Exploit Technologies to showcase A*STAR’s research capability in RFID at RFID World Asia 2007
Exploit Technologies, the strategic marketing and commercialisation arm of the Agency for Science, Technology and Research (A*STAR), will showcase A*STAR?s research capabilities in RFID at the region's biggest RFID event, RFID World Asia 2007.
Low cost UHF RFID Reader IC
One of the highlights of the exhibits is the UHF RFID reader IC developed by the Institute of Microelectronics (IME). It integrates approximately 600 discrete components required for the radio frequency section of the reader module onto a single piece of silicon. The research outcome has brought down the cost of each RFID reader module from approximately US$1000 to below US$100, and reduced it to a name-card-sized module weighing less than 100 grams. The integration into a chip has not compromised on its performance - it has a read range of 1.5m and consumes less than a watt of power. This reader IC is programmable from 860-960 MHz band, which allows coverage in Asia, Europe and the United States.
SmartShelf - A smart way for real-time tracking of tagged items on shelves
The SmartShelf System developed by the Institute for Infocomm Research (I2R) is a Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) system designed to provide real-time tracking and location of tagged items on the shelves at all times. It is also designed for ease of use and installation to function on metallic shelves with cost effectiveness. This system includes the RFID reader, Antenna Multiplexer, Wireless Gateway Controller, Reader Antennas and Access Control Devices. Multiplexing multiple antennas provides sharing of the RFID reader, in turn reducing implementation cost. An efficient antenna design helps to maintain accuracy in tracking shelved items. A Wireless Gateway Controller allows the system to be installed easily and provides for ease of access and control of the system.
Printed Antennas and Circuits - The New Paradigm for RFID
Conventional antenna manufacturing is based on metal etching or subtractive technique, typically used in printed circuit board fabrication. However, this approach is not cost-effective due to significant material wastage, and poses environmental issues. The Singapore Institute of Manufacturing Technology (SIMTech) has developed novel integrated manufacturing processes involving additive techniques. The key benefits of these processes include reduced material wastage, design flexibility, multi-layered circuit integration and wide selection of materials. In addition, this multi-functional platform approach taps on high-volume graphics printing as well as digital maskless printing techniques. It paves the way for all-printed RFID circuits, including organic semiconductor devices, high quality factor embedded passives and metamaterials.
The exhibits of UHF RFID Reader IC, SmartShelf and Printed Antennas and Circuits are displayed at booth 4M07 at RFID World Asia 2007 to be held at Suntec Singapore from 25 to 27 April 2007.