))) Texas Instruments Announces 13.56 MHz RFID Tag for Textile Rental and Dry Cleaning Applications

))) DALLAS, TX (August 11, 2003)

Texas Instruments RFid Systems (TI-RFid™), a worldwide leader in radio frequency identification (RFID) systems, today announced its new 13.56 MHz RFID tag for textile rental and dry cleaning applications. The ultra-thin, 22 mm circular transponder, housed in plastic, is fully compatible with the ISO 15693 standard and has been designed and tested to withstand the harsh industrial cleaning process. Sewn into or attached to textile items, TI-RFid™ tags provide more accurate identification and greater accountability as well as improve handling through each stage of cleaning and processing to final customer delivery.

TI’s 13.56 MHz Laundry Transponder provides a unique, 64-bit factory-programmed ID, which cannot be duplicated, ensuring that no items are misidentified. With 2000 bits of memory, the transponder, available in a read/write format, can be programmed with both user and application-specific information. The transponder’s unique ID can also be laser-etched on the plastic casing for visual identification. Up to 50 transponders per second can be simultaneously identified by an RFID reader/antenna with no line-of-sight required. TI also manufactures a variety of 13.56 MHz, ISO 15693 reader/antennas and partners with software developers and systems integrators to provide textile rental and dry cleaning customers with a turnkey RFID solution.

“As a pioneer in 13.56 MHz technology, TI has deployed more than 250 million tags worldwide in a range of RFID applications, including inventory management and supply chain,” said Bill Allen, marketing communications manager, Texas Instruments RFid Systems. “We’re now bringing our wealth of experience to the textile rental and dry cleaning industry with a product specifically designed for a harsh and demanding cleaning environment.”