By bringing to market smart, active label chips, Wollerau, Switzerland-based RFID chip supplier IDS Microchip AG has significantly widened the scope of affordable automatic data logging for RFID applications. Priced significantly lower than existing RFID temperature-sensing modules, this sophisticated chip for the first time makes it practical to automatically track, monitor, time-stamp and record information about any goods in any supply chain or cold chain transport – from expensive fragile components, medical goods and pharmaceuticals, to bags of bananas – on land, sea or sky, said IDS Microchip. The new 13.56 MHz IDS-SL13A chip will be demonstrated at the EURO ID 2008 trade fair in Cologne, Germany, May 13-15.

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According to the manufacturer, the IDS-SL13A is an actives/semi-passive tag chip optimized for single-cell, battery-powered smart labels with sensor functionality. It assigns a unique identity code to whatever is labeled. An eco-friendly battery (1.5 V or 3 V) supports the integrated real-time clock and EEPROM memory to allow on-chip logging of data from the internal temperature sensor as well as other external sensors. The analog sensor interface allows connection to an external sensor. The chip measures temperature with a 0.5 °C accuracy and logs it against real time. It also includes a SPI port to connect to external circuitry for display; this allows further communication with the chip, and direct access to the EEPROM for easy setting of parameters and functions. The chip supports an alarm system and functions that calculate shelf life.

Consequently, the new high-frequency RFID chip can check on and record unseen changes such as extreme temperatures that can impact goods. Hence, it enables companies to immediately know shipment quality, saving significant time and expense. ISO15693-compliant, it also is suitable for other applications such as electronic ticketing of mail, packages and passengers; or tracking hospital patient information without direct physical contact.

Oluf Alminde, director of sales and marketing at IDS Microchip, said, “The market for automatic data logging and tracking systems, including cold chain, is growing rapidly. Our fully tested chip – 10 times more economical than what’s available now, and packaged in smart active labels smaller than a credit card and as thin and flexible as plastic wrap – will revolutionize data logging and tracking system deployment. It leapfrogs two generations beyond the bar code, and we expect this unique technology will open many new markets and significantly benefit businesses worldwide.”

The IDS-SL13A chip also works in passive mode with no battery, without the real-time clock function. This approach is intended for applications in which a reader initiates the logging and the data is stored in the reader, using an analog-to-digital converter. The chip controls whether it takes data from internal or external sensors, or both. Access to the smart label chip is protected through a 3-level password authentication. Users can add other types of external sensors for packages to monitor shock control, humidity, or other factors.

Implemented in 0.35 µm CMOS process, the RFID chip is available now for sampling, as tested wafers or packaged parts in a 12-pin QFN package. It is slated for full production in June. Pricing is slightly less than one Euro in volumes of 100,000, according to IDS Microchip. Additionally, the supplier is also readying an UHF version, which is expected to be unveiled by the year-end.

www.ids-microchip.com

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