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Texas Instruments, A Leading Pioneer for More Secure Access Control

November/ December 2002

From its roots in RFID technology for automotive security, Texas Instruments went on to pioneer the development of next generation thin, flexible, 13.56 MHz smart label solutions.

How It All Started

  More than a decade ago, Texas Instruments' radio frequency identification technology was used to identify and track livestock. Today, TI-RFid™ tags and readers are being used to reduce car theft and insurance premiums for more than 50 million motorists worldwide, provide faster gas purchases and added convenience at the pump for nearly 6 million drivers, and ensure accurate tracking and secure timing for runners at top marathons around the world. The security uses of TI-RFid began in the early 1990s with automobile immobilizers and continue now with access control.

Automobile Immobilizers: The Beginning of Security Solutions for TI-RFid

  Back in the early 1990s, car thieves and joy riders were making off with millions of vehicles around the world. Higher theft rates also meant insurance rates began skyrocketing. At that time, the Ford Motor Company took a dramatic step to thwart would be thieves with the introduction of an RFID-based anti-theft immobilizer security system using TI technology. Later statistics showed that Ford vehicles with the anti-theft immobilizer system were stolen less frequently than cars not equipped with that technology. What began on the 1994 Ford Escort in Europe will now be installed on more than 90 percent of the company's vehicles by 2004.

  What's more, the battery-free passive RFID anti-theft immobilizer has become the standard for automotive security systems. Other international automotive companies such as Chrysler, Hyundai, Mitsubishi, Toyota and Nissan have adopted the technology, and an estimated two-thirds of all new vehicles produced today use RFID-enabled immobilizers. Insurance companies in Europe now offer incentives to drivers with anti-theft immobilizer systems. Back then, few would have predicted that a tiny, tamperproof RFID transponder embedded in your car key would have a starring role in securing your vehicle and launch an entirely new anti-theft industry.

The Next Step for TI-RFid: 13.56 MHz for Smarter, More Secure Access Control

  From its roots in RFID technology for automotive security, Texas Instruments went on to pioneer the development of next generation thin, flexible, 13.56 MHz smart label solutions. Some of the initial markets for 13.56 MHz smart label technology included airline baggage tagging, retail supply chain tracking and cashless payment. Texas Instruments RFid Systems was involved early on in the development of new standards for smart tag technology, including the ISO 15693 vicinity card standard, through its participation in the International Standards Organization committees.

   When it comes to RFID systems, the access control industry primarily is using older 125 kHz technology. What is the next stage of evolution in the RFID market? That's where TI comes in. “Traditional 125 kHz RFID solutions do not support the growing requirements in the marketplace like the need for faster data transfer and low-cost read-write technology,” said Dave Slinger, general manager, Texas Instruments Radio Frequency Identification Systems. “We're now bringing our wealth of experience to the security and access control industry.”

   The combination of new ISO standards and the call for increased levels of security for facilities access due to the events of 9/11 is driving the demand for new 13.56 MHz RFID technology. By merging competencies in semiconductors, microelectronics packaging and computer systems with an open-platform design approach and manufacturing know-how, TI-RFid is opening the market for rapid implementation of low-cost RFID solutions. Today, TI-RFid is a global partner and integrated solutions supplier of new 13.56 MHz card and reader technology.

TI-RFid 13.56 MHz Vicinity Cards and Reader Solutions

  TI's 13.56 MHz vicinity cards and S6400 reader series are bringing a new level of security to the access control market by incorporating unique and secure identification, two-way read/write communication and user programmability available with 13.56 MHz technology, at a cost comparable to traditional proximity cards. The market is embracing 13.56 MHz RFID solutions compliant with the ISO 15693 vicinity card standard because of its new level of security and authentication, interoperability across all suppliers and applications, and multiple card reading capability. Industry research firm Venture Development Corporation estimates the access control market is growing at 12.8 percent CAGR (Compound Annual Growth Rate) through 2005. Frost & Sullivan predicts that RFID will capture 80 percent of the card market by 2006.

   TI-RFid's line of 13.56 MHz vicinity cards incorporate a unique, factory-programmed ID, which cannot be duplicated or tampered with, ensuring that no two cards or people are misidentified. Using the 2000 bits of memory, more than 30 times that of current proximity cards, security personnel can program and print the cards on-site with additional information such as sequence numbers, facility codes, authorization codes, employee certifications or emergency medical histories. On-site user programmability and integration with direct card printer applications provides additional flexibility and saves money. Customers can order blank cards when they need them, and print/program them on demand. They no longer need to keep an inventory of pre-programmed cards or discard unneeded stock. Available in standard ISO 7810 card format for high quality graphics printing, TI's 13.56 MHz cards and inlays are available in a range of sizes and forms including labels that can be used to upgrade existing badges. Additional options include magnetic stripe, custom data programming, and hole punching.

