WJ Communications Inc. (WJCI, San Jose, CA), a leading designer and supplier of radio-frequency (RF) semiconductors and multi-chip modules, announced that it has entered into a strategic partnership with Alien Technology Corp., a provider of high-volume, low-cost, radio frequency identification (RFID) products. WJ is applying both its radio expertise and RF semiconductor integration intellectual property to address the need for low-cost RFID readers capable of working in real-world environments.
The small reader engines - about the size of a PCMCIA-card - include the RF and electronic circuitry required to read and program Auto-ID Center Class 1 electronic product code tags. They are designed to be integrated with an external power supply and antenna to create a complete reader. The devices will enable a wide range of reader/programmer solutions, including hand-held, printer, material handling and industrial products developed by Alien and others. Production units are expected by the fourth calendar quarter of 2003.
