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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
TiVo Inc has filed for a patent with the US Patent and Trademark Office. The patent is for a personal video recorder that will be able to discern the preference of the user by means of an RFID tag that may be embedded in the clothing or even the person of the user. itnews.com.au reports:
Either broadcast or recorded television programs and music play lists stored on a local hard drive could be sorted, displayed or restricted, depending on the user identifier.
Read More: TiVo files patent for RFID personal video recorder
There are several interesting RFID initiatives underway outside the US. The UK launched the Chipping of Goods program in March 2000. The objective of the program was to reduce the incidents of theft in the retail supply chain and to do the groundwork for promoting RFID usage. Public funding of approximately £ 5.5 million was used in the project. With private funding the amount of money put into the initiative reached around £ 15 million. South Korea will be investing around $ 800 million in RFID projects between 2005 and 2010. An RFID center is being developed in the city of Songdo.
In Australia, interest in RFID is very high in the state of Victoria. The VicRFID cluster was established in 2004 with the objective of promoting RFID R&D and deployment. The Wireless Innovation Demonstration Lab that is managed by Scottish Enterprise educates Scottish companies on the benefits of RFID and helps them to establish business relations with vendors.
According to the report "Consumer Electronics - 2005 Third Quarter China RFID Market Statistics" second generation ID cards are driving the growth of RFID in China. The report states that there was a jump of 151.13% in the RFID market from the second quarter to the third. The report recommends that China would benefit more from pushing RFID through its manufacturing industry instead of its retailing sector. High expenses and non uniform standards are seen as stumbling blocks in the widespread deployment of RFID.
IDENTEC SOLUTIONS will provide its ILR RFID technology to Balance Bourbeau. Balance Bourbeau will use this technology to track its forestry related assets and also for compliance purposes. morerfid.com reports:
The initial product release, AT-Virtual, is a system to automate and manage truck scaling at the logging site and at the lumber or pulp mill.
Read More: Balance Bourbeau to Deploy IDENTEC SOLUTIONS
In order to monitor and protect the health of animals that are used for human consumption, the federal government and leading agribusinesses in America have come together for a major joint effort. The National Animal Identification System (NAIS) will cost around half a billion dollars by 2009. The recurrent expenses include the cost of tags and system upgrades. These could be as high as $ 122 million each year.
Industry watchers feel that it may take up to fifteen years for RFID to gain mass acceptance. Researchers are not really in a position to comment on the lasting effects of the technology because no on in any industry has reached that stage as yet.
For industry to really warm up to the technology, tag prices have to come down and companies have to see an attractive ROI proposition. The government has an important role to play in RFID development by setting the standards for the technology, laying down guidelines, educating industry people, and managing privacy concerns when they arise.
The government can work in collaboration with the private sector to attain the above mentioned objectives. For RFID to become a mainstream technology, it requires able stewardship to ensure that it is properly tried and tested. The public sector can serve as the ideal test environment for this technology.
In December 2004, the Government-wide Policy for the General Services Administration (GSA) issued an RFID-related directive that recognized the potential of RFID in improving supply chain management. Federal agencies have been directed by the GSA to study the potential of RFID for automatic update and valuation of inventory, inventory management, assistance in the movement of goods for transshipment, tracking equipment to facilitate accurate calibration, timely maintenance, etc.
The Government Accountability Office was able to list 28 planned RFID projects across agencies at the cabinet level when it carried out a survey in May this year.
The Social Security Administration conducted its first RFID pilot in 2003. SSA has incorporated RFID with its warehouse management and can process almost all its orders within eight hours; there are no order backlogs; picking rates have increased threefold, from 500 lines to 1500 lines in a day; file rates for normal orders and urgent orders are 94% and 98%, respectively; optimization such as reduced minimum safety stock has led to a recovery of 60,000 square feet of space in the warehouse; SSA has registered savings in excess of $ 700,000 per annum.
In the public sector, examples of RFID implementations for tracking critical objects include RFID in libraries, RFID used for tracking court documents, and RFID for monitoring hazardous waste.
Libraries in Texas and Virginia have employed RFID-enabled tracking systems. By using RFID, libraries can ensure self-checkout, reduce material handling, facilitate location of products, enable the library staff to offer more value-added services, etc. However privacy concerns regarding the use of RFID in public domains such as libraries have held back the growth of RFID in libraries.
Legal firms find RFID an attractive proposition for the purpose of tracking files and evidence. The juvenile court in DeKalb County will be spending around $ 50,000 to tag files and folders and to provide readers to the clerks. The court expects to save around $ 30,000 by reducing the number of lost files. Marin County in California uses 13.56 MHz tags that are embedded in file labels. This system is helping the county save up to 2,500 man hours every year.
The Department of Energy (DOE) is supervising the cleaning of the Hanford Nuclear site in Washington State. The project is using an RFID system where active tags having a range of 100 feet at 315 MHz. The tags are placed on hazardous waste-filled steel cans that are loaded onto trucks to be taken to a landfill.
The collaborative efforts of vendors, retailers, government, and all those involved in RFID is resulting in a set of globally accepted standards for the technology. The standards for RFID touch upon four major areas; the Air interface protocol which deals with the manner in which tags and readers communicate, data content deals with the organization of data on the tags, conformance relates to the testing of the RFID tools so that they meet the standards, and applications deal with the uses of RFID.
The EPCGlobal UHF Gen 2 tags have a read rate of up to 1500 tags per second. EPCGlobal’s efforts along with ISO for instituting a single standard should further push the development of RFID. EPCGlobal changed its tag data standard in July 2005 so as to enable DOD suppliers to continue using the DODAAC and CAGE codes in their effort to meet the DOD mandates.
The 55sst Thermal Express printer made by Norwood Marking Systems reduces instances of partial prints, misprints, etc. foodproductiondaily.com reports:
The adoption of radio frequency identification (RFID) technology is driving the growing use of high-end thermal bar code printers.
Wi-Fi companies favor active RFID solutions as these provide real-time information on the location of Wi-Fi devices. AeroScout is one such company; it has pioneered the use of RFID with Wi-Fi solutions. ccmsectorinvest.com reports:
Confident that the Wi-Fi based active RFID solutions are the way to go, Cisco has announced that it is investing in AeroScout Inc., a specialist in the field of Wi-Fi based Active RFID solutions.
Read More: Cisco Invests In Active Wi-Fi Based RFID
The domain name RFID.US. has become the exclusive property of RFID LTD. It will be used by RFID LTD to host an RFID-related blog. ccmsectorinvest.com reports:
In a format unique to blogging, an open "entry-posting" invitation will be given to leaders of RFID privacy groups and leaders within the RFID industry.
Read More: RFID, LTD. Acquires Exclusive Rights to RFID
MasterCard International will be working with ACG Identification Technologies for the development of RF antennas for key fobs. morerfid.com reports:
MasterCard PayPass is a new "contactless" payment feature that provides consumers with a fast and convenient way to pay for small ticket purchases.
