, and the capability to add sensors.

RFID Generation 2 Technology Standards ...

Manhattan Assoc supports compliance with the Generation 2 RFID Technology Standards ...

... "This latest evolution in RFID technology and standards, commonly referred to as Generation 2, is being adopted by Wal*Mart and Target. The two retailers plan to have their suppliers begin using these new standards to move goods through their supply chains. Suppliers to the two companies are expected to make this transition by mid-year. Manhattan Associates supports the migration to these latest RFID standards and can help companies with new RFID deployment. Generation 2's major goal is to ensure interoperability between all EPC Global Generation 2-compliant devices and tags. " ...

RFID Generation 2 Technology Standards: Via Manhattan Associates: Manhattan Associates Helps Companies Achieve Compliance with Class 1 Generation 2 RFID Technology Standards ...

Use Gen2 RFID for Pilots Starting Now ...

With EPCglobal Class 1 Generation 2 radio frequency identification (RFID) products reaching the market, Zebra Technologies shares its experience as a ten-year veteran of RFID innovation with Gen 2 do’s and don'ts to help companies avoid potential implementation issues. ...

... "Do go straight to Gen 2 if you are starting RFID pilots now: Gen 2 protocols offer significant performance enhancements over the first generation of EPCglobal UHF protocols, including superior tag throughput, improved accuracy and compliance with global spectrum regulations. Many new vendors have committed to supporting EPC Generation 2, allowing users to leverage standards-based interoperability among tags, interrogators, printer/encoders, etc. as well as aggressive pricing spawned by competition. " ...

Use Gen2 RFID for Pilots Starting Now: Via Zebra: ZEBRA TECHNOLOGIES REVEALS TOP 5 RFID GEN 2 DOs and DON'Ts ...

RFID eIdentity USB Reader: Passport Capable ...

ASK introduces USB-connection RFID reader that has shown interoperability with Interfest e-passport standards. ...

... "ASK launches the RDR 400 series of contactless USB readers, designed for performance, security and ergonomics. RDR 400 readers are ideal for contactless logical/physical access control, identity, banking and PC-based applications. Based on CPL 400 couplers, the RDR 400 series is high speed, low cost, multi-standard and multi-application; its unique and powerful RF interface means that RDR 400 readers support all current ISO dual interface/contactless cards and contactless tickets.

RDR 400 has passed successfully e-passport Interfest interoperability tests taking place in November in Singapore. These tests involved 124 different passports complying with ISO14443 type A or B standards from 28 countries to be tested on 40 readers. ASK reader reached the best performances both in terms of interoperability and communication speed. ASK is breaking new ground in emerging markets such as e-identity and banking where clients need technology partners with superlative expertise in both RFID card and reader technology " ...

RFID eIdentity USB Reader: Passport Capable: Via ASK: ASK launches new contactless USB reader RDR 400 series ...

Founded in 1997, ASK is now the supplier of the most comprehensive range of contactless cards, tickets, RFID tags and readers on the market. All products comply with ISO and EPC standards. ASK addresses the mass transit, access control, e-government ID, supply chain and logistics markets. 50 million contactless cards, tickets and RFID labels are already in use worldwide. ASK’s manufacturing plant is located at its Sophia-Antipolis headquarters in France, with regional offices in Paris, Singapore and Westport, USA.

RFID Emergency Card: Enables Electronic Health Record ...

MedicAlert will show its RFID-enabled smart-card for enabling emergency medical care through the use of identification and electronic health records. ...

... "MedicAlert will be showcasing technology products - the MedicAlert® E-HealthKEY, the Health Enhancement System (HES), and the RFID Emergency Card in response to the federal government’s goal to give all Americans electronic medical records in the coming years. Within a few years, one-third of all Americans will be elderly – about 77 million people – the single biggest demographic group in the country. Globally, the U.S. will have the largest population of elderly people in the history of the world. " ...

RFID Emergency Card: Enables Electronic Health Record: Via MedicAlert: MedicAlert® to showcase technology at the White House Conference on Aging ...

MedicAlert® is committed to providing technology-based solutions and is an active member and a leader in developing interoperability standards with all the major Healthcare IT standards organizations. The MedicAlert® repository uses Web service interfaces to support standard Electronic Health Records (EHRs), including electronic drug prescriptions and for patient record interoperability. These activities will ensure the rapid development and deployment of standards to improve the quality of care, lower healthcare costs while increasing patient safety. MedicAlert® is a nonprofit membership organization founded in 1956 with a mission to protect and save lives, is headquartered in the United States and has international affiliates in nine countries.

Additional resources on uses of RFID to support emergency health care or electronic health care identification:

Health Care CIO Runs Internal RFID Test - Computerworld: "Halamka said this month that when the chip is scanned by an RFID reader, an identifying number directs physicians to his medical records, which are stored electronically at CareGroup's Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center in Boston. "

VeriChip launches secure database to consult health care data stored on implantable RFID chips: "VeriChip is a miniaturised, implantable, radio frequency identification device (RFID) which can be used in a variety of security, emergency, and health care applications. About the size of a grain of rice, each VeriChip is composed of FDA-accepted materials and contains a unique verification number which can seamlessly integrate to the GVS Registry."

RFID can be a matter of life and death in the medical world | WTN: "Radio frequency identification technology is often touted as a way to improve supply chain management. But in the health care world, the technology is bringing other, perhaps more important benefits: safety and security."

STMicroelectronics RFID UHF Memory Chip

STMicroelectronics shows modest revenue growth and good profit margin expansion. STMicro's track records includes introduction of UHF RFID memory chip to the EPC marketplace. ...

STMicroelectronics RFID UHF Memory Chip: Via STMicroelectronics: STMicroelectronics Reports 2005 Third Quarter and Nine Month Revenues and Earnings ...

... "In RFID, ST introduced an ultra-high frequency contactless memory chip, compliant with the latest Electronic Product Code (EPC) specifications. ST's XRAG2 RFID chip delivers interoperability, enhanced security, and optimized performance for next-generation supply-chain and logistics applications. " ...

