 | Wednesday, December 6, 2006
Issue 496 | | Will Smith, Editor |  |
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Editor's Note: Today's top story is the Smart Card Alliance's statement against the decision by the US government to use Gen2 technology in its passport card initiative.
RFID inlay manufacturer UPM Raflatac announced it has been selected by retail giant METRO Group to supply its Rafsec G2 ShortDipole RFID inlays for the Advanced Logistics Asia project. According to Raflatac, Advanced Logistics Asia is the largest retail RFID pilot project in China, tracking products from China to Germany. For more on the project, see Metro and Savi Launch Container-Tracking RFID Pilot.
Sybase subsidiary iAnywhere has announced version 3.0 of their RFID Anywhere product that now includes support for real-time location systems (RTLS) and active RFID technology. The system also tracks data from passive RFID, barcodes, global positioning systems (GPS), environmental sensors, and mobile RFID and forklift readers. For more details on the product, read the press release.
RFID chip and reader manufacturer Impinj announced that NEC Corporation will be using the company's Speedway reader in the new NEC RFID gate system, a solution designed to accurately read multiple RFID tags simultaneously in a variety of applications including manufacturing inspection and inventory control systems.
Lastly, note the new classified listing below for the RFID to Codification: Asset Tracking and Management in Defence conference taking place in London on January 31st and February 1st. |
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| - Asset Tracking & Management in Defence, 31 Jan & 1 Feb, UK (site)  | | - 5th Annual RFID Journal LIVE!, Apr 30 - May 2, 2007, Orlando (site) | | - RFID World Conference 2007, March 26-28, Dallas (site) | | - IDTechEx RFID Smart Labels USA 2007, Feb 20-23, Boston, USA (site) | | - Consumer Electronics Supply Chain Academy -- Jan 10-11 (site) | | - Supply Chain & Logistics Puerto Rico, Feb 1-2, San Juan, PR (site) | | | Research & White Papers | | - New Global RFID Tag Benchmark - ODIN offers scientific answers (site) | | - 2006 RFID Marketing Strategies Report from RFID Update (site) | | | Training & Certification | | - Be Prepared. Heathkit's RFID+ Test Prep (site) | | - University of Kansas RFID Training Programs (site) | | | | - Locate it now. How? Ekahau. That's how! (site) | | | Employment | | - RFID Recruiters - 100% Focused on RFID Recruiting (site) | | | RFID Readers | | - Ensyc Technologies: $395 UHF Desktop Reader (site) | | - MTI Wireless Edge: high-quality low-cost panel antennas (site) | | | RFID Tags & Labels | | - Lowry Smart Trac Labels: Depend on 100% Good Labels (site) | | | Products & Services | | - Peel - Stick - Ship(TM): SimplyRFID Pre-Programmed Tags (site) | |
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Smart Card Firms Challenge US on RFID
The Smart Card Alliance has come out against a decision by the US Department of State to use Gen2 technology in its passport card initiative. The SCA, a cross-industry association whose members include many of the leading global technology firms that participate in the smart card industry, issued an official statement earlier this week laying out an argument for why RFID technology based on ISO/IEC 14443, a smart card standard, and not Gen2, a supply chain standard, is preferable for the program.
The US government's passport card program is not to be confused with the ePassport initiative. The card program is a component of the Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative that aims to offer a passport alternative to US citizens reentering the country from Canada, Mexico, and Caribbean nations beginning in June 2009, after which all US citizens must present proof of identity and citizenship to be allowed reentry. Since only 25 percent of US citizens currently hold passports, the passport cards would offer an alternative when the new regulations come into effect in 2009.
In mid-October, the US State Department announced that it had selected what it calls "vicinity read" RFID technology to be used in the passport cards. Vicinity read RFID is based on the ISO/IEC 18000-6, Type C standard, better known as Gen2. Gen2 and ISO/IEC 18000-6, Type C are essentially the same technology; ISO/IEC 18000-6, Type C was the result of ISO's integration of Gen2 into its passive RFID standard (see ISO Incorporates Gen2 into RFID Standard).
