Impinj Acquires Intel's UHF RFID Reader Chip Operation

  • Posted on 22 July 2008

Impinj, a provider of EPC Gen 2 UHF radio frequency identification tags and readers, has purchased Intel's RFID business unit and the rights to sell Intel's R1000 RFID chips. The chips support the EPC Gen 2 and ISO 18000-6C specifications, and incorporate many standard electronics components into a single chip, thereby reducing the size, cost and complexity of ultrahigh-frequency (UHF) readers.

The two companies decline to disclose the financial terms of the acquisition, which closed on July 3, but Bill Colleran, Impinj's president and CEO, says his firm accepted Impinj stock in exchange for the unit.

Impinj plans to sell the Intel R1000—now rebranded the Impinj Indy R1000—to other reader manufacturers. About 40 to 50 manufacturers have developed interrogators incorporating the R1000 chip, and Impinj has been reaching out to these companies to let them know it does not plan to compete with them. Impinj intends to continue selling its high-end Speedway EPC Gen 2 UHF fixed RFID reader, but does not plan to develop handheld, portable and other interrogators incorporating the R1000 chip.

Impinj, www.impinj.com