March 2009

Rev 1

1/6

TN0076

Technical note

Improving PCB traceability

with RFID technology

Benefits of the RFID technology

The RFID technology is successfully being used in a variety of applications such as mass

transit ticketing, library asset management, logistics, anti-counterfeiting, e-passport and

contactless banking.

It is also the right solution for improving traceability, supply chain visibility, counterfeiting

prevention, and easing the scanning process.

The key benefits of RFID lie in a non line-of-sight, rewrite capability. Moreover, the RFID

tags do not need any battery to operate, which makes their lifetime and cost attractive.

Most electronics designers who know the technology understand that they can turn their

application into an RFID reader by either using an OEM reader module or a reader IC such

as STMicroelectronics’ CRX14. This gives them the capability of reading RFID tags.

However, few know that they actually can add the RFID tag function to their application by

designing the RFID chip and the antenna directly on the printed-circuit board (PCB). Each

PCB is then identified with a so-called UID, which is a factory-programmed-and-locked

unique identifier that follows the ISO 15963 numbering standard.

RFID tag ICs also come with different user memory sizes, usually EEPROM memory. They

can be used as means of storing and tracking many types of information:

●

bill of material

●

board revision

●

firmware version

●

schematics and layout file information

●

documentation link

●

date code

●

manufacturing plant

●

manufacturing flow

●

key process characteristics

●

end product type

●

warranty/return information

●

repair and upgrade history

●

customer information

●

anti-tamper information

Thanks to the EEPROM and the RFID technologies, this information can be programmed

and updated throughout the entire manufacturing process and beyond. In this way, you can

keep track of what happens to a PCB from its manufacturing to the end of its life. If the board

is going to be refurbished and upgraded, you will know it.

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