More 100% reads
The ultimate RFID reader would achieve 100% read rates 100% of the time. We don’t think
this is an impossible dream, and Mercury 5 proves it. It’s the fifth generation of our widely
deployed Mercury platform, and it provides more 100% read rates than ever before, on a wider
variety of products.

Goes beyond Dense Reader Mode to ignore all interference
EPC Generation 2 includes a feature called Dense Interrogator Channelized Signaling, or
Dense Reader Mode (DRM) to help solve one of the problems that prevents 100% reads
- interference. But DRM only addresses interference from other DRM-compliant RFID readers.
It doesn’t solve the whole interference problem, which can include things like other RFID
readers, legacy wireless networks, cordless phones and noise from fluorescent lights. These
interferers impair RFID performance in many large-scale real world applications - for example at
distribution center dock doors and on high speed conveyors. Like its predecessor Mercury 4,
the new Mercury 5 fully supports Dense Reader Mode. But it goes well beyond DRM to ignore
all interference - not just interference from other DRM-compliant readers. As a result, Mercury
5 outperforms DRM–only readers anywhere there are multiple sources of interference. This is
why it gives more 100% reads more often.

All the features of Mercury 4 - including multiple protocols
Mercury 5 is fully compatible with Mercury 4 interfaces and deployments, and supports the
same high levels of network, security, developer and other functionality, including fully optimized
support for EPC Generation 1 Class 1 and Class 0 and ISO 18000-6B, as well as EPC
Generation 2. This seamless multiple protocol capability is the result of ThingMagic’s powerful
Software Defined Radio technology, which has been further enhanced in Mercury 5 - and it
gives assurance that Mercury 5 will adapt to ever changing RFID tag protocols, including new
variants from Generation 2 tag makers, the forthcoming ISO 18000-6C standard, as well as
EPC Generation 3, expected around 2008 - 9. This commitment to dynamic protocol support
is essential for anyone planning to amortize their RFID infrastructure over 3 or more years.
And like Mercury 4, Mercury 5 is ruggedized to survive physically challenging deployment
environments.

Performance goes up. Price goes down
Another major advance in Mercury 5 is the price. Careful design and advances in key
components mean the while the performance is greatly increased, the price is greatly reduced.
Mercury 5 launches with a Manufacturer’s Recommended Selling Price (MSRP) of just $1995,
with discounts for large volumes. At the same time, cost reductions in Mercury 4 mean this
widely deployed, market-leading DRM compliant reader is now available at an MSRP of only
$995.

Hardware Specification

Mechanical & Environmental Specification

Radio Frequency Specification

Software Specification

RQL Summary

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