Another trend to look for in 2006 is for devices that combine RFID with sensors such as those that measure temperature or pressure. Chantal Polsonetti of ARC expects more creative applications for RFID including sensor capability.
“Combining sensors with active RFID technology is not a novel concept,” she says. “Once you have a battery on board, you have the ability to power a sensor for temperature or pressure monitoring or similar functions. This capability is and will be particularly important in cold chain and pharmaceutical applications, and market-wise can be driven by mandates, regulations, or business case advantages.”
For example, Ballantine Produce of Sanger, CA, launched an RFID pilot in summer 2005 for grapes and other fruit. The company says it will begin deploying an active RFID system in which temperature sensors linked to battery-operated RFID tags are used to log the temperature history of produce from the time it is picked to the time it reaches a retailer.
The 5’’x1”x1” active, wireless RFID-enabled temperature logger shown stores up to 13ꯠ temperature readings in memory. Its UHF RFID tag can be read or written at distances of up to 300’.
Packaging World has learned of a company combining a Global Positioning System with RFID for the perishable produce supply chain.
See the story that goes with this sidebar: Higher frequency of RFID ahead
