RFID Chips Types Features and Leading Manufacturers

RFID Chips Explained

RFID chips are the tiny integrated circuits (ICs) found inside RFID tags or labels. Despite their small size, these chips are highly integrated, containing essential components such as a controller, memory storage, and a microprocessor. They operate by receiving power through the waves emitted by the antenna, and the RFID reader processes the stored data from the integrated circuit and transmits it.
With ongoing technological advancements, new RFID chips are constantly being developed, offering increased memory capacity and enhanced functionality. These chips provide a wide range of features, including password protection, data encryption capabilities, and integration with Electronic Article Surveillance (EAS) systems. Some chips even combine UHF RFID and NFC technologies, such as the EM4423 found in the Smartrac Belt DF tag.

Key Features of RFID Integrated Circuits

– EPC (Electronic Product Code): A unique serial number designed to individually identify any object or product. This code can be customized according to user needs.
– User Memory: Allows storage of relevant information such as dates, product batches, expiry dates, and other important data.
– TID (Tag Identifier): A unique, non-modifiable identifier that ensures the singularity of each RFID tag globally. It is factory-locked and cannot be altered.
– Password Protection: A password can be set to prevent unauthorized individuals from reprogramming the chip.

Key Features of NFC Integrated Circuits

– UID (Unique Identifier): Similar to the RFID TID, it is a unique and non-modifiable identifier that guarantees the uniqueness of each NFC tag worldwide.
– Password Protection: As with RFID, a password can be added to prevent unauthorized reprogramming of the chip.
– Memory: It offers the capacity to store data in 4-byte blocks. The standard encoding format is NDEF, which allows storing URLs, dates, product batches, locations, contacts, and more.

Leading Manufacturers of Integrated Circuits (IC)

– Impinj
NXP Semiconductors
– Alien Technology

Common Types of Chips (IC) in RFID UHF Technology

AbbreviationNumberEPC MemoryUser MemoryTID PrefixTID Memory
Higgs 3Alien Higgs 396-bit512-bitE200 341264 bits of serialized TID with 48-bit serial number
Higgs 9Alien Higgs 996/496-bitUp to 688-bit48 bits of serialized TID with 32-bit serial number
Higgs 4Alien Higgs 4128-bit128-bit64 bits of serialized TID with 32-bit serial number
M4DImpinj Monza 4D128-bit32-bitE280 110096 bits of serialized TID with 48-bit serial number
M4iImpinj Monza 4i256-bit480-bitE280 111496 bits of serialized TID with 48-bit serial number
M4QTImpinj Monza 4QT128-bit512-bitE280 110596 bits of serialized TID with 48-bit serial number
R6-BImpinj Monza R6-B96-bitE280 117196 bits of serialized TID with 48-bit serial number
R6Impinj Monza R696-bitE280 116096 bits of serialized TID with 48-bit serial number
R6-PImpinj Monza R6P96/128-bit64/32-bitE280 117096 bits of serialized TID with 48-bit serial number
M730Impinj Monza M730128-bitE280 119196 bits of serialized TID with 48-bit serial number
M750Impinj Monza M75096-bit32-bitE280 119096 bits of serialized TID with 48-bit serial number
M770Impinj Monza M770128-bit32-bit
M775Impinj Monza M775128-bit32-bit
M780Impinj Monza M780496-bit128-bit
M781Impinj Monza M781128-bit512-bit
M4EImpinj Monza 4EUp to 496-bit128-bitE280 110C96 bits of serialized TID with 48-bit serial number
X-2KImpinj Monza X-2K Dura128-bit2176-bit96 bits of serialized TID
X-8KImpinj Monza X-8K Dura128-bit8192-bit96 bits of serialized TID
imNXP im256-bit512-bitE280 680A96 bits of serialized TID with 48-bit serial number
M5NXP UCODE 5128-bit32-bitE280 110296 bits of serialized TID with 48-bit serial number
R6NXP UCODE 696-bitE280 116096 bits of serialized TID with 48-bit serial number
U7NXP UCODE 7128-bitE280 681096 bits of serialized TID with 48-bit serial number
U7XM+NXP UCODE 7+448-bit2K-bitE280 6D9296 bits of serialized TID with 48-bit serial number
U7XM-1kNXP UCODE 7XM448-bit1K-bitE280 6D1296 bits of serialized TID with 48-bit serial number
U7XM-2kNXP UCODE 7XM448-bit2K-bitE280 6F1296 bits of serialized TID with 48-bit serial number
U8NXP UCODE 8128-bitE280 689496 bits of serialized TID with 48-bit serial number
U9NXP UCODE 996-bitE280 699596 bits of serialized TID with 48-bit serial number
UDNANXP UCODE DNA224-bit3K-bitE2C0 689296 bits of serialized TID with 48-bit serial number
UDNA CNXP UCODE DNA City224-bit1K-bit96 bits of serialized TID
UDNA TNXP UCODE DNA Track448-bit256-bit96 bits of serialized TID
I2CNXP UCODE I2C160-bit3328-bit96 bits of serialized TID with 48-bit serial number
G2iMNXP UCODE G2iM256-bit320/640-bitE200 680A96 bits of serialized TID with 48-bit serial number
G2iM+NXP UCODE G2iM+448-bit512-bit
G2iLNXP UCODE G2il128-bitE200 680664 bits of serialized TID with