Microsoft on RFID

Microsoft and its partners have a vibrant RFID program underway. Much of Microsoft's focus is on the mid-market: small and medium sized businesses. They are developing an RFID services architecture and have multiple pilots underway to build their competence in the RFID marketplace.

Via Microsoft Business Solutions: The Little Chip That Will Change Your Supply Chain Forever: Microsoft Business Solutions recently announced that it was expanding the scope of its RFID initiative to help small and midmarket businesses meet RFID technology compliance mandates from large trading partners and drive efficiencies in internal operations. For example, Microsoft and several partners recently are collaborating to assist a U.S.-based midmarket snack manufacturer in their RFID implementation.

Microsoft RFID Architecture: Microsoft Architecture for RFID: The fully integrated Microsoft architecture for RFID embraces a vision for increased operational efficiency and reduced costs. It provides a framework for enabling the exchange of RFID related data in near real time across disparate systems and corporate boundaries. It also supports standards for global data synchronisation and interoperability with EPC.

Reference materials on Microsoft RFID Technology:

Microsoft Unwraps Technology at TechEd 2005 to Spark Greater Adoption of RFID: Microsoft's RFID infrastructure taps the power of the .NET Framework, SQL Server and Visual Studio .NET to make integration and deployment of RFID easier and less cost: Businesses around the world are evaluating how RFID technologies can enable them to streamline business processes and provide real-time visibility into their supply chain. However, adoption of RFID is hindered by many factors, including complexity of device management, lack of standards, limited solutions to cleanse volumes of data, and costly integration with existing business applications. Microsoft Corp.'s RFID infrastructure is intended to address these pain points and stimulate faster adoption of RFID. Built on top of the .NET Framework, Microsoft's RFID technology can be embedded within third-party applications or used on its own to capture and interpret data from sensors and manage business events in an easy-to-deploy, user-friendly environment. Companies may use RFID technology to enhance business processes, saving them time and money and improving their visibility into key business performance metrics.

Microsoft plans RFID software in 2006: Via CNET News.com: Microsoft plans early next year to release the RFID Services Platform, a middleware product that connects the hardware that monitors RFID signals with the business software that can make sense of the information.

Microsoft offers RFID system for postal services: Via InfoWorld: Microsoft is marketing an RFID (radio frequency identification device) package for postal services at a stamp exhibition in Taiwan, hoping to woo the government's post office and potentially forge a new line of business for the software maker.

RFID Tag Acquisition Network Interoperability

RFID Tag Acquisition Network Interoperability: Via Reva Systems: Reva Systems Launches Worldwide Network‐Intelligent RFID Interoperability Program: Successfully Completes Integration Testing with SAP, the Leading Provider of Business Software Solutions ...

... "Reva Systems, an emerging company focused on delivering network‐intelligent enterprise architecture for radio frequency identification (RFID) installations, announced the launch of its TAN Interoperability Program (TIP). Reva’s TIP is a pioneering partner program allowing enterprise solution providers to validate interoperability with Reva‐owered Tag Acquisition Networks (TANs). Reva also announced that Walldorf, Germany-based SAP AG (NYSE: SAP), the leading provider of business software solutions, has successfully completed its Reva TIP testing at SAP’s RFID laboratory in Palo Alto, Calif. Reva’s TIP program provides a powerful platform for Reva partners to respond to increasing customer demands that RFID data be made directly and flexibly accessible to existing enterprise IT infrastructures and business processes. " ...

Reva Systems develops network‐intelligent products for the emerging radio frequency identification (RFID) market. Eliminating the proprietary design and scalability problems of first‐generation RFID solutions, Reva’s Tag Acquisition Network (TAN) architecture uses proven networking concepts to enable more scalable, repeatable, and reliable enterprise‐wide RFID reader deployments. Founded in 2004, and headquartered in Chelmsford, Mass., Reva is backed by Charles River Ventures and North Bridge Venture Partners.

Sato RFID Gen2 Printer Interoperability ...

Sato RFID Gen2 Printer Interoperability: Via Sato America: SATO Announces RFID Gen 2 Interoperability with CLe Series Printers ...

... "SATO America, Inc., a global leader in barcode printing, labeling, and EPC/RFID solutions, demonstrated RFID Gen 2 interoperability with its CL408e/CL412e RFID-enabled thermal barcode printers. The demonstration was conducted in SATO's RFID testing labs and is the latest development in SATO's continuing commitment to provide reliable and innovative RFID products based on customer demand. " ...

SATO is a pioneer in the Automatic Identification and Data Collection (AIDC) industry and the inventor of the world’s first electronic thermal transfer barcode printer. It revolutionized the barcoding industry by introducing the Data Collection System (DCS) & Labeling concept – a total barcode and labeling solution providing high quality barcode printers, scanners/hand held terminals, label design software and consumables. SATO is one of the first in the industry to introduce a complete, multi-protocol EPC-compliant, UHF RFID solution. SATO is publicly listed on the first section of Tokyo Stock Exchange in Japan. It has worldwide offices in the United States, Belgium, France, Germany, United Kingdom, Poland, Singapore, Malaysia, Thailand and China. For the fiscal year ended March 31, 2005, it reported revenues of US$575 million.

Printronix Nashua RFID SmartLabel Alliance

Printronix Nashua RFID SmartLabel Alliance: Printronix Announces Strategic Alliance With Nashua as a Manufacturer and Supplier of Printronix Certified RFID Labels: Printronix-Branded Smart Labels Manufactured by Nashua Are Backed by Printronix's RFID Label Assurance Program ...

Nashua Printronix alliance drives RFID smart label innovation and interoperability ...

... "Printronix Inc. (Nasdaq: PTNX), the leading integrated supply-chain printing solutions manufacturer, has entered into a North American strategic alliance with label manufacturer Nashua Corp. (NYSE: NSH) to provide smart labels designed to achieve maximum performance with Printronix radio frequency identification (RFID) printers. The alliance will provide superior interoperability between RFID printers/encoders and RFID label media, offering higher RFID label throughput that results in less downtime and lower operating costs. " ...

RFID Technology Information Security

RFID Technology Information Security: Publications: Cyberterrorism & Computer Technology

... "The reduced cost of radio frequency identification (RFID) technology, an electronic data-capture system for identifying, storing, and tracking information, has made widespread use possible in government and industry. This report discusses the current status of RFID standards and interoperability, potential legal issues, and security and privacy considerations surrounding this technology. " ...

