Comprehensive HDK Eases RFID Designs

The Smart Web-Based Sensor hardware developer kit (HDK) facilitates the creation of active RFID tags and readers that comply with the global standard for 433-MHz active RFID technology, ISO 18000-7. The kit solves key technical challenges for companies seeking to develop wireless sensor networks for security and asset-monitoring applications. It allows developers to blend standards-compliant active RFID with other wireless-networking and GPS capabilities and enhanced sensing features, exploiting built-in MEMS motion sensors and temperature and light sensors. The HDK also enables longer battery life and smaller device sizes. The kit consists of sample boards and a Windows application that allows developers to rapidly customize the sensor and wireless capabilities for new active RFID products. It provides users with the ability to integrate their own hardware and firmware into ISO 18000-7-based RFID products for industrial, medical, and transportation applications, including the addition of new RFID commands or data fields. Developed by engineers from ST Microwave’s Multi-Market Competence Center in Schaumburg, Ill., in conjunction with Arira Design, based in Sunnyvale, Calif., the STM32 microcontroller-based platform is available in beta from Arira Design. STMICROELECTRONICS, Geneva, Switzerland. (781) 861-2650.