WhereTag WiFi and RF Compatible Tag

WhereNet (www.wherenet.com) announces the availability of the multimode WhereTag IV active RFID asset tag that supports both ISO 24730 and IEEE 802.11 (WiFi) based RTLS applications.

The tag can be used in both outdoor and indoor environments for enterprises such as automotive and aerospace manufacturers, as well as carpeted office environments. It also works in high precision environments with a need for location accuracy of five to 10 feet, as well as in low precision environments with accuracy of 30 to 50 feet. It is compatible with the Cisco 2700 Series Wireless Location Appliance.

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Ultra Low-Power UHF RFID OEM Reader Module by WJM

WJ Communications (www.wj.com) has announced the availability of the WJM100, the smallest compact UHF RFID reader module on the market. It features ultra-low power for medium and short range UHF RFID applications.

The WJM1000 is based off of the Frost & Sullivan Award winning WJC200 Gen 2 chipset, and the WJM3000. Prashant Upreti, WW Product Marketing Manager for WJ Communications explains: "The WJM1000 is the second in the series of our WJM series. The first one was WJM3000, which is the high powered design for longer range applications. The WJM1000 is a low powered version of the WJM3000, so it consumes a lot less current, and the payoff is that you get a shorter read range compared to the 3000." This module is ideal for applications such as printer and mobile applications where the read range is not as important as current consumption is.

A configurable software system sets the RF output power from 10 dB to 24 dB, and allows OEMs, VARs, and system integrators to effortlessly integrate RFID UHF Gen 2 capability within new and existing applications. Custom applications can be quickly created and customized thanks to the module's backwardly designed compatibility.

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RTLS Meets GPS for Container Handling Equipment Processes

WhereNet (www.wherenet.com) combines the power of an active RTLS with differential GPS in the new Marine Terminal Solution (MTS) version 4.0. This solution enables terminal operators of any size to see every container, even in the most challenging environments.

This system tracks grounded, stacked containers via an interface between the WhereTags and sensor data provided by PACECO Corp.'s Position Tracking Interface Unit device. Its algorithms then leverage the RTLS or GPS data, Container Handling Equipment (CHE) telemetry, and RFID reads to automatically follow the "handoff" as containers move from one piece of equipment to another, and ultimately to their final destination in the terminal.

The wireless system includes WhereNet's Visibility Software Server middleware; container tracking application specific software; a hardware infrastructure consisting of WhereLAN locating access points; and the new WhereTrack controller that integrates a WhereTag active RFID transmitter, a GPS receiver, and a WiFi modem, all in a single device for CHE tracking. Sites without WiFi coverage can utilize either narrowband modems or the ISO 24730 RTLS channel through the controller.

Louis Bianchin, Senior Analyst for Venture Development Corporation, says: "By integrating two complementary tracking technologies that leverage robust middleware and application software, WhereNet provides a more complete hybrid solution that offers higher overall system availability."