RFID Module Innovation Awarded

SkyeTek wins the EDN 17th Annual Innovation Award in the Computers, Boards, and Buses category for its M9 SkyeModule. The M9 is half the size of a business card and is targeted to item-level inventory, product authentication, and patron management. ...

... "Based on SkyeTek's Advanced Universal Reader Architecture (AURA), the M9 leads the RFID industry in UHF reader price-performance and meets regulatory compliance requirements for the world's major markets including North America, Europe (ETSI 302 208), Korea, and Japan. The M9's ReaderWare Embedded software stack allows application logic, policies, and advanced security to be executed on the reader allowing unprecedented levels of intelligence to be delivered to the products in which the M9 gets embedded. This award is the second distinction for SkyeTek in the past week. On March 29, SkyeTek's customer ADASA was announced the winner of CMP's Excellence in RFID Technology Award for its SkyeTek-enabled PAD3500, a low-cost, wearable mobile encoder that supports the encoding of UHF RFID tags anywhere. " ...

Via SkyeTek: M9 RFID Reader Module Wins Electronic Design News 17th Annual Innovation Award

RFID Technology Goes Postal in Spain

Spanish Postal Service, Correos, deploys the RFID Anywhere platform in Europe. its implementation of a radio frequency control system, called Q-RFID, is in a number of Automated Processing Centers and bulk Admission Centers. The RFID technology deployment enables the company to drive quality control and traceability of deliveries. ...

... "Correos' successful implementation of one of the largest RFID projects in Europe highlights the potential of RFID solutions. The state-controlled company required its RFID solution to be integrated into the Correos computer systems, resulting in the purchase of 13,000 passive electronic labels and installation of more than 2,300 permanent antennas and over 331 readers for the 16 APCs and the additional Admission Centers. The RFID Anywhere-powered solution gives Correos the ability to monitor the status and transit time of a letter at each stage of the delivery process, allowing the company to oversee the entire process and adopt corrective measures when a fault is detected in the system. Correos is one of the earliest to use RFID technology to comply with the standards set by the European Union (ETSI EN 302 208-1 and EPC GEN 2) and to be approved at the state level by the Ministry of Industry, Tourism and Trade. " ...

Via Sybase iAnywhere: Spanish Postal Service Deploys Sybase iAnywhere RFID Technology

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 ...

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

Metro RFID Gen2 ETSI Readers

Metro RFID Gen2 ETSI Readers: Intermec and METRO Group Demonstrate Intermec IP4, First Generation 2, ETSI-Compliant Handheld RFID Reader: Multi-protocol capabilities support EPCglobal Gen 2, Gen 1 and ISO-based RFID systems: Available for order worldwide Sept. 1 ...

... "Intermec Technologies Corp. and METRO Group today announced the successful demonstration of the first EPCglobal Generation 2 RFID handheld reader that also meets stringent European requirements for radio frequency and reader communications protocols. The new multi-protocol Intermec IP4 Intellitag® multi-protocol RFID reader reads Gen 2 tags from multiple manufacturers. It also reads tags based on all major global RFID standards, including EPCglobal Gen 2, Gen 1 and ISO 18000-6b, with a migration path to the emerging ISO 18000-6c standard. " ...

Intermec Technologies Corp., a UNOVA Inc. (NYSE:UNA) company, is a leader in global supply chain solutions and in the development, manufacture and integration of wired and wireless automated data collection, RFID (radio frequency identification), mobile computing systems, bar code printers and label media. The company s products and services are used by customers in many industries to improve productivity, quality and responsiveness of business operations, from supply chain management and enterprise resource planning to field sales and service.

Microsoft RFID Infrastructure: Alien Technology Support

Microsoft RFID Infrastructure: Alien Technology Support: Alien Technology: Alien Technology® Announces Alliance with Microsoft on RFID Initiatives: Microsoft Showcases New RFID Infrastructure Using Alien RFID Readers and Tags at TechEd Europe 2005 ...

Alien Technology supports Microsoft's RFID infrastructure initiative ...

