Semiconductor Solutions for the Development of the RFID Technology in Brazil

Chief Design and Institutional Relations OfficerMARCELO LUBASZEWSKI

Agenda1. Introduction

2. RFID IC Design Challenges

3. RFID Brazilian Market

4. CEITEC and its RFID Products

5. Final Considerations

Semiconductor Industry Drivers

Introduction

Introduction

Connected Objects

[1] Sundmaeker et al., eds., “Vision and Challenges for Realizing the Internet of Things”, IoT European Research Cluster, Mar. 2010; www.internet-of-things-research.eu[2] Fleisch E., “What Is the Internet of Things? An Economic Perspective”, White Paper, WP-BIZAPP-053, AutoID Labs, Jan. 2010; www.autoidlabs.org

Introduction

Internet of Things

• ID‐only• Ultra low cost• Very high volumes

Introduction

RFID Market Segments

• Value‐added• Higher profit margins• Still high volumes

Introduction

RFID Market Segments

Agenda1. Introduction

2. RFID IC Design Challenges

3. RFID Brazilian Market

4. CEITEC and its RFID Products

5. Final Considerations

Modulator

Demodulator

NVMor

OTPPower-OnReset

ClockGenerator

MemoryControl

Encoder

Decoder CommandDecoder

MainControl(FSM)

PMU

Flags

Crypto

FrameEncoder

0110

0110

Vdd

Gnd

Analog Domain

Digital Domain

Memory (NVM or OTP)

CRC

[3] Finkenzeller, K. “RFID Handbook: Fundamentals and Applications in Contactless Smart Cards and Identification.” 2nd ed. ; Wiley (2003)[4] Lehpamer, H. “RFID Design Principles.” ; Boston: Artech House (2003)

RFID IC Design

Low cost

Low power

Small footprint

Reduced pin count

Mixed‐signal

Challenges

RFID IC Design

Challenges

RFID IC Design

Challenges

Low cost

Low power

Small footprint

Reduced pin count

Mixed‐signal

High volume, low cost applications:

– Animal tracking

– Goods inventory

– Product logistics

– Vehicular control

– Perishables tracking

RFID IC Design

Challenges

Low cost

Low power

Small footprint

Reduced pin count

Mixed‐signal

Passive RFIDs:

– No battery or other external power supply

– The lower the power, the more sensitive the tag 

Semi‐passive RFIDs:

– External battery

– The lower the power, the longer the battery lifetime

RFID IC Design

Challenges

Low cost

Low power

Small footprint

Reduced pin count

Mixed‐signal Increase number of dice per wafer

Lower IC cost in volume production

RFID IC Design

Challenges

Low cost

Low power

Small footprint

Reduced pin count

Mixed‐signal

Reducing pad count reduces die size

The fewer pins, the more parallel the 

wafer test can be

[5] Abdennadher, S. ; Shaikh, S. A. “Practices in Mixed-Signal and RF IC Testing.” Design & Test of Computers, IEEE, Volume 24, Issue 4. (2007)

RFID IC Design

Challenges

Low cost

Low power

Small footprint

Reduced pin count

Mixed‐signal

Mixed‐signal design:

– Analog signals

– Digital signals

– RF signals

– Non‐Volatile Memory

Long test time

Agenda1. Introduction

2. RFID IC Design Challenges

3. RFID Brazilian Market

4. CEITEC and its RFID Products

5. Final Considerations

RFID and smart cards are quickly turning into preferential technologies in Brazilfor the identification and tracking of people, animals and objects.

Brazilian Market

A sample of the potential market:

Several brazilian government programs can benefit from electronic identification technologies: 

RIC – citizen ID SINIAV – vehicle ID and tracking SISBOV – cattle tracking etc.

Important tax breaks are offered to companies adhering the PPB (basic productive process) through products with proven national added value

Brazilian Market

Opportunities

Agenda1. Introduction

2. RFID IC Design Challenges

3. RFID Brazilian Market

4. CEITEC and its RFID Products

5. Final Considerations

State‐owned company:  Controlled by the MCTI  Part of the IC‐Brazil Program  Started operation in 2009

Two companies in one:  CMOS Fab Design House (operates as fabless)

CEITEC

Markets: Starting with Brazil and Latin America Private and government customers

CTC11002 – Chip do Boi

First CEITEC’s RFID product, Chip do Boi is thebase element of cattle earing tags;

From 2014, CTC11002 will be produced in theCEITEC’s CMOS Fab;

Applications: identification of animals, gascylinders, tires, containers and other.

RFID‐LF Product

Radio‐Frequency Identification: Low Frequency solution

RFID‐HF Products

CTC12000

Partnership with Hemobras;

Currently undergoing final tests;

Applications: identification and tracking ofperishable goods (blood products), and also ofdrugs, books, correspondence, etc.

CTC12100 (with temperature sensor)

Measures and records temperatures andtransmits data through radio‐frequency;

Applications: Can be used in food, medicine and other perishable products. 

Radio‐Frequency Identification: High Frequency solutions

CTC 21001 (e‐passport)

Chip to use in the Brazilian passport;

Compliant with the ICAO (InternationalCivil Aviation Organization) definitions;

Applications: personal identification withsecure information for use in electronicpassports.

RFID‐HF Products

Radio‐Frequency Identification: High Frequency solutions

CTC13001 (EPC Gen2)

Multiple applications in logistics, inventorycontrol and asset management;

CTC 13001 is already available to the marketwith prompt delivery;

Applications:  identifying and tracking airlinebaggage, vehicles, retail products, cargo logisticsand in healthcare (medicines, management ofpatients, etc.)

CTC13100 (SINIAV)

Compliant with the national standards of theSINIAV program and with the international normsof security and encryption; 

Application: identification of the fleet of nationalvehicles. 

RFID‐UHF Products

Radio‐Frequency Identification: Ultra High Frequency solutions

• Access to tax incentives through the use of national content chips and solutions

• Tailored engineering: customization to balance cost and functionality

• Business model adapted to the customer needs:– Confidenciality– Partnership for technological developments – Long term relationship

What else do we offer?

Agenda1. Introduction

2. RFID IC Design Challenges

3. RFID Brazilian Market

4. CEITEC and its RFID Products

5. Final Considerations

Results

Chips of the CTC 13000 familiywere used in tests with printers and cartridges tags of HP Brasil, Epson and Samsung. The wafers were tested, grinded and diced in‐house.

CTC 13000 and CTC 13001 chips have recently received the national content certification:

Results

From Aug 2012 the CTC 11002 (Chip do Boi) started being used in electronic earings for animal identification produced by the Fockink Group. The whole chip and electronic taghave already received the ICAR international certification.

Casa da Moeda and CEITEC signed in 2012 an agreement to develop the new chip for thebrazilian passport. The first pilot of brazilian passports with the CTC 21001 chip will bereleased in 2014.

Novus and CEITEC signed this year an agreement to develop the CTC 12100 chip for theidentificiation, temperature monitoring and tracking of perishable goods. The new productwill be delivered mid 2014.

CTC12100

CTC21001

CTC13100

CTC13001

CTC11002

CTC12000

RFID Products: timeline

Global Partners

• Within one generation, CEITEC as an important Brazilian company recognized as a global player in the semiconductor industry 

• Short and medium term actions guided by this vision:• Choices of markets, technologies and programs for HR training• Assist increasing the national content in products designed/assembled in 

Brazil• Get leverage from government programs to boost growth and conquer 

markets• Help developing a regional microelectronics ecosystem, attracting and 

partnering with established companies, other start‐ups, universities and R&D centers

Vision

Thank you!