Eindhoven, Netherlands, April 14, 2015 – NXP Semiconductors N.V. (NASDAQ: NXPI) today announced the introduction of its latest UCODE product, UCODE DNA, the world’s first UHF (ultra-high frequency) RAIN RFID tag IC to combine long-range read performance with cryptographic authentication. With this new tag IC developers no longer have to choose between contactless performance and the need for security in their applications; UCODE DNA enables them to have access to both in a single RAIN RFID tag IC. The new tag IC is ideal for use in a wide variety of applications, such as electronic road tolling, electronic vehicle registration, license plate authentication, access control, asset tracking, brand protection, parking, and fast visitor processing and special service offering at large scale venues, sports stadiums or entertainment parks.
Cryptographic authentication provides dynamic security with each transmission being different from the one before therefore minimizing the ability for data to be emulated. The new UCODE DNA provides ISO/IEC 29167-10 standardized cryptographic security using 128-bit key based on AES (advanced encryption standard) algorithms and is also designed in accordance with GS1 EPC Gen 2 V2 air interface standard, which supports cryptographic authentication in RFID systems operating in the UHF range (860 MHz to 960 MHz).
“UCODE DNA will transform the RAIN RFID tag market, making decisions on security versus read range, a thing of the past. NXP is a trusted provider of secure contactless solutions with our technology already being used in many sensitive applications, such as ePassports, contactless banking cards, event ticketing and electronic identification cards,” said Martin Gruber, general manager, secure mobility & retail, NXP Semiconductors. “By combining cryptographic security with long read range the possibilities for new markets, new use cases and new applications are enormous and it will be exciting to see this develop.”
UCODE DNA offers developers a service for Trust Provisioning, which generates and inserts the cryptographic keys into the UCODE DNA tag IC during the manufacturing process. This not only speeds up the time to deploy an RAIN RFID system but also enables developers with no prior experience with cryptography to get a head start on new applications. As well as offering RAIN RFID system developers unprecedented cryptographic protection UCODE DNA also provides a large user memory (up to 3Kbit) with BlockPermalock functionality, up to 448-bit EPC (electronic product code), and -19 dBm read sensitivity.
NXP will present UCODE DNA at RFID Journal Live, April 15-17, in San Diego, California. Demonstrations of the new RAIN RFID tag will be showcased at the NXP booth, #312.
About RAIN RFID Alliance
The RAIN RFID Alliance is hosted by AIM, Inc. a nonprofit organization. RAIN promotes awareness, education, and initiatives to accelerate the adoption in business and consumer applications worldwide of passive UHF RFID standards developed by GS1 (EPC Gen2v2) and incorporated by ISO/IEC (18000-63). Information on RAIN is available on the RAIN website at www.RAINRFID.org or by email at info@RAINRFID.org.
About NXP Semiconductors
NXP Semiconductors N.V. (NASDAQ: NXPI) creates solutions that enable Secure Connections for a Smarter World. Building on its expertise in High Performance Mixed Signal electronics, NXP is driving innovation in the application areas Connected Car, Security, Portable & Wearable and Internet of Things. NXP has operations in more than 25 countries, and posted revenue of $5.65 billion in 2014. Find out more at nxp.com.
