Trimble intros micro-LTE UHF RFID module

SUNNYVALE, USA: Trimble announced the addition of the Micro-LTE to its ThingMagic Mercury6e series of embedded UHF RFID modules.

The Micro-LTE joins the ThingMagic Micro to create a family of the smallest, 2-port, high-performance RFID modules on the market. The Micro is designed for applications with medium to large tag populations, while the new Micro-LTE is optimized for small tag populations.

"Embedded RFID reader modules are providing vendors, solution developers and end users with the inside track to RFID-enabling a host of applications and devices," said Michael Liard, VP of AutoID at VDC Research Inc. "Supported by new, innovative vendor product introductions, a set of unique value propositions and higher levels of awareness and interest among the end-user community, we expect the market opportunity for embedded RFID to ramp quickly. The number of potential use cases is increasing sharply across a number of industries and product categories."

In an extremely small form factor, the Micro-LTE implements market leading high-performance features including high data acquisition rates with every tag read and rapid adaptation to changing tag populations. Coupling these capabilities with read performance optimized for small tag populations makes the Micro-LTE ideal for use cases that require reading small numbers of tags rapidly and accurately, such as access control, consumables authentication, process control, and race timing.

The low power consumption of the Micro-LTE fits battery operated applications and wide RF output range (-5 dBm to +30 dBm) are key requirements for RFID enabled printers, tag commissioning stations, and point of sales readers.

The RF transmit levels and receive sensitivity of the Micro and Micro-LTE deliver competitive advantages including the ability to read RFID tags at over twice the distance of alternative solutions, the ability to read smaller tags without forfeiting read distance, and the option for OEMs to incorporate smaller antennas into their products without sacrificing tag read performance. In addition, adjustable duty cycle settings of the Micro and Micro-LTE provide product specific advantages such as extended battery life of handheld readers and other mobile devices.

Like the ThingMagic Micro, the Micro-LTE is designed for high-volume production environments and supports both traditional board-to-board mounting and solder down surface mounting, reducing component and assembly costs for equipment manufacturers.