The SCA argues that Gen2 technology is ideal for supply chain environments but hardly suitable for the passport card initiative. In its response, the association enumerates and expounds upon a handful of reasons why a different standard -- namely, ISO/IEC 14443 -- should be used. Chief among those reasons is Gen2's weaker security safeguards, which SCA says do not "allow border officials to verify that the passport card is authentic and to protect the information that is on the card." This vulnerability will quickly become evident to the public, argues SCA, thus exacerbating the situation by citizens' likely distrust of the technology. RFID is already a target of computer security academics, professionals, and hackers alike, who have grabbed headlines over the last couple years with (oftentimes dubious) assertions and demonstrations of security weaknesses in the technology.
ISO/IEC 14443 advocated by the SCA is already the widely-accepted standard for smart card and identity applications, applications for which security has always been a key consideration. In fact, it is this very standard which the US government chose for the ePassport initiative, an important point not only because it demonstrates a precedent for using ISO/IEC 14443 in US passport applications, but also because aligning behind one standard would allow ePassports and passport cards to share the same hardware infrastructure. If the US government insists on moving forward with Gen2 for the passport card, additional infrastructure will have to be deployed beyond that which is already necessary for ePassports.
To be clear, the SCA is in no way anti-Gen2. Indeed, many of its members are major players in the supply chain RFID market, including Zebra Technologies, Texas Instruments, STMicroelectronics, VeriSign, and NXP (formerly Philips Semiconductors). Its message is simply that in this instance Gen2 is not the appropriate choice, developed as it was for deployment in the global supply chain, where tag data is not as sensitive and security requirements not as rigorous as in personal identification applications. As Texas Instruments' director of eDocuments Tres Wiley said in a statement, "The vicinity technology being proposed by the US government was not intended or designed for sensitive ID applications such as the ... passport card; secure proximity technology, like that in the new ePassport, was designed expressly for that purpose."
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| Upcoming Events | Asset Tracking & Management in Defence, 31 Jan & 1 Feb, UK
Tracking materials from warehouse to warfighter improves the effectiveness of global logistics systems. This conference explores how participating nations are implementing RFID and how codification and data management facilitate global logistics operations. Learn to define mandated requirements and address problems at technical and management levels. For more information visit: www.smi-online.co.uk/rfid8.asp | 5th Annual RFID Journal LIVE!, Apr 30 - May 2, 2007, Orlando
Get everything you need to put RFID to work today at the world's largest RFID conference & exhibition. Access the most case studies, the most how-to sessions and the most lessons learned. The 86,000 sq.-ft. exhibit hall will feature the leading technology providers. Plus, Walt Disney World Resort packages available. Information: http://www.rfidjournal.com/live2007 | RFID World Conference 2007, March 26-28, Dallas
Attend RFID World, the largest event focused on RFID and Advanced End-to-End Track & Trace Solutions. RFID World is where the industry gathers to meet face-to-face, making it the most effective place to generate awareness, leads and sales. Learn more and register at www.rfid-world.com | IDTechEx RFID Smart Labels USA 2007, Feb 20-23, Boston, USA
RFID Smart Labels USA 2007 covers all RFID applications and technologies. Highlighting the business case, item-level tagging, RFID progress around the world and state-of-the-art technologies, RFID Smart Labels USA will be 2007's premier learning forum for RFID. Hear from 60+ industry-leaders including Coca-Cola, Unilever, Rolls-Royce, BGN, USPS, Michelin, McCarran Airport, IATA. www.smartlabelsUSA.com | Consumer Electronics Supply Chain Academy -- Jan 10-11
The supply chain management conference at the 2007 International CES, the world's largest consumer technology tradeshow, covering RFID, returns, global logistics and more. Participants include: Best Buy, Circuit City, Sony, Sterling Commerce, UPS, IBM, Hewlett-Packard, Dell, Sony, Monster Cable, TradeCard, OATSystems, i2 Technologies. For speakers, program and registration visit: www.CESupplyChain.com | Supply Chain & Logistics Puerto Rico, Feb 1-2, San Juan, PR
