Murata Dramatically Reduces UHF RFID Tag Size in Close-Coupling Applications; Launches Compact Cost-Effective UHF RFID Reader/Writer Module


RFID/SITL Show, Paris: Murata's MAGICSTRAP® UHF RFID solution is now available for close-coupling applications, enabling significant reductions in close-coupled UHF RFID tag size. The MAGICSTRAP® tag requires no external antenna and allows manufacturers to effectively reduce the size of a close-coupled UHF RFID tag to 3.2 x 1.6mm.

MAGICSTRAP® is Murata's multilayer ceramic RFID module which includes the IC alongside antenna matching circuitry sufficiently wideband for worldwide UHF use. It can be used with an external antenna such as a metallic antenna pattern on a tag inlay, or using the ground plane of a PCB or the foil layer of a pharmaceutical blister pack as an antenna, and now, without any booster antenna at all in close-coupled applications. MAGICSTRAP® conforms to EPC Global C1G2 and its overall dimensions are just 3.2 x 1.6 x 0.55mm. This means any UHF reader in the world complying to this standard can be used to communicate with MAGICSTRAP® in the near field. A simple loop antenna needs to be connected to the R/W-device in order to use this function. This interoperability by compliance to a global standard distinguishes it from solutions operating in other frequency bands like HF or LF.

Read ranges for MAGICSTRAP® in close coupling can exceed 10mm when mounted on non-metallic surfaces and reach more than 5mm on metallic surfaces, depending on the output power of the reader device.

The small size makes the MAGICSTRAP® with the close coupling function the ideal choice for anti-counterfeit schemes, process control, and asset management solutions.

Murata will be demonstrating MAGICSTRAP® in close-coupling applications on booth T096 at the RFID/SITL show at Paris Nord Villepinte, 23-26 March 2010. Murata will also be exhibiting different tag designs that can be used for custom tag developments, PCB-tracking and RFID Cards using MAGICSTRAP® and demonstrating MAGICSTRAP®'s compatibility with readers from various manufacturers.

Also launching at the show is a compact, cost-effective UHF RFID reader/writer module that is 80% smaller in volume than competing solutions on the market. Measuring just 23 x 13 x 2.8mm, the reader/writer module can easily be incorporated into the next generation of mobile devices and portable RFID readers.

Features of the UHF RFID reader/writer module include compact case size (23 x 13 x
2.8mm), frequency range of 860-960MHz and an output level of +17dBm. The module has a 50Ù termination to the antenna and features UART, SPI and I2C interfaces. It is surface mountable and ISO 18000-6C compliant. Supply voltage is 3.6V and current consumption is 800mA maximum. It is suitable for inventory management, anti-counterfeit schemes, point of sale technology and many more applications.

For further information and reader enquiries:
Aya Tonooka, Murata Electronics (UK) Ltd.,
Oak House, Ancells Road, Ancells Business Park,
Fleet, Hampshire GU51 2QW , United Kingdom
Tel: +44 (0) 1252 811666
Fax: +44 (0) 1252 811777
E-mail: ayatonooka@murata.co.uk
Web: www.murata.eu

Agency contact:
Sally Ward-Foxton, Publitek Limited,
18 Brock Street, Bath, BA1 2LW, United Kingdom
Tel: +44 (0) 1225 470000
E-mail: sally.ward-foxton@publitek.com
Fax: +44 (0) 1225 470047
Web: www.publitek.com

About Murata
Murata is a leading manufacturer of electronics components, modules, and devices. The complete range of this Ceramics Technology house includes ceramic capacitors, resistors/thermistors, inductors/chokes, ceramic resonators, buzzers, sensors and EMI suppression filters. Whilst the company gets 40% of its revenue from its ceramic capacitor products, it is also the world leader in Bluetooth & WiFi Modules, and a key manufacturer of power supplies. Murata also designs and manufactures mobile handset antenna families, piezoelectric actuators for fuel injection systems, short focal length ceramic lenses and speaker products.

Established in 1944, Murata is headquartered in Japan and has European offices in Germany, the Netherlands, the UK, Switzerland, Italy, France, Spain, Denmark, Sweden, Finland and Hungary.

For more information on Murata, please visit: www.murata.eu

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