RFID Global Trade Standards: Interoperability ...

RFID Global Trade Standards: Interoperability: Standards in Trade Workshop Program - NIST

... "2005 Standards In Trade (SIT) Workshop: RFID Standards in the Changing Marketplace - China, Proposed Date: July 2005, Location: NIST, Gaithersburg, Maryland, Overview: Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) standards are becoming an increasingly significant issue in the marketplace. This workshop will address current RFID developments and standards issues in China and the U.S. Workshop Objectives Recognizing the potential of RFID technology in enabling global trade and the role of standards and conformity assessment in ensuring global interoperability. " ...

Market Intent RFID Solutions

Market Intent RFID Solutions: Mobile Data Capture: Baracoda Solutions Help ISVs Capitalize on Mobile Data Capture Market: Baracoda Solutions Help ISVs Capitalize on Mobile Data Capture Market: Innovative young company increases focus on North American market ...

Baracoda will focus on North American market for RFID-based mobile data capture solutions ...

... "Baracoda, a provider of scanner solutions for mobile data capture, today announced its intent to focus on the North American market to help Independent Software Vendors (ISVs) meet the growing need for solutions to wirelessly capture barcodes and RFID tag data. Baracoda provides ISVs with reliable, easy-to-use scanners and free access to Application Program Interfaces (APIs) to create mobile data capture solutions overnight. These solutions increase efficiencies for businesses in the areas of field service management, sales force automation, inventory tracking and asset management. " ...

Baracoda is the world’s leading manufacturer of Bluetooth wireless barcode readers and promotes the development of on-board wireless solutions for the retail, transportation and logistics industries as well as for all real-time traceability applications. Baracoda's added value lies in the company's ability to provide customers and partners with appropriate, reliable, extremely competitive solutions suitable for all mobile environments. Baracoda has proven expertise in the development of on-board software packages and the integration of radio modules, with specific skills in the management of power consumption, security, and the interoperability of systems.

Accelerate EPC Generation2 RFID Deployment

Accelerate EPC Generation2 RFID Deployment: Philips and Texas Instruments join forces to accelerate EPC Generation 2 RFID deployment: Industry leaders team up to drive standardization and ensure worldwide interoperability of ultra-high-frequency Electronic Product Code RFID standard ...

... "Two of the leading radio frequency identification (RFID) semiconductor manufacturers, Royal Philips Electronics (NYSE: PHG, AEX: PHI) and Texas Instruments Incorporated (TI) (NYSE: TXN), today announced an agreement to cooperate on conformance testing for the technical interpretation of the EPCglobal Inc Electronic Product Code (EPC) Generation (Gen) 2 RFID standard. This joint effort is aimed at ensuring interoperability and accelerating market deployment of Gen 2 products, such as labels, hardware and system solutions, to offer multiple sourcing for implementations of RFID throughout the world. The EPC Gen 2 standard, currently in the process of standardization by the International Standards Organization (ISO)/International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC) for global adoption, is the newest and most advanced of the RFID specifications for the ultra-high frequency (UHF) band centered around 900 MHz. " ...

Royal Philips Electronics of the Netherlands (NYSE: PHG, AEX: PHI) is one of the world’s biggest electronics companies and Europe’s largest, with sales of EUR 30.3 billion in 2004. With activities in the three interlocking domains of healthcare, lifestyle and technology and 160,900 employees in more than 60 countries, it has market leadership positions in medical diagnostic imaging and patient monitoring, color television sets, electric shavers, lighting and silicon system solutions.

Texas Instruments is the world’s largest integrated manufacturer of radio frequency identification (RFID) transponders and reader systems. Capitalizing on its competencies in high-volume semiconductor manufacturing and microelectronics packaging, TI is a visionary leader and at the forefront of establishing new markets and international standards for RFID applications.

RFID Class0 Zuma Support ...

RFID Class0 Zuma Support: Printronix and Impinj Demonstrate Fully Interoperable Gen 2 Tag and Printer Encoding System: Printronix Also Continues to Expand the Industry's Widest Selection of Protocol and Tags With the Immediate Availability of Impinj Class 0 Zuma Support ...

... "Printronix Inc. (Nasdaq: PTNX), the leading integrated supply-chain printing solutions manufacturer, and Impinj Inc., the Self-Adaptive Silicon(R) company, today announced that they have jointly demonstrated EPCglobal(TM) Generation 2 (Gen 2) interoperability. During the demonstration, Printronix successfully encoded, read and printed labels containing the Impinj Monza(TM) Gen 2 radio frequency identification (RFID) tag silicon inlays, using the Printronix SL5000r MP printer. " ...

Since 1974, Printronix Inc. (Nasdaq: PTNX) has created innovative printing solutions for the industrial marketplace and supply chain. The company is the worldwide market leader in enterprise solutions for line matrix printing and has earned an outstanding reputation for its high-performance thermal and fanfold laser printing solutions. Printronix also has become an established leader in pioneering technologies, including radio frequency identification (RFID) printing, bar code compliance and networked printer management. Printronix is headquartered in Irvine, Calif.

Impinj Inc. is a fabless semiconductor company whose patented Self- Adaptive Silicon(R) technology enables its two synergistic business lines: high performance RFID products and cost-effective semiconductor intellectual property (SIP). Impinj is a leading contributor to the RFID standards for high volume supply-chain applications worldwide and is leveraging its technical expertise and industry partnerships to deliver the GrandPrix(TM) solution, comprising tags, readers, software, systems integration and high- volume manufacturing to offer low-cost UHF RFID that just works. Impinj's innovative SIP products, core to the company's RFID tags, are licensed to leading semiconductor companies worldwide, allowing them to cost-effectively integrate crucial nonvolatile memory (NVM) alongside analog and digital functionality on a single chip. Impinj's SIP products include the popular AEON(TM) memory, the world's first rewritable NVM technology compatible with logic CMOS manufacturing.

RFID Technology Interoperability ...

RFID Technology Interoperability: TAGSYS Announces Compatibility With STMICROELECTRONICS' High Frequency (HF) ...

