Cattle give RFIDs field trials

The EM4569 RFID from EM Microelectronic is currently in field trials in North America. The RFID has been adopted by several tag manufacturers and used as a safe and efficient alternative to other forms of branding or marking cattle.

For cattle in England, one identification tag is required, allowing each cow to be tracked throughout its life. Many farms also use a second tag to identify age and medical history. While identification tags are not required by law in the United States, they are a very important management tool.
In addition to its consumer-friendly price, the EM4569 has unmatched performance in terms of detection range. “In a recent field trial using long-range animal readers, the EM4569 embedded in an ear-tag format was read at a distance of up to one metre, considerably more than other conventional RFID tags,” explains Mougahed Darwish, president of the management board of EM Microelectronic. “Additionally, the EM4569 is compliant with ISO 11784/5 and has bi-phase RF/32, making it very functional in the animal world.”

The EM4569 is a passive RFID circuit with long reading range, specifically for use in animal identification. Its features include bumped enlarged pads for direct antenna connection to save space and mounting costs.

Intended for use in electronic read/write RF transponders, the new circuit is a 125 kHz, 512-bit contactless identification CMOS RFID IC. Several data rate and data encoding options are available at a decreased level of power consumption. The RFID IC also increases reading distance, making it suitable for animal identification (ISO 11784/5).

The EM4569 is the enlarged-pad version of the EM4469, says EM Microelectronic; the enlarged pads allow direct antenna connection via bumps deposited on the enlarged pads, so the customer can directly solder the wire of the antenna onto it without the need for pcb support. Such pads also decrease the cost since the IC requires fewer handling operations.

Source : EM Micro Electronics

European Commission proposes RFID strategy

Exactly a year after launching an extensive Europe-wide public consultation on RFID tags, the European Commission unveiled proposals for an RFID strategy to address the privacy concerns of citizens.

"From fighting counterfeits to better healthcare, smart RFID-chips offers tremendous opportunities for business and society," said information society and media commissioner Viviane Reding when presenting the Commission's strategy at the CeBIT fair. "Last year I said here at CeBIT that we should stimulate the use of RFID technology in Europe whilst safeguarding personal data and privacy. The Commission's Europe-wide public consultation in 2006 identified a strong lack of awareness and considerable concern among citizens. The Commission's RFID strategy will therefore seek to raise awareness, stress the absolute need for citizens to decide how their personal data is used and ensure that Europe removes existing obstacles to RFID's enormous potential."


The economic potential of smart radio tags can hardly be underestimated. In 2006 alone, over 1 billion RFID tags were sold worldwide, and by 2016 it might be over 500 times this number. The European market is estimated to grow from $665 million in 2006 to $9.3 billion by 2016. Europe is also a leading international player for RFID R&D, and its industry is strongly placed, the Commission said.

However, awareness about the potential of RFID is low. According to the Commission, about 60 percent of the 2,190 respondents to the public consultation in 2006 said they did not know enough to adequately assess the pros and cons of RFID technology. Of those who are aware, 70 percent believed that technical solutions were the best way to reduce security, data protection and privacy concerns, 67 percent expressed their support for awareness-raising campaigns to educate consumers, and 55 percent called for RFID regulations.

To enhance Europe's ability to reap the economic and social benefits of RFID technology while answering consumer concerns, the Commission published last week the RFID Communication, enumerating the steps to be taken for by the Commission for its new RFID policy.

According to the RFID Communication, the Commission will create an RFID Stakeholder Group to provide advice and assistance to the Commission in developing a European policy position concerning RFID applications and propose amendments to the e-Privacy Directive to take account of RFID applications.

By the end of 2007, the Commission will publish a recommendation on how to handle date security and privacy of smart radio tags to Member States and stakeholders. In association with the Stakeholder Group, the Commission will then analyze the economic and social effects of smart radio tags and other technologies, particularly focusing on privacy, trust and governance, leading to an assessment of policy options and need for further legislative steps, by the end of 2008.

The RFID Communication also highlighted where the Commission wants to ensure that further development and deployment of smart radio tags are as safe, secure, privacy-friendly and effective as possible. This includes looking at research and innovation, the availability of radio spectrum, standardization, environmental and health issues, and also ensuring that digital identities are well protected against abuse.

Source : EE Times

Malaysia develops 'smallest' RFID chip

After two years of R&D, the Malaysia Microchip Project gains success with the release of the world's 'smallest' RFID microchip. The latest version of the Malaysia Microchip measures only 0.7mm-by-0.7mm.

In 2003, the Malaysian government bought the technology and the rights to design, manufacture and market the chip from Japan's FEC Inc. Following that, three versions of the chip have been developed.

The microchip emits radio waves on multiple frequencies, enabling detection even when embedded in paper documents such as money, or in objects or animals.

The first commercial application of the technology in Malaysia is for tagging and identifying original versions of movies on DVDs to curb the rampant video piracy in the country. The Malaysia government will also use the chip to prevent forgeries of documents such as passports and birth certificates.

In April or May, the technology will be used for a pilot project at Malaysia's and Hong Kong's international airports. The chip will be used in tagging luggage travelling between the two airports. This will help easily locate luggage lost or removed from airplanes as well as boost security services in the airports.

The development of the chip cost around $50-60 million. It costs 6 cents each. At present, the chip is manufactured in Japan but there are plans to move the production to Malaysia.

Officials said that they will market the chip internationally. At present, "inquiries are coming in" from countries about the chip, they added.

Source : EE Times Asia