RFID Temp Logger Monitors Cargo Shipments

Nov 18, 2008 10:06 AM, MD&D News Staff

The ZMD41211 multifunction temperature logger and smart-label RFID IC precisely monitors and records the temperature and humidity of products during the shipping process. The IC, from ZMD AG, also records time so shippers can avoid discarding products that have been exposed only briefly to temperatures outside the permitted range.

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The device is highly integrated, including a passive transponder, temperature sensor, timer, and EEPROM. Temperature logging requires only a small external coil and a 1.3-V battery. It’s fully wireless and fully complies with ISO 15693, so the ZMD41211 is easy to implement in existing supply chains. Adding sensors to monitor humidity and other factors is easy with the on-chip I2C bus interface.

The device has eight modes of temperature recording. It can be set, for example, to record only temperature values that exceed user-defined limits. This ensures that memory isn’t wasted storing data that is within the specified parameters. Alternatively, the device can log up to 720 temperature readings for a complete record of cargo exposure. The measurement frequency is programmable. Once the data is read, the chip can be reprogrammed and reused.

The ZMD41211 is available as bare die at $1.91 (EURO 1.47) each for 5000. A packaged version will be available in 2009. ZMD also offers customization for high-volume applications.