TagSyS completes interoperability tests for RFID reader and tag technology ...

... "TAGSYS (www.tagsys.net), the global leader in Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) tags and reading systems for 13.56 MHz item-level tracking and authentication, announced today that the company has completed critical compatibility testing between TAGSYS' MEDIO L100 and L200 RFID readers and STMicroelectronics' LRI chip based labels. The interoperability between the products has been validated under the ISO 18000 standard's defined criteria.The TAGSYS MEDIO L100 and L200 readers are multi-protocol, multi-channel long range RFID readers with read and write capabilities. TAGSYS' readers are based on the company's RAS (Reliability, Accuracy and Security) design and production philosophy that ensures 100% readability of HF tags. STMicroelectronics' LRI contactless memory chips (LRI512 and LRI64) operateat the HF industry standard frequency of 13.56MHz and comply to ISO15693 and ISO18000-3 standards. " ...

TAGSYS, headquartered in France's Smart Valley with offices in the USA (Doylestown, Pennsylvania) and Asia (Hong Kong and Singapore), is the global leader in item-level RFID infrastructure. TAGSYS provides select market sectors with end-to-end item-level tracking RFID systems and tags that automate labor-intensive processes, authenticate goods, protect brand equity and enable real-time inventory.With a global brand presence of over 50 million RFID tags, 50,000 reader systems and 500 customers, taken together with an impressive IP portfolio that includes patented injection moldable "micro-tags" and 3-D RAS (Reliable/Accurate/Secure) Tunnels, TAGSYS has emerged as the world's leading dedicated RFID supplier. TAGSYS is backed by world-class investors and leverages partnerships with leading consulting, middleware and automation / integration companies to address highly specialized vertical markets such as Pharmaceutical, Fashion Apparel, Libraries, Textile Rental (and Commercial Laundries), Induction Cooking, Gas Cylinder Tracking and Cash-in-Transit Tracking. TAGSYS is a veteran participant in the development of RFID standards with international organizations such as ISO and EPCglobal.

RFID e-Tags Interoperability ...

Third Report to the Leaders on the U.S.-Japan Regulatory Reform and Competition Policy Initiative

... "Facilitating testing in the UHF spectrum band of radio frequency identification (RFID, also known as e-tags), the first step in gaining approval and cross-border interoperability for innovative U.S. technology to track global shipments. " ...

Construction Metrology RFID Automation ...

BFRL: Construction Metrology and Automation Group

... "Construction Metrology and Automation group developed a prototype system of integrated hardware and software to measure the position and orientation of steel frame components and sub-assemblies at the job site and to allow for web-based interactive information entry and query while at a component's location. This prototype implementation is a web-based system for rapid tracking of construction components with compact, field-rugged sensors and computers, interoperability protocols for data transmission, and 3D site simulators that reflect the instant state of tracked components on the construction site. The approach involves the use of RFID and bar code identification systems, 3D long range coordinate measurement technologies, local data processing, wireless communications, high speed networking, temporal project databases, web-based data analysis, and 3D user interfaces to provide real-time access to part status updates at the jobsite. " ...

RFID Interoperability and Security ...

Deputy Secretary's Draft Testimony to the House Committee on Science

... "Interoperability and security for emerging scientific systems ($2 million). Sophisticated scientific information systems are critical to the continued competitive advantage of the United States. The systems that underlie the Nation's research advances in science and engineering the cyberinfrastructure are rapidly expanding in all directions. Individual information devices from radio-frequency ID (RFID) tags to smart dust to micro-electro-mechanical systems (MEMS) are becoming ever smaller, more capable, and more ubiquitous. At the other end of the scale, system complexity systems of systems of systems is growing rapidly as well. It is crucial that standards and measurements for reliability, manageability, interoperability and security be included from the beginning of system design to avoid costly retrofits. " ...

RFID EPC Gen2 Interoperability ...

RFID EPC Gen2 Interoperability: Texas Instruments Teams Up With Leading Reader and Printer Partners for EPC Gen 2 Interoperability ...

TI builds a coalition of support for its EPC Gen2-compliant RFID technology to drive interoperability through the global supply chain ...

... Texas Instruments Incorporated today announced broad industry support for its Electronic Product Code™ (EPC) Gen 2 technology through its collaboration with 12 leading printer and reader manufacturers: Avery Dennison, AWID, Datamax Corporation, FEIG, Paxar, Printronix, SATO, Sirit Inc., SAMSys, ThingMagic, WJ Communications, and Zebra Technologies Corporation. TI is working with this alliance to ensure interoperability within the EPC Gen 2 radio frequency identification (RFID) infrastructure and drive accelerated adoption of EPC Generation 2 compliant solutions in the global retail supply chain. All of the companies are committed to providing products based on the EPC Gen 2 standard, and are working in close collaboration with TI to bring to market a wide range of interoperable solutions for encoders, readers, printers, and hardware devices that support TI's EPC Gen 2 products which are planned for volume production beginning in 3Q 2005. ...

Texas Instruments RFid Systems: Texas Instruments is the world’s largest integrated manufacturer of radio frequency identification (RFID) transponders and reader systems. Capitalizing on its competencies in high-volume semiconductor manufacturing and microelectronics packaging, TI is a visionary leader and at the forefront of establishing new markets and international standards for RFID applications. For more information, contact TI-RFid™ Systems at 1-888-937-6536 (North America) or +1 214-567-4364 (International), or visit the Web site at www.ti-rfid.com. Texas Instruments Incorporated provides innovative DSP and analog technologies to meet our customers’ real world signal processing requirements. In addition to Semiconductor, the company’s businesses include Sensors & Controls, and Educational & Productivity Solutions. TI is headquartered in Dallas, Texas and has manufacturing, design or sales operations in more than 25 countries. Texas Instruments is traded on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol TXN.

RFID Investment Highlights

FY 2006 Technology Administration Budget Highlights

... "Interoperability and security for emerging scientific systems (+$2 million). Sophisticated scientific information systems are critical to the continued competitive advantage of the United States. The systems that underlie the nation's research advances in science and engineering the cyberinfrastructure are rapidly expanding in all directions. Individual information devices from radio-frequency ID (RFID) tags to smart dust to microelectromechanical systems (MEMS) are becoming ever smaller, more capable, and more ubiquitous. " ...

