RFID

The next generation of RFID technology—commonly referred to as Gen 2—has arrived, and Holtsville, New York-based Symbol Technologies unveiled its first RFID tags based on the new Gen 2 protocol being used by companies such as Wal-Mart. The company also launched a new line of specialty RFID tags, starting with the hardened-metal mount tag that can be attached to items such as utility poles. The open set of common standards defined by Gen 2 help to develop interoperability and volume production, creating a more competitive market that will ultimately drive prices down and ensure cross-vendor compatibility. The standards also provide a number of strategic

the future often conjures up images of a Jetson-like universe complete with robots and spaceship vehicles that fold into suitcases. While this lifestyle is light-years away, great strides are in fact being made to take us to a society where washing machines instruct their owners to remove a silk garment accidentally tossed in with the wool sweaters. And, perhaps in 20 years, refrigerators might even print out our grocery lists. To think, these are just some of the ideas that radio frequency identification (RFID) experts are currently working on to make a reality. In its recent study, “RFID Forecasts, Players & Opportunities 2006-2016,” IDTechEx

Various ultra high frequency RFID antenna designs courtesy of Tapecon