Wiliot, Dredger Corporation, Nordic Semiconductor, RF-star: RFID News Roundup

Published: May 23, 2024

Wiliot Introduces New Ambient IoT Food Safety Initiative

Wiliot announced a new food safety initiative to create completely transparent and traceable supply chains through the adoption of IoT technology. Wiliot is partnering with food industry leaders iFoodDS and Trustwell to incorporate its ambient IoT data and technology into both companies’ safety and compliance platforms.

Wiliot’s battery-free ambient IoT Pixels can attach to any food product or packaging to connect it to the internet and embed it with intelligence. Once attached, products push out item or case-level information about their location, temperature, carbon footprint, and more – equipping food retailers and companies with the high-definition real-time data that is now required as part of FSMA Rule 204.

Ambient IoT is a battery-free wireless technology that allows food products to be connected to the internet and the power of AI at a fraction of the cost of legacy technologies. Besides food safety and FSMA compliance, additionally benefits include efficient store operations allowing retailers to compete on quality as well as value, according to Wiliot officials.

Trustwell’s software and consulting solutions are focused on increased transparency across the supply chain, giving food companies the tools they need to remain always ahead of industry regulations. Trustwell brings together two products—FoodLogiQ and Genesis—to go beyond compliance and set a new standard for safety, transparency, and quality in the food industry, said the compnay in a statement announcing the new initiative.

iFoodDS helps food companies deliver traceable, wholesome, high-quality products to consumers. iFoodDS’ connected traceability, quality, and food safety solutions give companies visibility and insight into their supply chains, reduce food waste, and optimize inventory quality.

Dredger Corporation Adopts RFID for Seamless Inventory Management

Dredger Corporation of India Ltd (DCIL) has agreed a new deal with ID Tech to implement an RFID-based inventory management system to optimize maintenance operations for DCIL’s fleet.

DCIL, a key player in maintaining India’s port infrastructure, operates and oversees a fleet of 12 dredgers tasked with ensuring optimal depth and width at various ports through continuous dredging activities. The agreement with ID Tech involves the development and implementation of a RFID-based inventory management system for their spare parts. This solution will provide tracking of spare parts from land-based storage facilities to onboard storerooms, culminating in the actual usage on the dredgers.

The core components of this system includes web-based software, Android application, and RFID technology, which utilized IDT RFID wire seals, UHF on-metal tags, and various other RFID tags and labels to ensure accurate asset tracking.

Nordic, Sisvel to Streamline Cellular IoT SEP Licensing

A new agreement between Nordic Semiconductor and patent pool administrator Sisvel was reached for the licensing of standard essential patents (SEPs) reading on LTE-M and NB-IoT cellular technology. The agreement creates a framework for easy and transparent access to the LTE-M and NB-IoT radio technology standards for a diverse range of IoT applications.

The initiative simplifies for IoT device makers to obtain end-product licenses from more than 30 patent owners holding LTE-M and NB-IoT SEPs, through Nordic as the cellular module supplier.

The agreement addresses the challenges posed by the diversity within the cellular IoT market, in which a multitude of companies—from startups to established corporation‚—are innovating. The wide range of significant initiatives being rolled out in areas such as smart-health, smart-energy, smart-cities and asset-tracking are currently at risk of stalling because of the lack of predictability and transparency in the access to and the cost of SEP licensing.

By offering standardized licenses, the agreement will reduce business uncertainty and the possibility of litigation. This will allow companies to focus on what they do best – developing new, innovative products and services for the IoT market.

RF-star Expands Automotive Wireless Solutions with Bluetooth Modules

RF-star has expanded its Bluetooth module lineup tailored specifically for automotive applications. The latest BLE modules include the RF-BM-2642QB1I and RF-BM-2340QB1, designed to excel in automobile-critical applications such as digital car keys, T-Box, tire pressure monitoring systems (TPMS), passive entry passive start (PEPS), and more.

RF-star’s new BLE modules are based on TI chips, specifically the CC2642R-Q1 and CC2340R5-Q1 MCUs meeting Automotive Electronics Council standards. RF-BM-2642QB1I and RF-BM-2340QB1 BLE modules integrated with the automotive-qualified MCUs can operate in the Grade 2 temperature range, guaranteeing their reliability and durability in harsh automotive environments.
Additionally, RF-star’s CC2642R-Q1 and CC2340R5-Q1 modules incorporate AES 128-and 256-bit cryptographic accelerator, ECC and RSA public key hardware accelerator and true random number generator.

Certified with ISO9001 and IATF16949 (automotive sector quality management systems), the enterprise and the manufacturer meticulously adhere to international quality management standards.

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