Wednesday, September 03, 2003
An RF identification "mu-chip," which Hitachi Ltd. claims is small enough to embed in currency suffers from one drawback: It requires an external antenna so that its 128-bit identification number can be read.
Hitachi said Tuesday (Sept. 2) it has developed a version of its RFID mu-chip that uses bumping technology to embed an antenna on the die.
The chip captures some of the energy of the incoming wireless signal and uses to transmit its ID number to a reader. The mu-chip can be embedded in bank notes, gift certificates and documents, Hitachi said.
The mu-chip can be embedded in paper because it measures just 0.4-millimeter by 0.4-millimeter. The factory-programmed ROM is able to store a 128-bit number and operates at 2.45 GHz. Its operational range is about 25 centimeters with an external antenna and its response time is 20 milliseconds. Without an external antenna the mu-chip requires "very close" proximity, the company said.
The antenna is formed using bump-metalization technology, a process already widely used by chip makers, thus eliminating the need for specialized equipment.
One application for the mu-chip will be identifying and validating entrance tickets to Expo 2005 to be held in Aichi, Japan, in March 2005, Hitachi said.
By: DocMemory
Copyright © 2003 CST, Inc. All Rights Reserved
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