RFID
Circuit
Usually the
RFID Circuit is a single solid-state memory chip, but could also be
designed where several electronic components together are used to
form an integrated circuit design. The high integration of RFID
Circuit allows a relatively easy implementation into any customer
specific application. RFID Circuit is printed on a custom designed
screen press with conductive inks.
In older
systems, a fixed base station transmitter interrogates the vehicle
transceiver, which sends its ID in response. Such active systems are
bulky and expensive. But today, a new generation of RFID Circuit has
emerged. They use a fully passive receive/transmit unit called a tag
or transponder in the vehicle to respond to external interrogation.
These RFID tags are small and flat, and they require no battery
power. An RFID tag is as easy to attach to the windshield as an
inspection sticker.
The tag of RFID
Circuit consists of a resonant circuit tuned to 125 kHz, 134.2 kHz,
13.56 MHz, 915 MHz, or 2.4 GHz. The signal transmitted by the base
station is detected, and the RF output developed in the tuned
circuit is rectified into a dc voltage that powers a small
transmitter which sends a coded signal back to the base station. A
read range of up to several meters is possible with high enough
power and a good antenna. An on-chip Flash memory contains the ID
code. Such tags run under $10. Major manufacturers of RFID Circuit
and equipment are the Amtech Division of TransCore Inc., Microchip
Technology Inc., and Texas Instruments.
In 1989, it was
noticed that RFID Circuit will bring about new RF applications in
logistics. Radio Frequency Identification or RFID tags make it
possible to identify individual products by using wireless RF
signals. At high frequencies (e.g. at 900 MHz) tags can be read from
a distance of a few meters. RFID Circuit can convey logistic and
measurement information, & do not require power sources of their
own.
The
transponder, a RFID Circuit, serves as contact less accessible
memory to store tape-related information. It is comprised of
electrically erasable programmable read-only memory (EEPROM) and a
radio-frequency communication interface. This evolution in tape
cartridge intelligence enables the contents of a tape cartridge to
be reviewed without any physical contact between the tape and
reader. Ultrium-format tape drives offer significant performance
advantages--such as faster back-up, access and restore times,
especially in automated tape libraries. In addition, the transponder
enables diagnostic capabilities and reduced tape
wear.
EMM rolls out
RFID Circuit with small footprint: EM Microelectronic-Marin SA has
introduced the EM4222 UHF RFID Circuit, which is the first UHF IC in
a series of products for logistics applications. The EM4222 UHF RFID
Circuit chip is a Read-Only UHF and Microwave (300MHz to 2.45GHz)
single chip solution with a small footprint with two pads for
antenna attachment.
Suitable for
use in Supply Chain Management, transport and logistics management,
biologistics and industrial applications, the EM4222 UHF RFID
Circuit chip also suits parcel and baggage tracking, as well as
sport applications. The company has also announced a special wafer
thinning service that produces wafers that are thin enough to be
embedded in clothing and paper. Applications of the thin wafers
include RFID and smart cards, security paper, anti-counterfeit
measures in the clothing industry, implantable medical electronics
and hearing aids, and stacked ICs.
