Thai IC developer Silicon Craft Technology (SIC) has launched a dual-interface Near Field Communication (NFC) chip that can be embedded in an electronic device, thus enabling that device to communicate with—and be controlled by—a smartphone or other NFC reader. The firm's NFC Enabler passive RFID chip, now being sa
Thai IC developer Silicon Craft Technology (SIC) has launched a dual-interface Near Field Communication (NFC) chip that can be embedded in an electronic device, thus enabling that device to communicate with—and be controlled by—a smartphone or other NFC reader.
The firm's NFC Enabler passive RFID chip, now being sampled by several companies and their customers worldwide, can be integrated with sensors and other peripheral devices via a UART (Universal Asynchronous Receiver/Transmitter) interface.
The chip, for example, can be integrated with a passive e-ink display, a capacitor to connect to sensors and a microcontroller. The chip harvests energy from RF transmissions and, therefore, does not require a battery.
This interface enables the system to transmit such data as temperature measurements or the pressing of a button, to an NFC reader in a phone or tablet.
It can also receive and display a picture or text message from a phone on its own e-paper display, or instruct a device—such as a toy with a built-in NFC reader—to flash a light-emitting diode (LED), or to beep or play a tune.