... "Alien Technology today announced an alliance with Microsoft that establishes Alien as one of the key partners in Microsoft's RFID Initiatives whereby Alien RFID reader and tag products will be supported by Microsoft's RFID technology. Alien also announced that Microsoft selected Alien tags and European-compliant high powered ALR-8780 readers as one of the readers to demonstrate its RFID technology at the Microsoft TechEd EMEA conference this week in Amsterdam. Designed for demanding supply chain applications, the Alien ALR-8780 reader was the first EPC RFID reader certified to the stringent new European specification (ETSI EN 302-208) for higher power readers. " ...

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®), 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 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.

Four Sigma Level RFID Read Rates Achieved ...

Four Sigma Level RFID Read Rates Achieved: Intermec and METRO Group Achieve 99 Percent RFID Pallet Tag Read ...

From Business Wire (press release), CA ... METRO Group, the world's third-largest retailer and an RFID pioneer, and Intermec Technologies Corp. ...

... METRO Group, the world's third-largest retailer and an RFID pioneer, and Intermec Technologies Corp. today announced the successful completion of implementation of RFID readers and tags at METRO Group's largest and busiest distribution center in Germany. Located in Unna, Germany, the distribution center is equipped with Intermec IF5 Intelligent RFID readers and RFID tags powered by Intermec. With more than 50,000 pallets read to date, METRO is enjoying 99% tag read-rates, as well as complete compliance with ETSI radio standards for operation in Europe. ...

Additional resources on sigma level and read rates for RFID ...

RFID Demystified” National Institute of Industrial: File Format: PDF/Adobe Acrobat ... Sigma and Lean Manufacturing. ... should be considered. This will often be impacted by the level of partnering that ... block, citing read rates in the 80%-90% range. ...

RFID - Tag ,You're Late - Why Wal-Mart's suppliers think RFID: on products to get the best read-rates." Unilever's Ellis ... Coming from a 6 Sigma headset (DMAIC process ... technology commensurate with the same level that industry ...

Apriso News and Events: bar code systems, RFID tags can be read even when ... management, lean supply, successive refinement (kaizen), six-sigma quality levels, demand-driven ...

RFID Product Compliance Testing Validates to Europe RFID Wireless Standard ...

RFID Product Compliance Testing Validates to Europe Wireless Standard: Alien Technology Corporation Taps MiCOM Labs for Testing of New ...

From Business Wire (press release), CA ... 4, 2005--MiCOM Labs, Inc., today announced that it has completed product compliance testing of a new radio frequency identification (RFID) system for Alien ...

... MiCOM Labs, Inc., today announced that it has completed product compliance testing of a new radio frequency identification (RFID) system for Alien Technology Corporation of Morgan Hill, Calif. Alien Technology is an industry leader in the development of RFID tags and equipment that includes electronic product code (EPC) or "smart" tags that reflect radio signals. RFID equipment is revolutionizing inventory tracking and supply chain management in retail and defense operations. The testing performed by MiCOM Labs validated the new RFID system to a new European standard (EN 302 208) for wireless RFID product performance, qualifying the RFID system for certifications needed for product sales in Europe. ...

MiCOM Labs, Inc. (www.micomlabs.com) is a RF and EMC testing laboratory serving the global wireless, telecommunications, medical and security industries. Headquartered in Pleasanton, Calif., and accredited by the globally recognized United Kingdom Accreditation Services (UKAS) organization, the company provides traceable, repeatable, accurate and secure testing and reporting to enable companies to certify product compliance with global performance standards and bring new products into global markets. Alien Technology is a leading provider of reliable, high-volume, low-cost, EPC-compliant Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) products. Using Fluidic Self Assembly (FSA), a patented manufacturing process, Alien manufactures electronic product code (EPC) tags used in a variety of applications including supply chain management, logistics operations and anti-counterfeiting to improve inventory management and reduce operating costs.

Additional resources on European Wireless RFID standards ...

Wireless Tracking - Standards Spat: But delays by the European Telecoms Standards Institute (ETSI) in approving its EN 302 208 RFID specifications, which govern radio frequencies and ...

The New RFID Standard in Europe: industry to make the new standard work as ... very different to that described within EN 302 208. ... Communications Committee (ECC) within the European Conference of ...

New ETSI RFID Rules Move Forward: use of the available spectrum, EN 302-208 divides the ... legislative and judicial decisions of the European Union (EU ... The standard has to be translated into the ...

