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Evidencia
Thanks Peter! Indeed, let's clarify: the part, the electronic IC / component ...
peter.clarke
ST offers dual-port EEPROM and app for NFC
Peter Clarke
9/8/2011 6:16 AM EDT
LONDON – STMicroelectronics NV has developed a dual-port EEPROM that can be used for near-field communications and RFID applications. The company has also developed a free Android application called Dual EE that will enable NFC-enabled smartphones to access the dual-port memory where it is installed in tags and similar NFC and RFID devices. In addition, ST is making the source code for the app available for free so that developers can create their own NFC-enabled Android applications.
The M24LR64 is a dual-interface EEPROM that can be connected directly to a wireless antenna as used in an RFID tag to transfer data wirelessly between the RFID or NFC reader and an electric tag attached to an object, allowing the equipment to be read or updated without being switched on, ST said.
The memory has a 64-kbit capacity, low-power wired I2C interface to an MCU or chipset, and a 32-bit password.
ST said the chip would allow for transactions, data exchange, object identification and tracking to occur using NFC operating at 13.56-MHz. It is expected that 30 percent of all handsets shipped in 2015 will have NFC opening up a market for smart posters and smart objects with embedded tags that can send digitally readable information.
The Dual EE app connects an NFC-enabled smartphone to a prototype temperature recorder that includes the M24LR64 wireless memory and demonstrates data transfer and storage. These capabilities are easily transferable to a broad range of products, including medical devices, home appliances, consumer electronic products and meters, ST said.
said Benoit Rodrigues, General Manager of ST’s Memories Division. “The introduction of the unique memory and the Android app is further evidence of ST’s ability to develop new and innovative technologies and solutions for the fast-growing NFC market, complementing our world-leading product portfolio for NFC, which also includes secure elements, SIM ICs and NFC controllers for mobile devices.”
The Dual EE app can be downloaded free of charge from the Android Market and source code is available on the ST website at www.st.com giving developers a head start to designing their own Android NFC applications that are able to communicate with dual-interface EEPROM products.
The M24LR64 is priced at $0.72 per unit for 1000 units. ST plans to introduce additional members of its dual-interface EEPROM family in the fourth quarter of 2011.
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Robotics Developer
9/8/2011 2:09 PM EDT
What an interesting device. Can this be used for RFID pass-cards at security doors for companies? The price seems right and being reprogrammable is nice too.
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iniewski
9/8/2011 2:26 PM EDT
72 cents if you buy 1000+ units, it always amazes me you can still make money selling that cheap. I would think the price makes sense if you buy 100,000 or more, but at 1000 units???...Kris
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Luis Sanchez
9/9/2011 12:40 AM EDT
Come on guys, we are talking about NFC. These are to become like tags. They have to be cheap if they are to work as intended.
Each NFC enabled device is merely an antenna and a spot of sillicon. The fact that NFC tags are passive means they don´t need power supply and thus a fewer parts count. I think we can expect even cheaper devices to come soon. Be aware!
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Evidencia
9/21/2011 10:33 PM EDT
Dear Luis, and all: as working for the only company releasing a fully commercial version of an NFC temperature recorder (and thermometer), I want to dispel the belief (and lie) that plagued the RFID sensing business after the DoD and WMT hypes -- a true temperature recorder, passive or not, functional, with all elements, plus sales and marketing and R&D and SG&A and expected income will cost in the $30's to start -- bare bone and for real life quantities (100 to 1000 units per customer). $0.72 is the board only... add everything else (parts, wraps, salaries, expenses, cost of time for R&D) and again, the real volumes, and please realize than these "even cheaper to come soon" are either vaporware, lies or probably 5 to 10 years down the road.
Super cheap RFID sensors existed, but never converted to super cheap finished products.
Stay real! :)
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iniewski
9/22/2011 10:03 AM EDT
Can we get someone from STM clarify this 72 cents? Kris
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peter.clarke
9/22/2011 10:32 AM EDT
What's to clarify?
I'll write it again
If you order 1000 of the component M24LR64, a dual-port EEPROM, the price is $0.72 per IC.
Evidencia is talking about a completely different item, an NFC temperature recorder, which he reckons will cost at least $30.
These two pieces of information can both be true.
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Evidencia
9/22/2011 1:07 PM EDT
Thanks Peter! Indeed, let's clarify: the part, the electronic IC / component from STMicro is priced wherever it is.
Our comment aimed at dispelling the belief that $0.72 for an IC means $0.72 for a finished good, commonly known as a temperature logger / temperature recorder (vastly different from just a sensor).
We had very frequently seen a lot of hype / hope on the RFID front for super cheap temperature loggers and pies in the sky.
We are just presenting two pieces of the same pie: NFC+RFID is arriving to a smart phone near you soon and it's going to revolutionize the cold chain. But it won't be free and if 1000 units is $0.72 per IC, another common misconception is to think that 100,000 means $0.22; 1,000,000 means $0.12 and 5,000,000 means STMicro can afford to give it away for free!! :)
We are just keeping things real!
Regardless, it's exciting for the cold chain and the NFC technology.
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