Types of RFID chips

RFID chips are integrated circuits (IC) inside RFID tags or labels. Despite their small size, they are highly-integrated microchips that contain all the components of a controller, memory and microprocessor.

The chip operates by receiving energy via the waves the antenna emits. Then, the reader processes the readings to transmit the data that are stored in the same integrated circuit.

New integrated circuits with the latest technology are being launched every day, with increased internal memories and higher quality. Today, they have a multitude of possibilities and features, such as adding passwords, data encryption functions and the possibility to have an EAS alarm system. There are other types of chips that combine UHF RFID technology with NFC technology, such as the EM4423, with the tag Smartrac Belt DF.

UHF integrated circuits have 4 main characteristics

  • EPC: The Electronic Product Code is a universal identifier to provide a unique identity for every object and product. The serial number can be customised. Example: F4500019081201311700680D
  • User memory: It is designed to record the data required by users, such as dates, batches and product expiry date.
  • TID: It is the unique identifier of RFID tags. Since there cannot be duplicates, this means each tag is unique worldwide. It is factory locked and cannot be changed. Example: E200001908120237172068DA
  • Password: A password can be entered so that no unauthorised person can write over the chip.

NFC integrated circuits have 3 main features

  • UID: It is the unique identifier of NFC tags. Since there cannot be duplicates, this means each tag is unique worldwide. It is factory locked and cannot be changed. It has a 7-byte memory, which is equivalent to 14 hexadecimal characters. Example: 04 9C 64 D2 45 2B 80
  • Password: A password can be entered so that no unauthorised person can write over the chip.
  • Memory: It is designed to write data that users need into 4-byte blocks. The standard encoding format supported by all devices is NDEF. You can write URLs, dates, batches, locations, contacts, etc.

The main manufacturers of integrated circuits (IC)

  • Impinj
  • NXP Semiconductors
  • Alien Technology

The most commonly used types of chips (IC) in RFID UHF technology

 

Abbreviation Number EPC Memory User Memory TID Prefix TID Memory
Higgs 3 Alien Higgs 3 96-bit 512-bit E200 3412 64 bits of serialized TID with 48-bit serial number
Higss 9 Alien Higgs 9 96/496-bit Up to 688-bit - 48 bits of serialized TID with 32-bit serial number
Higgs 4 Alien Higgs 4 128-bit 128-bit   64 bits of serialized TID with 32-bit serial number
M4D Impinj Monza 4D 128-bit 32-bit E280 1100 96 bits of serialized TID with 48-bit serial number
M4i Impinj Monza 4i 256-bit 480-bit E280 1114 96 bits of serialized TID with 48-bit serial number
M4QT Impinj Monza 4QT 128-bit 512-bit E280 1105 96 bits of serialized TID with 48-bit serial number
R6-B Impinj Monza R6-B 96-bit - E280 1171 96 bits of serialized TID with 48-bit serial number
R6 Impinj Monza R6 96-bit - E280 1160 96 bits of serialized TID with 48-bit serial number
R6-A Impinj Monza R6-A 96-bit - -  
R6-P Impinj Monza R6P 96/128-bit 64/32-bit E280 1170 96 bits of serialized TID with 48-bit serial number
M730 Impinj Monza M730 128-bit - E280 1191 96 bits of serialized TID with 48-bit serial number
M750 Impinj Monza M750 96-bit 32-bit E280 1190 96 bits of serialized TID with 48-bit serial number
M770 Impinj Monza M770 128-bit 32-bit    
M775 Impinj Monza M775 128-bit 32-bit    
M780 Impinj Monza M780 496-bit 128-bit    
M781 Impinj Monza M781 128-bit 512-bit    
M4E Impinj Monza 4E Up to 496-bit 128-bit E280 110C 96 bits of serialized TID with 48-bit serial number
X-2K Impinj Monza X-2K Dura 128-bit 2176-bit - 96 bits of serialized TID
X-8K Impinj Monza X-8K Dura 128-bit 8192-bit - 96 bits of serialized TID
im NXP im 256-bit 512-bit E280 680A 96 bits of serialized TID with 48-bit serial number
M5 NXP UCODE 5 128-bit 32-bit E280 1102 96 bits of serialized TID with 48-bit serial number
R6 NXP UCODE 6 96-bit - E280 1160 96 bits of serialized TID with 48-bit serial number
U7 NXP UCODE 7 128-bit - E280 6810 96 bits of serialized TID with 48-bit serial number
U7XM+ NXP UCODE 7+ 448-bit 2K-bit E280 6D92 96 bits of serialized TID with 48-bit serial number
U7XM-1k NXP UCODE 7XM 448-bit 1K-bit E280 6D12 96 bits of serialized TID with 48-bit serial number
U7XM-2k NXP UCODE 7XM 448-bit 2K-bit E280 6F12 96 bits of serialized TID with 48-bit serial number
U8 NXP UCODE 8 128-bit - E280 6894 96 bits of serialized TID with 48-bit serial number
U9 NXP UCODE 9 96-bit - E280 6995 96 bits of serialized TID with 48-bit serial number
UDNA NXP UCODE DNA 224-bit 3K-bit E2C0 6892 96 bits of serialized TID with 48-bit serial number
UDNA C NXP UCODE DNA City 224-bit 1K-bit - 96 bits of serialized TID
UDNA T NXP UCODE DNA Track 448-bit 256-bit   96 bits of serialized TID
I2C NXP UCODE I2C 160-bit 3328-bit   96 bits of serialized TID with 48-bit serial number
G2iM NXP UCODE G2iM 256-bit 320/640-bit E200 680A  96 bits of serialized TID with 48-bit serial number
G2iM+ NXP UCODE G2iM+ 448-bit 512-bit    
G2iL NXP UCODE G2il 128-bit - E200 6806 64 bits of serialized TID with 32-bit serial number

 

The most commonly used types of chips (IC) in NFC technology

 

Abbreviation Number Standard User Memory
NTAG 424 DNA NXP NTAG 424 DNA TagTamper ISO/IEC 14443-A NFC Forum T4T 416-byte
NTAG 424 DNA NXP NTAG 424 DNA ISO/IEC 14443-A NFC Forum T4T 416-byte
NTAG 213 NXP NTAG 213 TagTamper ISO/IEC 14443A1-3 NFC Forum T2T 114-byte
NTAG 213 NXP NTAG 213 ISO/IEC 14443A1-3 NFC Forum T2T 114-byte
NTAG 215 NXP NTAG 215 ISO/IEC 14443A1-3 NFC Forum T2T 504-byte
NTAG 216 NXP NTAG 216 ISO/IEC 14443A1-3 NFC Forum T2T 888-byte
NTAG 210 NXP NTAG 210 ISO/IEC 14443A1-3 NFC Forum T2T 48-byte
NTAG 212 NXP NTAG 212 ISO/IEC 14443A1-3 NFC Forum T2T 128-byte
NTAG 210µ NXP NTAG 210 Micro ISO/IEC 14443A1-3 NFC Forum T2T 48

 

In most cases and applications, standard ICs with low memory can be used. More specific sectors, such as the automotive, pharmaceutical industry and applications with security needs, require chips with more memory.

As you have seen, there are many varieties of integrated circuits (ICs) that offer a world of opportunities. For more information and applications, please do not hesitate to contact us.

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