STMicroelectronics (distributed in Australia by Braemac) has announced a hardware developer kit (HDK) for building active RFID tags and readers that comply with the global standard for 433 MHz active RFID technology, ISO 18000-7. The beta version of the Smart Web Based Sensor HDK is available now from Arira Design.

The kit solves key technical challenges for companies seeking to develop wireless sensor networks for security and asset-monitoring applications. The company says developers can now blend standards-compliant active RFID with other wireless networking and GPS capabilities and enhanced sensing features, exploiting built-in MEMS motion sensors and temperature and light sensors. The kit also enables longer battery life and smaller device sizes.

The kit consists of sample boards and a Windows application that allows developers to rapidly customise the sensor and wireless capabilities for new active RFID products. It provides users with the ability to integrate their own hardware and firmware into ISO 18000-7 based RFID including the addition of new RFID commands or data fields.