Active RFID Systems, Inc. provides innovative Easy-Trak™ battery-powered RFID devices and systems. We supply the lowest cost RF supply chain management tools on the global market today for Total Asset Tracking, In-Transit Visibility, and security and data networking. Our patent pending infrared communication mode enables very low cost data transfer via existing mobile computers.

 The ARS system-level architecture is supported by hardware and software to enable asset tracking from the manufacturing floor to final delivery destination. The system's open architecture allows it to work with and integrate into existing IT infrastructures, and is designed for both hardware and software modularity.

 The system can integrate bar codes and certain passive RFID tags and active tags. The system data output formats are compatible with the EPC emerging standards.

 One of the biggest drawbacks to the industrial usage of both passive and active RFID tags is the fact that in a field of many, it nearly impossible to communicate with a single tag. For passive applications, this is often not an issue as users want every tag in the field to respond. However, in active RFID it is essential to know the complement of data coming back is from a specific tag and not a random placement tag also located within the field of engagement.

This "singularity" of tag isolation is absolutely essential to database integrity. Neither false positives nor false negatives should be tolerated in a tracking situation. On the other hand, the ability to achieve batch mode scanning (all tags located in the field of engagement responding) is also a practical necessity. The Active RFID Systems, Inc. dual mode system enables both of these critical operating parameters to be met. A single tag adjacent to others can be individually selected or an entire warehouse of tags can be selected simultaneously.

 ARS products incorporate both RF output and bi-directional infrared operating modes. In addition to cost savings – by using the infrared system the cost of the tag is reduced by 30% - this system is air-transport compatible with RF silence. This means that, although some other systems may meet this requirement, only the Active RFID system enables radio silence while retaining 100% tag utility with 40 kb/sec data transfer via infrared.

 The ARS technology also operates on almost any handheld device containing an IrDA port (e.g. PDA, PDT, mobile computer), and a licensed software application runs on the vast majority of these devices, enabling infrared communication to the tags.

 The ARS EPC-compliant ID protocol tags operate at 433.92 MHz (optional 868-915 MHz), in FCC-compliant beacon operating mode with read-write capabilities of up to 4MB. Temperature, humidity, shock, and pressure sensing options are available.

 Both ARS tags and readers are available in NEMA 4 IP-67 ratings. The readers are network-compatible with 802.11.b, 802.11.. The systems can be networked with Zigbee self-configuring reader all incorporating bi-directional infrared communication. The readers and triggers are compatible with portal operation.

 ARS also licenses firmware, software and middleware with Oracle and SAP database integration; software partners include Octave Technology, Asset Pulse and Perfectech.