Radio Frequency Identification Technology for Logistics, Tagging and EPC

IDS Adding UHF Reader IC and SAL Chip to Its RFID Portfolio

Friday, December 14, 2007

IDS Microchip, a semiconductor company focusing on RFID and sensor market, has announced two new products, which will be added to its RFID portfolio.

The company, specializing in integrated circuits for RFID system solutions, are expanding their existing portfolio with the addition of a new UHF RFID reader and an integrated Smart Active Label chip.


Wollerau, Switzerland, and Toronto, Canada (December 14, 2007) IDS Microchip, a semiconductor company focusing on RFID and sensor market, has announced two new products, which will be added to its RFID portfolio.

The first announcement was the release of its UHF RFID reader IC (IDS-R900G) in cooperation with Austriamicrosystems. With its low power consumption, intrinsic data framing, CRC checking and MCU support functions, IDS-R900G has been designed from ground up for the handheld and embedded solutions. It can easily be made to hop between channels to support DRM (Dense Reader Mode) functionality. It also can detect RSSI in both AM and PM effectively eliminating communication holes as well as improving multiple tag reading through its patented AGC (Automatic Gain Control) and AGL functionality.

“However, perhaps the most notable aspect of using IDS-R900G is the ability to achieve an electronic BOM of less than 50 Euro for a complete reader solution (in 1K quantity), while reducing the cost of development at the same time.” mentioned Oluf Alminde, Marketing Director at IDS Microchip, “This would be an enabler for the market that has suffered due to the high price associated with UHF RFID Reader solutions.” Samples and evaluation kits are available now.

The second product announcement is the early adopter programs for an integrated Smart Active Label (SAL) chip that could measure temperature with a 0.5ºC accuracy, and log it against real time. IDS-SL13A also has an analogue sensor interface that allows the connection of an external sensor.

Three independent password protection areas allow for high degree of security while parameters could be set through SPI. The chip also supports an alarm system as well as functions to calculate shelf life. Anti collision, 8k-bit E2PROM and ISO 15693 compliant are among other capabilities offered by this IC.

Although optimized for single-cell battery (1.5V or 3.0V) operation, the IDS-SL13A can also be powered by the RF field (electromagnetic wave from an RFID reader). The IDS-SL13A is perticular suitable for monitoring and tracking of temperature-sensitive products in applications like supply chain, cool chain, pharma/medical, etc.

“Our early adopter programs have been designed to help our clients reduce risk and time to market” proclaimed Oluf Alminde, “as being first on their market and supporting their clients is an important aspect of their business and we do all to support them ” he added. Samples for early adopters would be available in first quarter 2008.

About IDS Microchip

IDS (represented by IC Magic Inc. in Americas) is a semiconductor company specialized in integrated circuits for RFID system solutions including readers, enhanced tags and labels with sensors for both HF and UHF systems. With its long history in RFID development, IDS offers one of the most complete semiconductor portfolio comprising both passive, semi-passive as well as active RFID systems.

www.ids-microchip.com

Contact Europe: Oluf Alminde T. +41 55 462 1101 F. +41 55 462 1103

oluf.alminde@ids-microchip.com

Contact Americas: Kurosh(Cyrus) Hayat Davoudi T. +1 416 227 9196 F. +41 55 462 1103

kurosh.hayat@ic-magic.com [end] 

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