Nathan runs a firm that rents high end amplifiers and sound equipment to musicians, performers and rock bands. While plenty of his clients hire experienced electricians, others cobble together the equipment and cabling which could cause equipment to overheat. The less experienced renters may not be associated with voltage drops and cable run limits across stage floors. Reduced voltage at the remote end creates high internal equipment temperatures and combined with increased ambient temperatures from stage lights, and cables overheating stage equipment can be damaged or have its lifetime reduced. Sensitive electronic components wear out faster than Nathan expected, meaning increased maintenance and replacement costs all costs that are passed on to his clients. Even with careful contract language, how can Nathan monitor and verify operating temperatures to protect his investment or charge when he knows the equipment has been over-heated? HF RFID Enabled Sensing Melexis has come up with MLX 90129 sensor IC that could be matched with multiple sensor inputs and study with a 12.56MHz Radio Frequency IDentification (RFID) reader from Proxima RF. Making use of the MLX 90129, a simple, cost effective temperature data-logger end up being attached to rental equipment to verified operating temperatures having a handheld reader on rental return. The read/write sensor IC has an inside temperature sensor and three additional inputs for sensing or monitoring. By combining resistive sensing with passive high frequency (HF) RFID, Melexis opens the door to new sensing applications that previously were difficult obtain. As a bonus, the HF RFID can use unique product identifiers for inventory and rental control plus can be password protected for added security. What Can Be Sensed? The Melexis sensor IC can supply for more merely temperature sensing. Combined with virtually any resistive sensor on significantly as three sensors or monitoring ports, the sensor IC provides data through proximity RFID for monitoring applications that include: => Strain or force sensors to measure small movement, stretching, weight => Pressure sensors (air, liquid pressure, vacuum) => Flow (liquid or gas) => Temperature, humidity => Electrical voltage, resistance and current => Tampering, tilting, breaking a seal => Proximity of nearby objects or linear position => Shock, rotational speed, angular position, and light => Run time, duty cycles, on/off Battery-Less Sensing or Data logging? The combined Melexis 90129 sensor IC and sensors can be encased in alot of different form factors; from tiny, inexpensive plastic housings to water-proof and high temperature enclosures. Entire sensor can be embedded in equipment or new construction to create an 'in situ' battery-less sensing product for taking data at any particular point. The low power sensor IC with passive 13.56MHz interface draws power from the HF reader designed by Proxima RF this energy harvesting means designers can embed sensors in products and equipment where water and liquid are really a problem for ultra-high frequency (UHF) RFID. By adding a battery, the sensor becomes a data logger taking data points on an era schedule matched to application needs. Why High Frequency for Sensors? HF can be a 'proximity' read technology that has a short read range. Shorter read ranges are useful where personal, human intervention is preferred or is already part of the standard operating procedure pertaining to instance in healthcare, high security applications or with mission critical or sensitive creations. Personal interaction allows human verification of the read as well as the environment, to redundancy the actual planet system. Lasting read range ensures 100% reads without interference or need for anti-collision software as is important with longer read active UHF technology used in real time locating and inventory solutions. High frequency 13.56MHz RFID has superior performance characteristics in and around liquids making it a logical choice for use with sensor systems that are used to monitor foodstuffs, beverages and liquid products either in process control, manufacture, transport or storage area. The proximity read nature of passive 13.56MHz RFID results in less ambient emissions a benefit in healthcare applications or anywhere emissions could create a concern with sensitive electronic equipment. The recent HIBCC ANSI 4.0 standard specifically recommends use of HF in healthcare decrease concerns that active UHF may impact sensitive equipment. HF Readers Desktop or Mobile The MLX 90129 based sensors can be read more than off-the-shelf Proxima RF USB Desktop Reader or the AV-X mobile reader. The FCC/CE USB Desktop Reader has an internal antenna so no extra parts must be present. The small polycarbonate box pulls power from the USB connection and any LED for visual read confirmation. The Proxima RF AV-X mobile HF reader is made specifically for that rugged Psion Teklogix Workabout Pro products. The reader is designed to work using other radios in the handheld device the operator can buy functional WiFi, bar-code scanner or GPS running while the circumstances HF check out. Since many users require mobile reads, the AV-X is an ideal fit for HF-enabled sensor applications. Developing Applications for HF RFID Enabled Sensors Melexis and Proxima RF have partnered to produce the DVK 90129 kit so sensor designers can easily evaluate functions on the MLX 90129 sensor Ed. The kit includes an evaluation board pre-populated with a temperature, light sensor which includes potentiometer. The evaluation board is read with the USB HF Desktop Reader from Proxima RF. The kit includes powerful drag & drop dashboard programs. An optional key fob style temperature sensor (ST-KF1) can be ordered that isn't kit for developers who may thinking of trialing sensor in a tool ready form factor. The DVK 90129 available from Future Electronics perhaps local Melexis representative. Why Rock Bands Should Care Nathan, the equipment renter, is like any business person; he needs certain he is providing quality product, protects his investment and keeps costs down. If he finds his equipment lifetime is shortened by overheating, she will simply charge more. But everyone saves time, money and headaches by instantly verifying operating temperatures along with a simple, mobile reader. And Rock Bands can get back making music file.