Enables fast deployment of a wide range of datalogging and tracking systems

Claimed by the company to be priced up to 10 times lower than existing RFID temperature-sensing modules, the IDS-SL13A smart-active-label chip can automatically track, monitor, time-stamp, and record information about any goods in any supply chain or cold chain transport ¡ª from expensive fragile components, medical goods, and pharmaceuticals, to bags of bananas ¡ª on land, sea, or sky. The chip enables fast deployment of a wide range of datalogging and tracking systems and can check on and record unseen changes such as extreme temperatures that can impact goods.

This passive/semipassive tag chip is suited for single-cell battery-powered smart labels with sensor functionality. Features include an analog sensor interface, an SPI port, and a 1.5- or 3-V battery that supports the integrated real-time clock and EEPROM memory.

The chip measures temperature with a 0.5¡ãC accuracy and logs it against real time. ISO15693-compliant, it is packaged in a label smaller than a credit card and as thin and flexible as plastic wrap. (Less than 1 euro ea/100,000 ¡ª prod qty, 3rd qtr.)