Durable RFID tags Selecting the Right Tag for Long-Lived Assets

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1 Durable RFID tags Selecting the Right Tag for Long-Lived Assets Paul Clarke, Product Director, Omni-ID

2 RFID tags are the foundation onto which an RFID solutions are built. They are critical components which must be reliable and robust to deliver a positive ROI. All tags are not born equal.

3 Understanding the Application Pilots are great for testing the Use Case and RF, but : What about long term wear and tear? What is the expected life of the asset will the tag last this long? What conditions might the asset (and therefore tag) be exposed to? Both RTI s but the same tag?

4 Omni-ID recipe for Durable tags Powerful and flexible technology Capable of providing high performance tags in many sizes and with many materials. Market leading durable RFID tag products. Robust Product lifecycle process A framework to identify and test environmental requirements as well as Read range Reliable and diverse supply base - Access to quality components ranging from very high end to value parts.

5 Omni-ID Technology 1. Omni-ID Technology is a highly efficient technology for collecting and focusing RF energy, this leads to smaller, more sensitive RF tags. 2. Omni-ID has refined the technology to create a flexible platform approach which allows the technology to be embodied in many forms from indoor label products to durable tags for Oil and Gas applications. 3. Since inception Omni-ID has created extensive know how in tag design and quality which is reviewed and fed back into projects via a life cycle process.

6 Product lifecycle process Stage 1 :- Concept Stage 2 :- Design and Feasibility Stage 3 :- Development and Commercialisation Stage 4 :- Manufacturing RF Design and Feasibility Capture Product Requirements Encasement and Attachment design and feasibility Design to Manufacture Tooling 1 st off Product Validation Approval to Manufacture Mfg Plan Product Requirements Document Product Design and Feasibility report CAD Prototype for customer signoff PV document ATM document

7 Component Selection RF Circuit (plasmonic structure) :- -Read range -Read angle - Life expectancy and thermal exposure inlife - Chip attach process (sensitive component) Encapsulation Materials :- Temperature requirement (ambient, cleaning, elevated) Waterproofing (IP68) - Impact resistance Harsh environments and long life require premium components.

8 Quality in Design Design for Mfg : Tag designed with appropriate RF performance. Reviewed with Quality and mfg functions with a view to simplify and cross pollinate learning from other projects. Characterise tag RF performance and bound with std metrics. Set QA value (mean less x%) Set PRD value (QA value less x%) Using Readers, VNA and Portable testing unit (PTU)

9 Extensive Product Validation : Thermal Cycling -75, 250 & 500 cycles -Maximum to minimum operating temperature and HALT (elevated). Long term Thermal Exposure -168, 330, 504 & 700 hours -Maximum operating temperature and HALT (elevated). Impact Testing -Load dropped directly onto product from 1m -1,5,10,25,35Kg loads Drop Testing -20 to 100 products stacked and dropped 1m height onto concrete (3 axis) Vibration Testing -MIL 810F/G Fixing / adhesion testing -Static load at ambient & elevated temperature. -Dynamic load at ambient & elevated temperature. IP6X protection -100 first off and then sampling.

10 Common tag Failings: Poor quality chip attach causing % fall out of tags with time. Ingress damaging circuit components. delamination of product layers. Frequency drift caused by thermal expansion co-efficient differences.

11 Product Selection metrics RF Performance (read range) Durability Omni-ID Max HD Max Flex SQ Max Max Max Ultra HD Omni-ID Max SQ Omni-ID Max Rigid Case Prox Omni-ID Max label Form Factor

12 Global or Regional Products :- Global Products tend to be less sensitive to detuning effects and aging effects.

13 Conclusions :- 1. Application requirements differ, make sure environmental factors are considered in product selection. 2. Specifying a product with some contingency for sub-optimal read environments (such as rain) alittle more range than required. 3. Quality components, coupled with rigorous life cycle process deliver durable and long lasting tag products. 4. Extensive Product validation testing is the ultimate test for in life aging and Omni-ID implements this process as standard during development.

14 Guide to Best Practices Myth of the Metal Tag Quality Assurance Design for Manufacture Impact Heat resistance Applications HALT Testing October 2011

15 Paul Clarke +44 (0)