))) Texas Instruments RFid Systems Introduces Multi-Function Reader Module for Contactless Payment Applications

))) DALLAS, TX (March 4, 2003)

Texas Instruments RFid Systems (TI-RFid™), a leading integrated manufacturer of radio frequency identification (RFID) tags, smart labels and reader systems, today introduced its new Multi-Function Reader Module, a flexible and low-cost device that accepts ISO/IEC 14443 and ISO/IEC 15693 standards-compliant radio frequency (RF) transponders used for contactless payment applications. Texas Instruments’ new reader module supports Speedpass™ low frequency (134.2 kHz) technology, used by more than 6 million consumers in North America, as well as TI’s 13.56 MHz ISO 15693 transponder family and new transponders built on TI’s recently announced ISO 14443 Type B platform. With the highly versatile reader module, POS and payment terminal manufacturers are no longer locked into supporting only one transponder solution for contactless payment applications.

Texas Instruments’ Proximity Coupling Device (PCD) module is fully compliant with ISO 14443 Type A and B and ISO 15693, providing opportunities for true interoperability across suppliers and protocols. With its small size and flash upgradeable firmware, allowing for fast and easy remote upgrades, it is designed for embedded solutions from point-of-sale (POS) and payment terminal manufacturers serving the following markets: banking, public transit, general retail, quick-service restaurants, hospitality and vending.

TI’s Multi-Function Reader Module is easy to integrate into existing infrastructures and supports multi-applications such as payment and loyalty. The new reader features an open platform so that a range of security architectures can be designed in depending on the specific needs of the application. The design is also highly scalable to support custom requirements from plug-in to fully-packaged solutions.

“As the market leading provider of RF solutions, this new product is an important step in advancing our vision of interoperability for contactless payment applications and is the catalyst the market has been waiting for,” said V.C. Kumar, strategy manager for wireless commerce, TI-RFid™ Systems.

Texas Instruments is sampling the Multi-Function Reader Module with core customers and will be in full production in early Q2 2003.