EM Microelectronic, an electronic systems company of the Swatch Group, announces the EM4569, a 125 kHz, 512-bit contactless identification CMOS RFID IC intended for use in electronic read/write RF transponders. The EM4569 offers versatility and security with several data rate and data encoding options available at a decreased level of power consumption. This high-performance passive RFID IC saves cost and increases reading distance, making it extremely useful for animal identification (ISO 11784/5).

With a significantly larger coil pad size, the EM4569 is the enlarged pad version of the EM4469. The enlarged pads allow for direct antenna connection via bumps deposited on the enlarged pads so the customer can directly solder the wire of the antenna on the EM4569 without the need of PCB support. Such pads also decrease the cost since the IC requires fewer handling operations.

In addition to its consumer-friendly price, the EM4569 has unmatched performance in terms of detection range. “In a recent field trial using long-range animal readers, the EM4569 embedded in an ear-tag format was read at a distance of up to one meter, considerably more than other conventional RFID tags,” explains Mougahed Darwish, president of the management board of EM Microelectronic. “Additionally, the EM4569 is compliant with ISO 11784/5 and has bi-phase RF/32, making if very functional in the animal world.” The EM4569 has already been adopted by several tag manufacturers and is currently in field trials in North America.

For cattle in England, one identification tag is required, allowing each cow to be tracked throughout its life. Many farms there also use a second tag to identify age and medical history. While identification tags are not required by law in the United States, they are a very important management tool. Ear tags provide a safe and more efficient alternative to other forms of branding or marking. EM Microelectronic promotes this technology by introducing products such as the EM4569, which make electronic identification easier and much more cost effective.

The EM4569 combines the following features:
• 512-bit EEPROM organized in 16 words of 32 bits
• 32-bit password read/write protection
• 32-bit unique identification number (UID)
• 10-bit customer code
• ISO 11784/ ISO 11785 standard compliant
• Lock feature convertsKeith Kreisher EEPROM words in read only
• Multi-purpose encoding (Manchester, Biphase, Miller, PSK, FSK)
• Multi-purpose data rate from 1 up to 32k baud
• 100 to 150 kHz frequency range
• On-chip rectifier and voltage limiter
• No external supply buffer capacitor needed
• -40 to +85 degree C temperature range

RFID chips feature read/write, anti-collision, 125 kHz, 13.56 MHz, UHF and 2.45 GHz operation for applications in security and access control, animal ID, logistics and immobilization in automotive. Other products include microprocessor supervisors and reset ICs, microcontrollers, smart card ICs, mixed analog and digital gate arrays, ASICs, LCD drivers and displays and optoelectronic ICs. EM also produces LCD modules and offers bumping services.