Atmel Announces Latest Contactless RFID Interface Product; The Industry's Largest Memory RFID Tags

Business Wire, Oct 16, 2000

Business Editors/High-Tech Writers

SAN JOSE, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Oct. 16, 2000

Atmel Corporation (Nasdaq:ATML) today announced the availability of a contactless interface chip, allowing the industry's largest memory RFID tags. When coupled with Atmel's DataFlash(R) memory, 64 Mbit tags become possible, powered entirely by the RF interface. The AT88RF001 also allows a designer to add a contactless RF serial interface to any system. This chip further expands Atmel's range of products, technologies, and capabilities designed to address the entire market for RFID and smart card devices.

Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) involves contactless reading and writing of data into an RFID tag's non-volatile memory through an RF signal. An RFID system consists of an RFID reader and an RFID tag. The reader emits an RF signal and data is exchanged when the tag comes into proximity of the reader signal. Generally, the RFID tag or transponder, as it is sometimes called, accepts and stores data from the reader and transmits data back to the reader on command. The RFID tag derives its power from the RF reader signal, not requiring a battery or external power source.

The AT88RF001 is intended to be used with serial EEPROMs such as Atmel's AT24Cxx I2C product line or its AT25xx SPI line. It can also be used with the Atmel AT45DBxx DataFlash products to build RFID tags capable of storing up to 64 Mbits. In addition, the AT88RF001 can communicate with an external microprocessor if more complicated systems are to be built. For many applications, the AT88RF001 replaces a cable and connector when a designer wants a port into a system. Remote sensor data, built-in self-test data, system status, and system configuration and maintenance records can all be recorded and retrieved through a contactless interface. Tables of contents on data storage devices, updating system calibration tables, and contactless remote sensing in the harsh automotive environment are some of the solutions that currently use AT88RF001.

The AT88RF001 chip supports the full ISO 14443 B / Part 2 standard for contactless smart cards and tags using a carrier frequency of 13.56 MHz. Receive and transmit bit rates are 106K bits/second. When coupled with Atmel's ultra low power DataFlash technology, the read range can be well in excess of the 10 cm typical for parts using this protocol. Security features include password-protected access, data locking, and anti-collision.

Atmel offers RFID transponder chips in both 125 kHz and 13.56 MHz frequency ranges. Atmel single chip transponders have memory sizes from 256 bits for asset identification to 8K bits for asset data storage. RFID demo kits are available now. The AT88RF001 extends this product line allowing designers a broad range of RFID options. The AT88RF001 is priced at 75 cents in volume.

ABOUT ATMEL

Founded in 1984, Atmel Corp. is headquartered in San Jose with principal manufacturing facilities in Colorado Springs, Colo.; Irving, Texas; Grenoble, Nantes and Rousset, France; and Heilbronn, Germany. Atmel designs, manufactures and markets, on a worldwide basis, advanced logic, mixed-signal, nonvolatile memory and RF semiconductors. Atmel is also a leading provider of system-level integration semiconductor solutions using advanced CMOS, BiCMOS, bipolar and SiGe process technologies.

Atmel product and financial information is available from its Fax-on-Demand service. In North America call 800/292-8635 or Internationally, call 408/441-0732. Requests may be made via e-mail to literature@atmel.com or by visiting Atmel's web site at www.atmel.com.

Note to Editors: Atmel, the Atmel logo and combinations thereof and others contained herein, are trademarks of Atmel Corporation. Terms and product names in this document may be the trademarks of others.