Tagsys Releases Kernel Tag for Single Item Identification

Tagsys, a French provider of RFID systems, officially introduced a new label for individual items. "We are looking at more than just label-and-apply labeling applications. We need to make the product itself part of the label," said John Jordan, chairman of Tagsys USA. The new Adaptive Kernel (AK) product line consists of a small-sized RFID module or "kernel" tag inlay and an integrated antenna or "adaptable" antenna integrated in the product package.

This kernel tag inlay is composed of a silicon chip and an antenna, the size of only 8mm * 12mm, in line with the EPCglobal UHF Gen2 protocol. Compared to large-sized label inlays, the smaller size allows Tagsys to increase label production. Jordan said that they use a model to allow a kernel tag inlay to be paired with a series of antennas of different designs and materials under different application conditions; combined with its own production capabilities, it will bring economies of scale to Tagsys. The lower cost of AK products allows it to be sold at a lower price.

This kernel tag inlay can be integrated into a range of different items, such as airport baggage tags, consumer packaging, and clothing tags, Tagsys explained. A secondary antenna can lengthen the inlay reading distance (30 cm). The length of the sub tag's reading distance depends on the antenna's production material, and whether the applied item will produce signal interference. For example, according to Tagsys, a tagsys AK tag inlay and a silver secondary antenna are used on UPS and FedEx common envelopes, and the read/write distance is 4 meters. The Tagsys AK tag inlay itself does not need to have substantial contact with the secondary antenna, but it must be close enough - a few millimeters, says Alastair McArthur, Technical Director of Tagsys.

“You can customize the secondary antenna based on the size of the tag and the product or a specific frequency in the ultra-high frequency band,” said McArthur. This secondary antenna can be printed with conductive ink, etched with copper or etched with aluminum, depending on the application and printing capabilities. The design of the antenna can also be adjusted to optimal performance according to different frequency bands.

Jordan said that product manufacturers can embed kernel inlays in labels or packages during product manufacturing. When printing packages, labels, and instruction labels, the secondary antenna (presumably printed with conductive ink) can be printed directly on top of the Kernel label inlay.

Tagsys claims that this new form of labeling has been tested on envelopes, baggage tags, clothing labels, and cases of different shapes and sizes and has proven to be feasible. Tagsys collaborated with RFID print code producer Paxar to test the label integration process and collaborated with Dow Corning`s Advanced Technologies and Ventures to design differently shaped secondary labels.

Tagsys claims that the price of a single kernel tag inlay is only 5 to 8 cents, not including the process cost of integrating it with the secondary antenna. Samples of tag inlays and sub-antennas are now only available for testing by some customers and partners. Tagsys is ready to formally accept large-volume orders in the second half of 2006.

Source: RFID World Network