The impact of UCODE tag memory expansion on supply chain and industrial IoT

Tens of billions of RAIN RFID tags travel through the value chain each year, identifying and tracking items of all kinds. In most cases, only a small amount of storage space is required to store the product and tag IDs, thereby distinguishing each item and reporting the item's location and/or status in the system.

So why do some RAIN RFID tags offer extra storage space? Because in some cases, especially in the supply chain and Industrial Internet of Things (IoT), even a little extra storage space can make a big difference. In addition to product and tag IDs, extended memory tags can store other information, helping to improve efficiency, increase automation and reduce operating costs.

What is an Extended Memory Tag?

RAIN RFID tags offering extended memory are essentially the same as other RAIN RFID tags, following the same protocol and fully interoperable with the broader RAIN RFID ecosystem, except that they include optional memory resources that are not included in the basic tag.

UCODE tag memory bank

All RAIN RFID tags use the GS1 UHF Gen2 protocol. According to this protocol, the standard memory in a RAIN RFID tag is divided into 4 banks:

1. Reserved Memory, which stores the password used to lock and unlock access to the tag's other memory banks. It also provides the ability to "kill" the tag so it will not respond to a reader.

2. Tag ID (TID) memory, used to store the unique number TID assigned to the tag during the manufacturing process.

3. Electronic Product Code (EPC)/Unique Item ID (UII) memory for storing the EPC or UII assigned to the item associated with the tag.

4. User memory, which stores any other data other than EPC/UII information that the system may need.

The first two banks of tag memory, reserved memory and TID memory, are essentially fixed in size, but the size of EPC memory and user memory can vary. Most tags offer the minimum memory capacity required for EPC storage (96 or 128 bits) and little or no user memory. Extended memory tags, on the other hand, offer larger EPC memories (up to 496 bits), allowing users to store hundreds or thousands of bits in user memory.

Expandable storage brings expansion options

Providing additional memory opens up many opportunities. Tags can store the larger EPC ID along with information related to the basic ID, such as manufacturing status, model information, or value chain data.

In addition, important details such as the unit serial number, origin or concentration of a specific chemical can be recorded when the information is available, as well as batch numbers, expiration dates, compound dates or expiration dates. This information is very important when the product is transferred between various partners in the value chain. Data needs to be transferred, but it cannot be transferred without complex security protection mechanisms and strong connections. Storing important data on the tag together with the product or item ID enables downstream partners to obtain the necessary data at the right time.

Furthermore, data stored in the extended memory can be accessed at any time, even when cloud connectivity is unavailable, and tagged items can still provide all their information, including data stored in the extended memory, anytime and anywhere through the reader.

The following are the unique advantages that extended memory provides to the industry:

Manufacturing operations: On production lines, extended memory tags help monitor the progress of complex products from start to finish and record status and part IDs during assembly. In the aerospace and automotive sectors, detailed information about product assembly can be recorded during production and fully tracked after the product is born without relying on system connectivity.

Inventory management: Adding tags to items and containers provides more detailed product information, supports digital kanban operations, and uses memory to store date, batch or part generation information to ensure that the right parts are used in the right place on the production line and in the correct order.

Automated Tool Management: On the factory floor, extended memory supports automated tool management and automated tool checking, improving tool availability, worker accountability and the accuracy of tool maintenance schedules.

Supply Chain Management: Labeled parts and containers can automatically provide proof of shipment, supplier-provided date information and issue automatic receipts, making logistics more efficient and the just-in-time supply chain run more smoothly.

Airline baggage tracking: The latest baggage tracking uses high-performance tags, some with additional tag memory, that can store information about the bag, its destination and its owner, reducing the number of cases where baggage is misplaced during transportation and allowing airport staff to promptly place the baggage on the correct flight so that the flight can take off on time.

Perishables and Pharmaceuticals: In many industries, knowing the expiration date of a product is critical to ensuring safety. Extended storage is often used to store time/date and batch information, which remains on the item as it moves through manufacturing and the supply chain. The stored data can be viewed at any point in the product lifecycle, even without a network connection.

UCODE 9xm supports storing more detailed product information on items and containers via tags

NXP's approach to extended memory tagging

If customers need additional memory, NXP recommends the UCODE 9xm extended memory IC. The UCODE 9xm offers the same feature set and extreme RF performance as the successful UCODE 9, but with 3 flexible memory configurations providing up to 496 bits of EPC/UI memory and up to 752 bits of user memory.

UCODE 9xm offers extended memory and expansion options. Watch the on-demand training video to learn about the extensive feature set and benefits. UCODE 9xm introduction.

As shown in the figure, EPC/UII and user memory share a total of 880 bits of storage space, supporting the balance of different needs according to specific usage scenarios. For example, in the manufacturing field, all 752 bits of user memory can be used to store detailed information of the product, while automobiles or airlines can use all 496 bits of EPC/UII memory to comply with relevant data standards. In either case, the memory configuration is programmed by the customer during the tag encoding process, which means that a single IC can be used to meet multiple usage scenarios, helping to reduce the complexity of inventory units (SKUs) and providing customers with configuration flexibility to adapt to some of the current complex value chain environments.

Customer configurable UCODE 9xm memory

Learn more

Extended memory UCODE tags address today’s most pressing IoT and supply chain challenges by storing additional information beyond the basic EPC/UII ID. Learn how NXP is addressing these challenges with nxp.com/UCODE9xm.

author:

James Goodland

Director of RAIN RFID Solutions, NXP Semiconductors

Through close collaboration with corporate partners, his vision is no longer limited to the IC field, but is aimed at the development and implementation of complete solutions. James has more than 15 years of experience in RFID technology, representing companies serving the entire supply chain, including hardware manufacturers, system integrators and end users. He has been responsible for the deployment of RFID technology for multiple brand companies and end users, covering a variety of different industries and markets.