Opportunities Abound For Passive RFID

Passive, batteryless RFID (radio frequency identification) technology has been around for decades, yet today there are numerous opportunities for VARs and systems integrators to take advantage of a host of new applications. Think beyond open loop retail supply chain and put your knowledge of RFID to work in closed loop asset tracking, contactless payment, government-issued ID, and medical tracking applications to expand your business. Passive RFID growth is being driven by an increase in the demand by companies for asset track-and-trace capability, the decreasing cost of the technology, international standardization, and integration with other wireless technologies.

The Hot Markets For Passive RFID
RFID has a proven ROI in asset management, access control and closed-loop inventory management with businesses saving millions of dollars from being better able to track assets and authenticate identity and items.

Beyond the traditional RFID applications is secured contactless transactions. American Express, MasterCard, and Visa all have contactless programs underway and retailers, particularly fast food restaurants, convenience stores, and drug stores, are installing readers that accept consumer contactless payment cards and fobs. There are more than 65,000 merchant locations to date.

Governments around the world have implemented, or are in the process of issuing, contactless electronic identification documents such as passports. TI is developing its smart IC (integrated circuit) platform for this market using an advanced memory technology called FRAM (Ferroelectric Random Access Memory). FRAM offers an improvement over today's government ID chip technology by enabling fast and accurate production, personalization and processing of government-issued electronic IDs.

RFID in medical applications is another growing trend that has the potential to save lives and money. One example, the SmartSponge™ System from ClearCount, uses High-Frequency (HF) tags from TI to automate the process of managing surgical sponges during surgery. The sponges are permanently affixed with passive RFID tags smaller than a dime, helping prevent "retained surgical items," protecting patient safety.

HF Reader ICs Pack Low Power Into A Small Package For Embedded RFID
The miniaturization, low power, and new capabilities of the latest RFID reader ICs operating at 13.56 MHz make it easier for systems designers to develop embedded RFID applications.

TI's TRF7960(1) RF reader chips feature more functionality that reduce overall system complexity, bill of materials (BOM), and the need for additional software. Furthermore, smaller RF chip packages about the size of a quarter enable smaller system designs that expand the realm of products for embedded RFID.

Low-Frequency RFID Continues To Prove Its Performance
UHF technology may capture a greater share of attention these days, but field-hardened Low Frequency (LF) technology remains a staple in a number of applications such as recycling and waste management, livestock, and automotive work-in-process tracking. Here is why:

More Resistant To Moisture: LF's large radio frequency wavelength isn't absorbed by moisture as much as HF's and Ultra-High Frequency's (UHF's) small and compact waves, thereby making LF more resistant to moisture.

Half-Duplex = Stronger Signal: One of the advantages of TI 30mm LF transponder is an air interface communication scheme called half duplex frequency modulation, which means the reader shuts down during the tag's response, or simply, the reader and tag don't talk to each other at the same time.

Absorbed By Metal: Metal environments have an adverse effect on the ability to read a tag. UHF electromagnetic signals bounce off the metal, causing read holes that make reading the tag inaccurate and inconsistent. LF signals are magnetic, small and direct, meaning they don't bounce off metal and interfere with the signal between that tag and reader.

LF, HF, UHF, or contactless technology for secured transactions, the opportunities where RFID can lend itself today are endless. And just as it is important to select the right technology for the application requirements, TI understands that it just has to work. The right RFID technology is one that is optimized to perform over time and under the customer's conditions to make any market opportunity a reality.

For more information, go to www.ti-rfid.com for the nearest sales office or distributor nearest you.

TI-RFid™ Product Information Center
Texas Instruments Incorporated
6550 Chase Oaks Boulevard, MS 8470
Plano, TX 75023
PH: (800) 962-RFID [7343]
rfidsupport@ti.com
www.ti.com/rfid