RFID circuit is 'world's first' to offer NFC & EPC

15th April 2015

Barney Scott

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Datasheet

EM Microelectronic has announced the world’s first RFID circuit featuring a UHF EPC Gen2V2 RF and an NFC Type 2interface. The EM4423 is suited for manufacturers and brands which support EPC functionality for retail logistics and inventory control, but who also want to communicate directly with the consumer for marketing, product authenticity, and product registration on a per-item level.

With common rewritable memory areas, a common Unique IDentifier (UID) and value-added privacy and security features, the EM4423 also simplifies adoption of EPC inventory control procedures by smaller retailers who are not willing or able to make the substantial investment required for specialised RFID equipment and software. Similar functionality can be achieved through the use of mobile devices, such as smartphones and tablets and applications.

As a single chip NFC/EPC solution with common memory, the device offers one-step NFC/EPC inlay manufacturing, enabling dual-interface memory access (NFC and/or EPC), EPC allowing fast data collection & long range communication. NFC access to consumer data and secured access (e.g. digital signature for tag and product authenticity) is offered, and NFC field powering for increased UHF performance and reading range is optional.

NFC access counter is readable through the EPC air interface, and enhanced privacy features include the EPC Gen2V2 “UNTRACEABLE” command.

“With its unique feature set, combining traditional EPC Gen2 logistics capabilities with the customer-focused benefits of NFC, the EM4423 is creating quite a bit of excitement with our RFID customers,” commented Michel Willemin, CEO, EM Microelectronic. “By enabling a low-cost, unified solution for logistics and marketing, EM brings value to and simplifies the lives of both small retailers and product manufacturers looking to differentiate their products.”