Read More: ACG working with MasterCard
An efficient and well monitored supply chain is critical for the pharmaceutical industry. Non-availability of drugs at the right time can lead to serious consequences and so can the proliferation of spurious drugs. There are close to a 100,000 fatalities every year in the US that are a result of errors in dispensing medicine.
The healthcare sector contributes around $ 1.7 trillion to the US economy. According to the CMS, the healthcare sector will be contributing close to $ 3.6 trillion to the US economy in 10 years’ time. In 2004, the global market for prescription drugs was of half a trillion dollars out which North America accounted for 47% of the value. The growth of the pharmaceutical sector and specifically the prescription drug market is a result of sustained economic growth, increase in the number of elderly people, greater number of jobs, and advertising that targets the end user. The deployment of RFID in the supply chain of prescription drugs in the US is receiving its impetus from the federal government, the state of Wal-Mart, and Wal-Mart.
From June 2006, drug manufacturers and dealers will be required to electronically keep track of all controlled items shipped into Florida. If the manufacturers do not comply with this drug pedigree law, they will incur stiff fines. Florida is that first state that has taken a step like this in order to improve control and traceability in the supply chain. Wal-Mart’s mandate regarding the RFID tagging of Class II narcotics is also having a positive effect regarding RFID adoption by pharmaceutical companies. The first company to comply with Wal-Mart’s mandate for drug suppliers was Purdue Pharma, which manufactures the painkiller OxyContin. An increasing number of pharmaceutical companies are beginning to see RFID as the tool that will help in developing an electronic pedigree of items throughout the pharmaceutical supply chain.
The pharmaceutical industry has also taken the lead in implementing item-level tagging. This is because the pharmaceutical items have a much higher value as compared to the cost of the tags. RFID will also enable better management of temperature sensitive pharmaceutical items. Apart from preventing and detecting counterfeits, RFID can also be used to prevent the drug consignments from being diverted from their actual destinations. Pharmaceutical companies that have high value brands are keen to implement item-level tagging. Pfizer intends to tag packages of Viagra by the end of 2005.
The U.S military has made some appreciable advancements in giving its supply chain a makeover. The DOD mandates have been considered by several experts to be the most significant factor influencing the spread of RFID. According to Ed Coyle, who is the chief of the DOD Logistics Automatic Identification Technology (AIT) Office, the DOD has to move items worth around $ 29 billion every year in order to facilitate its operations around the globe. It maintains an inventory of around $ 80.5 billion. For over a decade, the DOD has been using RFID to track its equipment across various theaters worldwide.
A military supply chain differs from a civilian supply chain in several respects. The primary objective of having real-time insight into men and machines is to be ready for war. The technology of auto-ID enables the military to have a correct picture of the state of its inventories across the supply chain. The nature of the items in a military supply chain is such that the level of visibility and accuracy is not consistent across the supply chain. Since war can erupt anytime and anywhere, the demand for military hardware and supplies is erratic and unpredictable. The destination of products in a military supply chain is not fixed but keeps shifting as fortunes shift during the war. This requires accurate information on which actions are to be based.
The DOD mandate for passive RFID was outlined on July 30, 2004. Its objective was to add visibility to the DOD logistics operation worldwide. The DOD looks upon RFID as a tool to help in the reliable delivery of the items to the right place and to provide relevant data to the management so that they make take informed decisions.
Nanosys is looking to print the chips and antennas simultaneously by using nanotechnology. This will quicken the production process. The company is looking to partner established RFID players like Alien, Symbol Technologies, etc to implement the technology. ccmsectorinvest.com reports:
One advantage Gen 2 tags enjoy is their compliance with international standards, as most current tags comply with U.S. standards only.
Read More: Nano Noses Into RFID
The supporters of RFID look at it as a major improvement on bar codes; one that has the potential to reduce costs and improve efficiencies across the supply chain. ccmsectorinvest.com reports:
But to many privacy rights advocates, RFID tags are the beginning of a series of nightmare scenarios in which RFID technology is the Trojan horse that brings Big Brother into your home, snooping through your medicine cabinets, fridge and underwear drawer to find out what you do, buy and believe, and, ultimately, what you are.
Read More: Spy games
Along with the private sector, the public sector has also launched several initiatives for RFID deployment. The three most prominent cases of RFID deployment in the public sector include the Department of Defense, The Food and Drug Administration, and the Animal Identification Program by the Department of Agriculture.
The RFID initiative of the DoD is the most comprehensive till date. DoD has mandated that its 60,000 suppliers start using passive RFID tags on their shipments by 2007. DoD’s objective in implementing RFID is to increase visibility in its supply chain process so as to better support the globally spread US army.
The FDA’s RFID initiative has resulted in the pharmaceutical sector emerging as the single largest implementer of RFID among all the vertical markets. The mandates by the federal government and the states to the pharmaceutical companies require the implementation of automatic identification technologies for improved monitoring of the supply chain. The pharmaceutical industry has a strong business case for implementing RFID as the drugs are a high-value product that needs to have its authenticity and integrity protected at all costs.
The animal-ID program that is progressing under the aegis of the Department of Agriculture will help animal health officials to keep track of animals and animal food products. This is important to maintain high standards for the export markets. The National Animal Identification System (NAIS) will enable identification of all the animals in selected species by using RFID. The U.S Department of Agriculture will maintain a database of the records that will help animal health officials to segregate diseased animals.
Enterprises planning to implement RFID start off by conducting pilots to test their preparedness, study locations, and find out the most suitable tag and reader combinations. For a pilot to be successful, it has to enjoy support from the top management, should be based on a defined business requirement, should pursue quantifiable and verifiable targets, should be executed in a phased manner, and should be scalable.
Before starting with the pilot it is important that the effect of interference and the impact on the existing systems be considered. The initial stages of the pilot are to be devoted to acquiring a proof-of-concept, understanding the working of the infrastructure required to integrate the RFID with the existing systems.
EPC/RFID technology can be affected by interference from metals, static electricity, electromagnetic induction, etc. Factors that influence interference include the size of the antenna, frequency used, power output, nature of the object being tagged, etc.
The UHF technology offers a greater read range but is more susceptible to interference than the 13.56 MHz range. Viscous liquids cause less interference than thinner liquids. Methods to control the interference include placing a buffer between the tag and the object, altering the location of the antenna, placing readers as far away as possible from potential sources of interference, etc.
The manner in which the entire system is configured and the type of read/write device used are also important variables that need to be looked at during the pilot. Pilots should cover simulated working conditions by using purpose-built EPC/RFID test facilities that can help in understanding the infrastructure preparedness in handling interference from shelves, metals, electrostatic interference, etc. The interference can be isolated and measured much more conveniently under test conditions than under actual conditions.
