Maritime Logistics Innovation Center (MLIC) and the Georgia Electronic Design Center (GEDC) announce a partnership focused on furthering Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) based research. The new agreement leverages a working test bed provided by Savi Networks, a MLIC partner and company providing real-time RFID information services.

“This partnership is a perfect example of the power created when organizations come together and collaborate,” said Page Siplon, MLIC Executive Director. “Each organization brings valuable technology and resources to the table. By using each other’s knowledge, we are able to advance research as well as the actual use of RFID in a real world situation. This is a ‘where the rubber meets the road’ application, and that is exciting.”

The ball started rolling when Savi Networks recently announced a partnership with MLIC to provide SaviTrak, the company’s information service, to terminal facilities at Georgia’s ports. The service leverages real-time data from the organization’s global infrastructure at ports and other supply chain checkpoints – automatically reading and transmitting data on RFID containers to an open technology software platform.

The working test bed enhanced by the Savi Networks infrastructure is perfect for GEDC to demonstrate and further research their significant RFID developments. The GEDC team’s expertise, led by Professor Manos Tentzeris, is in high-read-range, high-efficiency, low-cost, multifunctional UHF RFID antennas and integrated circuits (ICs).

GEDC developments targeted for testing include thin, flexible organics (such as liquid crystal polymer) and hydrophobic paper-based substances such as substrates into which RF antennas and ICs can be embedded. The resulting paper-based RFID circuits are low-cost, mold to any surface, boast excellent RF performance and are highly weather resistant. In fact, the team has already presented the first paper-based 3-inch x 3-inch flexible RFID with a 100 foot plus range and power efficiency of 95 percent. Another innovation included RFID placement strategies for near 100 percent coverage of stacked cargo containers.

“The partnership between MLIC and GEDC allows the development of real-world applications through the Savi infrastructure and GEDC RFID innovation. What that means in bottom line terms is GEDC is now better able to provide demonstrable solutions for the logistics industry,” said Professor Joy Laskar, director of GEDC.

GEDC engineers will focus on maximizing the performance of RFID tags by using optimized matching networks; directivity/gain enhancement; printable thin-film batteries; conductive inkjet printing; advanced sensors for temperature, pressure and humidity and single and dual polarized antennas. The team is currently putting together a RFID test for multi-standard (EPC, ISO)/multi-frequency (HF, VHF, UHF, RF) operation in a variety of environments.

About MLIC
MLIC, created in 2003 within the Georgia Centers of Innovation Program, is a unique partnership of private industry, academia and federal and state authorities working together to develop, apply and promote new technologies, identify unique applications for existing technology, and create best practices for safe, efficient and secure supply chains. For more information contact Page Siplon, Executive Director of MLIC at page.siplon@gatech.edu or call 912.966.7867.

About GEDC
The Georgia Electronic Design Center (GEDC) supports world-class research, active and solution-oriented industry collaboration, intellectual property generation and revenue generating commercialization efforts. Supported both by industry partners and federal laboratories, GEDC’s research is broadly focused on fostering technology at the intersection of today’s communications applications: wireless/RF, wired/copper and fiber channels.