David Savastano, Editor12.11.19
The RFID industry is growing quickly, with markets like apparel becoming mainstays for the technology while other markets show promise. However, there are plenty of use cases where RFID can play a more significant role in the future, but performance issues have previously limited opportunities.
One of the challenges is creating universal chips that pack more of a punch. Impinj believes that the first two integrated circuits (ICs) of its newly-launched Impinj M700 series of RAIN RFID tag chips will provide its partners and end users with the performance they desire.
“This is a very exciting day for Impinj and the industry,” said Jeff Dossett, EVP, sales & marketing for Impinj. “The Impinj M730 and M750 are really groundbreaking and a major step for RAIN RFID. These can be attached to or embedded into practically everything worldwide. We have improved performance and developed advanced features that enables use cases that have not been possible or have not deliv-ered maximum customer value.”
Dossett noted that the Impinj’s M730 and M750 ICs are designed to provide increased sensitivity, and are ideal for developing small, universal RAIN RFID tags. He also predicted that retailers will be able to operate their RAIN RFID readers faster than with other tag chips, while improving consumer experi-ence.
This is high performance, and will enable the Internet of Everything. “Readers with higher speeds will be able to read more items from further away,” Dossett observed. Inventory can be done faster and with more accuracy. This supports next generation RAIN solutions - loss prevention, embedded tagging, automated checkout and consumer privacy.”
Dossett pointed to frictionless shopping and improved loss prevention as key opportunities.
“Automated checkout is on the rise, and we think our new protected mode will make a significant ad-vancement,” he noted. “The data protection feature will be critical. Many items are not yet tagged in re-tail, and others have some sort of hard tag that sets off an alarm. We enable the first protected mode.”
By deactivating the chip’s protected mode, retailers can make the tag invisible to RAIN readers, and consumers won’t have to take the hard tag off.
“When checkout occurs, it can make the tag invisible to the loss prevention system,” said Dossett. “There is no need for consumer to use a detacher to remove a security tag. This is a much simpler process for the consumer and helps increase the confidence of the retailers. If the item is returned, our patented protection mode allows the tag to be reactivated.
“The protected mode is something our customers want,” Dossett added. “It has been a longstanding need in the industry, and is a very good example of the innovation that is possible.”
Because of the reduced size, Impinj’s partners will be able to producer vastly more RFID tags while us-ing less material.
“These ICs are based on an advanced semiconductor process,” Dossett said. “By moving from a 200 mm wafer to a 300 mm wafer and decreasing the size of our ICs, we can have more than twice number of ICs per wafer, so our customers can create more inlays. The small form factor requires less material, which is important as sustainability is becoming a higher priority.”
Ultimately, the Impinj M700 series of chips will allow RFID tags to reach new markets.
“We can now tag items that have not been able to be tagged before,” Dossett concluded. “It also enables new means of tagging, such as embedding the tag into garments. We have enhanced our AutoTune adaptive tuning capability, which optimizes performance to a tag’s environment. We have also en-hanced the tag’s self-health check, making it easier for companies to tag a broader range of products.”
Impinj has worked closely with its partners, including Smartrac and Checkpoint Systems to allow them to develop their own RFID tags using these chips. Smartrac just launched its MINIWEB inlays using the M700 series, while Checkpoint introduced six new inlays.
Smartrac’s MINIWEB offers a 42 mm / 1.7 Inch form factor with ARC-confirmed global performance and reliability, and is designed for retail and inventory applications. The company also developed new manufacturing processes designed for handling the Impinj 300 mm wafers. Checkpoint’s Njord inlay has a 44 mm by 30 mm size. Checkpoint noted that the Impinj chip size is reduced by 40%, allowing an 18% reduction in in material usage for Checkpoint inlays.
“We worked with our inlay partners around the globe to ensure they can manufacture their inlays, starting almost a year ago with our early access partners,” Dossett said. “Our partners have been very helpful in providing feedback and preparing for the market, and we are very encouraged by the feed-back from our customers.”
One of the challenges is creating universal chips that pack more of a punch. Impinj believes that the first two integrated circuits (ICs) of its newly-launched Impinj M700 series of RAIN RFID tag chips will provide its partners and end users with the performance they desire.
“This is a very exciting day for Impinj and the industry,” said Jeff Dossett, EVP, sales & marketing for Impinj. “The Impinj M730 and M750 are really groundbreaking and a major step for RAIN RFID. These can be attached to or embedded into practically everything worldwide. We have improved performance and developed advanced features that enables use cases that have not been possible or have not deliv-ered maximum customer value.”
Dossett noted that the Impinj’s M730 and M750 ICs are designed to provide increased sensitivity, and are ideal for developing small, universal RAIN RFID tags. He also predicted that retailers will be able to operate their RAIN RFID readers faster than with other tag chips, while improving consumer experi-ence.
This is high performance, and will enable the Internet of Everything. “Readers with higher speeds will be able to read more items from further away,” Dossett observed. Inventory can be done faster and with more accuracy. This supports next generation RAIN solutions - loss prevention, embedded tagging, automated checkout and consumer privacy.”
Dossett pointed to frictionless shopping and improved loss prevention as key opportunities.
“Automated checkout is on the rise, and we think our new protected mode will make a significant ad-vancement,” he noted. “The data protection feature will be critical. Many items are not yet tagged in re-tail, and others have some sort of hard tag that sets off an alarm. We enable the first protected mode.”
By deactivating the chip’s protected mode, retailers can make the tag invisible to RAIN readers, and consumers won’t have to take the hard tag off.
“When checkout occurs, it can make the tag invisible to the loss prevention system,” said Dossett. “There is no need for consumer to use a detacher to remove a security tag. This is a much simpler process for the consumer and helps increase the confidence of the retailers. If the item is returned, our patented protection mode allows the tag to be reactivated.
“The protected mode is something our customers want,” Dossett added. “It has been a longstanding need in the industry, and is a very good example of the innovation that is possible.”
Because of the reduced size, Impinj’s partners will be able to producer vastly more RFID tags while us-ing less material.
“These ICs are based on an advanced semiconductor process,” Dossett said. “By moving from a 200 mm wafer to a 300 mm wafer and decreasing the size of our ICs, we can have more than twice number of ICs per wafer, so our customers can create more inlays. The small form factor requires less material, which is important as sustainability is becoming a higher priority.”
Ultimately, the Impinj M700 series of chips will allow RFID tags to reach new markets.
“We can now tag items that have not been able to be tagged before,” Dossett concluded. “It also enables new means of tagging, such as embedding the tag into garments. We have enhanced our AutoTune adaptive tuning capability, which optimizes performance to a tag’s environment. We have also en-hanced the tag’s self-health check, making it easier for companies to tag a broader range of products.”
Impinj has worked closely with its partners, including Smartrac and Checkpoint Systems to allow them to develop their own RFID tags using these chips. Smartrac just launched its MINIWEB inlays using the M700 series, while Checkpoint introduced six new inlays.
Smartrac’s MINIWEB offers a 42 mm / 1.7 Inch form factor with ARC-confirmed global performance and reliability, and is designed for retail and inventory applications. The company also developed new manufacturing processes designed for handling the Impinj 300 mm wafers. Checkpoint’s Njord inlay has a 44 mm by 30 mm size. Checkpoint noted that the Impinj chip size is reduced by 40%, allowing an 18% reduction in in material usage for Checkpoint inlays.
“We worked with our inlay partners around the globe to ensure they can manufacture their inlays, starting almost a year ago with our early access partners,” Dossett said. “Our partners have been very helpful in providing feedback and preparing for the market, and we are very encouraged by the feed-back from our customers.”