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Silicone Valley-based company, Kovio, has developed a silicon ink-based RFID tag that will enable affordable item-level intelligence.
The first products based on this patented platform technology are printed silicon HF integrated circuits (PICs) with 128 bits of printed read-only memory. The Kovio HF (13.56MHz) PIC will be the foundation for Kovio's low-cost HF RFID tag family. Features include a synchronous tags-talk-first mode of operation, a 106kbps data rate, an integrated capacitor, and printed read-only memory.
In addition, the tags dramatically reduce the overall cost of tag manufacturing through features such as large PIC bond pads and the use of ultra-thin metal foil substrates. Large bond pads improve attach reliability, simplify attach requirements and reduce antenna costs.
The use of thin metal foil starting substrates precludes the need for wasteful thickness reduction used by traditional IC manufacturers for conventional silicon ICs.
Kovio's technology platform is based on the combination of high-performance silicon inks and graphics printing technology. This enables the fabrication of silicon devices over large areas, on flexible substrates and at a fraction of the cost of conventional silicon technology. The printed silicon platform will facilitate additional item-level intelligence beyond identification by integrating printed sensors and displays. The platform enables the development of affordable item-level RFID intelligence solutions for various markets, including retail, pharmaceuticals, transit, logistics and asset management.
According to Rob Chandra of Bessemer Venture Partners, an early investor in Kovio, "While there has been a lot of talk about RFID over the past decade, affordability is the number one requirement for RFID to displace the barcode for item-level intelligence."
Kovio is working with leading system integrators, solution providers and converters to ensure the availability and reliability of its HF PIC-based products. The company will begin customer sampling of its new products in Q4 2008 and will start production shipments shortly thereafter. Initial applications include item-level brand promotions and advertising, authentication, asset management and ticketing.
Source: Kovio
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