Philips Semiconductors announces availability of ISO 15693-compatible I-CODE smart label and reader IC products

October 11, 2001 - Philips Semiconductors, a division of Royal Philips Electronics (NYSE: PHG, AEX: PHI), has taken a major step forward as the key semiconductor manufacturer for radio frequency identification-based (RFID) smart label solutions. The latest additions to the business' successfully established I·CODE platform - the I·CODE SLI smart label ICs and I·CODE SL RC400 reader ICs - are now available.

Philips Semiconductors is the first company to produce ISO 15693-compliant smart label and reader ICs, highlighting the company's commitment to global standardization and the widespread availability of compatible components for mass market applications. The availability of I·CODE SLI and I·CODE SL RC400 enables Philips Semiconductors to deliver fully integrated key components for both smart labels and readers.

"By producing ISO 15693-compliant products, Philips Semiconductors opens up the benefits of standardized products to its customers and end-users, whilst also ensuring an easy migration path to existing infrastructures based on the original I·CODE platform," said Christoph Kauer, business line manager for Tags & Labels at Philips Semiconductors. "The introduction of standardized products like I·CODE SLI and I·CODE SL RC400 ensures that Philips Semiconductors' customers can choose from a variety of compatible products from different suppliers to build up a total solution tailored to their needs."

The outstanding performance and reliability of Philips Semiconductors' I·CODE has led to the integration of the technology into a number of projects, worldwide. Omron Europe B.V and Sainsbury's supermarkets have used I·CODE-based smart labels in a system that tracks individual perishable items throughout their lifetime in the company's vast distribution chain.

In the world's first implementation of smart labels in postal applications, Escort Memory Systems (EMS) has installed an I·CODE-based mail tracking system at Italian Post. This system enables high levels of automation for faster services, improved accuracy in sorting, and the collation of information at the touch of a button concerning the current status of any shipment. The system is being used to track and sort tagged mailbags and monitor delivery times for priority mail.

The Woodlands Regional Library in Singapore has a revolutionary new inventory control system in place thanks to the use of I·CODE. More than 500,000 items including books, CDs and video cassettes are now embedded with radio tag smart labels which speed up the borrowing process and assist library staff in efficiently pinpointing stock items.

About the I·CODE SLI smart label IC:

I·CODE SLI is an advanced smart label IC that can be read and written to, by any ISO15693-compliant reader worldwide. With the ability to store up to 1024 bits of information for up to a decade without any maintenance requirements, I·CODE SLI is ideally suited for the smart label market ranging from supply chain management applications, including airline baggage handling, to automated library and postal systems.

Operating at a range of up to 1.5 metres, I·CODE SLI has improved anti-collision capabilities meaning several tags can be read at once. Each I·CODE SLI IC is write-protected, enhancing the security of the label. It also has a unique 64-bit serial number that enables customers to implement additional security features and EAS (electronic article surveillance), which protects the labeled items from being stolen.

About I·CODE SL RC400 smart label reader ICs:

I·CODE SL RC400 is a single chip front-end reader IC that integrates digital and analog functionality on-chip. This one chip solution reduces the IC count in the design of reader modules, enabling the optimization of space and making it ideal for use in handheld readers and printers. Philips Semiconductors enables hardware manufacturers to create ISO 15693 infrastructures whilst advancing the performance of RFID. I·CODE SL RC400 is pin-to-pin compatible with Philips' MF RC500 MIFARE reader, which means a reader that can interpret either I·CODE smart labels or MIFARE based smart cards can be constructed on the same design.

About Philips Semiconductors

Philips Semiconductors, with revenues of US $6.3 billion in 2000, is a world leader in silicon systems and standard products for wireless communications, digital entertainment, computing and automotive applications. The organization designs, develops and manufactures silicon solutions based on its innovative Nexperia™ architecture to create living technology for its customers building products, service providers using the products, and consumers enjoying the resulting products and services.
For more information: www.semiconductors.philips.com.