Mar 17, 2022Presented here are recent news announcements regarding the following organizations: Ambiq, Transact, Elatec, Metrc, Better Online Solutions, Dagesh and IDTechEx.
Ambiq Expands Processor Portfolio with BLE Connectivity for IoT Devices
Ambiq, a provider of platforms and solutions including microcontrollers, systems-on-chip (SOCs) and real-time clocks, has introduced its expanded Apollo4 SoC portfolio. This, the company reports, includes the latest Apollo4 Plus and Apollo4 Blue Plus with Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) connectivity, with enhanced graphics display capabilities and security features to protect power-constrained Internet of Things (IoT) endpoint devices without compromising power efficiency.
The wearables market, including smart watches, bands and glasses, is expected to generate more than $350 billion in cumulative revenues throughout the next five years, according to Ambiq. The role of wearables is evolving to become essential in medical, wellness and fitness applications, in which user experience, safety and security are key factors in purchasing decisions. The Apollo4 Plus is now in mass production, targeting smart watches and bands, as well as consumer medical devices, motion and tracking units, and smart homes.
The Apollo4 Plus is a fourth-generation processor solution built upon Ambiq's proprietary Subthreshold Power-Optimized Technology (SPOT) platform, enabling new features while reducing devices' overall power consumption to extend battery life. Embedded with MRAM, SRAM, ultra-low-power processors, software stacks and up to 192 MHz in operating frequency with TurboSPOT, the company reports, the latest SoC to the Apollo4 family is intended to enable AI-capable operations, including data ingestion, pre-processing, inference and actuation.
Equipped with an audio subsystem, the Apollo4 can compute complex algorithms required for the precise voice recognition and higher fidelity needed for voice calls. Its integrated GPU and display controller, combined with fast memory access, allow manufacturers to differentiate products with larger display user interfaces offering vivid colors and high-resolution graphics.
"The future of IoT is in the intelligence of things that stay on and connected 24-7," said Dan Cermak, Ambiq's VP of architecture and product planning, in a prepared statement. "The latest product and feature additions to our Apollo4 SoC family demonstrate that battery-operated devices no longer have to compromise performance for power constraints."
Transact, Elatec Partner on RFID-NFC Reader
Transact has announced a partnership with Elatec, a provider of RFID products, software and services, to offer its TWN4 MultiTech NFC and RFID reader. The reader's universal compatibility, the companies report, will enable students to use their Transact Mobile Credential and Campus ID cards for contactless transactions across their campus. The technology is designed to streamline activities such as document printing and copy making, as well as parking and dorm access, purchases at vending machines and retail locations, time and attendance, and locker use.
Integrating Elatec's flexible RFID technology and services can expand the number of peripheral devices that interact with Transact's credentials, the companies explain. The TWN4 MultiTech Reader is built for use in secure print applications, according to Elatec, and has been tested, validated and approved for use by all major multi-function printer manufacturers for secure print- and copy-management solutions. The reader, with Transact's AVT mode option, allows for quick integration and support for Transact Credentials, including Mifare, DESFire EV1 and EV2, Apple Wallet and Google Pay mobile credentials.
"Elatec offers simple, secure and versatile product solutions for practically any access-control application, along with the knowledge and support to implement them for Transact credentials," said Rasheed Behrooznia, Transact's VP of campus ID solutions, in a prepared statement. "Transact is dedicated to offering the latest and greatest technological solutions. We're excited to include Elatec in the growing list of Transact's more than 270 partners."
"We are pleased to integrate with Transact Campus and their significant, transferable user base," added Paul Massey, Elatec's CEO, in the prepared statement. "We are committed to providing technology that is safe, reliable and future-proof to our customers and their users, and to delivering a superior authentication experience for Transact."
Metrc Announces Cannabis Track-and-Trace Contract with New Jersey
Metrc, a provider of cannabis regulatory track-and-trace systems in the United States, has announced a new contract with the state of New Jersey. The contract's finalization comes on the heels of approval earlier this year by the state's Cannabis Regulatory Commission. The Garden State is Metrc's latest adult-use contract and the company's 18th government contract for a track-and-trace system. Metrc's solution combines software, RFID, a dedicated customer-support team and a secure database to track cannabis from growth, harvesting and processing to testing, transport and sale.
"As New Jersey kicks off its first cannabis track-and-trace system, we're excited to help lead the charge on implementing this crucial step toward effective regulation," said Jeff Wells, Metrc's CEO, in a prepared statement. "Metrc looks forward to working closely with the state of New Jersey, regulators and licensed business owners to ensure the security and safety of both the state's medicinal market and the newly established adult-use market."
Metrc serves more than 250,000 users, including growers, testing facilities, dispensaries, state regulators and law-enforcement officials throughout 16 U.S. states, as well as in the District of Columbia and Guam. New Jersey has had a legal medicinal cannabis program since 2010, and it legalized cannabis for adult use last year. The partnership between Metrc and New Jersey will be the first time the state has implemented a centralized track-and-trace system, the company reports.
The solution, according to Metrc, utilizes an RFID tag model whereby each individual plant and product is traceable via a patented tag, allowing for data tracking for each plant, while optimizing inventory control and cultivation management. The system is intended to ensure regulatory compliance, assist with the accurate reporting of sales data, combat the illicit market, and foster consumer and product safety.