Wireless Computing Technology: is the first to meet the ETSI 302 208 standard and gives our European customers RFID ... mechanisms, including RS-232, wired Ethernet and wireless 802.11g ...

RFID EPC Gen 2: Intermec Demonstrates Working EPC Generation 2 Technology With ...

From Business Wire (press release), CA ... Intermec Technologies Corp. has demonstrated the industry's first working EPC UHF Generation 2 RFID reader. The demonstration Dec. ...

... Intermec Technologies Corp. has demonstrated the industry's first working EPC UHF Generation 2 RFID reader. The demonstration Dec. 2 to EPCglobal Inc used a firmware upgrade to Intermec's currently available model IF5 Intellitag(R) RFID reader. The IF5 is the industry's first intelligent reader certified under current regulations by both the FCC and ETSI, designed for use by customers around the world. The demonstration to EPCglobal Inc of a reader and RFID chip operating according to the proposed UHF Generation 2 standard is the final step before a vote on ratification of the candidate standard by EPCglobal's Board of Governors. EPCglobal has said it expects to have a ratified UHF Generation 2 standard by the end of 2004. ...

Intermec Technologies Corp., a UNOVA Inc. (NYSE:UNA) company, is a leader in global supply chain solutions and in the development, manufacture and integration of wired and wireless automated data collection, RFID (radio frequency identification), mobile computing systems, bar code printers and label media. The company's products and services are used by customers in many industries to improve productivity, quality and responsiveness of business operations, from supply chain management and enterprise resource planning to field sales and service. For further information, visit www.intermec.com. To learn more about how companies can benefit from Intermec's wireless technologies, contact Intermec Technologies Corp., 6001 36th Ave. West, Everett, WA 98203 USA; telephone 800-347-2636; The Intermec Intellitag IF5 intelligent RFID reader is enclosed in a rugged industrial housing with advanced networking features including RS-232, wired Ethernet, wireless 802.11g, SNMP and remote device management. It controls and supplies power to external indicators and sensors via General Purpose IO, and it executes third-party programs with Linux and Java VM platforms, giving users the ability to run programs inside the reader and to interface to warehouse management and enterprise resource planning systems. This execution, combined with its on-board decision-making capabilities, lowers overall systems costs, enhances reliability, reduces traffic on IT networks and reduces IT administration requirements. To fully comply with local RF regulations, the IF5 has an internal real-time clock, listen-before-talk capability, duty cycle management, and adjacent channel selectivity capabilities.

RFID Equipment: Intermec RFID Readers First to Receive ETSI RFID Certification for ...

From Business Wire (press release), CA ... Sept. 27, 2004--RFID equipment by Intermec Technologies Corp. today became the first RFID (radio ...

... RFID equipment by Intermec Technologies Corp. today became the first RFID (radio frequency identification) equipment to comply with the new approved European standard for RFID at UHF. The European Telecommunications Standards Institute (ETSI) is an independent, non-profit organization officially responsible for standardization of information and communication technologies within Europe. Intermec's IF4 and IF5 RFID readers are compliant to ETSI radio standards for operation in Europe, both under the lower power 0.5W erp (EN300 220) standard and the newly established 2.0W erp (EN302 208) RFID standard, which permits higher RF power. Based in Sophia Antipolis, France, ETSI unites 688 members from 55 countries inside and outside Europe, including manufacturers, network operators, administrations, service providers, research bodies and users. ...

Intermec RFID equipment has been certified by the ETSI organization...

The European Telecommunications Standards Institute (ETSI) is an independent, non-profit organization, whose mission is to produce telecommunications standards for today and for the future. Based in Sophia Antipolis (France), the European Telecommunications Standards Institute (ETSI) is officially responsible for standardization of Information and Communication Technologies (ICT) within Europe. These technologies include telecommunications, broadcasting and related areas such as intelligent transportation and medical electronics. ETSI unites 688 members from 55 countries inside and outside Europe, including manufacturers, network operators, administrations, service providers, research bodies and users - in fact, all the key players in the ICT arena.

