Low-Cost, Frequency-Agnostic Reader Solution Available for Item-Level RFID
AURA Allows Customers to Develop a Single Item-Level Application Deployable in HF and UHF
Westminster, Colo., June 14, 2006 – SkyeTek, the leading provider of embedded RFID reader technology, today announced that customers can develop smart-shelf and mobile inventory management applications using its Item-Level Developer Kit, which is based on SkyeTek’s Common Blade Family of reader modules. SkyeTek’s Common Blade modules share a common hardware / software interface and Compact Flash Type 2 Extended form factor allowing customers to develop a single, frequency-agnostic application and leave the HF / UHF choice as an application deployment decision.
Traditional readers are finished products that have been optimized for UHF supply chain applications but are typically too large and expensive for embedded RFID applications, which require HF and/or UHF. SkyeTek developed the Advanced Universal Reader Architecture (AURA) from the ground up to specifically serve as a multi-frequency reader platform for embedded RFID applications. Of these applications, item-level, in particular, requires high performance in a low-cost, small form factor. AURA satisfies these requirements by leveraging ReaderWare software to deliver robust read reliability and broad tag support allowing ReaderDNA hardware reference designs to focus on delivering the optimum blend of read range / performance and cost-, space-, and power-efficiency.
“Item-level inventory RFID applications represent a significant ROI opportunity for retailers and consumer products companies,” said Rob Balgley, CEO of SkyeTek. “Our modular architecture eliminates frequency as a concern in application development. Customers can make the decision to go with HF, UHF, or both at deployment without impact to the development work that has already occurred.”
SkyeTek’s Common Blade Family of readers is comprised of the M2 HF SkyeModule and M9 UHF SkyeModule. These modules share a common software, mechanical, and electrical interface that allows customers to develop a single item-level application that is frequency-agnostic. The HF / UHF decision can be made during deployment or post-deployment as one module can be replaced by the other in the field due to their identical form factors and software / hardware interfaces. These modules also share a code base that provides common application services such as encryption, GPIO, and antenna multiplexer control.
In addition to offering reader modules, SkyeTek also provides customers with the option to integrate the reader hardware, using a ReaderDNA reference design, directly into their system and license ReaderWare software to provide the reader intelligence and application interface. SkyeTek offers its technology on a licensed basis to provide the seamless integration, low cost, and high ROI required in embedded RFID applications such as item-level inventory.
The M2, M9, and Item-Level Developer Kit are orderable today with initial shipments starting in July. To learn more about SkyeTek, AURA, ReaderWare, ReaderDNA, or any of its SkyeModules, visit www.skyetek.com, send an email to sales@skyetek.com, call 720-565-0441.
About SkyeTek, Inc. SkyeTek, Inc., develops reader technology that enables the pervasive adoption of RFID as an embedded feature in existing products. Customers use SkyeTek’s technology to create new applications for their product lines in areas such as anti-counterfeiting, configuration management, consumables authentication, item-level inventory, patient safety, patron management, point-of-sale payment, and mobile data collection. SkyeTek specifically designed AURA to serve as the multi-frequency, universal reader architecture for embedded RFID applications. AURA’s common architecture disaggregates the RFID reader into a ReaderWare software layer, optimized for broad tag support, reader intelligence and easy application integration, and ReaderDNA hardware reference designs, crafted to optimize read range / performance while exploiting Moore’s Law for gains in cost, space, and power efficiency. SkyeTek offers its AURA-based products as either a SkyeModule or ReaderWare license, which comes with access to ReaderDNA. Customers using SkyeTek represent numerous vertical markets and range from mid-market companies to Fortune 500 corporations. Based in Westminster, Colo., SkyeTek sells exclusively through OEMs, systems integrators, and distributors. For more information about SkyeTek, visit www.skyetek.com or call 720-565-0441.