| Nathan runs a firm that rents high end amplifiers and | | | | logger - taking data points on a time schedule |
| sound equipment to musicians, performers and rock | | | | matched to application needs. |
| bands. While many of his clients hire experienced | | | | Why High Frequency for Sensors? |
| electricians, others cobble together the equipment | | | | HF is a "proximity" read technology that has a short |
| and cabling - which could cause equipment to | | | | read range. Shorter read ranges are useful where |
| overheat. | | | | personal, human intervention is preferred or is already |
| The less experienced renters may not be aware of | | | | part of the standard operating procedure such as in |
| voltage drops and cable run limits across stage floors. | | | | healthcare, high security applications or with mission |
| Reduced voltage at the remote end creates high | | | | critical or sensitive devices. Personal interaction allows |
| internal equipment temperatures and combined with | | | | human verification of the read and the environment, |
| increased ambient temperatures from stage lights, | | | | to add redundancy in the system. The short read |
| and cables overheating - stage equipment can be | | | | range ensures 100% reads without interference or |
| damaged or have its lifetime reduced. Sensitive | | | | need for anti-collision software as is necessary with |
| electronic components wear out faster than Nathan | | | | longer read active UHF technology used in real time |
| expected, meaning increased maintenance and | | | | locating and inventory systems. |
| replacement costs - all costs that are passed on to | | | | High frequency 13.56MHz RFID has superior |
| his clients. | | | | performance characteristics in and around liquids |
| Even with careful contract language, how can Nathan | | | | making it a logical choice for use with sensor systems |
| monitor and verify operating temperatures to | | | | used to monitor foodstuffs, beverages and liquid |
| protect his investment or charge when he knows the | | | | products either in process control, manufacture, |
| equipment has been over-heated? | | | | transport or storage. |
| HF RFID Enabled Sensing | | | | The proximity read nature of passive 13.56MHz RFID |
| Melexis has created the MLX 90129 sensor IC that | | | | results in less ambient emissions - a benefit in |
| can be matched with multiple sensor inputs and read | | | | healthcare applications or anywhere emissions could |
| with a 13.56MHz Radio Frequency IDentification | | | | create a concern with sensitive electronic equipment. |
| (RFID) reader from Proxima RF. Using the MLX | | | | The recent HIBCC ANSI 4.0 standard specifically |
| 90129, a simple, cost effective temperature | | | | recommends use of HF in healthcare to reduce |
| data-logger could be attached to rental equipment to | | | | concerns that active UHF may interfere with |
| verified operating temperatures with a handheld | | | | sensitive equipment. |
| reader on rental return. | | | | HF Readers - Desktop or Mobile |
| The read/write sensor IC has an internal temperature | | | | The MLX 90129 based sensors can be read with the |
| sensor and three additional inputs for sensing or | | | | off-the-shelf Proxima RF USB Desktop Reader or the |
| monitoring. By combining resistive sensing with | | | | AV-X mobile reader. The FCC/CE USB Desktop |
| passive high frequency (HF) RFID, Melexis opens the | | | | Reader has an internal antenna so no extra parts are |
| door to new sensing applications that previously were | | | | needed. The small polycarbonate box pulls power |
| difficult to achieve. As a bonus, the HF RFID can use | | | | from the USB connection and includes a LED for |
| unique product identifiers for inventory and rental | | | | visual read confirmation. |
| control plus can be password protected for added | | | | The Proxima RF AV-X mobile HF reader is designed |
| security. | | | | specifically for the rugged Psion Teklogix Workabout |
| What Can Be Sensed? | | | | Pro product line. The reader is designed to work with |
| The Melexis sensor IC can be used for more than | | | | the other radios in the handheld device - the operator |
| just temperature sensing. Combined with virtually any | | | | can keep the WiFi, bar-code scanner or GPS running |
| resistive sensor on up to three sensors or monitoring | | | | while making the HF read. Since many users require |
| ports, the sensor IC can provide data through | | | | mobile reads, the AV-X is a perfect fit for HF-enabled |
| proximity RFID for monitoring applications that include: | | | | sensor applications. |
| - Strain or force sensors to measure small | | | | Developing Applications for HF RFID Enabled Sensors |
| movement, stretching, weight | | | | Melexis and Proxima RF have partnered to create the |
| - Pressure sensors (air, liquid pressure, vacuum) | | | | DVK 90129 kit so sensor designers can easily |
| - Flow (liquid or gas) | | | | evaluate the features on the MLX 90129 sensor IC. |
| - Temperature, humidity | | | | The kit includes an evaluation board pre-populated |
| - Electrical voltage, resistance and current | | | | with a temperature, light sensor and a potentiometer. |
| - Tampering, tilting, breaking a seal | | | | The evaluation board is read with the USB HF |
| - Proximity of nearby objects or linear position | | | | Desktop Reader from Proxima RF. The kit includes |
| - Shock, rotational speed, angular position, and light | | | | powerful drag & drop dashboard software. An |
| - Run time, duty cycles, on/off | | | | optional key fob style temperature sensor (ST-KF1) |
| Battery-Less Sensing or Data logging? | | | | can be ordered with the kit for developers who may |
| The combined Melexis 90129 sensor IC and sensors | | | | be interested in trialing sensor in an application ready |
| can be encased in a number of different form | | | | form factor. |
| factors; from tiny, inexpensive plastic housings to | | | | The DVK 90129 is available from Future Electronics or |
| water-proof and high temperature enclosures. | | | | your local Melexis representative. |
| The complete sensor can be embedded in equipment | | | | Why Rock Bands Should Care |
| or new construction to create an "in situ" battery-less | | | | Nathan, the equipment renter, is like any business |
| sensing product for taking data at a particular point in | | | | person; he needs to ensure he is providing quality |
| time. The low power sensor IC with passive | | | | product, protects his investment and keeps costs |
| 13.56MHz interface draws power from the HF reader | | | | down. If he finds his equipment lifetime is shortened |
| designed by Proxima RF - this energy harvesting | | | | by overheating, he will simply charge more. But |
| means designers can embed sensors in products and | | | | everyone saves time, money and headaches by |
| equipment where water and liquid are a problem for | | | | instantly verifying operating temperatures with a |
| ultra-high frequency (UHF) RFID. | | | | simple, mobile reader. And Rock Bands can go back |
| By adding a battery, the sensor becomes a data | | | | to making music. |