SMARTRAC N.V.: RFID Research Center Certifies that SMARTRAC's UCODE 7 Based RFID Tags Are Fit for Global Use

SMARTRAC's RFID tags using the new UCODE 7 IC developed by NXP have passed the Arkansas Radio Compliance (ARC) tests defined by the RFID Research Center at the University of Arkansas. These tests certify that the upcoming Belt and Web RFID tags perform broadband and hence fully comply with ARC categories A, B, C, D, I and K.

The new designs offer increased read and write sensitivity, greater backscatter strength, faster writing speed and parallel encoding capabilities. In addition to these advantages the tags offer true global performance for worldwide use in the supply chain.

The above-mentioned categories that have been established as minimum RF performance requirements for various item groups and retailers. They are defined by different retail application areas and/or geographical RF frequencies.

Falling into ARC categories A, B, C, D, I and K, retailers and brand owners can deploy SMARTRAC's innovative RFID products for apparel globally, as they comply with frequency regulations set up in US (FCC), EU (ETSI) and Asia. This minimizes the amount of different inlays required for different market areas around the globe. Smartrac is among the first inlay manufacturers to have real broadband tag designs available.

'The inlays have simultaneously met requirements from US and European retailers making them a global solution in the small size form factor often requested today', says Justin B. Patton, Managing Director RFID Research Center at University of Arkansas, US.

'Passing the ARC tests with the new Belt and WEB UCODE 7 based RFID products, is a major achievement for SMARTRAC and our retail customers. Now they will be able to use one single RFID tag in all relevant markets around the world', commented Torsten Strauch, VP Segment Retail at SMARTRAC on the occasion of the 'EuroShop' trade fair at Düsseldorf.

More than 30 industry-leading companies - SMARTRAC being one of them - joined forces to found the RFID Research Center with the University of Arkansas to support a multidisciplinary, neutral, third-party research and testing facility. The RFID Research Center officially opened its first laboratory in 2005. ARC is a test system and database that stores comprehensive performance data of in-development and market available RFID tags.

About SMARTRAC:

SMARTRAC(R) is the leading developer, manufacturer and supplier of RFID and NFC transponders, tags and inlays. The company produces both ready-made and customized solutions used in access control, animal identification, automated fare collection, border control, RFID-based car immobilizers, contactless payment cards, electronic product identification, industry, libraries and media management, laundry, logistics, mobile and smart media, public transport, retail, and many more. SMARTRAC has its registered headquarters in Amsterdam, The Netherlands. The company maintains a global research and development, production and sales network. For more information, visit www.smartrac-group.com and follow us on Twitter: www.twitter.com/SMARTRAC_NV.

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