IDS Microchip brings to market the samples of its IDS-SL13A smart active label chip. This chip for makes it practical to automatically track, monitor, time-stamp and record information about any goods in any supply chain or cold chain transport. The IDS- RFID chip enables deployment of a wide range of data logging and tracking systems. It can check on and record unseen changes such as extreme temperatures that can impact goods. It also is udefull for applications such as electronic ticketing of mail, packages and passengers; or tracking hospital patient information without direct physical contact. The IDS-SL13A is a passive/semi-passive tag chip optimized for single-cell, battery-powered smart labels with sensor functionality. It assigns a unique identity code to whatever is labelled.

An eco-friendly battery (1.5V or 3V) supports the integrated real-time clock and EEPROM memory to allow on-chip logging of data from the internal temperature sensor as well as other external sensors. The analog sensor interface allows connection of an external sensor. The chip measures temperature with a 0.5 degree C accuracy and logs it against real time.

It also includes a Serial Peripheral Interface (SPI) port to connect to external circuitry for display; this allows further communication with the chip, and direct access to the EEPROM for easy setting of parameters and functions. The chip supports an alarm system and functions that calculate shelf life. The IDS-SL13A chip also works in passive mode with no battery, without the real-time clock function. This approach is intended for applications in which a reader initiates the logging and the data is stored in the reader, using an analog-to-digital converter. The chip controls whether it takes data from internal or external sensors, or both. Access to the smart label chip is protected through a 3-level password authentication. Users can add other types of external sensors for packages to monitor shock control, humidity, or other factors.

Pricing and Availability

IDS-SL13A chips are available now for sampling, as tested wafers or packaged parts in a 12-pin Quad Flat No leads package (QFN). They will be in full production in Q3 2008. Pricing varies depending on volume, and are priced at slightly less than one Euro in volumes of 100,000.