RFID tags for metal packaging from QinetiQ

• January 1st, 2007 | Tracking

QinetiQ and Crown Holdings, Inc. have come together in a development program that will hopefully lead to the adaptation of the Omni-ID™ integrated Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) technology by QinetiQ in the metal packaging industry. This has implications for the tracking of objects at the single item level using UHF tags.

RFID tagging on metal is not easy because of issues such as signal reflection and detuning in the presence of metal and liquids. The Omni-ID™ tags, which measure less than 1 mm in thickness, will be placed directly on the metal substrate with the help of Omni-ID™ packaging technology. The success of these tags will be decided by their success in gathering and focusing RF energy to and fro from chip to reader. The tags will also cost less as they will not require the large dipole that comes with UHF tags; instead they will have a short built-in antenna.

The development of tags for metal substrates will soon see the metals themselves acting as the antenna. This will lead to simplified production procedures and cheaper costs. At present, the tags are being marketed to high-end products such as perfumes and confectionary items. Later, the company hopes to extend its tags for use at item-level across metal packaging and aqueous product applications.