BDG-COTAG IB-968 Pre-programmed passive proximity card

Cotag is a very convenient and user-friendly card technology that is unique on the market. When Cotag technology is used, it is possible to have both proximity and hands-free card reading in the same system. All Cotag readers can read both active (long-range) and passive (proximity) Cotag cards and tags, and both types of cards and tags can be mixed in the same system to provide ultimate convenience and cost-efficiency. This is particularly useful in cases where some cardholders are disabled or where hands are often occupied, such as in a hospital or a warehouse. Cotag is more secure than standard 125 kHz technology because the content on the card is protected and there

is no equipment available outside Siemens to copy or tamper with the cards.

Smart cards offer a high level of security and provide the advantage of being multi-purpose. They function as proximity access cards, but since they can store much more information they can also be used as cash cards at company restaurants or vending machines, for example. It is also possible to store biometric data such as fingerprint templates.

The main advantage of using standard (125 kHz) proximity cards and tags – as opposed to magnetic stripe cards – is that they only need to be held near the reader in order to be read, rather than being swiped. This means less wear and tear on cards and more convenience for system users.

Cards and Transponders

Reading Distances

The reading distances for smart cards and standard proximity (125 kHz) cards and tags tend
to be in the range of 4 to 7 cm. As a result, reading distance is usually not a significant factor
to consider in the selection of reader model or card/tag style in those systems. In Cotag systems, however, the reading distance varies considerably depending on which combination of reader and card or tag is selected. Therefore the reading distance is a very important factor to consider when selecting the reader models and cards and tags that will be used in a Cotag system.

To help you decide which combination of Cotag readers, cards and tags would be most appropriate at your site, please refer to the table below.