In order to benefit from an EPC/RFID implementation, business applications such as ERP and WMS should be able to access tag data in so that they can obtain actionable information from it. This is made possible by data integration planning wherein the flow of data through the network can be tested and the system can be architected accordingly.
It is up to the company to elicit maximum benefit from EPC/RFID. The technology has the potential to provide visibility where previously none existed. The real-time data provided can lead to several improvements across the supply chain. Therefore, it is important that the technology should not be considered to be only a replacement for bar codes.
It is a good idea to begin the pilot at a single facility; this helps to reach the root of an issue fairly quickly. The site selected for the pilot should offer maximum scope to replicate actual work conditions. A crucial factor in ensuring the smooth launch and execution of a pilot is the amount of pre-testing that is done. Greater the amount of testing done before a pilot, less will be the disturbance caused by the pilot to the actual work being done.
The response of the staff to the pilot is important in understanding the ease of use of the software, the correct placement of the equipment, etc. It is preferable to implement the learning obtained from the pilot in a phased manner so that all the required resources can be made available for the rollout.
According to research by AMR, the retailers who have shown an interest in RFID from the beginning are now reaping the fruits of having taken initiative early on. These companies have managed to bring down the supply chain expenditure by as much as 5%. This means that suppliers who have initiated RFID deployment to comply with the retailer mandates also stand to profit by implementing RFID in their own supply chain.
The perceived high cost of implementation should not be a reason to miss out on the opportunities presented by RFID. The companies that have implemented RFID have created processes to facilitate the deployment and to try and integrate RFID with the existing systems. Within an industry, the cost of RFID equipment is not going to vary for the end-users. The differentiating factor between companies who profit from RFID and those that struggle to do so is going to be the manner in which the system is evaluated and deployed.
In order to deploy EPC/RFID, it is important that the business requirements be understood. For most suppliers, the minimum requirements of their deployment project are defined by retailer mandates. The requirements could be in terms of the type of equipment to be used, products to be tagged, and performance levels.
Experts feel that a strong case for RFID deployment can be made on the basis of the fact that the investments made in complying with the mandates will also help to improve the internal management and reduce the supply chain costs of the suppliers. For retailers, RFID offers an opportunity to increase sales by improving stock availability and visibility; the suppliers also will see an increase in sales, which according to a study by A.T Kearney could be up to 0.07% of the existing figures.
Increased sales due to RFID deployment yield greater profitability than those achieved thorough marketing and promotional efforts. EPC/RFID systems provide greater benefit to companies that are facing a high number of stockouts. Even though the DoD does not sell anything, it has still considered it worthwhile to deploy RFID. It hopes to recoup its costs from the benefits that will accrue from minimizing labor, improved inventory control, and better distribution of goods.
Research by Accenture has yielded information that increased visibility can reduce the safety stock by up to 30% across the length of the supply chain. This can result in reducing the working capital by up to 8% and the fixed assets such as space and equipment that are freed can be utilized for other activities.
RFID can be used to improve building energy management by improving the accuracy and efficiency of activities such as energy auditing and building commissioning. These processes involve a lot of labor and activities include the identification and tracking of data on several building systems and elements like HVAC units and other appliances. RFID offers the opportunity to reduce the amount of labor and cost expenditure and at the same time increase the accuracy of the data gathered.
Handheld readers can be used to obtain information from tagged equipment. The tag can hold an identifying code that connects to a database which contains extensive information on the equipment. The information can be of the equipment installed at the time of construction and during subsequent upgrades.
An important benefit of implementing RFID will be to facilitate the process of energy auditing. The process of energy auditing of large complexes is a time consuming and laborious activity in which data pertaining to energy consumption by building structural units, lighting, motors, etc has to be accurately recorded. Building Commissioning involves the checking of the building systems before occupation. This ensures that the buyers pay for what they are getting and that they get what they had bid for. The various elements fitted in the structure can be easily identified if they contain an embedded RFID chip. The design specifications and the actual installations can then be easily compared. If there are exceptions, they can be quickly highlighted. RFID can also be used for carrying out preventive maintenance as per schedule.
Applying RFID to energy management can be approached several ways. Given that the cost of building equipment and related appliances is very high, each and every item can be tagged and the tags will not be a significant cost. Manufacturers who choose to tag their products can exercise better control over their internal supply chain. The end-users can then be allowed access to the product codes so that building energy management is executed in a better manner.
According to a new study by BearingPoint, Inc, the healthcare sector is adopting RFID with enthusiasm. Spending on RFID is set to see a rise from 2007. morerfid.com reports:
"This survey illustrates that most healthcare executives believe RFID technologies are strategic to their business in a number of important aspects, from patient safety to operational improvement," said Jim Gallas, senior vice president of BearingPoint's health services practice.
Read More: Large Healthcare Organizations Are Embracing RFID
SATO, which is into Automatic Identification and Data Collection, has stated that its e Series printers will now be available with "SATO XML-enabled 3.0" printing capability. morerfid.com reports:
Results of intensive testing have confirmed that the interface software for SATO XML-enabled 3.0 is certified for integration with SAP Auto-ID Infrastructure 2.1 via the SAP Auto-ID Infrastructure-Device Controller Interface (AII-DC-RFID) 1.0 integration scenario.
Read More: SATO rolls out its eSeries printers, now XML-enabled
Altana Pharma Deutschland GmbH has deployed the CT410 label printers from SATO. The printers are a part of the sample identification system to be used in medication research. morerfid.com reports:
The CT410 from SATO, the world's leading manufacturer of label, barcode and RFID printers, is a compact yet robust label printer.
Read More: Altana Pharma Achieves Seamless Sample Identification
According to the Efficient Consumer Response (ECR), improving the efficiency of the processes just before the product reaches the shelf needs to be tackled by motivating the staff, improved inventory management, working on the package design, etc. ccmsectorinvest.com reports:
The study involved observations of the shelf-replenishment process in four major supermarkets and interviews with store managers, identifying several areas for improvement.
Read More: RFID could save UK retailers billions
Richard Stallman, who was a featured speaker at the U.N gathering in Tunisia last week, was not allowed to move freely at the venue after he wrapped his RFID identification badge in aluminum foil. ccmsectorinvest.com reports:
Stallman, who opposes RFID because of the technology's potential for privacy invasions, objected to wearing the badge because it could track him as he moved around at the summit.
Read More: Attempt to foil RFID attracts U.N. security
The RFID sensor network system developed by Bulldog Technologies Inc. is compliant with the US FCC standards and the Industry Canada radio frequency device regulatory requirements. The solution helps to resolve quality control related issues through the supply chain. morerfid.com reports:
The Bulldog-developed and deployed sensor network solution measures and monitors the temperature of produce containers, refrigerated trucks, milk tankers and grocery store coolers while delivering real time data to a PC based monitoring application.
