Australia RFID Trials

Australia RFID pilots continue at higher power levels, while the current rules are at lower target levels. ...

... "Technology standards group GS1 Australia says it has been granted an extension to its scientific licence allowing the use of radio frequency devices with up to 4 Watt of power. The Australian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA) has allowed trials of the ultra high frequency (UHF) RFID tags, despite a current ruling which limits RFID power to 1 Watt. " ...

Via Queensland Business Review: World-standard RFID

Intel RFID Operations Acquired

Impinj acquires Intel's RFID operation and its award-winning R1000 RFID reader chip. Terms of the deal have not been disclosed. ...

... "The acquisition of Intel assets further enhances Impinj's position in the RFID market by adding a proven, high-performance, highly integrated reader radio chip to the Impinj family of UHF Gen 2 RFID products. For developers of UHF RFID readers and reader-modules, the R1000 chip provides superior levels of design flexibility, integrating onto a single chip 90 percent of the components required for a reader radio. By delivering unprecedented performance, integration and cost effectiveness to a worldwide customer base, the R1000 chip enables all reader form factors - fixed, mobile, embedded and others - in applications across numerous vertical markets, including supply chain management, asset tracking, authentication and access control. " ...

Via Impinj: Intel UHF RFID Reader Chip Operation

UHF RFID Sorting Demo

UHF RFID Long-Range Reader Kit

iDTRONIC offers its new UHF RFID Reader SDK to system integrators at its intro price. ...

... "The new reader is designed as Multi-tag UHF Reader and is capable of reading tags that conform to the EPC Generation Two (Gen2) and ISO 18000-6 B/C standards. This UHF device is field-upgradeable for future protocols and allows reading distances of up to 10 meters. Based on Intel's latest R1000 transceiver, this reader can be configured with any frequency between 860 and 960 MHz. It also has also a software programmable RF Power supply (up to 2W RF). The UHF Reader is a multi-protocol, multi-regional UHF RFID device. " ...

Via IDTronic: UHF Long Range Reader Starter Kit

Secure RFID Protocol

Omron updates its UHF RFID reader with secure protocol. ...

... "Secure RFID Protocol was developed through the Secure Electronic Tag Project led by Japan's Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry (METI), with Hitachi as a core partner, from August 2006 to March 2007. The protocol provides enhanced security functions including communication distance control, which restricts the communication range of tags, and reading prohibition, which limits access to tags through password authentication, while maintaining compatibility with the UHF RFID international standard ISO/IEC 18000-6 Type C. A Secure RFID Protocol-ready IC developed by Hitachi, mu-chip Hibiki, is already on the market. RFID in the UHF band (860MHz to 960MHz) realizes longer communication ranges among passive-type tags and conducts faster and more diverse data processing as compared with HF band (13.56MHz) systems. " ...

Via Omron RFID: OMRON Adds Secure RFID Protocol to V750 Series UHF RFID Reader / Writer

Monza3 RFID Improves Performance

Impinj's new Monza 3 RFID tag ups the game in radio frequency identification performance. RFID write sensitivity and interference performance is improved. ...

... "Up to 40% improvement in tag read sensitivity: increases readability of tags on previously difficult to tag items and materials such as metals, liquids and products within densely packed cases and pallets
significantly expands tag placement options ... " ...

Via Impinj: Newest UHF Gen 2 Chip Offering Improves Data Accuracy and Enables New Applications

RFID Asset Tag

Omni-ID Prox is a new short-range, passive UHF RFID tag in a small form factor that is targeted at the asset management application market. ...

... "The Omni-ID Prox tag was specifically designed for asset identification where increased visibility and asset registration are essential. It delivers unmatched precision in the tracking of smaller high-value assets, electronic devices, communications and network cards, servers, and other assets or applications that demand high performance. In addition, Omni-ID Prox can be utilized to track tools or products during manufacturing as well as manage asset rentals. " ...

Revolutionary RFID Tag, Omni-ID Prox is Nominated for Best in Show Award

RFID Sports Score and Time Track

Alien Technology and Hardcard Systems have completed field testing of RFID technology for motorsports timing and scoring. Hardcard Systems plans to use RFID in motorsports applications to make the timing and scoring solutions more cost effective. The race vehicles are tagged and time-stamped using antennas and RFID readers. ...

... "In tests conducted at Buttonwillow Raceway in California in December 2007, Hardcard and Alien used standard Gen 2 UHF RFID tags, antennas, readers and software to accurately track and time eight motorcycles at speeds exceeding 140mph. Competition-prepared motorcycles were successfully time-stamp recorded passing several read points around the racetrack, simulating realistic race situations where multiple racers pass reader checkpoints. Alien ALR-9900 readers and standard antennas were stationed at the checkpoints, providing accurate reads up to 10 meters away (over 30 feet) at race-like speeds. The professional racers' machines were equipped with a total of two of Alien's M-Tags each. " ...