ETSI plays a major role in developing a wide range of standards and other technical documentation as Europe's contribution to world-wide ICT standardization. This activity is supplemented by interoperability testing services and other specialisms. ETSI's prime objective is to support global harmonization by providing a forum in which all the key players can contribute actively. ETSI is officially recognized by the European Commission and the EFTA secretariat. ETSI's Members determine the Institute’s work programme, allocate resources and approve its deliverables. As a result, ETSI's activities are closely aligned with market needs and there is wide acceptance of its products. ETSI's standards are built on consensus.

Smart Card Software: Sun Microsystems' New Java Card Enterprise Software Enhances ...

From Wireless Developer Network ... Card(tm) Enterprise Software, an integrated smart-card solution for enhanced network security. By bringing together key elements ...

Java Card technology provides a secure environment for applications that run on smart cards and other devices with very limited memory and processing capabilities. Multiple applications can be deployed on a single card, and new ones can be added to it even after it has been issued to the end user. Applications written in the Java programming language can be executed securely on cards from different vendors. Java Card technology enables smart cards and other devices with very limited memory to run small applications, called applets, that employ Java technology. It provides smart card manufacturers with a secure and interoperable execution platform that can store and update multiple applications on a single device. Java Card technology is compatible with existing smart card standards. The technology enables developers to build, test, and deploy applications and services rapidly and securely. This accelerated process reduces development costs, increases product differentiation, and enhances value to customers. In a manner complementary to the Standard, Enterprise, and Mobile editions of the Java 2 Platform, Java Card technology makes it easy to integrate security tokens into a complete Java software solution. Java Card technology is the leading open, interoperable platform for smart cards. The new version 2.2.1 of the Java Card Specifications provides a small set of targeted enhancements to facilitate alignment with smart card industry standards. In particular it ensures an efficient integration of Java Card technology with the GlobalPlatform 2.1.1 and ETSI "UICC for Java Card" specifications. Java Card technology, version 2.2.1 builds on the success of previous versions, providing smart card vendors, issuers and developers with proven technology for the deployment of secure and interoperable card services. The Java Card Protection Profile is available as a collection of four protection profiles. A profile defines a set of security requirements for the Java Card Runtime Environment, the Java Card Virtual Machine, the Java Card API Framework, and the on-card Installer components. It provides guidelines to develop a secure Java Card platform and obtain high-level security certifications.

Nokia , Philips and Sony establish the Near Field Communication ...

From MTekk IT Services, Australia ... these efforts.". NFC technology evolved from a combination of contactless identification (RFID) and interconnection technologies. NFC ...

The NFC Forum: NFC technology – jointly developed and promoted by Philips and Sony – is a means to overcome the dizzying complexity of modern technology in our increasingly connected world. The aim for NFC is to establish the technology as an open platform offering the best benefits for everyday consumers. To achieve this goal, Philips and Sony have teamed up with Nokia to establish the NFC Forum, which will promote the implementation and standardization of NFC technology. With other companies invited to join, NFC will enable users to access content and services in an easy and intuitive way by simply touching smart objects and connecting devices just by holding them next to each other.

Standardization and technical details: Targeted to become a widely adapted contactless infrastructure, NFC is already standardized according to globally accepted standardization bodies, such as ISO (18092), ECMA (340) and ETSI. NFC operates in the 13.56 MHz frequency range, over a distance of a few centimeters. Operating at data rates of 106 kbits/s and 212 kbits/s, NFC is compatible with Philips’ MIFARE? (ISO 14443 A) and Sony’s FeliCa smart card protocols, respectively. However, higher transmission speeds can be achieved between dedicated NFC devices -- initially up to 424 kbits/s -- with potential for higher bit rates.

Vision: To enable users of any handheld electronic device to access content and services in an intuitive way by simply touching smart objects and connecting devices just by holding them next to each other. To bring this vision to life, the NFC Forum invites all interested parties -- companies from mobile communications, consumer electronics, chip manufacturing, computing, media and entertainment, telecom and payment services sectors -- to join the NFC Forum and help further our goals.

Working Groups: NFC Forum will deliver on its mission through the efforts of member-driven working groups, focused initially on the areas of Standards & Interoperability, and Education & Outreach, with additional working groups to be formed as needed.