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Hitachi Develops a New RFID with Embedded Antenna µ-Chip
--Makes Possible Wireless Links that Work Using Nothing More Than a
0.4mm X 0.4mm Chip, One of the World's Smallest ICs--
http://www.hitachi.com/New/cnews/030902.html
Tokyo, September 2, 2003-Hitachi, Ltd. (TSE: 6501) today announced that it
has developed a new version of its RFID µ-Chip embedding an antenna. When using
Hitachi's original µ-Chip, one of the world's smallest RFID ICs measuring only
0.4mm X 0.4mm, an external antenna must be attached to the chip to allow
external devices to read the 128-bit ID number stored in its ROM
(Read-Only-Memory). This newly developed version, however, features an internal
antenna, enabling chips to employ the energy of incoming electrical waves to
wirelessly transmit its ID number to a reader. The 0.4mm X 0.4mm chip can thus
operate entirely on its own, making it possible to use µ-Chip as RFID IC tags
without the need to attach external devices. This breakthrough opens the door to
using µ-Chips as RFID IC tags in extremely minute and precise applications that
had been impractical until now. For example, the new µ-Chip can be easily
embedded in bank notes, gift certificates, documents and whole paper media etc.
The µ-Chip, announced by Hitachi in July 2001, is one of the world's smallest IC
chips at 0.4mm X 0.4mm. The chip data is recorded in read-only memory during the
semiconductor production process, and therefore cannot be rewritten, thus
guaranteeing its authenticity. Applications of the µ-Chip include a system for
managing the SCM materials on sites, and entrance tickets for Expo 2005 Aichi
Japan which opens on March 25, 2005.
The primary features of this revolutionary µ-Chip are as follows.
(1) A RFID IC chip measuring only 0.4mm X 0.4mm with built-in antenna
Despite its extremely small size, this µ-Chip has a built-in antenna to permit
contactless communications (at very close proximity) with other devices without
using an external antenna.
(2) No need for special manufacturing equipment
The antenna is formed using bump-metalization technology (used to create the
electrical contacts of an IC), a process already widely used by semiconductor
manufacturers, thus eliminating any need for specialized equipment.
(3) Complete compatibility with conventional µ-Chip
With ID numbers and support systems that are fully compatible with those of
existing µ-Chip, the new chip is fully compatible with all systems that use
current µ-Chip technology.
Hitachi plans to develop numerous markets for this chip that take full advantage
of its outstanding features. Embedding the chip in securities, identification
and other valuable documents such as vouchers offers a highly sophisticated
means of preventing counterfeiting. Another high-potential application is
agricultural products, where the chips can help ensure the safety of food by
providing traceability of ingredients. Additionally, the chips can be embedded
in business forms to automate logistics systems and many other business
processes.
About Hitachi, Ltd.
Hitachi, Ltd. (NYSE: HIT), headquartered in Tokyo, Japan, is a leading global
electronics company, with approximately 340,000 employees worldwide. Fiscal 2002
(ended March 31, 2003) consolidated sales totaled 8,191.7 billion yen ($68.3
billion).