Via Alien Technology: RFID FOR HIGH-SPEED SPORTS TIMING AND SCORING

Sirit TAGSYS RFID Partnership

Tagsys and Sirit link up to enable RFID solutions in the UHF item-level tracking space using their complementary technologies. ...

... "The partnership further reinforces Sirit's position as the leading supplier of UHF reader technology and provides TAGSYS with a more powerful RFID infrastructure, enabling companies to rapidly deploy and maintain RFID solutions. As part of the agreement, TAGSYS will release its RXU-400 UHF fixed reader built on Sirit's performance-leading INfinity 510 platform. Also, TAGSYS' integrated tunnel systems, with proven capability to deliver Six Sigma performance, will be developed for UHF item-level applications powered by Sirit's reader technology. " ...

Via Sirit: Sirit, TAGSYS Announce RFID Technology Partnership

Bookstore RFID Implements Item Level Tracking in SuperStore Format

Byblos implements item-level RFID tracking in its large-format bookstore in Portugal, using solutions from Vue Technology. ...

... "Byblos is using the TrueVUE RFID Platform to help track more than 150,000 items across its 35,000 square foot retail outlet. Every individual item within the new Byblos Amoreiras store is equipped with a UHF RFID tag. The company is using the item-level RFID solution to help maximize store operational efficiencies and on-shelf product availability, as well as provide a better customer experience. The Lisbon store is the first in a series of superstores planned to launch across Europe. " ...

Via Vue Technology: Largest Item-Level Retail RFID Deployment

RFID Scorpion UHF EPC Gen2 Inlay

Omron delivers new Gen2 RFID Inlay, code-named the Scorpion. ...

... "The Scorpion's versatile credit-card size allows easy conversion to popular formats, including 4in x 2in, 4in x 6in and 3in x 3in logistics labels for cases as well as ID cards and crate tags. Used to track stock shipments to RFID-enabled stores, for example, Scorpion-powered labels offer a powerful solution to out-of stock (OOS) situations at retail outlets running special promotions. The new inlay also fits snugly into credit-card sized items such as gate passes and other access control applications. " ...

Via OMRON: RFID UHF EPC Gen2 Inlay Product

Intermec RFID China Certified

China certifies Intermec's RFID equipment. ...

... "Intermec's passive ultra high frequency (UHF) RFID (radio frequency identification) readers are the first RFID hardware to be certified for operation in China by the country's State Radio Regulation Committee (SRRC). Part of China's Ministry of Information Industry (MII), the SRRC ensures that products sold for use in China meet the country's standards for radio frequency devices. The committee requires compliance testing for RFID devices before they receive the necessary certification. Test results must conclude that RFID hardware meets China's newly released RFID bandwidth and standards requirements. " ...

Via Intermec: Intermec RFID Hardware First to be Certified for Use in China

Retail RFID Strategy Enables Customer Experience in Mexico

Levi Strauss deploys TAGSYS UHF RFID readers in its Mexico retail outlets, using Grupo Hasar for system integration into its business systems. ...

... "The TAGSYS/Grupo Hasar deployment represents an expansion of Levi Strauss' RFID strategy to improve the customer purchasing experience by expediting the checkout process (especially during peak seasons) and to improve inventory management. For this application, Levi Strauss required a unique, cost-effective solution that offered high performance, reliability, an ergonomic design and easy integration capabilities. The TAGSYS reader combines leading UHF reader technology with a unique embedded antenna design that reliably inventories multiple stacked garments while not erroneously reading nearby items (a critical requirement in point-of-sale applications). The TAGSYS readers will be deployed in 40 Levi Strauss stores throughout Mexico. " ...

Via TagSys: In-Store Apparel RFID Deployment

RFID Webinar Frequency Technology Decisions

Zebra announces another learning opportunity through its webinar on high frequency RFID choices. ...

... "The downloadable webinar, UHF or HF RFID? How to Choose the Best Technology for Your Application, is the most recent addition to Zebra's library of RFID learning materials. Presented by Matt Ream, Zebra's senior manager for RFID systems, the webinar explains the technical and performance characteristics of UHF and HF technologies, and discusses their advantages and limitations. Zebra is uniquely positioned as an unbiased thought leader on this issue, as the first company to offer RFID printer / encoders for both high frequency (HF) and ultra-high frequency (UHF) applications. " ...

Via Zebra Tech: DEMYSTIFY THE DECISION BETWEEN HF AND UHF RFID

Evaluate RFID Kit: Far and Near Field Tag Applications

Impinj launches the GrandPrix Evaluation Kit which enables assessment of the company's far-field and near-field UHF RFID solutions for pallet-, case-, and item-level tagging applications. ...

