Cloud tag uses ZETA communication protocolxt's new cloud tag to Utilise ZETA communication

The Advanced M-FSK modulation is a communication standard developed by ZiFiSense. With its enhanced error tolerance and high radio wave utilisation efficiency, it can achieve a communication speed (bps) three times faster than typical LPWA methods at the same sensitivity, claims the company. At the same communication speed (bps), the sensitivity (dBm) improves up to 5.3dB. It allows communication over a distance of 3km to 5km from an object moving at 120km/h. ZETag is for applications that cannot be handled by conventional active RFID tags. One possible application is track a parcel by communicating with access points installed at highway interchanges and other locations. The company has great expectations that the new tags will accelerate the digital transformation (DX) of logistics.

The SC1330 has been developed for this new ZETag and achieved highest level of performance in LPWA communications, says the company. The sensitivity is improved by up to 5.3dB at the same transmission rate, when compared with typical LPWA products provided by other companies. With the expertise on RF signal processing and SoC design technology that Socionext has accumulated over the years, the CPU, various external interface functions and signal processing units have been integrated into a single chip in a 4mm x 4mm package. The IC will not only help to reduce the size and number of components needed for tag products but will also contribute to improve the quality and reliability, according to the company.

Socionext plans to start volume production of the SC1330 in 2022. ZiFiSense will start to ship ZETag products using SC1330 in the same year.

ZiFiSense is working with ZETA ecosystem partners, China Tower and China Transport Telecommunications & Information Center, to build a ZETA network infrastructure across China to enable active traceability of parcels. ZiFiSense is already providing mail tracing services for China Post Group throughout Guangxi Province. SC1330 will play an important role to a large logistics network across all China, says Socionext.

In Japan, Techsor is leading the demonstration experiment of ZETag in collaboration with the ZETA  Alliance members.

Socionext will continue to develop ZETA ICs and is now working on the next IC generation which supports two-way communication.