“The revisions to the act, known as Senate Bill (SB) 682, would allow the use of RFID technology in some identification documents issued by the state or local governments if specific security controls are applied to the RFID chip used in the documents to safeguard it from being surreptitiously read. However, because the act still prohibits the use of RFID (what it calls contactless integrated circuits) in driver’s licenses, student IDs, government health and benefit cards and public library cards, the industry coalition is still voicing strong opposition to the act.”

“Before you decide to deploy an RFID system, think about your company’s long-term needs. Passive tags are less expensive, but sometimes a situation calls for the very best. If you start with less-expensive passive tags only to discover that what you really wanted were the more capable active tags, you’ll end up spending more or having to settle for a limited solution.”

“The market for RFID software, hardware and services will reach $2,195m in 2005, making for a growth rate of 68% over a market in 2004 reckoned to be worth $1,306m. Revenues from the manufacturing industry were said to be more than all other verticals combined in 2004, and still double any other by 2010 according to market researchers at Datamonitor, ComputerWires parent company, who estimate that by 2010 the global RFID market will top $6,138m. For this reason, vertical expertise from vendors will be a key differentiator between those that are successful, and those that are not.”

“Earlier this month, the European Commission confirmed reports that it is in the process of investigating the European Telecommunications Standards Institute (ETSI). This investigation was prompted by concerns that ETSI rules might enable companies to get their own patented technology surreptitiously included in ETSI standards, leaving firms that adopt the standards open to demands for royalty payments to the patent owner - a practice dubbed “patent ambushing.” The European Commission says it is examining ETSI’s intellectual property rights (IPR) rules with a view to ensuring that these rules are framed so that patent ambushes can be avoided. ”

Note the banner ad for the “Intermec Rapid Start Licensing Program” above the article…  

“RFID system design is complicated by the dynamic nature of the market and varying specifications around the globe. To make it simpler, designers at Anadigm Inc. have come up with an RFID chipset, known as the RangeMaster, that offers user-selectable parameters, including center frequency, variable gain, and lower and upper sub-carrier frequencies. There is a real need for flexibility in RFID design because the specs are still changing, and, even within a single specification, the RFID tags can be requested to signal back at different frequencies. For instance, RFID tags working within the EPC Global Gen 2 specification can be asked to signal back at a frequency ranging from 40kHz up to 620kHz. The challenge for designers was that a standard DSP + a fixed analog filter could not get the job done. In response, the design team at Anadigm came up with its RangeMaster two-chip set for RFID tag readers.”

“The Federal Aviation Administration has approved radio frequency identification devices for use with planes on the ground. The FAA has not yet cleared RFID for applications in flight because of concerns that its signals could interfere with avionics. But the FAA’s approval of RFID for planes on the ground will ensure greater efficiency and safety by allowing airlines to quickly repair parts and track cargo.”

“For the past year, the department-store chain has been testing RFID at an Atlanta returns center that handles returned merchandise.

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