Intel sells off RFID chip biz

The deal will give Impinj control over Intel's R1000 chip, a device which allows for 90 per cent of the necessary components for an RFID reader to be placed on a single chip. The chip was developed through the companies New Business Initiatives incubator program.

Impinj is a privately held firm based in Seattle, Washington. The company specializes in UHF 2 RFID systems. Impinj hopes that the deal will give it a leg up over competitors in producing components for new RFID systems.

"Adding the R1000 reader chip to Impinj’s market-leading portfolio of tag chips and fixed-reader products allows us to deliver exceptional price-performance and enable a new category of customers who are developing their own game-changing products based upon Impinj technology," boasted Impinj president and chief executive William T. Colleran, Ph.D.

The company hopes to use the new chip in a number of different RFID systems, including product tracking, supply chain management and security systems.

"The UHF RFID market is a strong opportunity, and we believe this business and its assets are an optimal fit for Impinj," said Rich Wykoff, general manager of the NBI incubator.

"Intel’s NBI incubator program is practiced at establishing new businesses in emerging markets, and Impinj’s acquisition of the RFID Operation demonstrates the incubator’s ability to create valued businesses in new technology areas."