Socionext, Techsor and ZiFiSense Unveil IC for “ZETag,” a New Cloud Tag to Utilize ZETA Communication

Socionext Inc., ZiFiSense and Techsor announced that the companies have jointly developed a new IC “SC1330,” designed for ZETag, a next generation Cloud Tag that utilizes ZETA communication protocol. The SC1330 incorporates signal processing unit which supports “Advanced M-FSK” modulation method, next-generation ZETA standard, and digital circuits including RISC-V CPU and various interfaces, all into a single chip to achieve small size, high functionality, performance and quality. Socionext plans to start volume production of the SC1330 in 2022.

The Advanced M-FSK modulation is a new communication standard developed by ZiFiSense. With its enhanced error tolerance and high radio wave utilization efficiency, it can achieve a communication speed (bps) three times faster than typical LPWA methods at the same sensitivity. At the same communication speed (bps), the sensitivity (dBm) improves up to 5.3dB. It allows communication over a distance of 3km to 5km from an object moving at 120km/h. “ZETag” is a new “Cloud Tag” that utilizes this feature for applications that cannot be handled by conventional active RFID tags. One possibility application is to attach the tags to parcel loaded on a transport vehicle and track the parcel by communicating with access points installed at highway interchanges and other locations. There are great expectations that the new tags accelerate the digital transformation (DX) of logistics.

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The SC1330 has been developed for this new ZETag and achieved highest level of performance in LPWA communications. The sensitivity is improved by up to 5.3dB at the same transmission rate, when compared with typical LPWA products provided by other companies. With the expertise on RF signal processing and SoC design technology that Socionext has accumulated over the years, the CPU, various external interface functions and signal processing units have been integrated into a single chip solution fitting in a 4mm x 4mm package. The new IC will not only help to reduce the size and number of components needed for tag products but will also contribute to improve the quality and reliability.

Socionext plans to start volume production of the SC1330 in 2022. ZiFiSense will start to ship ZETag products using SC1330 in the same year.

ZiFiSense is working with ZETA ecosystem partners China Tower Corporation and China Transport Telecommunications & Information Center to build a ZETA network infrastructure across China to enable active traceability of parcel. ZiFiSense is already providing mail tracing services for China Post Group Corporation throughout Guangxi Province. SC1330 will play an important role to a large logistics network across all China. In Japan, Techsor is leading the demonstration experiment of ZETag in collaboration with the Alliance members.

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