Enhanced RFID realizes its full potential
For example, product housings made of metallic or other types of conductive materials often present an obstacle when using off-the-shelf RFID labels, because the surfaces block the RF signal transmitted by readers and make the tags difficult to read. Additionally, an RFID label attached to the exterior surface of a product can easily be found and removed – a weakness that could be exploited in order to divert goods to the grey market or disassociate a product from its warranty records.
What’s more, applying RFID tags to the exterior surface of electronic products after they’ve already been manufactured robs the manufacturer of the added visibility and control the technology could provide throughout the entire manufacturing process.
NXP’s UCODE I2C technology, recently incorporated into the Murata Magicstrap RFID module family, is specifically designed to solve these issues. Ultimately, the tag improves the manufacturing process and product delivery by enabling enhanced customization (languages, features and functionality), theft/brand protection, and the ability to wirelessly track or trace products throughout the entire product lifecycle.
Reliable track and trace
As the UCODE I2C chip is soldered to the PCB, it stays in the product over its full lifecycle. This means that the integrated tag enables a work-in-process tracking system that ensures fast, error-free assembly throughout production. This also enables it to provide relevant data at the recycling stage, delivering proof of compliance to the WEEE directive and reducing associated costs.
Protecting brand aesthetics
When used in consumer electronics goods, the UCODE I2C chip removes the burden of finding a way to apply an RFID tag to the product’s exterior without compromising aesthetics. An integrated RFID solution allows for streamlined designs that can do away with conventional bar-labels, etched serial numbers or the need to open devices to access internal bar codes, protecting products from both damage and tampering.
Based on passive UHF RFID standards, data can be read or written wirelessly into the memory of the tag using a standard UHF reader, even while the device or appliance is switched off. Practically, this means that an electronics product can be configured for different languages and markets, or personalized while packed in the factory sealed carton – this includes importing gift certificates and even personalized messages/eCards for that special touch.
By removing the need to configure products during assembly or requiring power, OEMs can realize significant savings in manufacturing and logistics costs by responding precisely to regional, seasonal, model and customer demand.
Theft protection
The UCODE I2C can be configured such that if the device in which it is embedded – for example, a motherboard – is tampered with, the chip can report a breach, along with its unique identification during its next RF transmission. This feature would help root out fraudulent activity such as the practice of purchasing high-value electronics, swapping out the original components for lower-grade versions – or even replacing them with dead weight rather than electronics – then returning the product while it’s under warranty and selling the original, high-value components on the black market.
The technology can also help retailers authenticate legitimate returns, making warranty processing and product returns easier and more accurate. In these scenarios, the retailer would use the embedded RFID tag to identify a product that is returned, either for repair or as a product return or exchange. Once the tag number is captured, the retailer can use it to access the original sales record and warranty, removing any doubt as to whether the product was legitimately obtained.
On-board security
The features and functions of the UCODE I2C offer all the basic EPC Gen 2 capabilities, including password protection and cloaked viewing for instances where data is not intended for public viewing. In addition, it offers added features such as a status flag bit, used in combination with an RFID security system to trigger an alarm if an item is removed from a store without being purchased. Furthermore, the UCODE I2C chip is the foundation of an EPC Gen 2 / ISO 18000-6c tag accepted worldwide and compatible with existing Gen 2 infrastructure.
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