Alien Technology announced a software update for its enterprise class readers – ALR-9900+ and ALR-9900+EMA – that supports LLRP (Low-Level Reader Protocol) Version 1.1. This single software update supports both Alien Reader Protocol (ARP) and LLRP.

LLRP is a specification from GS1 EPCglobal for a standard network interface between RFID readers and controlling software or hardware, with the goal to simplify application development for end-users by eliminating the need to conform to different proprietary communication protocols provided by each RFID vendor.

This software release enables customers to change from one protocol to the other without ordering specific SKUs or changing out previously installed units. To access some of the advanced features, Alien is also providing limited additional LLRP extensions to higher-level, Alien-specific features (i.e., dynamic authentication and read locking of the user memory).

However, ARP enables the full set of Alien enterprise reader capabilities, including full Autonomous Mode and Alien’s advanced filtering that aims to offer less network traffic, less network infrastructure and smaller less expensive servers.