DOD Passive Radio Frequency Identification Electronic Product Code-1 (RFID EPC-1) project

DOD Passive Radio Frequency Identification Electronic Product Code-1 (RFID EPC-1) project ...

Alien Tech secures purchase order for supplying DOD RFID technology ...

... The objective of the Passive Radio Frequency Identification Electronic Product Code-1 (RFID EPC-1) project is to provide a state-of-the-art, common, integrated structure for logistic identification, tracking, locating, and monitoring of commodities and assets. In addition, data collection, storage information, retrieval methods, information processing, and transmission of Tag data will greatly enhance systems within the Department of Defense (DoD). Passive RFID EPC-1 technology will provide standardization and interoperability among Government users of Passive RFID EPC-1 components purchased from this Blanket Purchase Agreement (BPA). ...

Alien RFID EPCGlobal Interoperable ...

Alien RFID EPCGlobal Interoperable: Alien Technology RFID Products Successfully Complete EPCglobal ...

Alien finalizes EPCGlobal interoperability tests ...

From Business Wire (press release), CA ... Alien Technology(R) today announced that all four Alien(R) RFID readers that were presented successfully ...

... Alien Technology(R) today announced that all four Alien(R) RFID readers that were presented successfully completed the EPCglobal Class 1 Gen 1 Hardware Interoperability test, the most comprehensive testing to date of interoperability between the over 20 vendors supplying EPC Gen 1 RFID products. ...

Alien Technology Corporation is a leading provider of Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) products for global customers in government, retail, manufacturing, pharmaceuticals, transportation, and other industries. Using its patented manufacturing process, Fluidic Self Assembly (FSA(R)), Alien manufactures EPC tags in very high-volumes and at low cost. The company provides a family of RFID readers for a variety of applications including supply chain management, logistics, and anti-counterfeiting, to improve inventory management and reduce operating costs. Alien is an active member of EPCglobal.

RFID Emerging Scientific Systems ...

Deputy Secretary's Draft Testimony to the House Committee on Science

... "Sophisticated scientific information systems are critical to the continued competitive advantage of the United States. The systems that underlie the Nation's research advances in science and engineering the cyberinfrastructure are rapidly expanding in all directions. Individual information devices from radio-frequency ID (RFID) tags to smart dust to micro-electro-mechanical systems (MEMS) are becoming ever smaller, more capable, and more ubiquitous. At the other end of the scale, system complexity systems of systems of systems is growing rapidly as well. It is crucial that standards and measurements for reliability, manageability, interoperability and security be included from the beginning of system design to avoid costly retrofits. " ...

Zigbee Project Information

BFRL: 2005 Project Information

... "Wireless technology has grabbed a foothold with the public in telecommunications and Internet applications. One area in which wireless communications hold promise for building applications is through the rapid deployment of wireless sensors. These sensors can be incorporated into control systems to save energy, improve occupant comfort, mitigate unhealthy conditions, and provide notice of catastrophic events to occupants. While standards have sped the adoption of wireless Internet usage, standards for interoperability between wireless sensors are still in the developmental stages. This lack of standards is one reason that the sensors have not been adopted in a more widespread manner. This project will identify the self-identification needs of sensors that are deployed for building monitoring. Existing standards such as IEEE 1451, IEEE 802.15.4, ZigBee, SensorML, and BACNet will be examined and utilized when appropriate to develop protocols for identifying sensors and the information that is produced at the sensor nodes for the rest of the sensor network." ...

EPC Gen2 Tag Emulators ...

EPC Gen2 Tag Emulators: Texas Instruments Delivers EPC Gen 2 Tag Emulators to RFID Reader ...

TI delivers Generation 2 EPC-compliant RFID tag emulation ...

From PR Newswire (press release) ... NYSE: TXN) today announced that it is delivering Electronic Product Code(TM) (EPC) Generation 2 tag emulators to five of the leading RFID reader and printer ...

... Texas Instruments (NYSE: TXN) today announced that it is delivering Electronic Product Code(TM) (EPC) Generation 2 tag emulators to five of the leading RFID reader and printer manufacturers. This effort, underway since Q4 2004 in parallel with the company's Gen 2 RFID product development, helps to ensure EPC Gen 2 interoperability between TI transponders, and readers and printers being manufactured based on the recently ratified, next-generation EPCglobal Inc(TM) ultra-high frequency (UHF) standard. The reader and printer manufacturers will use the TI emulators to simulate 96 bit code read/write, lock, as well as other functionality defined by the EPC Gen 2 protocol, to facilitate their development of EPC Gen 2 products. TI's delivery of EPC Gen 2 emulators is a milestone on the company's path to achieving interoperability of Gen 2 products in the market as it ramps to production of EPC Gen 2 technology later this year. ...

Texas Instruments is the world's largest integrated manufacturer of radio frequency identification (RFID) transponders and reader systems. Capitalizing on its competencies in high-volume semiconductor manufacturing and microelectronics packaging, TI is a visionary leader and at the forefront of establishing new markets and international standards for RFID applications. Texas Instruments Incorporated provides innovative DSP and analog technologies to meet our customers' real world signal processing requirements. In addition to Semiconductor, the company's businesses include Sensors & Controls, and Educational & Productivity Solutions. TI is headquartered in Dallas, Texas and has manufacturing, design or sales operations in more than 25 countries. Texas Instruments is traded on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol TXN.

RFID System Interoperability Demonstrated ...

RFID System Interoperability Demonstrated: SeeBeyond to Showcase RFID Solution in Conjunction with Sun ...

SeeBeyond is demonstrating RFID interoperability ...

From Business Wire (press release), CA ... Building on its continued focus in driving added ROI from radio frequency identification (RFID) technologies, SeeBeyond (Nasdaq: SBYN) today announced it will ...

