Towards the 5¢ Tag

Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) systems consist of readers, also called interrogators, and tags, also called transponders. This paper deals with RFID tags. Specifically, we deal with IC-based (integrated circuit based), passive, packaged RF tags with 64 bits of read-only memory. Today, tags cost upwards of 50¢, but there is great demand for low-cost RF tags. The specified target of 5¢ tags is theoretically unattainable with today’s approach. The objective of this write-up is to describe the components of the RFID tag, and to explain how the cost of the system can be reduced to 5¢ tags. RFID tags are themselves complicated systems, and the design of the optimal RFID tag requires the careful coordination of IC design, antenna design, manufacturing process engineering, and paper engineering. It is a careful system-level approach, combined with new technologies and new approaches that we describe here, that will enable low-cost RFID systems. Low cost RFID tags cannot be delivered by simply scaling up volumes while using existing technology. The description presented here is speculative. First, research and development in RFID is an ongoing activity at the Auto-ID Center and its sponsors companies. As with any research activity, we can make some educated guesses about the possibilities, and back them up with engineering reasoning. However, we have not yet achieved that target. Second, some of technologies are confidential. We cannot therefore describe them in detail. However, we hope to convey the key ideas which we believe wil enable the first 5¢ tags. Published November 1, 2001. Distribution restricted to sponsors until February 1, 2001. white paper Towards the 5¢ Tag