KSW Microtec AG announces new temperature monitoring label

KSW Microtec, a global manufacturer of smart inlays and smart active labels, has launched ‘KSW-VarioSens Basic,’ a semi-active RFID interface and a paper-thin, environmentally friendly battery.

The company said in a statement: ‘The credit card-sized KSW-VarioSens Basic Label, working in the ISM-Band at 13.56 MHz, permits the easy and effective monitoring of temperature sensitive goods. The low-cost temperature-monitoring label, a genuine alternative to usual temperature loggers, offers the user beneath enormous cost advantages the preferences of the RFID technology.’

Launching the KSW-VarioSens Basic, KSW Microtec will provide its KSW-VarioSens command set to all software integrators free of charge to simplify the development of software applications. So KSW Microtec opens up to system integrators and reader manufacturers the possibility to broaden its business area to establish their readers and software solutions in a wide and seminal grow segment.

Samples of KSW-VarioSens Basic are available now and series production will be started in the second quarter of 2006 at the high-tech site in Dresden, Germany. To get to know the functionality of the temperature label the KSW-VarioSens Basic starter kit is available too, including ten KSW-VarioSens Basic Labels, a reader to use via an USB port as well as software and user manual. Holder of a KSW-TempSens Demo Kit can receive an Upgrade Kit for the use with the new KSW-VarioSens Basic Transponder.

KSW-VarioSens Basic is a credit card sized RFID label that works via wireless communication in the ISM-band at 13.56 MHz in accordance with ISO 15693-3. The integrated paper-thin battery enables the independent use of the temperature label outside of the range of a reader. Fast communication protocols allow the smooth access to the label, which is tamper-proof against unauthorized access to the label by a 3 level password hierarchy.

KSW-VarioSens Basic Label enables the user to measure temperatures in a configurable measurement interval, to compare with the standard values and to store related information regarding the temperature characteristics. This temperature information will be collected by a RFID reader and can be processed afterwards according to the user need. Depending on the application and measurement interval KSW-VarioSens Basic label can be re-used.

After programming the KSW-VarioSens Basic Label temperature is measured periodically in a configurable measurement interval. On-chip intelligent data reduction procedure guarantees optimal memory utilization and secure saving of all user-relevant information during utilization.

KSW-VarioSens Basic offers three operation modes ‘All Values’, ‘Outband’ and ‘Extrema’, which enables the user to adjust the label individually according to the requirements. By using the operating modes ‘Outband’ and ‘Extrema’, where only values outside the range are stored, an optimal memory allocation is provided. By adjustment of two independent temperature limits, only values that are going outside of the permitted range during the transport will be stored. Start, stop and configuration of the measurement program are performed via RFID interface in the field of a reader station.

KSW-VarioSens Basic can be used advantageously anywhere, where during transport or storage of perishable goods beneath the tracking and tracing also the temperature monitoring is required. Fields of application are for example perishable logistics, transportation and storage of pharmaceutical products, medical and blood tracking, as well as transport of temperature sensitive agricultural products and fine chemicals. All information regarding the product are stored directly at the packaging and can be contact less collected, edited or deleted by any ISO 15693 compatible RFID reader. The consistent utilization of the ISO Standard 15693 and the user friendly software interfaces as well as the command set enable an easy integration in many applications and development of customized software solutions.