... Building on its continued focus in driving added ROI from radio frequency identification (RFID) technologies, SeeBeyond (Nasdaq: SBYN) today announced it will be collaborating with Sun Microsystems at this week's RFID World Conference to jointly demonstrate interoperability between SeeBeyond and Sun technology. The demonstration will address common issues in the supply chain and be unveiled at the Sun Dallas RFID Test Center on March 1, and will later be shown at the 3rd Annual RFID World Conference being held at the Gaylord Texan Resort in Dallas, Texas, March 2- 3. Based on the companies' collaborative efforts in RFID, this demonstration simulates an application spanning a manufacturing-retail supply chain, targeted at improving business processes and quickly obtaining business insight from transformational data collected via RFID technologies. ...

Based on 15 years of software innovation and real-world experience in integrating systems across Global 2000 organizations, SeeBeyond (Nasdaq: SBYN) delivers the industry's first integrated composite application network built on a comprehensive integration platform. The SeeBeyond(R) Integrated Composite Application Network Suite(TM) helps organizations rapidly assemble and deploy enterprise-scale end-user applications built on existing systems and infrastructure to dramatically improve business operations. SeeBeyond has approximately 2,000 customers worldwide, including BHP Billiton, The Cleveland Clinic, The Dial Corporation, DuPont, Florida Power & Light, Fluor Daniel, Fujitsu, General Motors, Halliburton, Hertz Corporation, HP, Lockheed Martin, Pfizer, Samsung, Sprint and Sutter Health.

Smart Card Interoperability Is A Challenge ...

NIST Smart Card Home

... "Smart cards provide greatly increased security for multiple applications. A smart card's usefulness is based on its intrinsic portability and security. A typical smart card has the same dimensions as a standard credit card and appears to be very similar with the exception of a set of gold contacts. When inserted into a reader, these contacts provide power to a microprocessor located on the smart card; the smart card is thus able to store and process information, in particular cryptographic keys and algorithms for providing digital signatures and for use with other encryption. A major impediment to the widespread use of smart cards has been interoperability: the majority of smart cards from different vendors are not interoperable and therefore must use specific software and smart card readers. " ...

RFID Architecture Standards Investment ...

INTELLIGENT TRANSPORTATION SYSTEMS, DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION AND RELATED AGENCIES APPROPRIATIONS BILL ...

... "Architecture and standards- The Committee recommends $14,000,000, for architecture and standards work. The Committee understands that the Department has proposed a national standard under a mandate in the TEA21 legislation based on the use of an active radio frequency identification (RFID) technology for Commercial Vehicle Operations utilizing Dedicated Short Range Communications (DSRC). This is of concern because it minimizes, if not ignores, the significant presence of passive RFID technology equipment in transportation operations nationwide. As many states utilize an alternative passive system for transportation-related DSRC functions, particularly electronic toll collection, concerns have been shared with the Committee over not creating an architecture that precludes the application of passive RFID technologies in the search for a standard under the TEA21 mandate. The Committee directs the department to establish a program to test passive technology and incorporate the results into the department's development and implementation of a national architecture and standards regime. The Committee believes that the congressional mandate to establish a national standard was not meant to preclude different types of technology, but rather to create an architecture that would permit different technologies to mature and to create an architecture that permits regional, interregional, and national interoperability." ...

RFID Standards China Marketplace ...

Standards in Trade Workshop Program - NIST

... "2005 Standards In Trade (SIT) Workshop: RFID Standards in the Changing Marketplace - China

Proposed Date: July 2005

Location: NIST, Gaithersburg, Maryland

Overview: Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) standards are becoming an increasingly significant issue in the marketplace. This workshop will address current RFID developments and standards issues in China and the U.S.

Workshop Objectives

Recognizing the potential of RFID technology in enabling global trade and the role of standards and conformity assessment in ensuring global interoperability, the objectives of this workshop are:

To understand the role and authority of relevant agencies and organizations involved in RFID standards development and conformity assessment activities;
To identify potential areas for future collaboration related to the development of RFID standards and conformity assessment; and
To enable discussions on standards, standards development and conformity assessment related to RFID. " ...

KimberlyClark AutoID RFID Strategy at Conference ...

KimberlyClark AutoID RFID Strategy at Conference: Mike O'Shea from Kimberly-Clark Corporation to Keynote on Day 2 of ...

From Business Wire (press release), CA ... Mike O'Shea, director of corporate Auto/ID and RFID strategies and technology at Kimberly-Clark Corporation, will be the featured keynote speaker on ...

... Mike O'Shea, director of corporate Auto/ID and RFID strategies and technology at Kimberly-Clark Corporation, will be the featured keynote speaker on day two of RFID World 2005, March 2-3 at the Gaylord Texan Resort in Grapevine, Texas, near Dallas, adding to the show's list of top end-user speakers and case studies. Mike Meranda, president of EPCglobal US(TM), a regional Member Organization of EPCglobal Inc.(TM), the not-for-profit standards organization entrusted with driving the global adoption of Electronic Product Code(TM) (EPC) technology, will also address attendees in a morning keynote session. The second day keynote panel, "RFID Readiness and Interoperability," features Alien Technology, Intermec Technologies, Microsoft Corporation, Printronix, Inc. and Texas Instruments, who will discuss global standards issues surrounding frequency allocation, tag and reader functionality, and intellectual property. ...

TrueBlue Generation2 RFID SAMSys ...

SAMSys True Blue Generation 2 RFID Readers ...: SAMSys Technologies Inc. (SMY: TSX), an international provider of Radio Frequency IDentification (RFID) hardware solutions and consulting services is announcing that: 1) purchasers of its UHF RFID readers can be assured of full interoperability compliance with EPC and ISO compliant UHF RFID tags, as well as other tag protocols currently supported by SAMSys readers; and 2) that customers will be able to upgrade their readers to the newly approved EPC Generation Two (Gen 2) standard. ...

MP9320 RFID Reader supports all EPC tag protocols (EPC Class 0, 0+, Class 1, ISO18000-6A, 6B, 6B "fast", Philips U-code 1.19, 1.19 "fast", Intermec Intellitag, EM Marin 4022, 4222, 4223 and enables EPC Class1 Gen 2.



