M/A-COM Technology Solutions Inc., a provider of innovative microwave and RF design solutions and products, announced the availability of a new floor-mounted RFID portal capable of detecting the direction of travel (DoT) of RFID-tagged items.

“Given today’s evolving security and supply chain management landscape, it is not enough that an RFID portal simply registers a tagged item within its sensor range,” said Paul Schwab, engineering manager, M/A-COM Technology Solutions. “The ability of our floor-mounted DoT portals to calculate the direction an RFID tagged item travelled delivers a new level of security and information to the supply chain management field. The bi-directional processing also allows the more advanced middleware providers to more easily discriminate false reads and achieve ultra high levels of confidence in tracking supplies and assets.”

Initially M/A-COM Technology Solutions is offering the rugged floor-mounted DoT RFID portals in North America (MAID-000028-F02020, MAID-000028-F02120 and MAID-000028-F02040) and worldwide later this year. A galvanized steel frame in conjunction with a high-strength thermoformed radome gives the DoT RFID portal a structurally rigid frame while also maintaining a sleek, low-profile look. A front access panel to power outlets, the reset switch and the reader simplifies service and technology updates. Multi-sided conduit connections, a full-length electrical box and heavy duty mounting feet reduce system installation costs.

M/A-COM Technology Solutions’ Directional Antenna (MAAN-000223-AT0000 through MAAN-000226-AT0000) is a mono-static RFID antenna designed for uses in which the direction of travel of a tagged product is required. The antennas have specialized narrow-beam, high-gain patterns with the main beams electrically “squinted” to either side allowing for superior discrimination across the field of view. The antennas easily mount in all M/A-COM Technology Solutions’ portals, eliminating the need for specialized installs, sensors and canted brackets. Providing the DoT information to the enterprise system over standard LLRP messaging, the portals are powered by Impinj Speedway® readers, which deliver high-performance and reliability.