Identec Solutions Intros ISO 18000-7 Tags, Readers

The new i-Q310 tag series—intended for tracking, tracing or securing cargo, vehicles and other assets—can include built-in sensors and a database memory of up to 128 kilobytes, as well as 32 kilobytes of memory for logging data from the sensors, such as those that ascertain if a container door is opened, detect light, or measure temperature, humidity or shock. The user can specify the thresholds defining a security breach (the degree at which a door is opened, for instance). All six i-Q310 models include an integrated speaker that supports acoustic signalization for search, locate or alarm applications.

Interrogators include the i-PORT 310 fixed reader, with a 300-foot read range, adjustable power output and the ability to read 100 tags per second. The i-PORT handheld model has a 150-foot read range, a built-in 802.11 Wi-Fi card and a USB port.

Identec will provide software to interpret data based on RFID reads and middleware for the commercial products, Linke says, while the four vendors directly contracting with the DOD will provide the appropriate software. While SPEC and Unisys are utilizing Identec hardware, Savi uses its own hardware, and Northrop Grumman contracts its hardware to Evigia. Unisys is also employing tags provided by Hi-G-Tek.

In March 2009, after Identec Solutions had developed its ISO 18000-7 tags and readers, the company joined forces with several other RFID providers to create the Dash7 Alliance, an association of RFID technology suppliers and customers promoting the ISO 18000-7 standard (see Dash7 Alliance Seeks to Promote RFID Hardware Based on ISO 18000-7 Standard ).

At the behest of the Dash7 Alliance, the University of Pittsburgh's RFID Center of Excellence has set up a test lab to verify whether a tag or interrogator claiming compliance with the ISO 18000-7 standard is, in fact, compliant. Dash7-certified products will display a Dash7 logo. Identec, however, has not submitted its line of ISO 18000-7-compliant products to the lab for certification testing.