News Briefs – Monday, March 27, 2006
Remote sensor detects airborne chemicals
Technest Holdings’ subsidiary EOIR Technologies developed the Automated Adaptive Chemical Examination System (AACES), a remote-sensor device that detects and classifies chemicals released into the air during a terrorist attack or a chemical emergency. The AACES chemical detection sensor does not need to come in contact with chemicals to detect and identify them. It can make assessments from a remote location, according to the company.
The U.S. Army is testing the product.
RFID chips track assets within three meters
G2 Microsystems’ active radio frequency identification (RFID) System-on-a-Chip (SoC) leverages the WiFi (IEEE 802.11) network infrastructure. SoC operates on the 2.4 GHz band and uses the WiFi 802.11 compliant PHY/MAC standard. Customers can track assets to within 3 meters, according to the company.
G2 Microsystems is offering customers a G2C501 evaluation kit to test active RFID applications, evaluate sensor input and develop tag software. Each kit is $12 in high-volume quantities.
Metrologic dives into RFID market
Metrologic Instruments has signed an agreement with MaxID to sell MaxID’s EPC-Compliant Radio-Frequency Identification (RFID) Products in North America under the Metrologic brand name. MaxID, based in the United Kingdom, has the international distribution rights for a broad range of products from South Africa-based Sygade Solutions. Sygade currently markets, develops and outsource-manufactures rugged mobile computing and RFID products.
EV-DO card enables download speeds up to 3.1 Mb/s
Novatel Wireless released the Merlin 720 EV-DO (Evolution Data Optimized) Rev A (Revision A) PC Card for next-generation broadband wireless services. The card enables a maximum downlink speed of 3.1 Mb/s (maximum uplink speed is 1.8 Mb/s). It also lets operators introduce multimedia data services, including data and broadcast over IP networks. Commercial shipments of the Merlin are expected to begin in the third quarter of 2006, Novatel said in a company statement.
Mobile computers offer multimode wireless connectivity
Symbol Technologies’ wireless network infrastructure now features Layer 3 roaming, mesh networking and wireless security with location-based services. These new features are designed to let enterprises operate more efficiently with increased security. The company also offers the MC9090 family of rugged mobile computers, which combine processing power data capture options and include access to wide area networks, 802.11a/b/g wireless LANs (WLANs) and Bluetooth-enabled wireless personal area networks, according to the company.
Japan implements ultra wideband wireless system in fall 2005
Japan’s Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications said it would deploy an ultra wideband (UWB) wireless system. With a transmission speed of up to 500 megabits per second, the system will send images recorded by a high-quality digital video camera to a number of home information appliances, such as personal computers and printers. As early as next spring, the ministry plans to inaugurate a high-speed wireless local area network that offers full-time access to the Internet at a speed of 100 mbps. Although its range is only about 10 meters, the UWB system is expected to improve the communication environment at home, according to the ministry.
