Switzerland-based EM Microelectronic, the semiconductor company of the Swatch Group specialized in ultra-low power, low-voltage integrated circuits (ICs) for battery-operated and field-powered applications, has joined Auburn University’s RFID Lab Advisory Board, effective immediately.

Auburn’s RFID Lab is a research institute focusing on the business case and technical implementation of RFID and other emerging technologies in retail, food, aviation, supply chain and manufacturing sectors. The advisory board, which has 19 members and meets three times a year, is presented with the lab’s research progress and latest outcomes. The meetings also facilitate discussion of cross-industry best practices.

Radio-Frequency Identification (RFID) refers to technologies that use radio waves to identify products, animals, vehicles or other objects. RFID tags and inlays contain integrated circuit chips that can be easily scanned by RFID readers up to several meters away. As a result, RFID systems are widely used to collect copious quantities of accurate data on inventory items in mere seconds.

“I am excited about EM’s partnership with our lab as their activity goes way beyond standard, commodity products,” RFID Lab Director Justin Patton said. “Thanks to their broad range of standard and custom ICs, they are at the forefront of enabling new applications and use cases. For example, EM’s echo-V product combines both UHF and NFC technologies, which expands RFID supply chain benefits to now include authentication and other consumer engagement opportunities. It’s this creative thinking which will prove beneficial as the lab continues to expand our technology portfolio to meet the growing needs of our diverse client base.”

EM Microelectronic is part of the Swatch Group with headquarters and production facilities in Marin, Switzerland, and sales offices in the United States, Europe and Asia.

“We are honored to have been offered the opportunity to join the advisory board of Auburn’s RFID Lab,” EM’s RFID GM Pierre Muller said. “The lab is an internationally renowned research institute focusing on RFID and other emerging technologies. As a leading supplier of standard and application-specific ICs, our contribution will extend beyond purely passive tag solutions, enabling new applications thanks to our Bluetooth Low Energy beacons and other track and trace technologies. EM looks forward to partnering with Auburn and other advisory board members focusing on crucial business cases and technical implementations to advance the markets in which we all serve.”

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The Harbert College of Business which is celebrating the 10th anniversary of Raymond and Kathryn Harbert's transformational naming gift, is a nationally ranked hub of undergraduate, graduate and continuing business education that is inspiring the next generation of business leaders. Our world-class faculty deliver unparalleled academic rigor in the classroom, while our research-driven scholarship advances thought leadership and best practice across business disciplines. The largest college on Auburn's campus, Harbert enrolls more than 6,900 undergraduate, graduate and doctoral students.