ST, Arira launch RFID developers kit

LONDON — European chipmaker STMicroelectronics NV has teamed up with Arira Design Inc. (Sunnyvale, Calif.) to produce a hardware development kit for active RFID tags and readers that comply with the ISO-18000-7 standard for 433-MHz active RFID technology, The beta version of the web-based sensor HDK is available from Arira Design.

The HDK platform is based on an STM32 microcontroller and consists of sample boards and a Windows application that allows developers to customize the sensor and wireless capabilities for new active RFID products. It provides users with the ability to integrate their own hardware and firmware into ISO 18000-7 based RFID products for industrial, medical, and transportation applications, including the addition of new RFID commands or data fields. Developers can use the HDK to blend active RFID with other wireless-networking and GPS capabilities and enhanced sensing features, exploiting built-in MEMS motion sensors and temperature and light sensors, ST said.

"We strongly believe that the next big wave in sensors will be driven by the combination of the sensing function with wireless transmission, and ISO 18000-7 is the right solution for security and asset monitoring applications," said Benedetto Vigna, general manager of the MEMS and healthcare product division at STMicroelectronics, in a statement. "The HDK's rich ecosystem of sensors, combined with Savi's active RFID technology, will enable users to meet demanding technical and functional requirements."

The ISO 18000-7 standard is the active RFID standard designated for use by the U.S. Department of Defense, NATO and allied defense forces, as well as a by growing numbers of commercial companies worldwide. The ISO 18000-7 433-MHz standard specifies the wireless protocol for communication between an RFID Reader and an RFID tag.

Savi Technology Inc., a wholly-owned subsidiary of Lockheed-Martin Corp., owns the air interface protocol patent incorporated into the standard, and developers seeking to market or sell ISO 18000-7 compliant products are required to have a license from Savi.

Related links and articles:

www.ariradesign.com

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