BTG Signs Agreement with Atmel to Collaborate in the Design and Manufacture of Radio Frequency Identification, RFID, Transponder Chips
6/19/2003 7:00:00 AM
(thanks to au536 on stockhouse)
WEST CONSHOHOCKEN, Pa., Jun 19, 2003 (BUSINESS WIRE) -- BTG (UK:BGC) , the global technology commercialization company, has announced that it has signed (in association with its RFID Venture Company, RFIP Solutions) a co-operation agreement for a UHF RFID ISO 18000-6 type chip with Atmel(R) Corporation (ATML) , a global leader in the design and manufacture of advanced logic, mixed-signal, non-volatile memory and RF semiconductors. The two companies will work together to bring added value to UHF RFID tags and systems.
The chip to be developed under the agreement will be an ISO 18000-6 type A compliant, fully-functional read-write RFID transponder and will be optimized for quick, accurate reading in any country. This standard is championed by 11 key players in the RFID market. The device will also support the data structures envisaged by the EPC (Auto ID Center) as well as those developed by the EAN-UCC for identifying individual products and tracking them as they flow through the manufacturing plant, distribution centers and retail stores. It will also be suited to EU regulatory jurisdictions.
Tags incorporating the chips developed by Atmel will be used to track and trace items such as pallets, totes, crates, and trading units, in addition to individual item identification. For example, retailers will be able to tag crates of product or high-value items ensuring their safe, automated transit or simply to manage re-stock orders better. According to data from AMR Research, supply chain losses globally because of poor visibility are in excess of $180 billion (GBP113 billion) simply because retailers don't know what is in the stock room.
RFIP Solutions has developed a proof of concept protocol engine, which will be used as a benchmark to ensure that the ISO standard is interpreted in a common and consistent manner. This agreement will allow RFIP Solutions to participate in the commercialization of the developed products.
Commenting on the agreement, David Armstrong, Director of RFIP Solutions said: "Atmel has an outstanding reputation for developing RFID and other integrated circuits. Through this agreement, BTG will provide technical expertise and resources to support Atmel in the commercialization of an innovative design for bringing these standards together and in helping to ensure these products realise their full technical and market potential. This agreement is a significant step for BTG and RFIP in developing our presence in this market."
About BTG
BTG finds, develops and commercializes emerging technologies in the life and physical sciences. These innovations are protected by a strong portfolio of intellectual property that BTG develops and enhances. BTG then captures the value in these technologies through licensing and venturing activities. From the origins of its business in 1949, BTG has commercialised major innovations such as Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI), recombinant factor IX blood-clotting protein, Campath(R) (alemtuzumab) and Multilevel Cell (MLC) memory. BTG is quoted on the London Stock Exchange under the symbol "BGC" and operates from offices in London and Philadelphia, with representation in Tokyo. BTG operates through wholly owned subsidiaries, BTG International Ltd. and BTG International Inc. in the UK and USA, respectively. Further information on BTG can be found at www.btgplc.com.
About RFIP Solutions
RFIP Solutions is a venture created by BTG and SAMsys in 2002 in order to develop technologies addressing the rapidly growing Ultra High Frequency (UHF) segment of the RFID marketplace. BTG and SAMSys have worked together since 1995, when BTG licensed its Supertag(TM) IP to SAMSys. Since then, both companies have further developed the RFID technology and IP. RFIP Solutions will bring the IP and technology together in a focused development programme. BTG will also contribute its RFID technology including its Supertag(TM) IP. (bold is mine)
About Atmel
Founded in 1984, Atmel Corporation is headquartered in San Jose, California, with manufacturing facilities in North America and Europe. Atmel designs, manufactures and markets worldwide, advanced logic, mixed-signal, nonvolatile memory and RF semiconductors. Atmel is also a leading provider of system-level integration semiconductor solutions using CMOS, BiCMOS, SiGe, and high-voltage BCDMOS process technologies. Further information on Atmel can be found at www.atmel.com, Atmel's RFID information may be retrieved at atmel.com.
Atmel(R) and combinations thereof are the registered trademarks of Atmel Corporation or its subsidiaries.
SOURCE: BTG
BTG plc
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