Radio frequency identification (RFID) has received great attention during the past years. It was first appeared in tracking and access applications during the 1980s. These wireless systems allow for non-contact reading and are effective in manufacturing and other hostile environments where bar code labels could not survive.
RFID has established itself in a wide range of markets. The worldwide number one retail company Wal-Mart has asked its top 100 suppliers put RFID tags on pallets and cases from Jan. 1, 2005. RFID could provide them four major applications.
● Inventory management
● Out of stock
● Theft
● Warehouse management.

RFID Application Area

• End application • Access control • Animal tracking • Asset management • Automated fueling • Automotive immobilizer • Brand protection • Hazardous waste management & tracking • Logistics • Patient management • Pharmaceutical management • Secured identification • Transport • Vending/Micro payment

For RFID tag, besides RF/Logic circuitries and antenna, a non-volatile memory block is essential to store the information and keep it. This NVM block should have the features: easy integration with existing process, field programmable, high performance and especially, low cost.

Advantage

eMemory's Neobit RFID could provide such high performance NVM block for RFID tag. It has the following advantages which make it more suitable for RFID application than conventional NVM solutions. ● No change of existing device model ● Real plug-in non-volatile memory block ● No extra mask and process needed ● Low cost ● High yield ● High performance ● Easily ported to any process ● Fast time to market

Application Suggestion

According to EPC definition, Class-0 to Class-5 have different requirement for Read/Write operation. eMemory's Neobit RFID can provide solutions for those needs.

EPC Class Type Read/Write Program Code Solution Class-0 Passive Read Only Wafer processing, Testing ROM Neobit RFID Class-1 Passive Write Once Read Many By customer Neobit RFID Class-2 Passive Write Many Read Many By customer Neobit RFID Class-3 Semi-passive Write Many Read Many Class-4 Active Write Many Read Many Class-5 Reader NA NA NA

Product Feature

Three Neobit RFID blocks are available now. Each one has its own features and advantages for different applications.

Type-I → for Class-0 application Product Features: • Memory size: 512 bits • Small block size (<0.04mm2) • Serial Read and Write • Min. operation voltage=1.5V • External Vpp pad for Write • UV erase • Retention: 10 years at 55°C Type-2 → for Class-1 application • Memory size: 512 bits • Serial Read and Write • Min. operation voltage=1.0V • Internal charge pump for Write (Vdd=2V) • UV erase • Retention: 10 years at 55°C Type-3 → for Class-1 application • Memory size: 32x8 bits • Parallel Read (X8) and Serial Write (X1) • Min. operation voltage=0.9V • Internal charge pump for Write (Vdd=1.5V) • UV erase • Retention: 5 years at 70°C