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Yesterday, the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) adopted a rule designed to increase rail yard and port security by improving radio frequency identification (RFID) systems used by transportation authorities to scan containers.

FCC will increase the maximum allowable signal level for RFID systems operating in the 433.5 to 434.5 MHz band to foster more reliable and far-reaching transmissions. The commission also will increase the systems' maximum permitted transmission duration from one to 60 seconds, enabling users to transmit more data and scan an entire container's contents.

To minimize interference risks to authorized communication services, higher power and longer-transmitting RFID systems will be limited to commercial shipping containers in commercial and industrial areas.

FCC rules permit RFID systems to be operated on a number of frequency bands, subject to signal level and transmission duration limits.