Microsoft partners with Georgia Tech

Microsoft will invest $600 000 in a research partnership with Georgia Tech (GT) to study radio-frequency identification technology (RFID) that will help develop cost-effective and secure labelling systems, states Atlanta Business Chronicle.

Under the two-year deal Microsoft and GT's Georgia Electronic Design Centre will develop technology that allows tiny printed RFID circuits to safely share product information and other data via wireless networks at low cost.

Microsoft says the real-time tracking technology can help reduce expensive prescription-filling errors and improve patient compliance. It would also help reduce fraud and expose drug counterfeits, by using hard-to-fake certificates of authenticity.

Northrop Grumman, a provider of security solutions, has won a contract to provide RFID hardware, software, and engineering services to the US Department of Defence, says Trading Markets.

Under the terms of the contract, Northrop Grumman's information systems sector will supply active RFID tags, readers, mobile kits, software, and the technical engineering services to implement this technology.

Tom Shelman, vice-president and general manager of information systems' civil systems division at Northrop Grumman, says: "Northrop Grumman has more than 10 years of experience providing RFID solutions to government customers”.

AeroScout, a provider of a WiFi-enabled RFID real-time location system, is unveiling additions to its product portfolio, reports RFID Journal.

The ultrasound solution includes new WiFi-active RFID tags that feature integrated ultrasound receivers.

AeroScout's WiFi tags transmit 2.4GHz signals and communicate their ID numbers to a wireless network composed of WiFi access points.