As part of the Tru Blue Gen 2 program, SAMSys will offer field application support to customers such that their applications can be performance-optimized for their specific environment. This includes supporting multiple protocols tags and multi-reader/antenna environments in close proximity for application environments such as dock door portals, conveyors, etc. The SAMSys Tru Blue, Gen 2 Assurance Program is available immediately on its MP9310 and MP9320 UHF readers.

SAMSys Technologies Inc. (SAMSys), founded in 1995, is a world-leading provider of radio frequency identification (RFID) hardware solutions and RFID integration consulting services designed to evaluate and recommend optimal RFID solutions to enhance existing business process. SAMSys offers a family of products to simplify the installation and ensure the ongoing performance of the overall RFID hardware infrastructure. SAMSys is a public company whose shares are listed for trading on the TSX Exchange under the symbol: “SMY”. The Company has a total of 47.7 million shares outstanding.

GWAC Smart Cards ...

GSA - GWACs Smart Cards ...

From GSA ...

... "Smart Card provides common access ID, compliant with new interoperability standards. It promotes the growth of e-commerce and automation to streamline business functions, supports a wide range of services, and enhances security." ...

GSA's Millennia Lite and Smart Card Governmentwide Acquisition Contracts (GWACs) provide fully competed contracts allowing agencies to eliminate costly procurement lead time and to focus on mission. Millennia Lite is a multiple-award indefinite quantity, indefinite delivery contract offering a broad range of professional IT support services categorized in four Functional Areas.

RFID and Network Performance Certification ...

RFID and Network Performance Certification: WiMAX Forum(TM) Selects Cetecom Spain to Begin Certification ...

From Market Wire (press release) ... SA (CETECOM Spain) is a global supplier of Testing Solutions for wired and wireless technologies (GSM/GPRS, EDGE; W-CDMA, Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, RFID, DECT and PSTN ...

... The WiMAX Forum™ has selected its standardization test lab and announces a certification roadmap that marks July 2005 for the launch of the WiMAX Forum Certified™ program. The WiMAX Forum selected Cetecom Spain as its official certification laboratory, achieving a critical milestone toward enabling the commercial availability of WiMAX Forum Certified™ products. Acting as an independent body, Cetecom will test and certify WiMAX Forum member companies' products to ensure they meet WiMAX Forum conformance and interoperability standards. ...

The WiMAX Forum is an industry-led, non-profit corporation formed to help promote and certify the compatibility and interoperability of broadband wireless products using the IEEE 802.16 and ETSI HiperMAN wireless MAN specifications. The forum's goal is to accelerate the introduction of these devices into the marketplace. WiMAX Forum Certified™ products will be fully interoperable and support Metropolitan Broadband Fixed, Portable and Mobile Applications. Centro de Tecnología de las Comunicaciones, S.A. (CETECOM Spain) is a global supplier of Testing Solutions for wired and wireless technologies (GSM/GPRS, EDGE; W-CDMA, Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, RFID, DECT and PSTN). It services portfolio ranges from conformance, regulatory and interoperability testing services to test systems development, international type approval handling, training and consulting.

Why RFID is essential to the DoD Supply Chain ...

Why is RFID essential to the DoD Supply Chain?

From DOD "Frequently Asked Questions about RFID" ...

... The use of RFID in the DoD supply chain has the potential to provide real benefits in inventory management, asset visibility, and interoperability in an end-to-end integrated environment. RFID encapsulates the data accuracy advantages inherent in all types of automatic identification technology (AIT). Additionally, RFID is a totally non-intrusive methodology for data capture (requires no human intervention), is non-line of sight technology, and is a technology that may possess both read and write options within the same equipment item. ...

RFID systems carry data in suitable transponders, generally known as tags, and retrieve data, by machine-readable means, at a suitable time and place to satisfy particular application needs. Tags have a discrete memory capacity that varies from a small license plate to thousands of records. Data within a tag may provide any level of identification for an item during manufacture, in-transit, in-storage, or in-use. With additional data, the tag may support applications that need item-specific information. For example, shipment consignee or destination ports can be readily accessed upon reading the tag. In addition to tags, an RFID system requires a means for reading or "interrogating" the tags to obtain the stored data and then some means of communicating this tag data to a DoD logistics information system. RFID in the context of DoD usage falls into three broad categories based primarily on the technology currently in existence - active RFID, passive RFID, and semi-passive RFID.

Smart Card Interoperability: GSA Adds Interoperability Standards to Smart Card Specifications ...

From US GSA ...

... "Government-wide Smart Card Interoperability:

Flexibility, more smart card products and services
Works with electronic physical access, logical (computer) access, Biometrics and cryptography
Multiple vendor products will work together within the same smart card applications
Federal agencies can benefit from the smart card development of other agencies; i.e. federal smart card applications can be shared.
Gives the Federal government common smart card identification services
Gives Federal agencies the ability to identify and authenticate employees from other agencies
Federal IDs can be used for electronic visitor control systems
Federal agencies need not issue additional access or ID cards to detailed employees
Reduces data and paper handling for Federal employees
Provides for information portability
Helps the Federal government work cheaper and better by reducing the number of access cards federal employees need for controlled access, i.e. buildings, computers, parking areas, Secured Compartmentalized Information Facility (SCIF), and other controlled areas
Creates a multiple application smart cards that can be used by any Federal agency
Provides for secure electronic routing of government documents" ...

RFID in Construction for Component and Sub-Assembly Tracking ...

From BFRL: Construction Metrology and Automation Group ...

... "the Construction Metrology and Automation group developed a prototype system of integrated hardware and software to measure the position and orientation of steel frame components and sub-assemblies at the job site and to allow for web-based interactive information entry and query while at a component's location. This prototype implementation is a web-based system for rapid tracking of construction components with compact, field-rugged sensors and computers, interoperability protocols for data transmission, and 3D site simulators that reflect the instant state of tracked components on the construction site. The approach involves the use of RFID and bar code identification systems, 3D long range coordinate measurement technologies, local data processing, wireless communications, high speed networking, temporal project databases, web-based data analysis, and 3D user interfaces to provide real-time access to part status updates at the jobsite. In FY99, we demonstrated 3D spatial tracking of discrete components in real-time to viewers at a remote location over a km away under highly controlled conditions. " ...