Read More: Bulldog Technologies RFID (ZigBee) Data Collection Tag and Reader System
RFID Journal reports on RFID use in the fashion industry. Of course, this is talking about mass production stuff, so my Seven Jeans are out... :-(
The European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) is expected to take a decision soon regarding the implementation of RFID. ccmsectorinvest.com reports:
The card would offer a multiplicity of functions, from easily and quickly obtaining flight information, check in status, directions to the gate or other services.
Read More: RFID: From Chips to Dips to Trips
The Chinese government has enlisted Smart-tek solutions to help it to control the spread of the H5N1 Avian Flu. ccmsectorinvest.com reports:
On November 17, 2005, China confirmed its first human deaths from the H5N1 avian flu virus, saying one person in Anhui province had died and another in Hunan province was suspected of having been killed by the H5N1 strain.
Read More: RFID to be used in bird flu monitoring
The panelists at the industry gathering last week in Irvine, California were unanimous in their opinion regarding the network security challenges that RFID faces. ccmsectorinvest.com reports:
Similar to other wireless technologies, there are security risks for companies that don't secure their RFID network by using equipment with built in protocols such as secure shell and secure socket layer.
Sun considers RFID to be a disruptive technology; the company is involved with various initiatives that are pushing for EPC standards. The company has been consistently developing standards based enterprise RFID solutions that are scalable and easy to integrate with the existing systems.
The Sun Java System RFID is a software that links the edge network in an RFID environment with the back-end. The system can support different types of RFID deployments, whether they are EPC-based or closed loop deployments for meeting the various mandates and based on another standard such as ISO. The solution aids assessment, planning, hardware and software delivery, etc. It can convert codes such as SKU, SSCC, GTIN, etc from bar code readers to formats laid down by the EPC. The assigning of tags across multiple stations is automated. ASN and DA generation is possible. The benefits of this product include quick and easy compliance with the RFID mandates, easy budgeting for the implementation, and the opportunity to migrate completely to a fully integrated RFID system.
Sun also provides the RFID Industry Solution Architecture (ISA) for Manufacturing - Distribution & Logistics. It is a guideline of the best practices that need to be implemented in order to build an RFID solution. The ISAs guide customers through the initial RFID learning process to the delivery and support stage. In this effort, they are supported by the partners who provide best-of-breed products. The Sun ISAs offer the benefits of a fast time to service since the company has the experience in making such deployments; the solutions are based on open standards and use best-of-breed technology; and the solutions are scalable.
The Sun RFID Industry Solution for Physical Asset Tracking has features such as real-time visibility of the products and an auditable record; a product master, a management dashboard, and an easy-to-use browser-based user interface. It offers benefits like improved asset utilization and reduced shrinkage, better customer service, etc.
Savi Technology and Intermec Technologies Corporation are two companies that have been providing RFID solutions to the DoD. The companies have come together to launch an RFID reader system that works with bar codes and tags. The DoD has already placed orders for this dual-frequency reader. ccmsectorinvest.com reports:
Savi Technology, a leading provider of RFID supply chain solutions, holds the DoD's procurement contract for active RFID technologies and related software and services.
Read More: Transit and RFID-Tagged Military Supplies
RFID Ltd. has signed an agreement with BlueStar Incorporated. RFID Ltd will use the distribution network of BlueStar to sell RFID-related products to suppliers that are gearing up to comply with the retailer and DoD mandates. ccmsectorinvest.com reports:
RFID, LTD. is expected to release a major partnership announcement and customer contract signing by the end of next week.
Read More: RFID, LTD. Announces Relationship with BlueStar, Inc.
Infoprint 6700 R40 is an RFID-capable printer released by IBM. The printer should enable businesses to curtail supply chain costs.
According to some experts, the approach of offering free tags and selling at a loss, which several vendors are following in order to increase adoption is not the right one. They contend that this approach does not give an investor a good enough reason to invest in RFID.
Even though cost is an important criterion, having a strong business reason is paramount. Questions regarding improved business capabilities, process changes required, success stories, and ROI need to be answered satisfactorily.
Zebra Technologies Corp. has joined hands with CompTIA to develop a vendor-neutral professional certificate for RFID professionals. Zebra will provide the technical information and will be a member of the certification cornerstone committee. ccmsectorinvest.com reports:
Research commissioned by CompTIA and conducted by the strategic growth consulting firm Frost & Sullivan revealed that RFID implementations are poised to grow over the next year.
Read More: Zebra Technologies Joins RFID Certification Committee
The reduction in the sizes of tags and readers; falling costs; improved capabilities; common standards being implemented; customer expectations leading to better managed supply chains; etc are some of the drivers of RFID adoption. A major push has also come from the mandates that organizations have issued so that RFID is incorporated in their incoming supply chain and their internal processes. The mandates have been issued by organizations such as Wal-Mart, Target, Metro, Tesco, Albertson’s, and the U.S DoD.
Wal-Mart has led the way in laying down RFID mandates. The company has around 3,500 stores and its sales are approximately equal to 2.5 percent of the U.S GDP. The Wal-Mart mandate covers 200 of its top suppliers and these are to implement case- and pallet-level tagging by January 2006. According to experts, Wal-Mart can bring down its inventory and logistics costs by 5% and 7.5% respectively. By implementing RFID across its supply chain, Wal-Mart can achieve savings of more than $ 8 billion every year. The Wal-Mart mandate is bound to have far-reaching ramifications for global RFID adoption. The vendors working to comply with the Wal-Mart mandates have an average spending of less than half a million dollars.
The RFID mandate issued by the U.S DoD is the most comprehensive of all and it relates to the U.S military supply chain that has a world-wide network and handles items worth $ 29 billion every year. The DoD mandate requires that its 60,000 suppliers deploy passive RFID by 2007
RFID has the capability to create routine and standard transactional processes; reduce errors by minimizing human intervention; transmit information rapidly; provide data for analytical systems to work on; track status continuously; improve security of the process and the item.
The benefits of RFID implementation include reduction in fraud as tag integration allows easy identification and tracking from end-to-end; efficiency improves as real-time stock identification results in real-time billing; management costs are reduced because the scanning is automated; increased product visibility helps in improved inventory management, controlling shrinkage, and the returns process is simplified.
The cost of readers, antennas, networks, handling equipment, etc is a one-time cost. Recurring expenses include tags, training, upgrade, labor etc.
Earlier this year, i-Konect had initiated a program to develop an open-source RFID middleware. The result of the initiative is the software known as Singularity which was released in October 2005. The software can perform functions like device management, implementing the ALE standard, event processing, security, and administration tasks.
The objective of the software is to gather and sort the data from the readers. The software can be used simultaneously by a team that is geographically distributed because of a build environment. The company hopes to release an official version in the first quarter of 2006 after making one or two more milestone releases.
