RFID/USN Center (RUC) will take part in RFID/USN Korea 2010 (scheduled to be held on December 2 through 4 at COEX, Seoul) for the 5th time -- but 3rd with an exclusive RUC pavilion. At the Trade Show, the RUC will put up three PR zones such as RFID/USN Total Customer Support Services and MEMS Fab to introduce last five years' achievements in RFID/USN cluster building projects, how the RUC has promoted demand-oriented service adoption and dispersion and its plan for evolving into a global center for RFID/USN (the core technology of the ubiquitous society).
At the RUC PR Zone, the background and goal of the RUC and corporate history will be introduced while the RFID/USN PR Zone will showcase its RFID/USN total support services: RFID/USN-related infrastructure, indoor and outdoor test beds and the RUC's major services like various tests and certification services. In addition, information on how the RUC has vitalized the domestic RFID/USN industry through RUC reports and surveys of the current situation of the RFID/USN industry, the RUC's action plan for becoming a global certification institution and future business plans will be available. Lastly, the MEMS Fab PR Zone will put on display application products like sensors using varied technologies, probe cards, wafers, equipment and various services the RUC offers. What's more, the RUC will also offer business consultations and technical counseling at RFID/USN Korea 2010. So I hope you feel free to visit our pavilion.
The key projects the RUC is pushing for
The RUC, based on RFID/USN, MEM-related cutting-edge infrastructure, is offering both RFID/USN one-stop support services and MEMS foundry services. RFID/USN Total Support Office-- which provides professional technical support based on wide-ranging infrastructures, from R&D on RFID/USN to production of prototype products-- is focused on BMT (Benchmark Test) services that are RFID/USN application tests designed for the government, local self-governing entities and general companies. To make high-quality products and systems widely available and boost exports of domestic products, the RUC is working hard to be internationally certified as an official RFID/US-related testing institution and a certifier. In addition, the MEMS fab, which mass-produces MEMS based on the only 8-inch wafer in Korea, offers MEMS R&D and foundry (contract production) services and is developing technologies for a wide range of MEMS devices including pressure and acceleration sensors.
Smart Life and Smart Society via mobile RFID services
Mobile RFID means mobile phones with a built-in RFID reader chip work as a RFID reader. Thanks to mobile RFID, companies can adopt a RFID system at a low cost. Besides, newly released smartphones' functions go beyond simply reading information, so mobile RFID can be utilized to a limitless degree. In particular, as SK Telecom and KT announced that they would unveil RFID smartphones in the second half of this year, full-blown RFID services will be provided through partnerships with discounter stores, convenience stores, vending machines, movie theaters and theme parks. Once smartphone users put their RFID-equipped smartphones against tags attached to menu books, they can choose a menu, pay and receive at the same time. As such, mobile RFID will make our life smarter and vibrant. Through the application of the mobile RFID system, smart life and smart society can be realized. A case in point is Incheon International Airport's RFID logistics system (the first in the world) : mobile RFID is utilized to manage Incheon International Airport's system for logistics and distribution information. By applying mobile RFID technology to all kinds of cargoes bound for other nations, Incheon International Airport has succeeded in appreciably cutting logistics costs and real-time-management. Moreover, in the pharmaceutical sector whose distribution system is very complex, Hanmi Pharmaceutical Co. is embracing RFID: it is working on a project to share real-time distribution information with raw material providers and other pharmaceutical companies via electronic tags attached to pharmaceutical production and raw materials. By doing so, automation of ordering raw materials and delivery will be achieved to efficiently manage production processes.
Achievements in RFID/USN and MEMS Based on the RUC's infrastructure
The RFID/USN Center was founded in March of 2006, jointly invested by the Ministry of Knowledge Economy and the Incheon Metropolitan City, to promote RFID/USN and MEMS sensor industry. In June of 2008, RFID/USN & MEMS sensor infrastructure was built in Songdo in the Incheon Free Economic Zone. Since then, the RUC has been providing related services.
Since its inception, the RUC has continuously invested in various equipment to provide customized services. The RFID/USN Business Division has been officially recognized as Asia's first EPC global ATC testing institution for static/dynamic tests. In addition, in the environment and credibility category, the RUC has attained the KOLAS (Korea Laboratory Accreditation Scheme) accreditation. To get more parts of the RUC's business certified, the final stage of screening is underway. Through the ROU's test certification services, Korean companies can enhance the credibility of their RFID/USN products and have more opportunities for foreign market entry. The RUC believes that it will consequently spur up the Korean RFID/USN industry.
In the MEMS field, the RUC has built a MEMS processing line that is based an 8-inch wafer and earned ISO9001 (a quality management standard) and 14001 (an environment management standard), thereby offering high-quality products and services that live up to international standards. Based on the RUC's MEMS mass production facilities and custom-tailored services, the RUC has struck NDAs (non-disclosure agreement) with nearly 57 companies: as of now, manufacturing and product development are underway with several products on track to be churned out in the foreseeable future. Furthermore, the RUC has annually launched seminars and educational meetings on RFID/USN and MEMS, conducted surveys of the RFID/USN industry and made predictions for future demand for MEMS so as to provide an array of information that can actually help customers' businesses.
Difficulties and challenges faced by the RFID/USN industry
Up until last year, our surveys had found that the biggest stumbling block to the adoption and dispersion of RFID/USN was high upfront costs. Due to high upfront investments in replacing old systems such as bar codes and old-fashioned information systems, many companies were reluctant to employ RFID/USN across the board. However, this year, our survey presented a different story: identity theft and security risks are the biggest obstacle to the adoption of RFID/USN systems. The survey result has taught us that our society is sensitively reacting to the issue of security. Technologies to beef up security continue to be developed. Thus, such security issues will be taken care of in the near future. Another drag on the promotion of RFID/USN systems is increasing costs of consumables (CoC). Due to disposable tags, companies have to bear additional costs running and maintaining RFID/USN systems. However, the fact that many companies complain about rising costs of consumables (CoC) stemming from using RFID/USN systems indicates that various sectors have already exploited RFID/USN systems and infrastructures are being built.
Becoming a global RFID/USN testing institution and a certifier
The RUC has continued to adopt international testing and certifications systems and programs in a bid to grow into a global RFID/USN tester and certifier. Basically, through the expansion of KOLAS accreditation, a total of three more sectors will be certified: one in the existing environment and credibility category and the others in the fixed/ wireless communications devices and electromagnetic compatibility (EMC) category. In addition, the RUC, certified as an international product certification institution, is building a world-class testing and certification system. The RUC's acquisition of the right to certify products by international standard KS A ISO Guide 65 has boosted the credibility of the RUC's certification program. Taking advantage of such certifications under the belt, the RUC has been designated as a global EPC certifier that is in charge of the Asia-Pacific region and a mobile RFID official testing institution. At the moment, the RUC is making all-out efforts to be certified as an official RFID/USN testing institution by the Near Field Communication (NFC) Forum, a non-profit industry association that promotes the use of NFC short-range wireless interaction, and DASH-7 Alliance (a consortium of leading wireless industry players). From now on, the RUC will do its best to entrench itself as a leading global RFID/USN testing and certification institution through engaging in diverse international activities.