RFID Symposium: INTERNATIONAL SYMPOSIUM ON ADVANCED RADIO TECHNOLOGIES

... "7thANNUAL INTERNATIONAL SYMPOSIUM ON ADVANCED RADIO TECHNOLOGIES, ISART Forecasting the Future of Radio, 1 - 3 March 2005

The ISART technical program committee is soliciting papers for the 7th annual International Symposium on Advanced Radio Technologies (ISART) to be held in Boulder, Colorado March 1-3, 2005. These papers will discuss new technologies, research and development, innovative ideas, enabling technologies, standards, protocols, business practices and policies, and government regulation for the purpose of forecasting the future development and application of radio frequency technologies into the next decade.

Radio Frequency Identification (RFID)
Future of 802.16
Wireless/Hybrid LANs
New Wireless Convergence and Protocols
Software Defined/Cognitive Radios
Digital Video Broadcasting: Handhelds (DVB-H)
New Wireless Protocols
Voice over IP (VoIP)
IPv6
Global Mobile Communication Systems (2/2.5/3/4G)
Mobile VSATs
Broadband over Power Lines
GPS, Galileo, Glonass Interoperability and standards
2004 Olympics Communications Lessons Learned
Effective Spectrum Management
First Responder Communications
Human Computer Interface
Propagation Modeling in Urban Environment
VPN/Wireless Security
Mesh Networking
High Speed Digital Packet Access
Battery/Power Sources
Orthogonal Frequency Division Multiplexing (OFDM)
Multiple Input Multiple Output (MIMO)
UWB Communications
Signal Compression
Conformal Antenna Design
Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition (SCADA)
Automatic Voice Recognition
Automatic Language Translation
Automatic Direction Finding Network
Network Services (Artificial Intelligence)
Quantum Computing" ...

RFID Data Synchronization: Global eXchange Services Accelerates Global Data Synchronization ...

From Business Wire (press release), CA ... pool will facilitate a higher level of collaboration and solutions empowering emerging technologies, such as Radio Frequency Identification (RFID), that allow ...

... Continuing its momentum to drive global data synchronization adoption worldwide, Global eXchange Services (GXS) today announced that it has been selected by the Hong Kong Article Numbering Association (HKANA - EAN Hong Kong) to develop and manage the global data synchronization network (GDSN) compliant data pool for Hong Kong. By utilizing the GXS Trading Grid(SM) integration services platform, the data pool will allow suppliers, retailers and manufacturers across the region to improve levels of efficiency and to trade more competitively on a global scale. The announcement follows previous agreements for GXS to power data pools in Taiwan, Russia, United Kingdom, Korea, Australia, Canada and New Zealand. With GXS' capabilities, the data pool will power global interoperability within the Global Data Synchronization Network (GDSN) linked by the GS1 Global Registry(TM). ...

Global eXchange Services (GXS) is a leading provider of B2B e-commerce solutions that simplify and enhance business process integration and collaboration. Organizations worldwide, including over half of the Fortune 500, use GXS' global interoperability and supply chain execution solutions to achieve a balance between supply and demand. Active in the global standards arena, GXS solutions, powered by the Trading Grid(SM), enable customers both large and small, to connect with global partners, synchronize product information and optimize the execution of supply chains.

RFID Technology: 21st Century Logistics for Global Asset Visibility

From Combat Feeding Directorate Global Asset Visibility (GAV) Program ...

... "The major benefit of RFID technology is true real-time TAV of items in the supply chain. More importantly, open, global standards and competitive manufacturing processes will insure interoperability and affordability. DoD will benefit from this technology by adopting an industry solution to increase the efficiency of Total Asset Visibility. EPCglobal, Inc., in concert with the DoD and commercial industry, are driving standards to support the implementation of EPC RFID technology. The CFD recently completed a demonstration on the ability to track Class 1 supplies in an end-to-end supply chain and provide quality and shelf life data using RFID technology. Lessons learned will help shape the final DoD RFID Implementation Policy." ...

RFID Software: Sun Wraps 2004 with Strongest Product Portfolio in Company's ...

From Yahoo News (press release) ... tools and Java development platforms capped a year that included the introduction of Sun Java Enterprise System Release 2, Sun Java System RFID Software, and ...

... Sun Microsystems, Inc. (Nasdaq: SUNW - News) today announced that in 2004 it rolled out the most innovative systems portfolio in the company's 20-plus year history. Through its quarterly Network Computing launch cycle, Sun has demonstrated its commitment to delivering customer value through breakthrough Network Computing solutions that address critical business needs like complexity, interoperability, scalability and simplicity. ...

Since its inception in 1982, a singular vision -- "The Network Is The Computer(TM)" -- has propelled Sun Microsystems, Inc. (Nasdaq: SUNW - News) to its position as a leading provider of industrial-strength hardware, software and services that make the Net work.

RFID Security: Open Security Exchange Announces New Members

From Yahoo News (press release) ... Deister Electronics joined the Open Security Exchange as a General Member. "As a leading developer and manufacturer of RFID technology and equipment, Deister ...

... The Open Security Exchange (OSE), a cross-industry consortium dedicated to delivering best practices guidelines in the area of security management and vendor-neutral interoperability specifications for the integration of physical and cyber security systems, today announced two new members. GE Infrastructure, Security joined the Open Security Exchange as a Board Member. ...

The Open Security Exchange, a program of IEEE-ISTO, was created to address today's most significant security challenge -- the lack of integration between various components of the security infrastructure. The Open Security Exchange is a cross-industry forum dedicated to delivering vendor-neutral interoperability specifications and best practices guidelines in the area of security management. This enables organizations to more efficiently mitigate risk, optimize their security postures and enforce privacy policies. The Open Security Exchange combines the disparate technologies that form today's security infrastructures, allowing for optimal security and operational efficiencies while respecting organization-specific operational requirements. Effective security management will result in: accurate detection of threats and attacks; consistent definition and enforcement of security policies; and enhanced organizational collaboration. Current Board members of OSE are Computer Associates, CoreStreet, Fargo, Gemplus, HID Corp., Software House, Siemens Building Technologies, Siemens ICN, Sony Electronics, Inc., and VistaScape. Deister Electronics is a General member.