... "The first suite of UHF RFID assessment products and tools to include item-level testing capability, the GrandPrix Evaluation Kit comprises: 1 Speedway UHF Gen 2 reader with power supply, 2 far-field antennas, 1 Brickyard near field antenna, Sample pack of Monza chip-powered UHF Gen 2 tags for pallet-, case-, and item-level tagging applications provided by Impinj tag and inlay partners
MultiReader host application software, Supporting documentation, including the Speedway Quick Start Guide and the Speedway User Guide. " ...

Via Impinj: Dock Door to Front Door RFID Evaluation Kit

Sirit RFID Orange County Traffic Management

OCTA utilizes Sirit RFID technology on the SR-91 Riverside Freeway Express Lanes in Southern California. ...

... "Sirit Inc. announced that it has secured an order totaling US$2.0 million from the Orange County Transportation Authority (OCTA) in Southern California. The contract calls for Sirit to deliver its UHF RFID transponder technology over the next 3 years, with deliveries to commence in Q2 2007. " ...

Via PR News Wire: US$2.0 million RFID Transponder Contract

Printronix RFID Printer Compatible With Microsoft Biztalk RFID Solution

Printronix collaborates with Microsoft to create turnkey radio frequency identification (RFID) printing solution that is compatible with Microsoft's BizTalk RFID infrastructure. ...

... "Ready to meet global supply chain operators' RFID compliance needs, Printronix's SL4M is the industry's most economical, industrial-grade metal printer/encoder designed for global Class 1 Gen 2 as well as ISO compliant ultra-high frequency (UHF) RFID applications. Synchronized with Microsoft's BizTalk RFID technology, it encodes and prints RFID chips and labels to meet retail, government and other supply-chain compliance mandates. It also is ideal for closed-loop UHF applications. Announced in June 2006, BizTalk RFID will incorporate Microsoft's vast technology expertise and developer network to provide an innovative platform solution that is enabling businesses to optimize RFID technology and create greater supply-chain efficiencies. Printronix worked with Microsoft as the company first announced its BizTalk RFID solution to improve greatly the customer's ability to experience all of the benefits of RFID. First to market with a UHF EPC printer, Printronix leveraged its RFID installation experiences with top suppliers to Wal-Mart, the U.S. Department of Defense, Target, Albertsons and Best Buy to create its RFID product and solutions portfolio. Printronix then shared its patented MP2 RFID Smart printing knowledge with the Microsoft development team and contributed SmartLine RFID printers to Microsoft's technology centers in Redmond, Wash.; Paris; Beijing; and Bangalore, India, among other locations. " ...

Via Printronix: Printronix Utilizes Microsoft BizTalk RFID Technology to Deliver Turnkey RFID Printing Solution to Supply Chain Operators Worldwide ...

Checkpoint RFID Metro Pilot Implementation Solves Technical Challenges

Checkpoint Systems is involved in pilot of UHF RFID technology at METRO Group's Distribution Centres near Hamm, Germany, under supervision of the European Telecommunications Standards Institute (ETSI) task group 34 (TG34). The European Telecommunications Standards Institute (ETSI) plays a major role in the global standardization of Information and Communication Technologies. This pilot has been created to improve the read performance of RFID tags in a high-density UHF reading environment and validate the performance of portal dock door solutions. The successful pilot solves UHF RFID challenges and supports Metro's plan to implement RFID more broadly in 2007. The Metro RFID implementation is aimed at enhancing customer service and increasing the efficiency of its supply chain. METRO Group is an international retailing company with 2005 sales of EUR55.7 billion. The company has a headcount of about 250,000 employees and operates more than 2,200 outlets in 30 countries. ...

... "Utilizing equipment from numerous RFID suppliers in Europe and North America, Checkpoint served as a hardware integrator for the trials. In this capacity, Checkpoint helped with the design work for the hardware solution and procurement, configuration and installation of the 36 RFID-enabled dock door portals which were used to validate successful simultaneous operation of multiple dock doors using a 4-channel synchronized approach under the ETSI 302 208 standard. Pallets containing 62 individually tagged cases largely containing RFID unfriendly materials (such as cans, liquids and metal lined items) were simultaneously transported at warehouse speeds through 36 adjacent loading dock doors. Some 4.5 million individual reads were recorded over the course of the trials. Complying with the ETSI listen before talk (LBT) requirements, the tests achieved a 98.5%+ read rate simultaneously from multiple pallets as they were wheeled through the dock doors. " ...

Via Checkpoint Systems: Checkpoint Systems Partners with Metro Group to Successfully Deploy UHF RFID Dock Door Solution: 98.5%+ Read Rate Represents Milestone in European RFID Deployment ...

