 | Thursday, August 23, 2007
Issue 669 | | Will Smith, Editor |  |
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Editor's Note: Today's top story is the release of the M4 high frequency SkyeModule from RFID reader module manufacturer SkyeTek.
RFID hardware manufacturer Intermec has announced that four of its RFID reader models have been certified for use in China by the country's State Radio Regulation Committee (SRRC). The company indicates that the certification represents the first by the SRRC for RFID hardware.
Lastly, ABI Research today blames security concerns for the reason that near field communication (NFC) market development has been slow. According to senior analyst Douglas McEuen, "The financial institutions and industry standards-setting bodies around the world can't yet agree on the appropriate levels and methods of data protection." Recall that NFC is the RFID-based technology which will enable cell phones with powerful mobile commerce capabilities like contactless payment, public transport access, and media interaction with on-the-street marketing collateral such as movie posters. While the vision is compelling, the implementation is complex. As ABI's observation exemplifies, a variety of interests are involved in building out the NFC ecosystem, including financial institutions, mobile carriers, handset and chip manufacturers, and application developers. Over the last year, ABI has twice revised down five-year projections on the number of cell phones that will be equipped with NFC. Challenges notwithstanding, the market is progressing. Earlier this month the NFC Forum published four tag type specifications, leading David Turner, NFC Forum board member and manager of the Industry Standards & Leadership team within the Mobile & Embedded Devices Division at Microsoft, to predict that NFC-enabled devices will be available on retailers' shelves by year-end (see NFC Commercialization Reaches Key Milestone). |
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| Products & Services | | - Free RFID Software with Alien 9800 at RFIDSupplyChain.com (site) | | - Until you manage assets with ESP, you might want to try RFID. (site) | | - Real-Time WIP Visibility Appliance from Omnitrol Networks (site) | | - Peel - Stick - Ship(TM): SimplyRFID Pre-Programmed Tags (site) | | | Upcoming Events | | - RFID World Boston - September 18 - 20, 2007 (site) | | - Midwest RFID Symposium, Oct 23-24, University of Kansas (site) | | - IDGA's Military Logistics Summit, Sept 10-13, Adelphi, MD (site) | | - LogiPharma 07, Sept. 17-19, Loews Philadelphia Hotel, PA (site) | | - IDTechEx's RFID Europe; 18-19 September, Cambridge, UK (site) | | | Research & Whitepapers | | - How RFID Can Decrease Manufacturing Errors (site) | | - RFID Marketing Strategies Report from RFID Update (site) | | | RTLS & Active RFID | | 
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New RFID Module Aimed at Growing OEM Opportunity
SkyeTek announced a new high frequency (HF) reader module for applications that require strong security, plus a related development kit.
The company's new M4 HF SkyeModule is a 13.56 MHz reader module intended to be embedded in OEM readers or devices. Features in the module allow it to provide advanced security on common tags, saving users the cost of using more expensive, specialized high-security tags, SkyeTek CEO Rob Balgley told RFID Update.
The M4 HF SkyeModule is available in three separate firmware versions (which SkyeTek calls "personalities") that provide security and functionality for distinctly different applications:- The product authentication version conforms to the ISO 15693 standard, offers AES encryption and digital signatures, and supports tags from multiple manufacturers.
- The contactless payment version supports MasterCard PayPass, Visa PayWave, American Express ExpressPay, and Discover Contactless Payments. It is compatible with parts 1, 2, and 3 of the ISO 14443A/B standard.
- The access control version is also compliant with ISO 14443A/B parts 1 to 3. It can read MIFARE and other tags, including tags with DESFire encryption.
The modules measure 36mm by 39mm and are either 5mm or 11.3mm tall, depending on the configuration. SkyeTek also released a developer kit for the new reader module. It includes sample tags and firmware for all three versions plus development software and all necessary reader hardware.
SkyeTek produces RFID modules that original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) integrate into their own handheld and fixed position RFID readers, or into other devices such as industrial controls or test equipment. Balgley said a diverse range of OEMs are interested in adding RFID reading capabilities to their products.
"About 80 percent of our revenue is coming from emerging applications, versus traditional supply chain and logistics," Balgley said. "RFID readers are being integrated into medical devices, test equipment, and industrial machinery, especially to make sure equipment is configured correctly or that the operator is using the correct supplies."
The development of application-focused modules and new integration resources will facilitate the embedded reader market, which is growing in volume and in the diversity of OEM devices. In recent months there have been announcements of embedded RFID reader solutions for blood bank cabinets and water jug dispensers (see Intel & Siemens Launch RFID Blood Bank in Malaysia and RFID Enables Innovation in Water Jug Distribution). Last year market research firm Venture Development Corporation (VDC) estimated that 9.4 percent of RFID reader sales were for integration in devices other than handheld or fixed-position RFID readers. However, the VDC estimate also included reader modules sold for integration into smart label printer/encoders (see RFID Reader Market Worth $1.18b in 2010).
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A premiere event at the new CMP TechMash Boston, RFID World Boston brings together the foremost luminaries on RFID technology and implementation to discuss the concepts and topics critical to making RFID a reality for today's businesses. Enter code RU01 to save $300! | Midwest RFID Symposium, Oct 23-24, University of Kansas
The 3rd annual symposium and exhibition focuses on closed-loop applications of RFID. Speakers and exhibitors from Motorola, Ekahau, Intelleflex, Fluensee, Intermec, Rush Tracking, SAVR Communications and more will demonstrate RFID's potential to error proof manufacturing, organize the office, and simplify asset tracking in industry and healthcare. www.continuinged.ku.edu | IDGA's Military Logistics Summit, Sept 10-13, Adelphi, MD
Join the "who's who" of logistics at the leading event for senior-level defense logistics professionals. Join thought leaders and decision-makers to discuss the latest implementation strategies and program initiatives to ensure the flexibility and preparedness of our military's future. Special keynote by: GEN John Abizaid, USA (Ret), Commander, USCENTCOM (2003-2007). www.militarylogisticssummit.com. | LogiPharma 07, Sept. 17-19, Loews Philadelphia Hotel, PA
LogiPharma presents 3 days of knowledge-sharing and idea exchange on the challenges and issues surrounding pharmaceutical supply chain management. For more information please visit www.logipharma.com. | IDTechEx's RFID Europe; 18-19 September, Cambridge, UK
IDTechEx's RFID Europe, in its eighth year, is the premium event covering RFID, technology analysis and market insight. Hear from AIR FRANCE KLM, Ahold, BP, TNT, MasterCard, Tube Lines, Sony, City Link and others. Explore technologies from printed RFID to smart tickets and cards to RTLS and sensor networks. Register with code: UPDATE97. | | | Research & Whitepapers | How RFID Can Decrease Manufacturing Errors
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Ekahau RTLS (Real-Time Location System) automatically tracks assets and people via your existing Wi-Fi network. Control costs and improve asset management with Ekahau. For more information, visit us at www.ekahau.com. | | | Employment | RFID Recruiters - 100% Focused on RFID Recruiting
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RFID Update is the RFID industry daily. Launched in early 2004 to provide timely analysis of RFID industry news, RFID Update publishes editorial briefings every weekday for the growing ranks of top level executives involved in the deployment of RFID. Each issue delivers the breaking news and analysis most pertinent to successful RFID implementations, allowing readers to understand global RFID developments as they happen.
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