The exhibition, conference, and networking event designed for businesses of all sizes looking for solutions for their procurement, inventory management, warehousing, material handling, distribution, and shipping needs. Co-located with INTERPHEX Puerto Rico and MEDICAL DEVICE Puerto Rico, creating the largest industrial gathering on the island, with over 450 technology vendors. Register Today! | | | Research & White Papers | New Global RFID Tag Benchmark - ODIN offers scientific answers
Want to know which RFID tags perform best around the world? The Global RFID Tag Benchmark(tm) from ODIN technologies provides the industry's first performance evaluation of 18 UHF RFID tags across the frequency ranges used in Asia, Europe, and North and South America. Visit www.ODINtechnologies.com/store for more information. | 2006 RFID Marketing Strategies Report from RFID Update
Thirty-nine pages of original research on RFID audience perceptions, including 30+ figures of tactics, content & messaging, and recommendations to guide marketing strategy. Also, Top-10 RFID company rankings based on 550+ survey respondents. View the executive summary free, with Top-3 sample rankings. Only $495 Individual License or $795 Corporate License. Available now | | | Training & Certification | Be Prepared. Heathkit's RFID+ Test Prep
Heathkit's RFID+ Test Prep Program prepares individuals to successfully take CompTIA's RFID+ certification exam. Use Heathkit's Interactive Assessment Tool to highlight RFID technology areas that have already been mastered and pinpoint those concepts requiring additional study; don't waste time searching through RFID topics you already know. Be prepared... get Heathkit's RFID+ Test Prep. | University of Kansas RFID Training Programs
Researchers at the RFID Alliance Lab at the University of Kansas are leading the RFID field with pioneering research. Now the University of Kansas is turning that research into revenue for businesses across the country through its RFID training programs focused on Item-Level Tracking, Cold Chain Tracking, and Asset Management. www.continuinged.ku.edu/programs/rfid | | | RTLS & Active RFID | Locate it now. How? Ekahau. That's how!
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
Whether your company is looking for the best RFID talent or you have the best RFID talent and are looking for the best RFID employer, RFID Recruiters offers the most focused approach to your objective. To learn how the RFID industry and the RFID job market are evolving, visit www.rfidrecruiters.com | | | RFID Readers | Ensyc Technologies: $395 UHF Desktop Reader
The RFID Block reader is powered by a simple USB connection, works with EPC Class1 Gen1 or Gen2 tags and makes it easy for your business to meet mandates or simply investigate the potential of RFID. Developers will also find the RFID Block a useful tool for application testing. Visit: www.ensyc.com | MTI Wireless Edge: high-quality low-cost panel antennas
* Covering all applicable frequency bands for Passive and Active RFID * Various mechanical configurations for Indoor and Outdoor applications * Single or Dual Polarities * Linear or circular polarities * High robustness and endurance * Field proven in harsh environments * Enhancing system performance * Solutions tailored to customer needs: www.mtiwe.com | | | RFID Tags & Labels | Lowry Smart Trac Labels: Depend on 100% Good Labels
Lowry provides a comprehensive range of UHF and HF labels. With innovation and investment in the RFID marketplace, Lowry offers more than label conversion. Lowry's RFID Lab assists with inlay selection and label materials to deliver optimum performance. Rely on Lowry's experience and quality commitment. 1.800.733.0210 x 312 or visit www.lowrycomputer.com | | | Products & Services | Peel - Stick - Ship(TM): SimplyRFID Pre-Programmed Tags
Military-grade, Class 1 Generation 2 RFID Tags pre-programmed to DoD 252.211-7006 specifications shipped same day for less than $1 each. Find out why over 1,000 DoD (Department of Defense) suppliers choose SimplyRFID for their RFID needs. Visit us at www.SimplyRFID.com for no hassle RFID solutions. |
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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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