The not-for-profit Electronic Product Code standards organisation EPCglobal Inc. has ratified the proposed royalty-free ''EPCglobal UHF Generation 2'' candidate specification for RFID-based electronic product codes, marking the adoption of the specification''s air interface protocol as an EPCglobal standard.

     With the Generation 2 standard now in place, technology providers can forge ahead with the creation of products to meet the requirements of suppliers, manufacturers, and end users. This will enable industries to drive EPC implementation using standards-based equipment. RFID equipment manufacturers can now also confidently implement the standard for both current and future devices and tags. 116.30.147.133 This article is copyright 2004 UsingRFID.com.

     The announcement follows the successful testing of prototypes from several technology providers, all of which combined to illustrate that the ratified standard can meet the EPCglobal community end user requirements, as well as a final determination that all intellectual property presented on a licensed basis during the standards development process was not necessary to the standard. Commercially available products are expected the first half of 2005.

     "Today marks both an exciting culmination and a much anticipated beginning in the commercialisation of RFID and EPC technology," said Chris Adcock, president for EPCglobal Inc. "Many of the world''s leading technology companies collaborated to develop the UHF Generation 2 specification, and we applaud their efforts as we launch the royalty-free standard."

     The UHF Generation 2 protocol - a consensus standard built by more than 60 leading technology companies - describes the core capabilities required to meet the performance needs set by the end user community. The standard is expected to be used as a base platform upon which products and future improvements can be built, ensuring interoperability and setting minimum operational expectations for various components in the EPCglobal Network, including the various necessary hardware components.

     During 2004, EPCglobal worked extensively with the global community of end-users and solution providers to complete a number of activities aimed at expanding the EPCglobal Network. The new standard is a foundational element in the continued build-out of the network, which combines RFID technology, the internet and EPC to provide accurate and cost-efficient visibility of information throughout supply chains around the world.

     Alongside the ratification of UHF Generation 2, EPCglobal has also set up a special committee to consider whether additional numbering features are necessary for the EPCglobal standard. Following the outcome of this work group, EPCglobal plans to submit the Generation 2 standard to the International Organisation for Standardization (ISO).

 

 

 

 

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