Better Online Solutions' RFID Division Acquires Dagesh Assets
Better Online Solutions (BOS) has announced that its RFID division has acquired the assets of Dagesh, which provides inventory-counting services in Israel, primarily for retail stores. BOS provides services and systems for inventory production and management in three channels: services (its Supply Chain Division provides inventory procurement and kitting), integration (its RFID Division provides off-the-shelf software and equipment to track and manage inventory on production floors and in warehouses) and development (its Intelligent Robotics Division develops and builds custom-made robotic cells for industrial and logistic processes).
In consideration for the acquisition, BOS shall pay 2.3 million Israeli new shekels (NIS)—approximately $700,000—of which 1.5 million NIS was paid at the closing; 700,000 NIS shall be paid by April 2022, then 100,000 NIS shall be paid by March 2023. In addition, BOS shall provide Dagesh with an earn-out payment of 3 to 6 percent of the revenues of the acquired assets during the 12 months ending on Feb. 28, 2023, as long as these revenues are in excess of 2.5 million NIS. It will then pay 100,000 NIS upon the retention of at least 50 percent of Dagesh's employees.
"Dagesh provides inventory-counting services for valuable customers with high growth potential," said Eyal Cohen, BOS's CEO, in a prepared statement. "Combining Dagesh with our existing inventory-counting services is expected to create operational synergy, increase our market share and strengthen our market position. We estimate that this acquisition will contribute about $1 million to our consolidated revenues for the remaining 10 months of the year 2022 and will positively affect our 2022 net income, after accounting for acquisition expenses and amortization of related intangible assets."
IDTechEx Explains How Semiconductor Shortage Affects RFID Industry
IDTechEx, a firm that offers independent market research, business intelligence and events regarding emerging technologies, has issued a statement discussing how the radio frequency identification sector is affected by the current semiconductor shortage. The full statement is provided below.
COVID-19 is a double sword. COVID pushes businesses to adopt technologies quicker to improve production as well as management efficiency, in order to survive. COVID-19, on the other hand, catalyzes an ongoing issue—the semiconductor shortage—that has had a substantial influence on a wide variety of businesses in recent years, including the RFID industry. Impinj, one of the leading UHF chip suppliers, stated in its Q3 2021 earnings call that semiconductor crisis has resulted in cost increases across the entire supply chain, from wafers to components, assembly, packaging, and shipping, and that the cost increases are too large for them to absorb at this time, and that they have no choice but to pass on the costs to their customers in order to maintain their margin model.
Despite the price hike, the business claims that demand for chips is still high—demand for endpoint ICs for UHF RFID tags exceeded shipments by more than 50 percent in Q3 alone. According to the company, both 200-mm and 300-mm wafers are in short supply for endpoint ICs, and the demand will continue to outstrip supply through 2022.
Let's look at the source of chips: the Si wafers. Shin-Etsu, SUMCO, Siltronic, Globalwafers, and SK Siltron are the top five players in the Si wafer business. Shin-Etsu is the world's largest silicon wafer manufacturer, with a 29.4 percent market share, followed by Japan's Sumco (21.9 percent), GlobalWafers (15.2 percent), Siltronic (11.5 percent), SK Siltron (11.4 percent), and Soitec (5.5 percent). A number of Chinese companies compete in the silicon wafer market. When these companies' situations and responses to the crisis are examined, we can see that the crisis is far from over.
For example, GlobalWafers stated in an interview elsewhere that the company won't be able to meet the wafer demand until 2024. The CEO, Doris Hsu, said 'We have clear order visibility for 2023 and it should be okay into 2024. We do not see any signs of things slowing down in 2023 or 2024.' This is because the worldwide expansion is moving at a snail's pace. Over the next two years, the company plans to invest US$800 million in boosting production efficiency at its 12-inch fabs, including those in the United States, in order to increase production capacity.
Last year, the business attempted to buy German wafer supplier Siltronic for $4.98 billion USD, but the deal fell through, and the funds will now be utilized to expand production. The firm announced in February 2022 that 'the new manufacturing lines are planned to ramp up in H2 2023 and to be expanded on a quarterly basis.'
Sumco, a Japanese wafer provider, would invest 201.5 billion yen ($ 1.75 USD) in a new production foundry in Japan's Saga Prefecture, adjacent to current facilities. Building and equipment installation will begin this year, with full operation set to commence in 2025. The factory will be operational in stages beginning in H2 2023. According to Mayuki Hashimoto, the business's CEO, despite expanding its capacity, the company will only begin to raise output in H2 2023, and it will not be entirely wrapped up until 2025.
Faced with high demand, the corporation will raise prices by 10 percent this year, with more price increases expected over the next few years until reaching a peak in 2024. Shin-Etsu, the world's largest supplier of Si wafers, said on an earnings call last month that wafer supply will remain tight for years. In 2022 and 2023, the corporation will lease some current production capacity. The new facilities will not be operational until at least 2024.
To summarize, despite the fact that all of the major wafer suppliers are investing in capacity expansion (particularly for 300 mm wafers) to meet rising demand, none of them expect the tight supply situation to change in the next 1-2 years. In today's RFID technology, the Si chip is critical. RFID is utilized in a wide range of industries, including personnel identification, contactless card transactions, and tracking commodities ranging from retail clothes to industrial parts.
COVID-19 propels the RFID industry forward. The RFID industry has been rebounding well since 2021, according to IDTechEx's 'RFID Forecasts, Players, and Opportunities 2022-2032' market research study. We would predict even higher growth if there were no chip shortage problem. The chip shortfall is expected to endure until 2023/early 2024, according to IDTechEx.
Exhibitors at RFID Journal LIVE! 2022 will offer tagging and tracking solutions for a wide variety of industries. To learn more, visit the event's website.