RFID Metal Packaging Works as Antenna

QinetiQ and Crown collaborate to develop adaptation of QinetiQ's Omni-ID Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) technology for use on metal packaging. The improvements will enable RFID tags at the unit-level on metal items. Technology advancement is expected to integrate the metal substrate as part of the RFID tag's antenna. ...

... "This will enable brand owners to integrate ultra high frequency (UHF) RFID tags into metal packaging for a wide variety of applications at the single item level. Designed to mitigate issues such as signal reflection, detuning and grounding which reduce or negate RFID's effectiveness on metal packaging or with aqueous-based products, the unique technology leverages several of metal's inherent properties and shifts the format into an advantageous position.

QinetiQ's standalone Omni-ID tags and integrated Omni-ID packaging technology allows a UHF tag to be mounted directly onto the metal substrate. Measuring substantially less than 1mm in thickness, the unique Omni-ID structure collects and focuses RF energy and enables highly efficient coupling to the chip. Another advantage of the system is that RFID chips require only a short coupling antenna rather than the large dipole usually incorporated in UHF tags, significantly reducing manufacturing costs. Crown and QinetiQ are continuing development of the technology for metal packaging to further optimize design. In the near future, it is expected that the metal substrate itself will have an integral role in the way the technology functions. Using a beverage or food can as an example, the can itself would serve as the antenna, simplifying production of the RFID tag and further reducing costs. " ...

Via Qinetiq: Crown teams up with QinetiQ to resolve challenges of RFID on metal packaging ...

HighSpeed RFID Read Rates: Pharma Cases

Impinj discusses results of live demonstration of RFID technology in pharmaceutical packaging application with Owens-Illinois (O-I) at the RFID Health Care Industry Adoption Summit in D.C. ...

... "In pharmaceutical manufacturing and fill-line demonstrations, a near-field UHF Gen 2 RFID solution, comprising Impinj's Speedway reader and O-I's item-level embedded RFID tags powered by Impinj's Monza chips, achieved 100% reliability when reading and writing tags at high speed on pharmaceutical bottles. In the first demonstration, the UHF Gen 2 system programmed 96-bit EPC numbers at rates exceeding 600 tags per minute on bottles containing the four most common dose types - liquids, gel caps, solids and powder. In the second demonstration, the system developed by Impinj and O-I flawlessly read 600 tags per minute on cases containing 48 individually tagged bottles and a case-level tag. " ...

Via Impinj: Impinj-Powered UHF Gen 2 RFID Solution Delivers Exceptional Results for Item Tagging of Pharmaceuticals

RFID Pilot: Cardinal Health Completes

Cardinal Health completes its RFID pilot, which tested RFID tags for end-to-end pharma packaging and distribution business processes. The pilot tested the application of tags and the utilization of item level tracking techniques. Alien Technology, IBM, and Verisign provided hardware, software and implementation services. The application and encoding of the RFID tags approached 100 percent success rates. Reliable read rates were best achieved at the individual case level. The pilot was a fruitful learning experience for the pharma industry. ...

... "The pilot program tested whether ultra-high frequency (UHF) radio frequency identification (RFID) tags could be applied, encoded and read at normal production speeds during packaging and distribution of pharmaceuticals. Verifying the authenticity of medications along each step of the distribution process adds an additional layer of security to lessen the chance of counterfeit pharmaceuticals entering the supply chain. It is also hoped that RFID data could improve efficiencies in the supply chain. Pilot Program Background: In conducting the industry's first end-to-end pilot program, Cardinal Health used new technology to place RFID tags on the labels of brand-name solid-dose prescription drugs, then encoded the electronic product code (EPC) standard data at the unit, case and pallet levels during the packaging process. The products were shipped to a Cardinal Health distribution center in Findlay, Ohio, where the data was read and authenticated as products were handled under typical operating conditions. Normal procedures were enhanced with RFID hardware and software from Alien Technology Corporation and IBM along with project management support from VeriSign.

RFID Labeling and Online Encoding: Data collected from the pilot suggest that it is feasible for RFID tags to be inlaid into existing FDA-approved pharmaceutical label stock, and the tags can be applied and encoded on packaging lines at normal operational speeds. Online encoding yields were 95 percent to 97 percent, and fine tuning of the process is expected to produce yields that approach 100 percent. The RFID tag application and encoding requires minimal adjustments to current labeling and packaging lines.

RFID Read Rates: Unit-level read rate data varied widely depending on the locations and type of reading stations throughout the supply chain. Highly reliable unit-level read rates in excess of 96 percent were found when reading individual cases one at a time and when reading units mixed with other products in tote containers prepared for delivery to a pharmacy. However, as expected, unit-level read rates were not found to be reliable when attempting to read units within a full pallet of product. " ...

Via Cardinal Health: Cardinal Health Releases RFID Pilot Results ...