[SatNews] Norsat International Inc. (“Norsat") (TSX: NII and OTC BB: NSATF) is offering a new RFID tag. Norsat, a provider of broadband communications solutions, announced today that its Microwave Business Unit will now offer RFID on-metal tags and readers as part of its microwave components product line. The Norsat RFID tag can be read when adhered to metal surfaces, and offers a compact, light weight and economical method for tracking and monitoring assets such as vehicles, baggage, products and inventory. Norsat’s RFID reader provides an automated solution for ensuring product security and managing inventory and product warranty. The RFID reader is available in a desktop option as well as a bay door option to provide maximum flexibility to users.

Dr. Amiee Chan, Norsat’s President and CEO stated, “We believe offering RFID products to our customers will act as a perfect complement to our microwave components division. We continue to listen to our customers and many expressed that asset tracking has become more of a necessity among end users. As a result, we have reacted quickly to offer RFID products in conjunction with our microwave components product line, which we believe will help us grow sales as well as retain our forefront position as an industry leader in the microwave components space.”

Norsat will debut this new line of products at CABSAT MENA 2011 on February 8, 2011 at the Dubai International Convention and Exhibition Centre. Now in its 17th year, CABSAT MENA is the third largest event in the world and region's most important event for the Digital Media industry. The show serves broadcasters, commercial entities, telecoms operators, government, NGO’s, the military amongst others. The show is combined with Satellite MENA and last year 8,837 participants attended from 104 countries with 11 national pavilions in 2010.

Norsat RFID readers are compatible with EPC Class 1, Gen 1, ISO-18000-6C, ISO 18000-6B, Ucode EPC 1.19 (256 bits), and EM IPX protocols, and RFID tags use ISO-18000-6C protocol. Norsat's RFID tag offers 512 bits of memory and a read range of 1.5m (100% read). Norsat RFID readers are available in 902 to 928MHz, and feature a RS-232 (baud rate 9600 to 115000) or USB interface. The desktop RFID reader is available in a rugged 5 inch by 3 inch package for portable use within a facility. The bay door RFID reader is available in a 16 inch round package and can be mounted by a warehouse bay door to track all tagged products that enter or exit the facility.