LXE Debuts RFID-Enabled, EPC-Compliant Rugged Handheld Computer

New wireless computer capable of reading barcodes, Class 0 and Class 1 electronic product code/radio frequency identification tags

New wireless computer capable of reading barcodes, Class 0 and Class 1 electronic product code/radio frequency identification tags

Atlanta — November 29, 2004 — LXE, a manufacturer of rugged wireless computing solutions designed to improve the performance of supply chain execution applications, has rolled out a new "RFID-enabled" rugged handheld computer, the MX3-RFID.

The MX3-RFID is based on LXE's current MX3 horizontal half-screen wireless computer. The mobile handheld unit is capable of reading both barcodes and EPC-compliant RFID tags, providing companies with the flexibility to use one unit for both traditional bar code-based data collection applications and RFID applications.

"With the MX3-RFID, support and training costs are minimized, because system administrators have to support only one computer type, and operators have to learn only one device," LXE said in announcing the new unit.

The unit includes an EPC-compliant, class 0 (read only) and class 1 (write once, read many) tag reader. The unit's firmware is also Gen 2 field upgradeable so companies won't have to buy new hardware or even take the units out of the field when they upgrade to the new standard, according to LXE.

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The MX3-RFID runs the Windows CE .NET operating system, and the tag reader and RFID antenna are protected in a very low-profile enclosure in the rear of the unit to help prevent damage. Users can control what's being read by the MX3-RFID with the unit's user-controlled "read range" (RF power setting), LXE said.

In addition, application programming interfaces (APIs) are also available for easier application development, and the MX3-RFID includes "keyboard wedge" software that places valid EPC data directly into the keyboard buffer so that any off-the-shelf application can access the data without complex development, according to the solution provider.

Transitioning from barcode read mode to RFID-tag read mode requires simply pressing the left scan button to scan barcodes and the right scan button for RFID tags. Battery life is sufficient to last through a full eight-hour shift, LXE said.
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