The MC9000-G with RFID is capable of reading all Electronic Product Code (EPC) Generation 1 tags, according to the company. Symbol is also promising a firmware upgrade that will add EPC Generation 2 protocols when they become available.
(Click here for larger image)The MC9000-G with RFID is available in two versions -- one that reads EPC Class 0 tags and another that reads Class 1 tags. Class 0 tags operate at 900 MHz. There are two options for Class 1 tags -- 13.56 MHz or 860 to 930 MHz.
Both models are based on a 400 MHz Intel PXA255 processor with 64 MB of RAM and 64 MB of Flash memory. The Class 1 model runs either Windows CE or Windows Mobile 2003, whereas the Class 0 model runs only Windows Mobile, according to Symbol. The devices are available with either monochrome or color QVGA displays.
The company notes that EPC is the RFID "standard of choice globally" for high-performance supply chain management applications and is currently being mandated by a number of leading global retailers and the US Department of Defense. Products supporting the current generation of the EPC standard -- known as Generation 1 (Gen 1) -- are currently in use; implementations of the next version of the standard -- Generation 2 (Gen 2) -- are in development.
In addition to being firmware upgradable to Gen 2 protocols, the MC9000-G RFID will also support simultaneous reading of Gen 1 and Gen 2 tags, according to Symbol. This allows users to take advantage of additional Gen 2 functionality while making a smooth transition from Gen 1 to Gen 2.
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