STMicroelectronics Combines Innovative Wireless Memory and NFC Technology to Enable a New Level of User Convenience

Android apps compatible with ST's dual interface EEPROM on NFC smartphones
Providing innovative user convenience through various types of applications

Korea, September 8, 2011 – STMicroelectronics ( www.st.com ), a world-leading integrated semiconductor company and the world's number one supplier of EEPROM memory, announced that it is strengthening its position in the NFC (Near Field Communication) market by widely expanding the information read, write, and transfer capabilities of ST's dual interface memory to industrial and consumer electronics sectors.

ST's M24LR64 wireless memory provides the unique capability to transmit and receive information to and from smartphones or industrial RFID readers supporting NFC (Near Field Communication) technology at the heart of applications. This enables the rapid processing of transactions, information exchange, and the identification and tracking of targets. NFC is a short-range technology operating at 13.56 MHz that allows consumers to make payments using their mobile phones in public transportation and convenience stores. NFC technology also supports communication between NFC-enabled devices. Major U.S. wireless carriers and credit card companies are already collaborating, and according to market research firm HIS iSuppli, 30.5% of mobile phones shipped in 2015 are projected to adopt NFC technology.

This app, called Dual EE, runs on the Android OS and is fully compatible with ST's M24LR64 wireless memory. By connecting an NFC-enabled smartphone to a prototype temperature recorder equipped with ST's proprietary M24LR64 wireless memory, the app enables data transmission and storage. This capability can be easily applied to a wide range of products, including medical devices, home appliances, consumer electronics, and meters. The adoption of NFC technology and ST's innovative memory will eliminate connecting cables, providing users with the freedom to exchange and store information wherever they wish.

Benoit Rodrigues, General Manager of ST’s Memory Business Unit, stated, “The combination of a new Android app and our innovative dual-interface wireless EEPROM memory will enable users to communicate with various types of electronic devices using NFC-enabled smartphones. By launching this unique memory technology and Android app, ST has demonstrated its ability to develop innovative new technologies and solutions for the rapidly growing NFC market, further strengthening its world-leading NFC product portfolio, which includes security elements for mobile devices, SIM ICs, and NFC controllers.”

The combination of this dual-interface EEPROM and Android apps could serve as a catalyst for consumer technology innovation by realizing new user experiences through NFC. This memory can also function as RFID equipment used in the supply chain. The Dual EE app is available for free download on the Android Market and has already been approved for major smartphones. The source code for this sample application is available on the ST website www.st.com , allowing developers to quickly start designing Android NFC applications that can communicate with dual-interface EEPROM products.

NFC Technology Description
NFC is a short-range wireless technology standard for communication over distances of up to approximately 10 centimeters. This technology is supported as a native feature in the Android operating system (starting with version 2.3.3) and will provide enhanced services to NFC-enabled smartphone users. Examples include receiving coupons when visiting stores, sharing contacts or photos, mobile payments, or collecting data from medical monitors, smart meters, and other devices equipped with ST's dual-interface EEPROM. ST provides various solutions for NFC applications, including the ST21NFCA NFC controller and high-security microcontrollers based on ST's ST33 security MCU core.

ST's Dual Interface EEPROM
ST’s M24LR64 is a dual-interface EEPROM capable of direct connection to the radio antennas used in RFID tags, transmitting data via energy supplied by radio waves between an RFID or NFC reader and an electronic tag attached to a target. This enables reading or updating without turning on the equipment's power. It is the only product in the industry capable of communicating with RFID and ISO15693-compliant NFC readers, as well as the system's own processor. This dual interface provides new capabilities for NFC users and facilitates the easy design of products that operate seamlessly in supply chains utilizing RFID. ST's dual-interface EEPROM products can also control wireless memory read and write access using 32-bit password data protection.

RFID is being increasingly used in supply chains and is particularly useful for inventory management by significantly reducing the time required to verify item quantities compared to traditional methods. Electronic products equipped with ST’s wireless EEPROM, such as the M24LR64, can be individually identified, activated after secure delivery, and updated with local settings or new firmware at the point of sale. All of these operations can be performed without opening the packaging or breaking the manufacturer's seal. This enhances security, control, flexibility, and convenience for both OEMs and retailers.

Key features of M24LR64
• NFC/RFID compatible ISO15693 wireless interface operating at 13.56 MHz
• Low-power wired I2C interface for MCUs or chipsets
• 64KB memory density
• 32-bit password feature

The price of the M24LR64 is $0.72 per unit in 1,000-unit quantities. Further price adjustments are possible for larger quantities. ST plans to release additional products in this dual-interface EEPROM family in the second half of 2011.