OMRON has unveiled a new half-size HF (13.56MHz) aluminum RFID inlay that boasts a footprint approximately 50% smaller than its current card-sized product.

Compliant with ISO/IEC 15693 standards, the new inlay is the second product in Omron’s V730 HF aluminum-based range and will be available for shipment from early August 2007.

At 46mm wide by 75mm tall, Omron’s existing card-sized HF aluminum inlay (V730S-D13-P01) is slightly smaller than an average business or credit card. By contrast, the newly released inlay is approximately 50% smaller (46mm by 43mm), while achieving a read range of roughly 35cm, comparable with Omron’s copper-based inlay of the same size.

One of the most common applications for HF RFID inlays is in library management systems, where they are used in labels attached to books. While card-sized labels are commonly used for such applications in Europe and Japan, half-size labels are standard in the US and in some parts of Asia Pacific. This market is set to grow considerably as governments around the world encourage investment in IT infrastructure. In addition, the inlay’s small size opens up avenues to a wide range of other applications, including tags for clothing, logistics and distribution management for pharmaceutical products, asset management and access control to restricted areas. Omron’s expanded line-up of HF inlays allows customers to choose the optimum size for their specific application.

Through cooperation with partner companies, Omron can also provide converted products including labels, laminated inlays and plastic packed tags. The new half size inlays will also be available in label form. In addition, Omron is committed to responding flexibly to customer requests for aluminum-based inlays in formats and shapes other than card-size and half-size.