Abstract: A tag communication method includes providing a tag reader operating at a first frequency and having transmit and receive antenna ports, providing a frequency converter module having transmit and receive plugs adapted to directly mate with the transmit and receive ports, and directly mating the transmit plug with the transmit port and the receive plug with the receive port. A transmit signal at the first frequency is received from the reader by the converter module by way of the directly mated transmit plug and converted to a second frequency differing from the first frequency to provide a converted transmit signal which is transmitted to the tag. A receive signal is received from the tag at the second frequency and converted to the first frequency to provide a converted receive signal which is applied by the conversion module to the reader by way of the directly mated receive plug.

Abstract: A resonant circuit which forms part of a security tag for use in an electronic security system includes a fusible link which opens the circuit in response to radio frequency at the resonant frequency. The fusible link opens at a lower signal intensity than otherwise, because the substances of which it is made include at least one accelerator that promotes the fuse action.