Atmel Next-Generation LF RFID Transponder Provides Maximum Flexibility for Consumer and Industrial Identification Applications

HEILBRONN, Germany, July 2, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- Atmel® Corporation (NASDAQ: ATML) today announced production availability of a low-frequency (LF) RFID transponder device, the Atmel ATA5577M1330C-PP. Ideal for applications in building access control systems, industrial automation, consumer and industrial segments, and as tokens, key fobs or transponders, this new device offers designers the ability to develop more flexible, high-performance tag devices. The Atmel ATA5577M1330C-PP enhances the Atmel LF RFID portfolio with a stand-alone, fully functional tag that includes an antenna coil trimmed to an operating frequency of 125kHz.

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The new device provides the highest flexibility for universal use, which is a key market requirement. The new Atmel RFID device provides a broad range of data rates from RF/2 to RF/128 (64kBit/s to 1kBit/s at 125kHz), modulation and a variety of coding schemes including ASK, FSK, PSK, Manchester, Bi-phase and NRZ. The Atmel-patented digital Analog Frontend Register (AFE) enables the chip's analog front end circuitry to adapt to the transponder and reader system for maximum performance. The ATA5577M1330C-PP is the only device on the market where the analog behavior can be tuned in a closed and sealed transponder for increased performance. By eliminating the need to open the transponder for tuning, the on-chip AFE register helps simplify the design and production process significantly.

The new transponder is available in a standard lead-free zero-pin brick package, which is also used by other Atmel IDIC® family members. The package molding makes the transponder very robust so that it can be used in rugged environments that are challenging for competing RFID devices, including underwater, on metal or in dirt.

The on-chip memory contains an Atmel-pre-programmed unique ID (UID) in two additional memory blocks. These locked blocks guarantee a unique, worldwide traceable Atmel number consisting of the Atmel lot number, wafer lot and sequential die number. This makes the device well suited for use in applications that only require a low, basic level of security, while at the same time ensuring compatibility with all kinds of existing RFID systems. The ISO11784/ ISO11785 code structure, along with the de-facto-standard-unique format, can be configured according to the requirements of specific 125kHz applications.

Availability and Pricing

Samples of the Atmel ATA5577M1330C-PP in 12mm x 5.9mm x 3mm brick packages are available now. Pricing starts at US$1.93 for bulk shipments of 4,000-piece quantities. To support engineers and to simplify the design of complete RFID systems, Atmel provides evaluation kits (ATA2270-EK1, ATA5505-EK1) with the sample transponders. These kits are based on Atmel's well-known AVR® microcontrollers and provide Windows® PC software, C source code for programming the AVR device, and PCB Gerber data for the reader board.

About Atmel

Atmel Corporation (Nasdaq: ATML) is a worldwide leader in the design and manufacture of microcontrollers, capacitive touch solutions, advanced logic, mixed-signal, nonvolatile memory and radio frequency (RF) components. Leveraging one of the industry's broadest intellectual property (IP) technology portfolios, Atmel is able to provide the electronics industry with complete system solutions focused on industrial, consumer, communications, computing and automotive markets.

© 2012 Atmel Corporation. All Rights Reserved. Atmel®, Atmel logo and combinations thereof, AVR®, IDIC®, and others are registered trademarks or trademarks of Atmel Corporation or its subsidiaries. Windows® is a registered trademark of Microsoft Corporation in the United States and other countries. Other terms and product names may be trademarks of others.

Information:

More information on the Atmel LF RFID transponder ATA5577M1330C-PP is available at: http://www.atmel.com/devices/ATA5577M1330C-PP.aspx

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SOURCE Atmel Corporation