   TI-RFid's S6400 series 13.56 MHz readers offer an enhanced read range, a faster data transfer rate and compatibility with the RS-485, two-way communications protocol. The read range is 40 percent longer than traditional systems and allows more people to be processed quickly and accurately, speeding throughput. The 13.56 MHz readers also create a fast and precise multi-card read zone, eliminating read interference common when two or more conventional proximity cards are in the same read field. Compatibility with the RS-485 communications protocol allows data to be read and written to cards so that they can be updated automatically with new information rather than requiring new badges or cards to be issued. The two-piece reader package is easy to install in new or retrofit applications, comes in a variety of sizes, is Wiegand compliant and is available in either a wall plate or a doorframe option.

    With its global manufacturing capacity, TI-RFid Systems is a full-service provider of 13.56 MHz systems solutions. Integrating every step of the production process from chips to cards to readers, TI provides quality volume production to meet the up-to-the minute needs of the market.

Not Just for Access: What's Next for 13.56 MHz RFID Smart Cards?

  TI's line of ISO 15693 readers and cards provide an easy upgrade path to the ISO 14443 contactless smart card standards. The ISO 14443 standard allows for higher levels of encrypted security and an even faster rate of data exchange. This particular standard is supported by financial institutions and will be used for cashless payments in the future. The ISO 14443 standard will give rise to the “multi-applications” smart card. TI's current product line provides a technology path for emerging applications such as wireless financial transactions and sophisticated biometrics capabilities that reside on a single card. Corporate security managers can leverage their investment in RFID for solutions such as access control, time and attendance, employee certifications, emergency medical histories as well as wireless payment and biometrics security. Compatibility across TI's 13.56 MHz access control solutions gives suppliers the assurance that they can leverage their investment in 13.56 MHz and have a clear migration strategy to a host of new authorization and wireless payment applications.

Market Position and Partners

  Since launching its 13.56 MHz access control solutions, Texas Instruments has established a number of industry partnerships with companies including Lenel Systems International, Zebra Technologies, Fargo Electronics and Secura Key. These relationships will accelerate end-user awareness of the benefits of secure 13.56 MHZ access control solutions and make it easy for organizations to implement the technology.

   Lenel System will resell TI's new line of 13.56 MHz RFID vicinity cards and readers for access control applications under the Lenel brand name. Lenel will sell TI-RFid cards and readers as part of its Total Security Knowledge Management Solutions™, a comprehensive range of security solutions that enable customers to maximize their IT and infrastructure investments and effectively manage people, property, and assets. “Texas Instruments' innovative product design, market strategy and implementation are what the access control industry needs for technology leaders and their customers,” said Robert Pethick, manager of hardware platforms for Lenel Systems International. “We look forward to building a stronger alliance with Texas Instruments to deliver emerging technology solutions to our customers.”

   Zebra Technologies, a worldwide leader in bar code labeling and card printing solutions, will collaborate with TI to develop advanced access control solutions integrating TI's new line of 13.56 MHz RFID vicinity cards and readers with Zebra's Eltron-brand plastic card printers. “We're very pleased to be working with TI to provide personalization solutions for their access control cards,” said Richard Hodgson, director of product management, Zebra Card Printer Business Unit. “Integrating the capability for TI-RFid cards further simplifies the usage of Eltron card printers in state-of-the-art access control systems and provides our customers with new opportunities for innovative system design.” The alliance between TI and Zebra's card printer business unit is an extension of an ongoing relationship to develop new RFID-enabled solutions. Zebra plans to introduce a new model Eltron P320i card printer integrating TI's 13.56 MHz vicinity card encoding/programming capability by the end of 2002.

The Texas Instruments Difference

  To continue the company's leadership and experience in RFID for secure access, TI's future strategy is to increase the integration of security with other functions including financial transactions, advanced biometrics, and logical access - all on the same card. This strategy requires incorporating authentication and higher levels of security into its access control products.

   “When you look at the combination of a new standard, coupled with the price and superior features of this technology, we see 13.56 MHz dominating the market,” said Rick Heimann, access control program manager, Texas Instruments RFid Systems. “Because we have market experience and are pioneers in this technology, we feel we will be the leader in 13.56 MHz access control card and reader solutions.”