The driving idea behind an open source middleware is that the middleware functionality does not vary significantly for RFID implementations and hence can be based on an open source software platform. Users can add features to the platform as per their requirements. i-Konect is in the process of implementing the software in China and New Zealand. The Singularity architecture will work with data generated at the edge of the network by other sensor technologies.
The origins of RFID can be traced to the works of Faraday, James Maxwell, Marconi, etc. In 1886, Fredrick Hertz experimented with radio waves to trace objects. An important paper that is considered to be the foundation of RFID was written by Harry Stockman in 1948. The title of the paper was “Communication by Means of Reflected Power”.
In 1973, Charles Walton filed the first patent related to RFID. The patent was for a radio-controlled lock. The idea has been used since then in access cards. The subsequent growth of RFID and its use in areas such as livestock tracking, supply chain management, etc has been a result of growth in technologies such as radar, electronic engineering, etc.
In America, the government has played a key role in developing RFID. The Los Alamos National Laboratory has been active in RFID related R&D for quite some time. Other significant contributions to the development of RFID have come from Dr Sanjay Sarma and David Brock who started the Auto-ID Center at MIT in 1999.
The basic structure of a bar-code consists of a header, a manufacturer’s identification number, item number, and check digit. Bar codes cannot be used for item-level identification. Information such as the place of manufacture, lot number, time and date of manufacture, and expiry date cannot be obtained from a bar-code.
Although both RFID and bar codes are auto-ID technologies the manner in which they read the objects is different. Bar codes use imaging technology whereas RFID scans using radio frequency. The advantages of RFID over bar codes include unique item-level coding, line-of-sight not required, high reading rates, tags capable of holding far greater amount of data, and durability. RFID tags use the EPC to direct users to a database. An important distinguishing feature of RFID is its ability to provide real-time information as the tags can be read all the time, in contrast a bar-code provides information only when scanned. Thus, a bar code gives information on the status of an item at the time that it was scanned.
RFID tags are also more durable than bar codes. They have to be destroyed either physically or by using strong electromagnetic waves. The tags can function in conditions that bar codes cannot tolerate. High moisture levels, dust, grime, and extreme temperatures do not affect RFID tags and labels.
An RFID system basically consists of readers, tags, and information processing software. The software is used for filtering and analyzing the gathered information that can be acted upon.
The tag is made up of a chip, an antenna, and a casing. The EPC resides in the chip, the chip is attached to a coiled antenna and this assembly is housed in a packaging best suited to be affixed to the object that has to be monitored.
Tags are classified as active, passive, and semi-passive. EAS tags used widely in the retail industry are the best examples of passive tags. They are also classified in terms of their memory as read only, read/write, and combination tags. Passive tags do not have their own source of energy and use the method known as “energy harvesting” to absorb energy from a reader and use it to transmit the data back to the reader at a different frequency. Smart labels are passive RFID tags that can be printed on demand. These can be read by a bar code scanner. Smart tags may well be the only type of tags used in the future.
Active tags have their own power source but can be read only when they come in the read range of the reader. An internal power source means that active tags have a greater range than passive tags. They can be read from a distance of around 30 yards. However, the inclusion of a battery has increased the weight and cost of active tags and has reduced its life to equal the span of the battery, which currently is around five years.
Semi-passive tags are equipped with a sensor that enables the monitoring of temperature, movement, etc. They are used in situations like cold chains where it is important to track the movement as well as the condition of an item.
The Electronic Product Code is used for identifying the object to which the tag is attached. The EPC has a 96-bit capacity and is made up of a header that gives information on the length of the EPC number, the type and version of code, the header requires 8 bits of memory; the EPC manager requires 28 bits and identifies the manufacturing company; the object class takes 24 bits and classifies the item; the serial number requires 36 bits and identifies an item within a class.
The reader has three main components; an antenna, a receiver, and a decoder. The complexity of the readers is a function of the type of tags they are meant to support. The read range is a function of the size and efficiency of the antenna and the transmitter power. The area covered and range of operation increases with the number of antennas. Upon receiving information from a tag in its read range, the reader processes the information in its decoding software and then transmits it to the information management system that it is connected to.
RFID readers will soon be a part of electronic devices as diverse as cell phones and PDAs. The rate at which data is transferred is directly proportional to the frequency of the radio waves. The variations in the regulations that govern the frequency ranges used in different countries are an impediment to the growth of RFID. The read range of the tag is influenced by the frequency of the radio waves, the power in the tag, the power in the reader, working environment, and antenna size.
Factors that affect the read rates include the type of tags and their placement on the pallet, case, or item; the orientation of the antenna; reader settings, etc. Pilots conducted in controlled conditions are very often inaccurate indicators of tag-reader performance. Sources of interference in actual work conditions include cell phones, walkie-talkies, metals, liquids, etc.
Retailers in America are turning toward RFID to extend improved customer service during the Thanksgiving shopping period. RFID tags are being used to ascertain the availability of in-demand items. crmbuyer.com reports:
According to the consultancy Deloitte & Touche's 20th Anniversary Holiday Mood Survey, retailers have returned to a focus on customer service "basics," such as ensuring in-stock merchandise, easy return policies and extra sales help and available cash registers.
Read More: Retailers Using RFID for Better Holiday Customer Service
RFID can be used not only to track assets but also to obtain information on the condition of the assets. This is of particular significance for the tracking of perishable items in cold chains. The RadioActive Foundation is a non-profit organization working toward making RFID access cheap and easy. crm-daily.com reports:
"Using open source is always a bit questionable, so why would we want to use that over a proprietary system?" said Ricci. The advantage is that users can build on top of an application without restrictions, he said. They can change, add and modify.
Read More: RFID: Going Beyond the Barcode
AdvantaPure has launched a Process Equipment Tracking (PET) system. The system will perform identification and tracking functions to monitor process equipment like pumps, hoses, bio-bags, filters, diaphragm valves, etc. Industries that use such equipment include chemical, food and beverage, pharmaceutical, etc.
PET uses RFID and will enable the monitoring of process-critical components to ensure their safety, regular maintenance, and replacement. Using RFID technology, PET assists with the monitoring of equipment. Usage and cleaning cycles can be tracked to ensure timely maintenance and replacement before parts begin to fail, risk product integrity, and waste time and labor.
PET offers a logical, safety-conscious approach to reduce product risk and monitor all critical process components. The RFID tags can be attached to the equipment by using a molded pouch, a silicone fusible tape, laminations, etc. ccmsectorinvest.com reports:
Other benefits that PET offers over log books include back up of data, easier audit trail construction, password security, data access from networked computers, and the ability to sort, compare, and analyze information in different ways to determine the safe and proper useful life of process equipment.
Credit card companies have started issuing contactless credit cards that are embedded with RFID chips. A contactless credit card enables transactions without the customer having to swipe the card and sign afterwards. This could lead to other developments in the POS market.
