South African group SCM Solutions is to launch new-generation RFID technology on 1 July, following its appointment as sole distributor of surface acoustic wave (SAW) tag solutions by US-based company, RF SAW.
SCM director James Briggs says the hardware and software solution, which can also be integrated with existing systems, will eliminate many of the shortcomings of current RFID technology available in SA.
"Global SAW tag (GST) technology is a new core technology for passive RFID that solves the major problems that plague the RFID industry today. The fundamentally different physics of SAW devices eliminates the requirement for DC power at the tag," Briggs says.
He adds that the performance of the GST system arises from its operating physics and cannot be matched by any DC-powered technology, such as integrated circuit RFID.
"A SAW tag operates successfully with short bursts of signal from readers emitting extremely low transmit power, while an integrated circuit tag requires a large uninterrupted signal from the reader to power the tag," Briggs explains.
Market response has been positive, he says, based on the demonstrated ability of the GST system to read tags on metal surfaces and liquid containers with read ranges of up to 30m - integrated circuit readers have ranges of between 1m and 2m.
Briggs also notes that the GST system can measure tag position, speed, direction and temperature, thus addressing most of the major limitations of RFID technology that is currently on the market.
"In contrast to integrated circuit tags, SAW tags are extremely robust when subjected to harsh environments and can withstand gamma ray sterilisation (up to five mega rads), as well as elevated operating temperatures (in excess of 200 ^0C). This makes SAW technology ideal for tracking medical equipment and for tag insertion into items during the manufacturing process, such as tyres or conveyor belts."
The GST system operates in the worldwide and ICASA-compliant 2.45GHz ISM band, Briggs says.
"SCM Solutions' initial focus is on market applications that can be best served by the features of the GST RFID system: the healthcare industry demands accurate tracking of surgical instruments and high-value equipment while satisfying stringent requirements for patient safety; manufacturing sectors demand long read ranges and reading tags on metal; the distribution and warehousing sectors require tracking and positioning of high-value items, cases, pallets and containers," he states.
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