Wireless Technology at 2008 HKEF Spring

     RFID is one of those cutting edge technologies that has immense promise but seems surprisingly slow coming to market. In the ICT Expo show, which ran concurrently with the Hong Kong Electronics Fair, several companies were showing innovative wireless products, and among them was Bisa Technologies, which put on show a range of Active RFID products, clearly demonstrating the tremendous potential of the technology.
     One of these items was a 2.4GHz Adjustable Gain Reader, model 24GR02A, BW01A, designed for ultra-low power consumption, allowing it to be used in high risk environments, where flammable and explosive materials are present. These could include gas stations and chemical plants. The unit’s omni-directional antenna can identify and track items from different directions, and users can adjust the identification distance, as required, to make identification more accurate.
     Project engineer Jovin Liu said that Bisa Technologies started out in 2003, and, headquartered in Hong Kong, the company remains a specialist designer and manufacturer of active RFID products capable of utilizing a variety of interfaces, including WiFi, in the case of the company’s long range WiFi RFID reader.
     Liu indicated that total monthly shipments are now in the range of 150,000 units, and there is keen interest in and demand for active RFID technology in Canada, Switzerland, Germany and Brazil. Typical applications, said Liu, were warehouse management and real-time tracking of assets, including box files circulating in companies and large organizations, which could be fitted with an active RFID tag.
     Bisa Technologies has a website at www.bisa.com.hk.

Shenzhen MobiData
     Another highly innovative wireless company on show in the ICT Expo was Shenzhen MobiData Communication Technology Co., Ltd., which started out in 2003 and specializes in the design and manufacturing of GPRS, EDGE and HSDPA wireless cards. At the booth, the company was offering the following lineup: a USB interface GPRS/ EDGE/ HSDPA wireless modem; an RS232 interface GPRS/ EDGE wireless modem; a PCMCIA interface GPRS/ EDGE/ HSDPA wireless modem; a GPRS/ EDGE/ HSDPA ExpressCard modem and a GPRS/ EDGE /HSDPA wireless Router.
     Shenzhen MobiData’s GPRS modem with a PCMCIA, USB, RS232 or ExpressCard interface can be used outdoors or in the event that a wired link to the Iinternet is not available. A user would be able to access a network from a moving train, for example. Applications could include surfing the Internet; data transmission; sending and receiving SMS items; sending and receiving email; sending and receiving faxes.
     The ExpressCard GPRS modem supports tri-band GSM at 900/ 1800 and 1900MHz and GPRS Multislot Class 10. The USB interface EDGE modem supports quad-band GSM t 850/ 900/ 1800 and 1900MHz. In addition there is support for EDGE (E-GPRS) Multislot Class 10 and GPRS Multislot Class 10. The company’s HSDPA wireless modem with USB interface supports HSDPA, UMTS, EDGE and GPRS wireless technologies.
     Shenzhen MobiData Communication Technology is continuously updating its products and attempting to reduce costs. The company is confident that it can offer its two brands, “MobiData” and “Easy-net” in a combination of high quality and relatively low price.
     Shenzhen MobiData Communication Technology has a website at www.mobidata.com.cn.

Internet radios show up at Hong Kong Electronics Fair

     A handful of companies were showing Internet radios at this year’s HKEF (Hong Kong Electronics Fair), Spring Edition, and these included ATZ Limited, a small, Hong Kong based company that started out just two and a half years ago, with a focus on Internet radio. There are about half a dozen employees who between them handle all product design and implementation. The company designs its own firmware, for example, as well as circuit boards. ATZ has also designed a portal website, which operates as a server for over 20,000 “radio” websites in over 200 countries. ATZ ensures that content is constantly scrutinized and maintained.
     ATZ is currently offering three models of Internet radio, all based around a chip from Motorola. All three are available, currently, and in mass production.
     All three models are available with either a WiFi (802.11 wireless LAN) or wired connection to the Internet. ATZ director Cheong Chan commented that while WiFi can be convenient, allowing end users to carry an Internet radio around the home for example, a cabled connection is always more secure.
     Model IR1 is a basic Internet radio for the desktop. Model IR2 has audio Left and Right connectors, allowing the unit to be connected to an audio amplifier or self-amplifying speakers. Model IR2 also has an SD card slot, where the user can plug in a SD cad and listen to MP3 sound. Model IR3 delivers enhanced audio. All three models support stereo audio.
     Commented Chan, Internet radio is increasingly popular, with an international audience. Said Chan, it is increasingly popular with what he calls the “homesick,” people who are living and working abroad from their country of origin. Internet radio saw significant growth in demand in 2007, noted Chan.
     Maybe in future, added Chan, Internet radio will become a standard feature of smartphones capable of connecting with the Internet via WiFi. Said Chan, Internet radio is cost effective for both the user and the maker. It does not present the inherent problems of digital radio, where signals might be blocked by tall buildings.

Internet radio from Weiman
     Weiman Electronic Co., Ltd., based in Foshan, Guangdong Province, China, manufactures a wide range of Home Theaters, DVD/VCD/CD media players and amplifiers. A strong focus is mini hi-fi audio player systems, but the product lineup now also includes Internet radios.
     Weiman’s Internet radios, models NR-100 and NR-200, are full featured and include a digital clock with an alarm function. The operational status of the radio is displayed on a blue LCD. They are all capable of connecting to the Internet via WiFi (802.11a), in addition to cabled Ethernet, and all support WPA and WEP wireless security.
     All of Weiman’s Internet radios support the decoding of WMA, MP3 and Real Audio streams. All are fitted with a USB port, enabling connection to compatible MP3 players, USB memory sticks and host PCs, and the playback of audio files stored on these devices.
     Internet radio is a new product line for Weiman, and at time of interview, the products were sampling. According to sales manager Frances Mo, mass production is scheduled for this May. The company was founded in 2001, and after five years of fast development, it now has a staff of over 200, including 20 experienced engineers. Most of the company’s products are exported to Europe, North America and some Asian countries.
     The company has a website at www.chinaweiman.com.