The credit card is to be waved in front of a scanning device that connects it to the credit account. Chase Bank U.S.A has introduced RFID-enabled Visas and MasterCards that it calls “blink”. The cards can be used at 7-Eleven outlets, AMC Theaters, CVS, and Duane Reade in the New York tristate area. Users benefit as transaction times are shortened and they can gain from loyalty programs linked to the use of RFID cards. Increased customer loyalty and improved cash management are the benefits to the merchants. The resellers will come into the picture once the technology is ready for mass adoption. The development of a channel market will lead to business in card readers, middleware, etc. The use of contactless credit cards is expected to increase in 2006.
Industry watchers feel that the next couple of years will see the setting up of the infrastructure for the time when devices such as mobile phones with near-field communications will be common. Speedpass in the US and contactless transit cards in Hong Kong are examples of customer acceptance of the technology.
Pacific-Cycle purchases bikes from manufacturers in Asia from where they are shipped to America for distribution around the world. The company distributes the bikes to 60 countries by using the services of more than 50 international distributors. The company is focusing on intelligent and accurate asset tracking to streamline its logistics handling. It has been involved with RFID deployment for more than a year ever since it was included in the list of 100 initial Wal-Mart suppliers selected for RFID mandates.
Pacific-Cycle uses readers and tags developed by Symbol Technologies. It is aiming to integrate RFID in its own operations and at the same time fulfill the Wal-Mart mandates. The tags are placed on the bike handles, the boxes that contain the bikes, and the pallets that are used to hold the boxes.
The company is thinking in terms of implementing the tagging at the point of origin, China. This would provide greater visibility and control of the distribution process. For this to happen, China has to first agree to the EPC guidelines.
The Gen 2 standard that was ratified by EPCglobal in December 2004 is the basis of the Gen 2 tags that are now being shipped by vendors. Improved interoperability and reduced interference are two of the major benefits of the Gen 2 standard. The Gen 2 tags will consume less power and will have kill support. This makes them an attractive proposition for retailers who can look to reduce power consumption costs and allay privacy related fears.
As active RFID tags become smaller and less expensive, their long radio range and ability to work without portals or gates will make them ideal for use with small and low-value objects. As most companies deploy the 802.11 network, active tags can be integrated easily into a companies' existing infrastructure.
Wal-Mart has led the way in RFID deployment in terms of the number of stores and suppliers involved. A strong indicator of a business case for RFID deployment is the scope for reducing out-of-stocks. Wal-Mart initiated a major study to understand the effect of RFID on out-of-stocks. The study was conducted from February 14 to September 12, 2005. It covered 24 Wal-Mart stores that represented all the different store formats. The initial results of the study show that the test stores have registered a better performance in terms of out-of-stocks as compared to the other stores.
Wal-Mart first issued a request to its top 100 suppliers to begin tagging pallets in June 2003. The DoD, Best Buy, Target, etc followed Wal-Mart’s lead in issuing RFID-related mandates to the retailers. The early mandates were directed toward big suppliers such as P&G, Gillette, Kraft, etc. According to a survey conducted by Frost and Sullivan that covered 510 companies, the prime reason for the deployment of RFID is not retailer mandates but the idea of improved processes at the shop floor, distribution centers, etc. Corsten and Gruen, 2003 state that at any given point in time, 8% of all items are out-of-stock. This results in a potential loss of 3.4% and 2.6% for the retailers and suppliers, respectively. Metro was able to register an 11% reduction in out-of-stocks at their test sites where RFID-tagging was implemented in this year.
Companies have been attracted toward RFID because of its various advantages such as no line of sight required and high read rates. RFID read fields are present throughout a supply chain for the purpose of capturing data as a crate moves to its final destination, the retailer’s shelves. Wal-Mart replenishes stocks by either replenishing the shelves directly from the delivery stores or by using a picklist. Traditionally, picklists have been created by visual inspection of shelves with the help of bar-code scanners. This is a laborious and not very accurate method of preventing an out-of-stock. RFID enables automatic generation of picklists in real time as the product is tracked on the sales floor, in the backroom, and at the distribution center.
Ubisense is supplying the US army with an ultra-wideband (UWB) RFID system to be used at the MOUT training site at Fort Benning, Ga. The system will enable tracking of movements and enable better interaction between soldiers. The UWB system has been installed by DSCI. The soldiers training at the MOUT site wear 900 MHz radios with GPS units. RF receivers that have been installed at the site receive the GPS coordinates transmitted by the radios. Ubisensors are interrogators placed in the buildings. They can locate a soldier to within 1 foot of accuracy. rfidjournal.com reports:
A Multiple Integrated Laser Engagement System (MILES) is also used in the combat training, with an infrared laser integrated into each soldier's rifle. Whenever a soldier is shot by a blank from such a weapon, a laser signal from the gun is transmitted to infrared sensors on his vest.
Read More: U.S. Army Uses UWB to Track Trainees
ODIN Technologies has been granted an experimental license by the FCC. The license will allow ODIN Technologies to test RFID devices that work on frequencies allowed in other countries but prohibited in America. The frequency ranges are 902-928 MHz, 865.6-867.6 MHz, 950-956 MHz, 865-867 MHz, and 866-869 MHz for the U.S, Europe, Japan, India, and Singapore, respectively.
ODIN has been allowed by the FCC to work with equipment that uses frequencies in the range of 866-956 MHz at 8 watts of power. The company claims that acquiring the license will enable it to offer better service to its clients from outside America and that also stands to gain an edge over its competition. Although RFID systems do not work at 8 watts in any country, the high power-use margin will provide ODIN with the opportunity to understand the working of these devices in a better manner. rfidjournal.com reports:
ODIN is not the only U.S. company to receive experimental licenses. U.S. manufacturers of RFID equipment designed to operate in Europe or Asia also obtain them to test their equipment outside the 902 MHz to 928 MHz range.
Read More: FCC Grants ODIN Experimental License
A facility in Madrid hosts a game, La Fuga, which is an interactive game that involves breaking free of Mazzinia, a high-security prison. The players have to wear RFID tags that enable the tracking of their movements. rfidjournal.com reports:
"RFID provided an easy way to identify every player individually," says Josep Cabestany at Négone, a Madrid-based developer of interactive games.
Read More: RFID Helps Gamers Break Out of Jail
The Intermec IF5 RFID reader will now come embedded with the WebSphere RFID Device Infrastructure (WRDI) from IBM. This will enable the reader to automatically route and manage the data from the tags. The IF5 readers gain edge-server capabilities such as on-board decision making, filtering data to reduce network traffic and forwarding only relevant information to the application servers. The readers can also perform integration and reconciliation of RFID information with information provided by other applications.
