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NTC has released two draft memoranda that cover the regulatory framework for RFID and telemetry. ccmsectorinvest.com reports:
Under the draft memorandum circular for RFID, devices can operate in ranges 13.553 to 13.567 Megahertz; 918 to 920 MHz; and 2446 to 2454 MHz. The NTC noted however that the radio spectrum allocation and assignment was subject to review.
Read More: NTC lays down draft rules on RFID, telemetry
The new SL5000r from Printronix have several improvements over the RFID models that were introduced in April 2005. The printers are available with upgrade kits so that they can be set to the radio frequencies used in different countries. The printers are available in Singapore, Australia, Taiwan, Hong Kong, and Korea.
TiVo has stated that it will launch an advertising search service in order to try and reach consumers who use its DVRs. informationweek.com reports:
"TiVo intends to capture the best of the Internet advertising model and create a unique advertising product for the television medium that will provide measurable results," said Davina Kent, vice president of TiVo national advertising sales, in a statement.
Read More: TiVo To Partner On TV Ad Search
Texas Instruments Inc. will be purchasing the Monza RFID Gen 2 chips from Impinj Inc. for use in its RFID inlay and strap products. The RFID chips from Impinj were the first to be certified as having met the Gen 2 standard. Impinj is slated to provide more than 50 million chips in this quarter to companies such as Alien Technology, Avery Dennison, IER, KSW, RSI ID Technologies, etc.
The Monza silicon chip is manufactured by the Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co. Ltd. and Impinj carries out the design, testing, and quality control. The inlays and straps sold by Texas Instruments are manufactured in their own plant. The Monza chips will be inserted in the inlay and the tag containing the antenna will be passed on to the label maker.
EPCGlobal will launch its Electronic Product Code Information Services (EPCIS) services next year. The objective of the service will be to centralized source of records pertaining to all EPC-related RFID data. The data will be gathered from different technology platforms. The service will involve a network comprising of the different standards that enterprises will implement. EPCIS will perform the role of a hosted gateway and allow businesses to share data originating from the WMS and the ERP platforms at the supplier end and client premises.
According to AMR Research, businesses are budgeting for RFID allowing for a 16% and 20% growth in expenditure for 2006 and 2007, respectively. ISO will vote on the formal adoption of the UHF EPCGlobal Gen 2 protocol in March 2006. ccmsectorinvest.com reports:
Beyond price, Gen 2 offers other advantages. For one, the protocol enables equipment to operate at multiple frequencies to comply with standards on multiple continents. Tags also have the potential to carry up to 256 bits of memory each--nearly triple the memory of first-generation tags.
Read More: RFID Network Set To Launch In 2006
Integral RFID has released a new software solution, the EPC Inlay master, which will enable high-speed roll-to-roll testing of tags and inlays. The software can be used to conduct parametric testing and programming of Class 0, Class 1, and Gen 2 inlays. The software can be used with a Windows PC. The inlays can be evaluated and programmed by the RFID readers. The software enables the recording and archiving of the roll-by-roll inlay yields.
Omron Corporation will be investing $ 20 million globally during 2005-06. The objective is to make its presence felt in the U.S and global RFID market. The company will promote its RFID label inlay and reader products. Omron stands to gain from Wal-Mart’s mandate to its suppliers. The suppliers can leverage Omron’s expertise in automation and sensing technology. Omron looks at RFID as a major global initiative and one that could contribute significantly to the company’s growth. The DOD, Best Buy, Target Stores, etc are some of the other organizations that Omron has included in its sales efforts. ccmsectorinvest.com reports:
Omron RFID products sold in the U.S. are designed and manufactured in Japan. Initial U.S. investments have included a headquarters office and training center for the division in Schaumburg, Illinois, a Chicago suburb. A testing center to help customers and systems integrators validate applications will be opened in nearby St. Charles, Illinois.
Read More: Omron's $20 Million Investment
According to the Internet Report 2005 by ITU, the Internet of Things is going to become a pervasive presence in our lives. Increasing computing capacity and advances in nanotechnology will make more devices network-ready. The report mentions that if society as a whole has to benefit from the technology then the issue of standardization should be addressed as soon as possible.
DataTraceDNA is a new product identifying technology. It adds indelible patterns to the molecular microstructure of the product. The markers can be read with the help of a handheld portable reader. ferret.com.au reports:
In security applications, DataDot technology is said to be a lot safer than RFID (Radio Frequency Identification) solutions, particularly after the discovery of an illegal device that can disturb radio signals.
Kimberley Clark has been involved with RFID since 2001. The K-C RFID lab has partners such as Kraft and 3M. postcrescent.com reports:
The maker of Huggies, Kleenex, Scott and other consumer products soon opened a lab dedicated to the tiny transmitter.
Read More: K-C 'radio' wins accolades
