Murata dramatically reduces UHF RFID tag size in close-coupling applications; launches compact cost-effective UHF RFID reader/writer module
RFID/SITL Show, Paris: Murata's MAGICSTRAP® UHF RFID solution is now available for close-coupling applications, enabling significant reductions in close-coupled UHF RFID tag size. The MAGICSTRAP® tag requires no external antenna and allows manufacturers to effectively reduce the size of a close-coupled UHF RFID tag to 3.2 x 1.6mm.
MAGICSTRAP® is Murata's multilayer ceramic RFID module which includes the IC alongside antenna matching circuitry sufficiently wideband for worldwide UHF use. It can be used with an external antenna such as a metallic antenna pattern on a tag inlay, or using the ground plane of a PCB or the foil layer of a pharmaceutical blister pack as an antenna, and now, without any booster antenna at all in close-coupled applications. MAGICSTRAP® conforms to EPC Global C1G2 and its overall dimensions are just 3.2 x 1.6 x 0.55mm. This means any UHF reader in the world complying to this standard can be used to communicate with MAGICSTRAP® in the near field. A simple loop antenna needs to be connected to the R/W-device in order to use this function. This interoperability by compliance to a global standard distinguishes it from solutions operating in other frequency bands like HF or LF.
Read ranges for MAGICSTRAP® in close coupling can exceed 10mm when mounted on non-metallic surfaces and reach more than 5mm on metallic surfaces, depending on the output power of the reader device.
The small size makes the MAGICSTRAP® with the close coupling function the ideal choice for anti-counterfeit schemes, process control, and asset management solutions.
Murata will be demonstrating MAGICSTRAP® in close-coupling applications on booth T096 at the RFID/SITL show at Paris Nord Villepinte, 23-26 March 2010. Murata will also be exhibiting different tag designs that can be used for custom tag developments, PCB-tracking and RFID Cards using MAGICSTRAP® and demonstrating MAGICSTRAP®'s compatibility with readers from various manufacturers.
Also launching at the show is a compact, cost-effective UHF RFID reader/writer module that is 80% smaller in volume than competing solutions on the market. Measuring just 23 x 13 x 2.8mm, the reader/writer module can easily be incorporated into the next generation of mobile devices and portable RFID readers.
Features of the UHF RFID reader/writer module include compact case size (23 x 13 x 2.8mm), frequency range of 860-960MHz and an output level of +17dBm. The module has a 50? termination to the antenna and features UART, SPI and I2C interfaces. It is surface mountable and ISO 18000-6C compliant. Supply voltage is 3.6V and current consumption is 800mA maximum. It is suitable for inventory management, anti-counterfeit schemes, point of sale technology and many more applications.