The WRDI is an open-standards based software platform that enabled RFID manufacturers to provide their clients with automated RFID-enabled data collection and reporting ability. The IF5 reader with the embedded platform routes data to an IBM RFID WebSphere Premises Server. The WRDI framework also includes the WebSphere Everyplace Device Manager that facilitates centralized device management by connecting with the IBM Tivoli Systems Management suite. ccmsectorinvest.com reports:
"This new offering with Intermec is the latest example of IBM's continued commitment to partner with the world's leading providers of RFID hardware solutions and to foster the adoption of RFID technologies worldwide," said Robert Mayberry, vice president of sensor and actuator solutions, IBM.
Read More: Intermec Embeds IBM RFID Software into IF5 RFID Reader
The report "RFID for the Postal and Courier Service" states that the global market for RFID systems will be $ 3 billion in 2016. The report provides detailed forecasts for the next ten years. ccmsectorinvest.com reports:
The major breakthroughs that will provide future success are discussed. Postal services ignoring this accelerating change will become uncompetitive and suppliers missing out will regret it.
Read More: The Global Market for RFID Systems
Sensitech has launched the ColdStream Plant to Shelf; it is a system that uses RFID to monitor temperature in the cold stream. The system enables supermarkets and food suppliers to obtain accurate temperature readings at any point in the distribution chain. The continuous temperature monitoring provided by the system reduces the chances of food produce getting spoilt before reaching the retail shelves.
According to the 2003/2004 Supermarket Shrink Survey, perishable food items account for 56% of the shrinkage. This is because fruits and vegetables have to be disposed off when they begin to get stale and wilt. The ColdStream PTS system provides ASP hosting and data analysis. Food suppliers and retail stores and consult with Sensitech on the subject. The Sensitech staff includes food scientists, cold-chain experts, and industrial engineers who are well qualified to consult on the subject.
The system includes TempTale, Remote Site Server (RSS), and the Cold Chain Visibility Server. TempTale consists of a number of RFID-enabled monitoring devices; RSS is Windows-based and is used for reading, downloading data and then forwarding it to the Cold Chain Visibility Server. The Cold Chain Visibility Server is a hosted database and is used to query, report, and analyze information.
Goodyear will deploy RFID for the 2006 NASCAR racing season. A computer chip embedded in the tires will help to track leased inventory. ccmsectorinvest.com reports:
"With RFID we will have the ability to ensure that every tire that comes to the racetrack with us leaves the track with us," Stucker said.
Read More: Goodyear's 2006 NASCAR Tire Lease Program
The Philippines military is deploying RFID to try and control illegal fuel consumption. Military personnel will be provided with RFID-equipped key tags to monitor consumption of the fuel allocated every month in real time. ccmsectorinvest.com reports:
These RFID key tags (referred to as keyfobs) are pre-loaded every month and used when loading up gas at the Petron station at Camp Aguinaldo, which has eight pumps equipped with RFID readers.
A report released by the International Telecommunications Union at the UN net summit in Tunis states that the changes that will be brought about by increased networking will lead to the development of an "internet of things". ccmsectorinvest.com reports:
"Today, in the 2000s, we are heading into a new era of ubiquity, where the 'users' of the internet will be counted in billions and where humans may become the minority as generators and receivers of traffic."
Read More: UN predicts 'internet of things'
Escort Memory Systems has launched the Cobalt HFTM family of RFID solutions for industrial control. The company has more than 60,000 installations worldwide to its credit. The Cobalt HFTM family is easy to deploy and maintain. It offers agnostic connectivity, which means connectivity with industrial Ethernet and serial connections. This attribute facilitates connectivity with the different host systems that the solution may come across in the field.
The solution is intended to support complex automated RFID-enabled WIP systems in industries as diverse as pharmaceutical, electronics, food processing, etc. It uses C-Macro programming which enables the point-of-use to access the intelligence. The C-Macros enable better management of traffic overload and foster high speed local decision making. Local actions like diverters and alarms can be initiated inside 100 milliseconds by means of HUB communication modules. One HUB can connect up to four read points to high speed Ethernet; a GATEWAY provides high speed Ethernet access to up to sixteen read points. ccmsectorinvest.com reports:
Unlike other developing RFID standards such as EPCglobal UHF standards, the HF standards (ISO 15693 and 14443A) have been in use for several years and have the track record of stability essential for meeting ROI goals of complex automation projects.
Read More: Escort Memory Systems Takes The Lead
Galaxy Resorts has contracted Gaming Partners International Corp. to supply it with more than 600,000 RFID gaming chips for its casinos that will open in Macau next year. RFID is becoming increasingly popular with casinos that are looking to discourage counterfeiters from swapping gaming chips at the card tables. ccmsectorinvest.com reports:
"Some casinos on Indian reservations use software from Gaming Partners along with our equipment to track the player's bet at the table," said Laurent Gaubout, marketing manager for Gaming Partners.
Read More: Casinos Gamble On RFID Gaming Chips
STMicroelectronics has launched a UHF contactless memory chip, the XRAG2, which complies with the latest EPC specifications. The chip has been designed to fulfill the requirements of supply chains regarding interoperability, security, and performance. The XRAG2 was preceded by the XRA00.
STMicroelectronics favors an open standard for RFID applications and its new offering is intended as a Very Long Range RFID systems solution. The chip is full-featured and has been designed for use with electronic tags and labels that are to be used in the range of 860-960 MHz. This range will enable the tag to be read anywhere in the world independent of the regulations that vary with the region.
The XRAG2 fosters reliable and speedy reading; it has an anti-collision mechanism that allows the reader to identify and read all the tags in its range. The chip is robust enough to work in noisy environments. In the presence of more than 10 readers, the chips can operate in the dense reading mode. The tags are supported by a password-protection mechanism and a KILL command for disabling tags to prevent unauthorized access to tags once a tagged product has been purchased.
The XRAG2 has a 432-bit memory with two configurations, i.e. three memory banks with 64 bits TID, 304 bits for EPC code and 64 bits reserved or four memory banks with 128 bits user, 64 bits TID, 176 bits for EPC code and 64 bits reserved. The XRAG2 can retain data for 40 years and can undergo 10,000 Write/Erase cycles. The chip has been developed using CMOS technology with embedded EEPROM. The chip will be available once bulk production starts in December 2005. It is priced at $ 0.07 for 100,000 pieces.
AirGATE Technologies, Inc. will be providing AGM telecom with its inmate identification technology to be used in AGM correctional institution telephone systems. ccmsectorinvest.com reports:
Founded in 2003, AGM Telecom is a telephony service provider designed for correctional institutions that offers complete end-to-end calling solutions. The technology is developed exclusively for the correction facilities market.
Read More: AirGATE Reaches Agreement with AGM Telecom
The University of Wisconsin-Madison RFID lab has partnered several businesses to further the adoption of RFID. ccmsectorinvest.com reports:
"They could place a tag on a whole case of milk, and some of the tags actually have the ability to record temperatures," said Lou Duzyk of Rockwell Automation.
Read More: RFID Technology Could Be Used To Track Medication, Passports
According to Mary Brown, who is an adjunct faculty member at Capella University, RFID has several positive features as far as security is concerned but loses out in terms of privacy. press.xtvworld.com reports:
Tommy Thompson, Secretary of Health and Human Services during President Bush's first term, has expressed interest in having one put in his arm.
Read More: RFID Chips Offer Security
Wal-Mart and Target are jointly participating in a project that has them sharing EPC data with 13 suppliers. ccmsectorinvest.com reports:
The pilot reinforces a second important trend in the RFID supply chain, Michielsen adds. “To date, the retailers have driven RFID momentum with mandate announcements and, in the case of Wal-Mart, continued rollout roadmap communication,” he says.
Read More: Target and Wal-Mart agree to share RFID information
Active RFID’s Asset Activator enables integration of 812.11b/g Wi-Fi, active, and semi-active RFID tracking and maintaining the security of products by using the existing WLANs in an enterprise. ccmsectorinvest.com reports:
"Using the existing Wi-Fi infrastructure in the enterprise has obvious advantages in both economics and the ease of installation," commented Allan Griebenow, president and CEO of AXCESS.
Read More: AXCESS Announces Integration of Wi-Fi, Active and Semi-Active
EPCglobal has released a report The EPCglobal Architecture Framework. The report is intended to serve as a roadmap for solution providers and users and to foster the sharing of information. The report covers standards for hardware, software, and data interfaces.
The architectural framework is of interest to RFID solution developers, system integrators, and the various industry groups. The standards have been addressed at various levels starting at the lowest level that deals with physical objects and their communication.
This is followed by the standard related to infrastructure and the management and filtering of information. The final level deals with information exchange between business partners.
Sun Microsystems has released an RFID-based solution for the tracking and authentication of drugs. The solution consists of software, hardware, and services that will help manufacturers to tackle spurious drugs that may find a way into their supply chain. ccmsectorinvest.com reports:
In December 2004, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration set guidelines for drug companies to use in setting up systems to keep an eye on pharmaceuticals as they move from the supply chain.
Read More: Keeping Drugs Legit With RFID
pH Europe, which is a third party supplier of intermediate bulk containers, uses RFID technology for tracking containers. mmh.com reports:
Containers are associated with a unique truck for tracking purposes, and trucks are tracked using GPS data. The system ensures that containers do not sit idly because they were delivered to the wrong location at the wrong time.
Read More: Five examples of mobile resource management
RSI ID Technologies is making its Super Gen 2 RFID labels available for use. These labels are more adaptable than the Gen 2 labels available at present and can achieve better performance rates. ccmsectorinvest.com reports:
According to a recent IDC report, "In general, companies have focused too much on the cost of compliance and not enough on the business value of RFID.
Read More:RFID News Roundup
EPCglobal has certified the chips produced by Royal Philips Electronics to be Gen 2 compliant. With this, Philips has become the first big supplier of RFID chips to earn the certification. The Philips UCODE EPC Gen 2 chips can now be purchased by the end-users who are beginning to support the Gen 2 standards in increasing numbers. The EPC standard facilitates interoperability between readers and labels in different regulatory conditions. This will help companies to improve performance and reduce operation costs. Philips has sold more than one billion RFID chips till date.
The company is pushing for open standards and is running a Gen 2 Task Force program with ASK, Checkpoint Systems, and other companies. The objective of the program is to develop an end-to-end Gen2 RFID solution. The cost of Gen 2 tags will reduce significantly with the wide availability of EPC Gen 2 silicon.
Digital Angel Corporation will soon introduce a scanner that will be able to read RFID microchips implanted in pets for the purpose of identification resolving ownership issues. The scanners will be ready for sale by late November and should be of special interest to veterinarians, clinics, etc. ccmsectorinvest.com reports:
The new scanner was designed to read the vast majority of chips in the nation's expanding companion pet marketplace that use a 125 kHz radio frequency including chips that are encrypted.
Read More: Digital Angel Introduces New Universal RFID Scanner
The Régie Autonome des Transports Parisiens (RATP), which is the public transportation authority in Paris, has teamed up with Bouygues Telecom for a trial in which commuters using the subway and bus systems will be able to use RFID-enabled cell phones as contactless transit cards. The trial which starts in March 2006 will have 150 commuters using wireless phones to purchase travel fare. The payment for the journey will be deducted when users wave their RFID-enabled cell-phones in front of the Navigo RFID-enabled readers installed at 800 subway stations as well as on 8,000 buses.
Bouygues Telecom is providing the facility of adding money to a Navigo account by accessing a website through the i-mode wireless data service site. If this service is successful, Bouygues Telecom could earn commission on the fares purchased using its phones. GSM phones will be provided by NEC. The phones will be equipped with a passive 13.56 MHz RFID chip developed by INSIDE Contactless. The chip, which is also referred to as Enhanced Near Field Communication (eNFC) is interoperable with ISO 14443B, ISO 1443A, ISO 15693, etc.
The transit fare application and the amount credited to a traveler’s Navigo account will be encrypted on a SIM card called Proximera, which has been designed by Navigo. The chip and the card will be able to carry out a secure conversation by using the Single-Wire Protocol technology.
Europe and Asia have taken the lead in using RFID-enabled contactless smart cards. The US too is not far behind. Chase, which is a banking service provider, is distributing 5 million “Blink” smart cards. Access control cards, automobile immobilizers, toll collection systems are other examples of RFID-enabled smart cards in use in the US. The wide use of smart cards has also given rise to the practice of skimming, which is the reading of data from a transponder illegally.
The issue of skimming needs to be addressed now before privacy concerns get fuelled further. In order to resolve the issue of skimming several issues need to be addressed. The scope and enforceability of an anti-skimming law, the right time to introduce such a law, etc are factors that could influence the extent to which skimming could be controlled.
BearingPoint has conducted a study to assess the financial factors involved in implementing RFID for baggage tracking. HapagFly airlines was also involved in the study that was carried out at the Hamburg and Hanover airports in Germany and the Palma de Mallorca airport in Spain.
BearingPoint developed an economic model that factored in things such as the average cost of a lost bag for an airline, number of misplaced bags every 1,000 passengers, the read rate with the existing system, annual passenger growth, etc. The economic benefits of deploying an RFID-enabled baggage tracking system vary with these factors. The study found that RFID-tagging is best suited for large airlines that have a hub-and-spoke network rather than airports that manage point-to-point traffic.
A new report published by RNCOS throws light on the various RFID related exercises that are occurring in the EU. It covers industries such as retail, livestock, pharmaceutical, etc and explains the manner in which RFID is bringing about a change in the business processes. ccmsectorinvest.com reports:
Market analysis shows that RFID spending on hardware, software, and services in Europe is estimated to cross €5bn in 2007. The major reason being the adoption of latest technology by the firms to ensure an efficient RFID supply chain model.